Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: analysis of antigenic proteins of the virulence-associated type VI secretion system

微生物和人类宿主之间的相互作用可以是良性的，甚至是共生的合作，也可以是可能导致宿主和/或细菌死亡的致命竞争。相互作用的结果由宿主和病原体之间的通信/信号游戏来平衡。细菌用来影响宿主反应的通讯工具包括分泌系统(SS)，它将毒素传递给宿主。SS及其转运的毒素是细菌致病过程中的关键分子。最近的研究发现了一种新型的SS，称为T6SS。携带T6SS的细菌都有与宿主亲密接触的生活方式。铜绿假单胞菌是一种机会性的病原体。它会导致尿路感染、呼吸系统感染、皮炎、软组织感染、菌血症、骨骼和关节感染、胃肠道感染和各种全身感染，特别是在免疫抑制的患者中。铜绿假单胞菌感染是癌症、囊性纤维化和烧伤住院患者的一个严重问题。这些患者的病死率为50%。铜绿假单胞菌是第三位最常见的院内病原菌，占所有医院感染的10%。铜绿假单胞菌具有3个T6S。我们研究的目的是了解T6SS功能的分子机制，了解适用于其他含有T6SS的细菌病原体的知识。我们将进一步利用这一知识开发抗菌剂，这将有助于对抗持续细菌感染导致的人类发病率和死亡率。

Interaction between microbes and human hosts can range from a benign, even commensal collaboration to a competition that may turn fatal resulting in the death of the host, the bacteria or both. The outcome of the interaction is balanced by a communication/signalling game in between the host and the pathogen. Among the arsenal of communication tools used by bacteria to influence host response are secretion systems (SS), which deliver toxins to the host. The SS and the transported toxins are key players in bacterial pathogenesis. Recent studies have seen the emergence of a novel type of SS, named T6SS. Bacteria harbouring T6SS all have a life style where they live in intimate contact with a host.Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen. It causes urinary tract infections, respiratory system infections, dermatitis, soft tissue infections, bacteremia, bone and joint infections, gastrointestinal infections and a variety of systemic infections, particularly in immuno-suppressed patients. P. aeruginosa infection is a serious problem in patients hospitalized with cancer, cystic fibrosis, and burns. The case fatality rate in these patients is 50 percent. P. aeruginosa is the third most commonly-isolated nosocomial pathogen accounting for 10% of all hospital-acquired infections.P. aeruginosa possesses 3 T6SS. The goal of our study is to understand the molecular mechanisms, which are involved in the T6SS functioning, knowledge applicable to other T6SS-containing bacterial pathogens. We will further use this knowledge to develop antimicrobials, which will help fighting human morbidity and mortality due to persistent bacterial infections.