Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes a zoonotic disease
known as Q fever. Upon internalization into host cells, Coxiella extensively remodels host
vesicle trafficking and replicates within acidic, lysosome-derived, spacious vacuoles by secreting
a suite of effectors through the type IVB secretion system (T4BSS), and hijacking the host cell
machinery. However, how fundamental lysosomal functions, such as exocytosis, are subverted
during Coxiella infection has not been well understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the
regulation and role of exocytosis in the context of Coxiella infection. Biochemical and
fluorescence-based imaging approaches indicated that C. burnetii infection promotes release of
extracellular vesicles (EVs). Increase in extracellular levels of endolysosomal proteins (LAMP1
and cathepsin D) and surface LAMP1 expression were identified in both phagocytic and
non-phagocytic cells, during later stages of infection. Interestingly, infection-induced exocytosis
was dependent on the activity of the bacterial T4BSS. Modulating the activity of TRPML1, a host
calcium channel that induces exocytosis by regulating the release of calcium from lysosomes
into the cytosol, using synthetic agonist/antagonist, led to a decrease in intracellular C. burnetii
replication, suggesting a complex, tightly regulated role of TRPML1 during infection. Together,
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this study demonstrates that infection by the lysosome-adapted pathogen Coxiella burnetii
activates exocytosis in a temporal, host and bacterial factors-dependent manner.
Introduction
Lysosomes are highly acidic cellular compartments regulating various functions central
to cellular homeostasis, including, but not limited to, catabolism and recycling of nutrients,
autophagy, exocytosis, innate immune activation, plasma membrane repair and resealing,
membrane remodeling, and antigen presentation (1). Delivery of cellular cargo, as well as
microbes to the lysosomes, through multiple vesicle traffic pathways, leads to the degradation of
substrates, and this process is a highly conserved cell-intrinsic mechanism to eliminate
dysfunctional biomolecules, organelles, as well as pathogens. Coxiella burnetii, the causative
agent of the zoonotic disease Q fever, is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that obligately
replicates inside a host lysosome-derived compartment called the Coxiella-containing vacuole
(CCV) (2–5). C. burnetii uses the specialized Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system (T4BSS) to
translocate an array of effector proteins into the host cytosol that subvert host membrane traffic
pathways to promote CCV expansion that takes up most of the cell volume over the course of
the infection (6–8). The sophisticated adaptation to mammalian intracellular environment,
persistent vacuole-bound replication, extensive repertoire of secreted effectors, and subversion
of fundamental organelle processes have made C. burnetii an excellent model to study
organelle biology and the drivers of its dysfunction during infection or other physiologically
relevant conditions.
The conversion of a nascent CCV to a spacious, mature, and unified vacuole that
supports bacterial replication has been a fascinating, but a less-understood aspect of C. burnetii
infection. In particular, the mechanisms underlying the potential efflux of toxic build-up and
antimicrobial elements from the CCV, over the course of infection, are unknown. Further, it is not
well understood whether Coxiella intercepts the host exocytic pathway and its contribution to
bacterial intracellular replication and dissemination from primary infected cells. In this context, it
has been well-established that lysosomes are capable of releasing their content into the
extracellular space via lysosomal exocytosis which involves lysosomes fusing with the plasma
membrane and also contributing to plasma membrane repair (9–12). Lysosomal exocytosis is
regulated by lysosomal calcium channels that facilitate release of calcium from organelle stores
to increase intracellular calcium levels, which are subsequently sensed by Ca2+ sensor
synaptotagmin VII, resulting in fusion of lysosome with the plasma membrane and secretion of
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lysosomal contents (9,13). Vesicles formed by invagination of late endosomes or intraluminal
vesicles of multivesicular bodies can also be released into the extracellular milieu by this
process, (called ‘exosomes’) and are considered as important for cell-to-cell communication
(14).
