Multi-omics studies demonstrate Toxoplasma gondii-induced metabolic reprogramming of murine dendritic cells

Hargrave, K. E., Woods, S., Millington, O., Chalmers, S., Westrop, G. D. and Roberts, C. W. (2019) Multi-omics studies demonstrate Toxoplasma gondii-induced metabolic reprogramming of murine dendritic cells. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 9, 309. (doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00309) (PMID:31572687) (PMCID:PMC6749083)

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Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is capable of actively invading almost any mammalian cell type including phagocytes. Early events in phagocytic cells such as dendritic cells are not only key to establishing parasite infection, but conversely play a pivotal role in initiating host immunity. It is now recognized that in addition to changes in canonical immune markers and mediators, alteration in metabolism occurs upon activation of phagocytic cells. These metabolic changes are important for supporting the developing immune response, but can affect the availability of nutrients for intracellular pathogens including T. gondii. However, the interaction of T. gondii with these cells and particularly how infection changes their metabolism has not been extensively investigated. Herein, we use a multi-omics approach comprising transcriptomics and metabolomics validated with functional assays to better understand early events in these cells following infection. Analysis of the transcriptome of T. gondii infected bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) revealed significant alterations in transcripts associated with cellular metabolism, activation of T cells, inflammation mediated chemokine and cytokine signaling pathways. Multivariant analysis of metabolomic data sets acquired through non-targeted liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LCMS) identified metabolites associated with glycolysis, the TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation and arginine metabolism as major discriminants between control uninfected and T. gondii infected cells. Consistent with these observations, glucose uptake and lactate dehydrogenase activity were upregulated in T. gondii infected BMDC cultures compared with control BMDCs. Conversely, BMDC mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced in T. gondii-infected cells relative to mitochondria of control BMDCs. These changes to energy metabolism, similar to what has been described following LPS stimulation of BMDCs and macrophages are often termed the Warburg effect. This metabolic reprogramming of cells has been suggested to be an important adaption that provides energy and precursors to facilitate phagocytosis, antigen processing and cytokine production. Other changes to BMDC metabolism are evident following T. gondii infection and include upregulation of arginine degradation concomitant with increased arginase-1 activity and ornithine and proline production. As T. gondii is an arginine auxotroph the resultant reduced cellular arginine levels are likely to curtail parasite multiplication. These results highlight the complex interplay of BMDCs and parasite metabolism within the developing immune response and the consequences for adaptive immunity and pathogen clearance.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hargrave, Dr Kerrie
Authors: Hargrave, K. E., Woods, S., Millington, O., Chalmers, S., Westrop, G. D., and Roberts, C. W.
Subjects:Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Publisher:Frontiers Media
ISSN:2235-2988
ISSN (Online):2235-2988
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 Hargrave, Woods, Millington, Chalmers, Westrop and Roberts
First Published:First published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 9: 309
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
Data DOI:10.6084/m9.figshare.9751904.v1

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
5887510BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership 2012George BaillieBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/J013854/1MVLS COLLEGE SENIOR MANAGEMENT