Outer membrane vesicles from Pseudomonas aeruginosa induce autophagy-regulated pyroptosis in THP-1 cells

  • Arch Microbiol. 2025 Feb 10;207(3):54. doi: 10.1007/s00203-025-04264-9.
Jing Ge  #  1  2 Yaoyang Liu  #  1  2 Tianqi Wu  3 Sitian Yi  4 Jiang Pu  1 Juan Gu  5 Feng Wang  1 Juan Yu  6  7
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China.
  • 2. Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China.
  • 3. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 21218, USA.
  • 4. Institute of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, 226019, P.R. China.
  • 5. Qidong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qidong, 226200, P.R. China.
  • 6. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China. [email protected].
  • 7. Institute of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, 226019, P.R. China. [email protected].
  • # Contributed equally.
Abstract

Outer membrane vesicles derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA-OMVs) play a crucial role in Bacterial pathogenesis, mediating immune modulation and inflammation. Autophagy, a process that degrades damaged organelles, and Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, both regulate immune responses and contribute to Infection defense. However, the relationship between PA-OMVs, Autophagy, and Pyroptosis remains insufficiently explored, particularly regarding their regulatory mechanisms. This study investigates how PA-OMVs influence cellular Autophagy and Pyroptosis, with the aim of identifying potential therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases. Bulk RNA Sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were conducted on cells treated with PA-OMVs. Autophagy inhibitors, chloroquine (CQ) and 3-methyladenine (3-MA), were used to explore their effects on Pyroptosis, with RT-PCR and ELISA applied to assess Pyroptosis levels. The results revealed a complex interplay between Autophagy and Pyroptosis, with PA-OMVs modulating key immune and inflammatory pathways. Autophagy inhibition decreased the expression of Pyroptosis markers, suggesting a regulatory role. These findings highlight the potential of targeting the autophagy-pyroptosis axis for new Infection control strategies and vaccine development.

Keywords
Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Autophagy; Outer membrane vesicles; Pyroptosis; RNA sequencing.
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