One of the key transcription factors that regulates lysosomal exocytosis is the basic
helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, transcription factor EB (TFEB) (15,16). TFEB is
majorly cytoplasmic and is sequestered in a phosphorylated state. The dephosphorylation and
nuclear translocation of TFEB is mediated by the lysosomal cation channel, Transient Receptor
Potential Mucolipin 1 (TRPML1) (16–18). Release of Ca2+ from lysosomes via TRPML1 leads to
more cytosolic Ca 2+, which binds to phosphatases such as calcineurin, making it catalytically
active. Calcineurin dephosphorylates TFEB, leading to its nuclear translocation and activation of
the transcriptional expression of the Coordinated Lysosomal Expression and Regulation
(CLEAR) genes (15,19), including genes involved in lysosomal biogenesis, exocytosis and
autophagy (16,17,20). The CCV being a lysosome-derived vacuole, we hypothesized that
lysosomal exocytosis may be subverted by Coxiella to facilitate periodic extracellular release of
lysosomal content to maintain the permissiveness of the CCV for bacterial replication, as well as
disseminate infectious bacteria during the course of infection. As the CCV matures and expands
in size, by extensively fusing with endolysosomal organelles in the cell, we reasoned that a
homeostatic cellular process such as exocytosis may be co-opted to remove/exclude excess
organelle load and maintain the CCV permissive for Coxiella replication. Interestingly, previous
studies strongly implicate TFEB and TRPML1 activity in modulating intracellular Coxiella
infection, however, finer details on their temporal regulation and specific processes they
modulate are required for better understanding of these observations. On one hand, C. burnetii
infection has been reported to activate TFEB in a T4SS-dependent manner (21) with TFE3/B
activity promoting CCV expansion (21,22). On the other hand, TFEB, in particular, has also
been demonstrated to negatively impact Coxiella replication, with Coxiella T4SS activity
suppressing agonist-induced TFEB activation (22–24). Further, TRPML1 has been found
localized to the CCV, and the Coxiella effector CvpE interferes with endogenous TRPML1
activation (25). Based on the above-presented case, we set out to characterize exocytosis
during C. burnetii infection and identify key host and bacterial factors involved.
Results
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Infection with C. burnetii leads to increased detection of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and
endolysosomal proteins in macrophages
EVs are lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles that carry active and functional biomolecules,
including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites, and facilitate cellular homeostasis and
cell-to-cell communication (26). Multiple pathways govern EV production and secretion. Some of
the major types of EV include (i) exosomes, released by fusion of late endosomal (LE)
compartments or multivesicular bodies (MVBs) with the plasma membrane (PM), thereby
releasing luminal contents and intraluminal vesicles (ILVs), (average size 30-200nm) (ii)
microvesicles (also ectosomes), that are generated by outward budding of the plasma
membrane (average size 100-1000nm), (iii) plasma membrane blebbing or fragmentation to
generate apoptotic bodies (average size >1000nm), (iv) blebbisomes, that are large membrane
bound, nucleus free vesicles containing subcellular organelles (average size ~10um) (27–30).
Thus, EVs comprise distinct populations, are released by virtually all cell types, and are defined
by their biogenesis pathways, size and composition.
