Biology subjects

Saint-Criq, V.

Publications and source records attributed to Saint-Criq, V..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Toolbox for fluorescent labelling of Pseudomonas aeruginosa across scales: from single cells to bacterial communities and host infection models

Fluorescence microscopy is central to the study of bacterial cell biology, multicellular behaviours, and host-pathogen interactions. Bright, robust and photostable labelling is required for bacterial identification, sorting and quantitative analysis, driving continuous development of state-of-the-art labelling tools. Here, we developed a multicolor fluorescent cell labelling toolkit for Gram-negative bacteria carrying the attTn7 site, using the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model. Cell labelling is achieved by constitutive chromosomal expression of genes encoding a choice of four novel fluorescent proteins, mNeonGreen, mJuniper, mLychee and mScarlet-I3, codon-optimised for P. aeruginosa. These reporters provide bright, stable fluorescence with minimal photobleaching and excellent spectral separation during long-term imaging of single cells, macrocolonies and biofilms. Chromosomal expression of mNeonGreen yielded brighter and more homogeneous labelling than expression of the same construct from a plasmid. Importantly, dual-color labelling of macrocolonies uncovered previously unrecognised phenomena of collective motility when two isogenic swarming populations interact. Finally, we demonstrate the applicability of our constructs in biologically relevant host-pathogen contexts by imaging both live and fixed P. aeruginosa-infected human airway epithelial cells. This versatile cell labelling platform enables reliable bacterial identification, segmentation, tracking, and quantitative fluorescence imaging across spatial and temporal scales, and is readily adaptable to most other Gram-negative bacteria as the attTn7 integration site is well conserved.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Early-Life Commensal Lung Bacteria Shape Immune Responses and RSV Susceptibility in Neonatal Mice

The lung mucosa during the neonatal period and early infancy is especially susceptible to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Respiratory disease severity is strongly influenced by the age at first exposure, which may also affect the trajectory of airway function. Early life represents a critical window for lung development and initial microbiota colonization, both of which shape mucosal immune responses to RSV. The contribution of early lung-colonizing bacterial strains to the establishment of the lung microbiota and susceptibility to RSV infection in neonatal mice remains poorly characterized. In the present study, we showed that early-life primo-colonizing bacterial strains in the mouse lung differentially induce innate immune responses and influence RSV susceptibility in ex vivo models using lung explants and alveolar macrophages (AMs). We identified a specific bacterial strain (strain 17) whose prior exposure enhances type I interferon (IFN-I) responses in AMs upon RSV infection and reduces viral replication both ex vivo and in vivo in lung tissues. Intranasal administration of this strain during early life prevented the development of immunopathological responses upon RSV reinfection in adult mice. Finally, using a translational human airway epithelium model, we demonstrated that pre-exposure to strain 17 restricts RSV spread without cytotoxicity, likely via enhanced {beta}-defensin 2 production. These findings highlight the potential of early-life microbiota modulation as a promising intervention for preventing RSV disease and its long-term respiratory consequences. Author summaryRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe respiratory infections in newborns and infants, a period during which the lungs and immune system are still maturing. Simultaneously, the respiratory tract undergoes its first microbial colonization by so-called primo-colonizing bacteria -- the first bacterial species to establish themselves on neonatal lower respiratory mucosal surfaces. These early microbial pioneers may play an unsuspected role in shaping how the immature immune system responds to viral threats. In this study, we investigated whether these early lung-colonizing strains influence RSV susceptibility. Using neonatal mouse models, lung explants, and alveolar macrophages, we found that distinct bacterial strains trigger markedly different innate immune responses. Prior exposure to one strain in particular, strain 17, was associated with enhanced type I interferon responses, reduced viral replication, and protection against harmful inflammation upon RSV reinfection later in life. In a human airway epithelium model, pre-exposure to strain 17 also restricted RSV spread without tissue damage, potentially through increased {beta}-defensin 2 production. These findings provide proof-of-concept that the bacterial strains establishing in the neonatal lung can influence future immune reactivity and antiviral responses, and suggest that early-life respiratory microbiota modulation could represent a promising strategy to prevent severe RSV disease.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

Inhibition of the sodium-dependent HCO3 -transporter SLC4A4, produces a cystic fibrosis-like airway disease phenotype.

Bicarbonate secretion is a fundamental process involved in maintaining acid-base homeostasis. Disruption of bicarbonate entry into airway lumen, as has been observed in cystic fibrosis, produces several defects in lung function due to thick mucus accumulation. Bicarbonate is critical for correct mucin deployment and there is increasing interest in understanding its role in airway physiology, particularly in the initiation of lung disease in children affected by cystic fibrosis, in the absence of detectable bacterial infection. The current model of anion secretion in mammalian airways consists of CFTR and TMEM16A as apical anion exit channels, with limited capacity for bicarbonate transport compared to chloride. However, both channels can couple to SLC26A4 anion exchanger to maximise bicarbonate secretion. Nevertheless, current models lack any details about the identity of the basolateral protein(s) responsible for bicarbonate uptake into airway epithelial cells. We report herein that the electrogenic, sodium-dependent, bicarbonate cotransporter, SLC4A4, is expressed in the basolateral membrane of human and mouse airways, and that its pharmacological inhibition or genetic silencing reduces bicarbonate secretion. In fully differentiated primary human airway cells, SLC4A4 inhibition induced an acidification of the airways surface liquid and markedly reduced the capacity of cells to recover from an acid load. Studies in the Slc4a4-null mice revealed a previously unreported lung phenotype, characterized by mucus accumulation and reduced mucociliary clearance. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the reduction of SLC4A4 function induced a CF-like phenotype, even when chloride secretion remained intact, highlighting the important role SLC4A4 plays in bicarbonate secretion and mammalian airway function.

physiology↗