The Shigella flexneri virulence factor apyrase is released inside eukaryotic cells to hijack host cell fate

• Published in: Microbiology spectrum Vol. 11; no. 6; p. e0077523
• Main Authors: Perruzza, Lisa, Zagaglia, Carlo, Vitiello, Laura, Sarshar, Meysam, Strati, Francesco, Pasqua, Martina, Grassi, Fabio, Nicoletti, Mauro, Palamara, Anna Teresa, Ambrosi, Cecilia, Scribano, Daniela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Microbiology 12-12-2023
• Subjects: apyrase; ATP; Clinical Microbiology; host cell survival; inflammation; pyroptosis; Research Article; Shigella flexneri; pyroptosis; Shigella flexneri; apyrase; host cell survival; inflammation; ATP
• ISSN: 2165-0497; 2165-0497
• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00775-23

In this paper, we demonstrated that apyrase is released within the host cell cytoplasm during infection to target the intracellular ATP pool. By degrading intracellular ATP, apyrase contributes to prevent caspases activation, thereby inhibiting the activation of pyroptosis in infected cells. Our results show, for the first time, that apyrase is involved in the modulation of host cell survival, thereby aiding this pathogen to dampen the inflammatory response. This work adds a further piece to the puzzle of
pathogenesis. Due to its increased spread worldwide, prevention and controlling strategies are urgently needed. Overall, this study highlighted apyrase as a suitable target for an anti-virulence therapy to tackle this pathogen.