To investigate potential infection-induced exocytosis and release of
endolysosome-derived vesicles and cargo, we infected the J774 macrophage cell line with
GFP-expressing C. burnetii at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 50 for 5 days. As per the
schematic shown in Figure 1A, the cell-free supernatants were collected on 2 dpi or 5 dpi and
first centrifuged at 400g, 10 mins to remove the floating/dead cells, the resulting supernatants
were further spun at 3220g, 20 mins to collect extracellular Coxiella and the final supernatants
were further sequentially centrifuged at 100,000g for 2 hrs to isolate EVs. These fractions were
saved and are referred to as “3220g and 100,000g fraction (or EV fraction)” respectively in the
rest of the sections. These fractions were immunoblotted to examine the intra- and extracellular
abundance of specific proteins that originate from distinct subcellular compartments (Figure 1B
and 1C). The absence of nuclear protein lamin A/C in the 3220g and the EV fraction suggests
the purity of the isolated EVs and “cell-free” nature of the supernatant fractions (Figure 1B and
1C). Consistent with the hypothesis that endolysosomal contents are released over the course
of infection and process of CCV development, we observed an increase in the amount of the
lysosome-associated membrane marker protein (LAMP1) and the pro-forms of the aspartyl
protease cathepsin D, in the EV fraction of infected cells on 5 dpi, compared to that on 2 dpi
(Figure 1B and 1C). Cathepsin D is generated as pre-procathepsin D in the endoplasmic
reticulum and transported through the trans-Golgi network to endocytic organelles. Procathepsin
D is known to go through a two-step maturation process in the endolysosomal compartments:
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propeptide (~52kDa) is partially cleaved in the first step to produce an active single-chain
intermediate (~48kDa), which is then further processed in the acidic lysosomal compartments to
produce double chain, mature cathepsin D with the heavy chain ~34kDa (31) . Interestingly, we
observed that infection was associated with a decrease in the levels of heavy chain form in the
lysates, suggesting that Coxiella infection interferes with the maturation of cathepsin D, as has
been demonstrated for cathepsin B in other cell types (23,32). The increase in levels of the
pro-forms of cathepsin D in the EV fraction of infected cells on 5 dpi was correlated with a
corresponding increase in the lysates, likely due to impaired processing to the mature forms.
Cargo sorting and exosome biogenesis in MVBs occur via endosomal sorting complexes
required for transport (ESCRT)-dependent and ESCRT-independent pathways, and
consequently, exosomes may be identified by distinct molecular markers including the
tetraspanin family proteins (CD63), ESCRT machinery proteins (Tsg101, Alix) (27–30,33).
Notably, EV fraction was positive for Tsg101 and Alix (Figure 1B and 1C).
An intense GFP band was observed in the lysates of cells infected with GFP-expressing
Coxiella, indicating robust infection and intracellular bacterial replication (Figure 1B and 1C).
Concurrently, GFP was detected in the 3220g fraction on 2 as well as 5 dpi, indicating effective
enrichment of extracellular bacteria in the 3220g fraction (Figure 1B and 1C). In order to
determine whether the increase in extracellular levels of LAMP1 and cathepsin D was due to
cell death, we determined cell viability on 5 dpi. Notably, C. burnetii-infected cells showed no
prominent difference from that of uninfected cells, suggesting that the detection of
endolysosomal proteins in the cell-free supernatants of the infected cells is independent of cell
death (Figure 1D). In order to assess any quantitative differences between the EV fractions of
uninfected and infected cells, the EV fraction was analysed by nanoparticle tracking analysis
(NTA) (Figure 1E and 1F). The number of particles corresponding to each size was higher in
the EVs from infected cells (Figure 1E), and the total concentration of particles (inclusive of all
sizes) derived from infected cells, from 5 independent experiments, also showed a higher trend
compared to that of uninfected cells (Figure 1F). Negative staining transmission electron
microscopy (TEM) validated the presence of intact vesicular particles in the EVs derived from
uninfected as well as infected cells (Figure 1G). Overall, these data suggest that C. burnetii
infection augments exocytosis and extracellular vesicles and endolysosomal biomolecules are
detected over the course of infection.
Infection with C. burnetii enhances surface localization of LAMP1 in macrophages
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Lysosomal exocytosis involves the fusion of LE/MVB/lysosomes with the plasma
membrane (PM) to secrete luminal contents to the extracellular space (9). The enhanced
detection of extracellular vesicles and cargo during Coxiella infection (Figure 1) prompted us to
examine whether LE/lysosomal exocytosis may be involved by employing conventional and
quantitative readouts of this process (16,34). Fusion of LAMP1+ compartments with the plasma
membrane leads to detection of the luminal domain of LAMP1 on the cell surface (34). Having
detected increased levels of LAMP1 in the EV fraction by immunoblotting in Figure 1, we
examined the presence of cell-surface-associated LAMP1 (referred to as ‘sLAMP1’) on the
plasma membrane by microscopy and flow cytometry. J774 macrophages left uninfected or
infected with GFP-expressing C. burnetii were immunostained for LAMP1 (without
permeabilization) at 5 dpi (Figure 2A). Since exocytosis is highly regulated by intracellular
calcium levels, Ionomycin, a calcium ionophore that promotes the influx of Ca 2+ from
extracellular media into the cells, was used as a positive control (35). The use of ionomycin
allowed us to classify the observed surface localization of LAMP1 into three categories: no
localization, partial localization, and total localization to allow accounting for a wider range of
sLAMP1 localization patterns, as shown in the representative images (Figure 2B). Using this
binning strategy, we found that infected cells with a detectable vacuole containing GFP+
bacteria exhibited no or partial localization of sLAMP1 (Figure 2C). Notably, the percentage of
cells with detectable sLAMP1 was significantly higher in infected than in uninfected cells (Figure
2C).
