A Salmonella Typhimurium-Typhi genomic chimera: A model to study Vi polysaccharide capsule function in vivo

Angela M. Jansen, Lindsay J. Hall, Simon Clare, David Goulding, Kathryn E. Holt, Andrew J. Grant, Piero Mastroeni, Gordon Dougan, Robert A. Kingsley

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Abstract

The Vi capsular polysaccharide is a virulence-associated factor expressed by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi but absent from virtually all other Salmonella serotypes. In order to study this determinant in vivo, we characterised a Vi-positive S. Typhimurium (C5.507 Vi+), harbouring the Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI)-7, which encodes the Vi locus. S. Typhimurium C5.507 Vi+ colonised and persisted in mice at similar levels compared to the parent strain, S. Typhimurium C5. However, the innate immune response to infection with C5.507 Vi+ and SGB1, an isogenic derivative not expressing Vi, differed markedly. Infection with C5.507 Vi+ resulted in a significant reduction in cellular trafficking of innate immune cells, including PMN and NK cells, compared to SGB1 Vi− infected animals. C5.507 Vi+ infection stimulated reduced numbers of TNF-α, MIP-2 and perforin producing cells compared to SGB1 Vi−. The modulating effect associated with Vi was not observed in MyD88−/− and was reduced in TLR4−/− mice. The presence of the Vi capsule also correlated with induction of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in vivo, a factor that impacted on chemotaxis and the activation of immune cells in vitro.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere1002131
JournalPLoS Pathogens
Volume7
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jul 2011

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