BioProject

Gastrointestinal infections caused by enteric yersiniae can become persistent and complicated by relapsing enteritis and severe autoimmune disorders. More...

Gastrointestinal infections caused by enteric yersiniae can become persistent and complicated by relapsing enteritis and severe autoimmune disorders. To establish a persistent infection, the bacteria have to cope with hostile surroundings when they transmigrate through the intestinal epithelium and colonize underlying gut-associated lymphatic tissues. How the bacteria gain a foothold in the face of host immune responses is poorly understood. Here, we show that the CNFY toxin, which enhances translocation of the antiphagocytic Yop effectors, induces IL-6-triggered inflammatory responses. This results in extensive tissue destruction, alteration of the intestinal microbiota and bacterial clearance. An elimination of CNFY, however, increases inter-feron-γ-mediated responses, comprising non-inflammatory antimicrobial activities and Ido1-promoted tolerogenesis. This process is accompanied by a preterm reprogram-ming of the pathogen's transcriptional response towards persistence, which gives the bacteria a fitness edge against host responses. These results have significant implica-tions for our understanding how enteric bacteria establish a commensal-type life style. Overall design: RNA of Y. pseudotuberculosis infected and uninfected caecal tissue of Mus musculus Less...