Interactions between intestinal microbiota and the human host are complex. The gut mucosal surface is covered by a mucin layer that prevents bacteria from accessing the epithelial cells. Thus, the crosstalk between microbiota and the host mainly rely on secreted factors that can go through the mucus layer and reach the epithelium. In this context, vesicles released by commensal strains are seen as key players in signaling processes in the intestinal mucosa. Studies with Gram-negative pathogens showed that outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are internalized into the host cell by endocytosis, but the entry mechanism for microbiota-derived vesicles is unknown. Escherichia coli strains are found as part of normal human gut microbiota. In this work, we elucidate the pathway that mediate internalization of OMVs from the probiotic E.coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) and the commensal ECOR12 strains in several human intestinal epithelial cell lines. Time course measurement of fluorescence and microscopy analysis performed with rhodamine B-R18-labeled OMVs in the presence of endocytosis inhibitors showed that OMVs from these strains enter epithelial cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Vesicles use the same endocytosis pathway in polarized epithelial monolayers. Internalized OMVs are sorted to lysosomal compartments as shown by their colocalization with clathrin and specific markers of endosomes and lysosomes. OMVs from both strains did not affect cell viability, but reduce proliferation of HT-29 cells. Labeling of 8-oxo-dG adducts in DNA revealed that neither OMVs from EcN nor from ECOR12 promoted oxidative DNA damage. In contrast, flow cytometry analysis of phosphorylated γH2AX evidenced that OMVs from the probiotic EcN significantly produced more double strand breaks in DNA than ECOR12 OMVs. The EcN genotoxic effects have been attributed to the synthesis of colibactin. However, it is not known how colibactin is exported and delivered into host cells. Whether colibactin is secreted via OMVs is an open question that needs further study.

Gut microbiota plays a critical role in maintaining human intestinal homeostasis and host health. Bacterial extracellular vesicles are key players in bacteria–host communication, as they allow delivery of effector molecules into the host cells. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) released by Gram-negative bacteria carry many ligands of pattern recognition receptors that are key components of innate immunity. NOD1 and NOD2 cytosolic receptors specifically recognize peptidoglycans present within the bacterial cell wall. These intracellular immune receptors are essential in host defense against bacterial infections and in the regulation of inflammatory responses. Recent contributions show that NODs are also fundamental to maintain intestinal homeostasis and microbiota balance. Peptidoglycan from non-invasive pathogens is delivered to cytosolic NODs through OMVs, which are internalized via endocytosis. Whether this pathway could be used by microbiota to activate NOD receptors remains unexplored. Here, we report that OMVs isolated from the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 and the commensal ECOR12 activate NOD1 signaling pathways in intestinal epithelial cells. NOD1 silencing and RIP2 inhibition significantly abolished OMV-mediated activation of NF-κB and subsequent IL-6 and IL-8 expression. Confocal fluorescence microscopy analysis confirmed that endocytosed OMVs colocalize with NOD1, trigger the formation of NOD1 aggregates, and promote NOD1 association with early endosomes. This study shows for the first time the activation of NOD1-signaling pathways by extracellular vesicles released by gut microbiota.

Membrane vesicles (MVs) produced by Gram-negative bacteria are being explored for novel clinical applications due to their ability to deliver active molecules to distant host cells, where they can exert immunomodulatory properties. MVs released by the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) are good candidates for testing such applications. However, a drawback for such studies is the low level of MV isolation from in vitro culture supernatants, which may be overcome by the use of mutants in cell envelope proteins that yield a hypervesiculation phenotype. Here, we confirm that a tolR mutation in EcN increases MV production, as determined by protein, LPS and fluorescent lipid measurements. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of negatively stained MVs did not reveal significant differences with wild type EcN MVs. Conversely, TEM observation after high-pressure freezing followed by freeze substitution of bacterial samples, together with cryo-TEM observation of plunge-frozen hydrated isolated MVs showed considerable structural heterogeneity in the EcN tolR samples. In addition to common one-bilayer vesicles (OMVs) and the recently described double-bilayer vesicles (O-IMVs), other types of MVs were observed. Time-course experiments of MV uptake in Caco-2 cells using rhodamine- and DiO-labelled MVs evidenced that EcN tolR MVs displayed reduced internalization levels compared to the wild-type MVs. The low number of intracellular MVs was due to a lower cell binding capacity of the tolR-derived MVs, rather than a different entry pathway or mechanism. These findings indicate that heterogeneity of MVs from tolR mutants may have a major impact on vesicle functionality, and point to the need for conducting a detailed structural analysis when MVs from hypervesiculating mutants are to be used for biotechnological applications.