These observations were further validated by measuring the percentage of sLAMP1+
cells by flow cytometry (Figure 2D). A significant increase in the percentage of sLAMP1+, C.
burnetii-infected cells (gated for the cells infected with GFP-expressing C. burnetii) was noticed
compared to that of uninfected cells, at 5 dpi, as shown in representative data (Figure 2D) or
average across four independent experiments (Figure 2E). Taken together, these results
indicate that infection with C. burnetii leads to increased fusion of LAMP1+ compartments with
the PM, implicating LE/lysosomal exocytosis.
Infection with C. burnetii increases the detection of extracellular endolysosomal proteins
and sLAMP1 in non-phagocytic cells
To evaluate whether the infection-induced exocytosis and LAMP1 localization on the cell
surface (sLAMP1) was common across different cell types permissive to Coxiella, we infected
HeLa with GFP-expressing C. burnetii at an MOI of 100 for 6 days. The 3220g and 100,000g
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fractions were collected from the conditioned media using differential centrifugation as
mentioned in Figure 1A. We observed an increase in the levels of LAMP1 and CD63 in the EV
fraction of the infected cells at 6 dpi (Figure 3A and B). Consistent with our previous results, we
detected Lamin A/C only in the lysates while the EV fraction of infected cells was relatively more
abundant in exosome markers (Tsg101, Alix, CD63) and also microvesicle-associated markers
(Annexin A1) (Figure 3A and B). Interestingly, we also detected some levels of GFP in the EV
fraction. Coxiella is expected to be sedimented at 3220g, and hence it is less likely that these
are intact bacteria. However, the possibility of residual bacteria, or smaller spore-like forms or
GFP-protein associated with intracellular organelles co-sedimenting at 100,000g may be
possible, particularly since there are no intermediate sedimentation steps between 3220g and
100,000g.
The levels of sLAMP1 were examined by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry as
described for Figure 2. Consistent with J774, we detected LAMP1 on the surface of infected
cells, and ionomycin treatment served as a positive control (Figure 3C). A similar increase in
the percentage of sLAMP1+, C. burnetii-infected cells (gated for the cells with GFP
fluorescence) compared to that of the uninfected was observed at 5 dpi, as examined by flow
cytometry (Figure 3D). Thus, an increase in exocytosis was observed in both C.
burnetii-infected phagocytic as well as non-phagocytic cells.
T4BSS activity of C. burnetii is essential for infection-induced exocytosis
Since infection-associated exocytosis was not likely due to cell death in our experimental
settings (Figure 1D), we examined the factors that regulate EV release during infection. To this
end, icmL::Tn C. burnetii was used to infect J774 to determine if the activity of the Coxiella type
IVB Dot/Icm secretion system (T4SS) and bacterial effectors was required. IcmL-deficient C.
burnetii is impaired in the translocation of effectors and hence, replication inside host cells, as
validated by the intracellular levels of the chaperone GroEL (Figure 4A). At 5 dpi, immunoblot
analysis showed an increase in the amount of LAMP1 and pro-forms of cathepsin D in the EV
fraction collected from wt-infected, but not the icmL::Tn-infected cells (Figure 4A), indicating
that T4BSS activity is required for exocytosis. In addition, the pro-forms of cathepsin D were
higher in the lysates of wt C. burnetii-infected cells, but not those of untreated or icmL::Tn, with
a corresponding reduction in mature cathepsin D levels in wt C. burnetii-infected cells,
suggesting that the processing of procathepsin D is inhibited by T4SS activity. Thus, T4SS
activity is required for interfering with the intracellular processing of procathepsin D and
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promoting the extracellular levels of LAMP1 and procathepsin D, in association with EV
markers. No significant difference in the cell viability in wt or icmL C. burnetii::Tn-infected cells
compared to the uninfected at 5 dpi was observed (Figure 4B).
