ABSTRACT
Cytolethal distending toxins (CDTs) are released by Gram-negative pathogens into the extracellular medium as free toxin or associated with extracellular vesicles (EVs), commonly known as outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). CDT production by the gastrointestinal pathogen
Campylobacter jejuni
has been implicated in colorectal tumorigenesis. Despite CDT being a major virulence factor for
C. jejuni
, little is known about the EV-associated form of this toxin. To address this point, C.
jejuni
mutants lacking each of the three CDT subunits (A, B, and C) were generated.
C. jejuni cdtA, cdtB,
and
cdtC
bacteria released EVs in similar numbers and sizes to wild-type bacteria, ranging from 5 to 530 nm (mean ± SEM = 118 ±6.9 nm). As the CdtAC subunits mediate toxin binding to host cells, we performed “surface shearing” experiments, in which EVs were treated with proteinase K and incubated with host cells. These experiments indicated that CDT subunits are internal to EVs and that surface proteins are probably not involved in EV-host cell interactions. Furthermore, glycan array studies demonstrated that EVs bind complex host cell glycans and share receptor binding specificities with
C. jejuni
bacteria for fucosyl GM1 ganglioside, P1 blood group antigen, sialyl, and sulfated Lewis
x
. Finally, we show that EVs from
C. jejuni
WT but not mutant bacteria induce cell cycle arrest in epithelial cells. In conclusion, we propose that EVs are an important mechanism for CDT release by
C. jejuni
and are likely to play a significant role in toxin delivery to host cells.
IMPORTANCECampylobacter jejuni
is the leading cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in humans worldwide and a significant cause of childhood mortality due to diarrheal disease in developing countries. A major factor by which
C. jejuni
causes disease is a toxin, called cytolethal distending toxin (CDT). The biology of this toxin, however, is poorly understood. In this study, we report that
C. jejuni
CDT is protected within membrane blebs, known as extracellular vesicles (EVs), released by the bacterium. We showed that proteins on the surfaces of EVs are not required for EV uptake by host cells. Furthermore, we identified several sugar receptors that may be required for EV binding to host cells. By studying the EV-associated form of
C. jejuni
CDT, we will gain a greater understanding of how
C. jejuni
intoxicates host cells and how EV-associated CDT may be used in various therapeutic applications, including as anti-tumor therapies.