Donepezil (DPZ) is widely used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in tablet form for oral administration. The pharmacological efficacy of this drug can be enhanced by the use of intranasal administration because this route makes bypassing the blood–brain barrier (BBB) possible. The aim of this study was to develop a nanoemulsion (NE) as well as a nanoemulsion with a combination of bioadhesion and penetration enhancing properties (PNE) in order to facilitate the transport of DPZ from nose-to-brain. Composition of NE was established using three pseudo-ternary diagrams and PNE was developed by incorporating Pluronic F-127 to the aqueous phase. Parameters such as physical properties, stability, in vitro release profile, and ex vivo permeation were determined for both formulations. The tolerability was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo models. DPZ-NE and DPZ-PNE were transparent, monophasic, homogeneous, and physically stable with droplets of nanometric size and spherical shape. DPZ-NE showed Newtonian behavior whereas a shear thinning (pseudoplastic) behavior was observed for DPZ-PNE. The release profile of both formulations followed a hyperbolic kinetic. The permeation and prediction parameters were significantly higher for DPZ-PNE, suggesting the use of polymers to be an effective strategy to improve the bioadhesion and penetration of the drug through nasal mucosa, which consequently increase its bioavailability.

Background Enteric pathogens have developed mechanisms to disrupt tight junctions and increase gut permeability. Many studies have analysed the ability of live probiotics to protect intestinal epithelial cells against tight junction damage caused by bacterial pathogens. Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is among the probiotics that positively modulates the intestinal epithelial barrier by regulating expression and distribution of tight junction proteins. We previously reported that regulation of ZO-1, claudin-14 and claudin-2 is mediated by EcN secreted factors, either free-released or associated with outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). Factors secreted by commensal ECOR63 elicited comparable effects in intact epithelial T-84 and Caco-2 cell monolayers. Results Here we analyse the ability of OMVs and soluble secreted factors to protect epithelial barrier function in polarized T-84 and Caco-2 cells infected with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). Transepithelial electrical resistance, paracellular permeability, mRNA levels and subcellular distribution of tight junction proteins were monitored in the absence or presence of EcN and ECOR63 extracellular fractions. EPEC downregulated expression of ZO-1 ZO-2, occludin and claudin-14 and altered the subcellular localization of ZO-1, occludin and F-actin cytoskeleton. OMVs and soluble factors secreted by EcN and ECOR63 counteracted EPEC-altered transepithelial resistance and paracellular permeability, preserved occludin and claudin-14 mRNA levels, retained ZO-1 and occludin at tight junctions in the cell boundaries and ameliorated F-actin disorganization. Redistribution of ZO-1 was not accompanied by changes at mRNA level. Conclusion This study provides new insights on the role of microbiota secreted factors on the modulation of intestinal tight junctions, expanding their barrier-protective effects against pathogen-induced disruption.