Modulation of the activity of the lysosomal cation channel mucolipin-1 (TRPML1)
negatively impacts intracellular C. burnetii replication
To understand the host factors involved in regulating infection-associated exocytosis, we
evaluated the role of the lysosomal divalent cation channel mucolipin-1 (ML-1/TRPML1), which
controls TFEB activation in a Ca 2+-dependent manner to trigger exocytosis (9,16,17). PI(3,5)P2
and PI(4,5)P 2 have been reported to be the endogenous agonist and antagonist that regulate
the activity of TRPML1 (36,37). Here, we used the commercially available ML-SA1 (mucolipin
synthetic agonist 1), and ML-SI3 (mucolipin synthetic inhibitor 3) to modulate TRPML1 activity
post-infection and evaluate the effect on bacterial replication (38–42). ML-SI3 has also been
reported to inhibit the activity of ML-SA1-induced TRPML-1 activation (42,43). Treatment of
infected cells with ML-SA1 (when added on 2 dpi) restricts intracellular bacterial replication in a
dose-dependent manner, as observed with fluorescence expressed by C. burnetii pGFP (Figure
5A), without significant loss of cell viability (Figure 5B). Interestingly, treatment with ML-SI3 also
led to a decrease in bacterial replication (Figure 5C), without ML-SI3 affecting cell viability
(Figure 5D). Thus, treatment with either TRPML1 agonist or inhibitor decreases bacterial
replication. These data suggest that either tight and/or temporal regulation of TRPML1 activity is
required for optimal bacterial replication or that these synthetic agonist/antagonist skew
TRPML1 activity to extremes, adversely affecting intracellular Coxiella replication. As the
agonists or inhibitors used modulate not only TRPML1 activity, but also cellular levels of calcium
as released by lysosomal organelles, the data are indicative that cellular calcium levels could
play a nuanced role in Coxiella infection.
Discussion
This study characterizes Coxiella burnetii infection-induced exocytosis, its contribution to
the intracellular replication of C. burnetii, and the host and bacterial factors that regulate this
process. Data presented here demonstrates that infection enhances the detection of
extracellular vesicles (EVs) in both phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells, as observed through (i)
detection of endolysosomal proteins (LAMP1, cathepsin D), exosome associated markers
including Tetraspanins (CD63), ESCRT proteins (Tsg101, Alix), and microvesicle-associated
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markers (Annexin A1) in the cell-free supernatants, and (ii) detection of LAMP1 on cell surface
by indirect immunofluorescence as well as flow cytometry as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. TEM
studies provided a microscopic validation of the presence of spheroid, extracellular vesicles in
the EV fraction. While it is also possible that other vesicular extracellular carriers described as
microvesicles, apoptotic bodies, blebbisomes, etc, are also released during infection, the
average size observed by NTA (Figure 1E) is primarily indicative of exosomes. Notably, no
significant cell death was observed at the time points where EVs were harvested, indicating that
their release is not a consequence of compromised cell viability (Figures 1 and 4).
Nanoparticle tracking analysis indicated that the total number of EVs and EVs of specific
size ranges tend to be higher in those derived from infected cells (Figure 1F). EVs collected
from the infected cells also exhibited qualitative differences from those of uninfected cells, as
determined by relative enrichment of proteins including LAMP1, procathepsin D and CD63
(Figures 1, 3 and 4). Further, an enhanced secretion of the lysosomal protease procathepsin D
in the EV fraction was observed, in correlation with decreased levels of processed, mature form
in infected cell lysates and this effect was T4SS activity-dependent (Figures 1C and 4A). These
Results
are reminiscent of reduced processing and high secretion of procathepsin D and
impaired lysosomal functions in HeLa cells infected with the T3SS SPI-2-sufficient Salmonella
Typhimurium (44,45). At the time of preparation of this manuscript, Bird, L.E. et al. also reported
that C. burnetii infection leads to secretion of lysosomal contents, including hydrolases, which
aligns with our observations (32).