In recent years the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) of Gram-positive bacteria in host-microbe cross-talk has become increasingly appreciated, although the knowledge of their biogenesis, release and host-uptake is still limited. The aim of this study was to characterize the EVs released by the dairy isolate Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BGAN8 and to gain an insight into the putative mechanism of EVs uptake by intestinal epithelial cells. The cryo-TEM observation undoubtedly demonstrated the release of EVs (20 to 140 nm) from the surface of BGAN8, with exopolysaccharides seems to be part of EVs surface. The proteomic analysis revealed that the EVs are enriched in enzymes involved in central metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis, and in membrane components with the most abundant proteins belonging to amino acid/peptide ABC transporters. Putative internalization pathways were evaluated in time-course internalization experiments with non-polarized HT29 cells in the presence of inhibitors of endocytic pathways: chlorpromazine and dynasore (inhibitors of clathrin-mediated endocytosis—CME) and filipin III and nystatin (disrupting lipid rafts). For the first time, our results revealed that the internalization was specifically inhibited by dynasore and chlorpromazine but not by filipin III and nystatin implying that one of the entries of L. plantarum vesicles was through CME pathway.

Background In vitro and in vivo activity of daptomycin alone or plus either cloxacillin or fosfomycin compared with cloxacillin alone and cloxacillin plus gentamicin were evaluated in a rabbit model of MSSA experimental endocarditis (EE). Methods Five MSSA strains were used in the in vitro time–kill studies at standard (105–106 cfu/mL) and high (108 cfu/mL) inocula. In the in vivo EE model, the following antibiotic combinations were evaluated: cloxacillin (2 g/4 h) alone or combined with gentamicin (1 mg/kg/8 h) or daptomycin (6 mg/kg once daily); and daptomycin (6 mg/kg/day) alone or combined with fosfomycin (2 g/6 h). Results At standard and high inocula, daptomycin plus fosfomycin or cloxacillin were bactericidal against 4/5 and 5/5 strains, respectively, while cloxacillin plus gentamicin was bactericidal against 3/5 strains at standard inocula but against none at high inocula. Fosfomycin, cloxacillin, gentamicin and daptomycin MIC/MBCs of the MSSA-678 strain used in the EE model were: 8/64, 0.25/0.5, 0.25/0.5 and 1/8 mg/L, respectively. Adding gentamicin to cloxacillin significantly reduced bacterial density in vegetations compared with cloxacillin monotherapy (P = 0.026). Adding fosfomycin or cloxacillin to daptomycin [10/11 (93%) and 8/11 (73%), respectively] significantly improved the efficacy of daptomycin in sterilizing vegetations [0/11 (0%), P < 0.001 for both combinations] and showed better activity than cloxacillin alone [0/10 (0%), P < 0.001 for both combinations] and cloxacillin plus gentamicin [3/10 (30%), P = 0.086 for cloxacillin plus daptomycin and P = 0.008 for fosfomycin plus daptomycin]. No recovered isolates showed increased daptomycin MIC. Conclusions The addition of cloxacillin or fosfomycin to daptomycin is synergistic and rapidly bactericidal, showing better activity than cloxacillin plus gentamicin for treating MSSA EE, supporting their clinical use.

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant and -susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA /MSSA) infections are a major global healthcare problem. Bacteremia with S. aureus, exhibits high rates of morbidity and mortality and can cause complicated infections such as infective endocarditis (IE). The emerging resistance profile of S. aureus is worrisome, and several international agencies have appealed for new treatment approaches to be developed.Areas covered: Daptomycin presents a rapid bactericidal effect against MRSA and has been considered at least as effective as vancomycin in treating MRSA bacteremia.However, therapy failure is often related to deep-seated infections, e.g., endocarditis, with high bacterial inocula and daptomycin regimens <10 mg/kg/day. Current antibiotic options for treating invasive S. aureus infections have limitations in monotherapy.Daptomycin in combination with other antibiotics, e.g., fosfomycin, may be effective in improving clinical outcomes in patients with MRSA IE. Expert opinion:Exploring therapeutic combinations has shown fosfomycin to have a unique mechanism of action and to be the most effective option in preventing the onset of resistance to and optimizing the efficacy of daptomycin, suggesting the synergistic combination of fosfomycin with daptomycin is a useful alternative treatment option for MSSA or MRSA IE.