Infection-induced exocytosis was observed to require concerted functions of bacterial
and host factors. Extracellular LAMP1 levels were absent when cells were infected with
icmL::Tn C. burnetii, suggesting that bacterial T4SS activity is required (Figure 4A). Since the
T4SS-deficiency impairs not only the translocation of bacterial effectors into host cells but also
the generation of a replication permissive, fusogenic vacuole, decreased exocytosis may be
attributed to lack of either specific effector functions or impairment of maturation/progression of
the CCV to a stage that is positioned for interception and engagement with the host exocytic
pathways.
Inhibiting TRPML1 function by ML-SI3 or activating the same using the synthetic agonist
ML-SA1 has an inhibitory effect on Coxiella replication (Figures 5A and C). Interestingly, this
observation is corroborated by a recent study demonstrating that MLSA-5 (another TRPML1
agonist) decreases Coxiella replication and CCV biogenesis (25). It is possible that
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agonist-induced activation of TRPML1 on 2 dpi (as in Figure 5A) causes excessive, premature,
or untimely exocytosis and interferes with the early development of the CCV. Indeed, Coxiella
employs effectors such as Vice (CBU_2007) and CvpE to facilitate early CCV expansion by the
induction of macropinocytosis, inhibiting ESCRT pathways, and interfering with tubulation of
lysosome-like vacuoles (25,46). Further, CvpE was demonstrated to disrupt PIKfyve activity,
interfering with the synthesis of endogenous TRPML1 agonist PI(3,5)P2 and TRPML1 activity
(25). Together, these results show that TRPML1 activity is tightly regulated for optimal bacterial
replication during infection.
Late-stage induction of apoptosis (~7 dpi) was recently reported to facilitate bacterial
egress in infected human endothelial cells (47). The experimental approach presented here also
allowed us to assess extracellular bacteria, as part of the ‘cell-free, nucleus-free’ 3220g fraction,
and factors affecting potential exit of bacteria from infected cells over the course of infection.
Bacterial-expressed GFP or GroEL was observed in the 3220g fraction derived from wt C.
burnetii-infected cells, but not from icmL::Tn C. burnetii-infected cells, indicating that these are
newly formed bacteria over the course of the infection cycle (Figures 1, 3 and 4). Concurrently,
LAMP1 is also detected in the 3220g fraction by 5-6 dpi, in addition to Coxiella, raising the
possibility that Coxiella is released from infected cells, at least in part, in membrane-enclosed
compartments. Indeed, Schulze-Luehrmann, J. et al. also observed events indicating fission of
CCV, bacterial exit without death of infected host cells, and bacterial egress to be
non-synchronous (47), which adds support to this hypothesis. We speculate that, in addition to
apoptotic death-associated release of free Coxiella, multiple mechanisms may contribute to
bacterial egress, including Coxiella release in membrane-bound vesicles.
Altogether, the data presented here, using Coxiella burnetii as a model system,
demonstrate that infection with a lysosomal vacuolar pathogen promotes the release of
heterogeneous extravesicular populations over the course of infection. Of note, the secretory
pathway, cargo traffic between endosomes and ER-Golgi, all contribute to CCV biogenesis,
implying the pathogen’s ability to subvert multiple host vesicle traffic pathways (32,48–50).
There is growing evidence for how intracellular pathogens subvert host cell exocytosis for their
entry, sustained replication, and dissemination from infected cells (51–53). Listeria
monocytogenes subverts exocytosis, host exocyst complex to promote membrane protrusions
and exit from infected cells (52,54). The obligate intracellular vacuolar bacterial pathogen,
Chlamydia trachomatis, was demonstrated to exit from infected cells as free Chlamydia by lysis
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of the inclusion vacuole and the infected cell or extrusion of parts of the bacteria-containing
vacuole in membrane-bound protrusions without inducing host cell death (55). Anaplasma
phagocytophilum, which replicates in MVB-like compartments, can exit host cells by co-opting
the MVB exocytosis (56). Of note, CCV also displays many MVB-like characteristics, including
LBPA-rich membrane and fusogenicity (46). Exocytosis also facilitates non-lytic release of
exosome-enclosed uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) from bladder epithelial cells, where
infection-mediated neutralization of pH of UPEC-containing lysosomal vacuoles induces the
activity of TRPML3 and thereby, exocytosis (57). Notably, Coxiella infection has also been
demonstrated to reduce acidification of lysosomes-derived CCV and maintain it at pH ~5.2
compared to that of conventional lysosomes (~4.8) (23). In the case of Coxiella infections, the
precise physiological relevance of exocytosis, extruded vesicles and cargo, cell-to-cell
communication, release of PAMPs/DAMPs, their implications for bacterial dissemination, and
the bacterial effectors that potentially regulate exocytosis require extensive investigation and are
exciting research directions for the future.
Acknowledgements
The support for this work and associated project personnel (KB) was provided by the start-up
research grant (SRG) from the Department of Science and Technology-Science and
Engineering Research Board, DST-SERB (now Anusandhan National Research Foundation,
ANRF), awarded to SG (SRG/2022/002157). Our work was additionally supported by Indian
Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM) and
DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance Intermediate Fellowship awarded to SG (IA/I/23/2/507001).
AB is supported by the Department of Biotechnology-Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF,
DBT/2022-23/IISER-TVM/2125) and HK and NS by IISER TVM. We extend our gratitude to
Prof. Craig Roy (Yale University School of Medicine) for generously providing the Coxiella
burnetii strains used in this study. We thank Dr. Karthik Chandiran (IISER TVM) for guidance
with flow cytometry and data analysis and Dr. Karthik Subramanian (RGCB
Thiruvananthapuram) for guidance with NTA, and optimization of EV staining procedures for
TEM. We are thankful to Prof. Subba Rao Gangi Setty (IISc Bangalore) and Dr. Anshul Bhatt
(Prof. Subba Rao Gangi Setty research group), for their insightful suggestions during the
optimization of calcium-based exocytosis assays and Prof. Dipshikha Chakravortty (IISc
Bangalore) for valuable feedback. We are grateful for the infrastructural support provided by the
Biophysical Instrumentation Facility, Microscopy Core, Flow Cytometry Core and various labs
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within the School of Biology, and the Central Instrumentation Facility, IISER TVM. We thank the
Centre for Biomaterials Cellular and Molecular Theranostics Testing Laboratories (CBCMTL),
Vellore Institute of Technology, for NTA. We acknowledge Biorender for providing a platform for
creating the figures.
Materials and methods
Antibodies and Reagents
Antibodies/Reagents Source and Catalog No. Dilution/Concentration
Mouse anti-LAMP1 DSHB, H4A3 1:145 (WB), 1:20 (IF)
Rat anti-LAMP1 DSHB, 1D4B 1:133 (WB), 1:12 (IF)
Goat anti-Cathepsin D RND, AF1014 1:250
Goat anti-Cathepsin D RND, AF1029 1:200
Rabbit anti-Cathepsin D Proteintech, 21327-1-AP 1:5000
Mouse anti-GFP Roche, 11814460001 1:1000
Mouse anti-GFP Proteintech, 66002-1-Ig 1:5000
Rabbit anti-TSG101 Proteintech, 14497-1-AP 1:1000
Rabbit anti-Alix Proteintech, 12422-1-AP 1:1000
Rabbit anti-CD63 Abclonal, A19023 1:1000
Rabbit anti-Lamin A/C CST, 2032S 1:1000
Mouse anti-tubulin DSHB, 12G10 1:250
Rabbit anti-Annexin A1 Proteintech, 21990-1-AP 1:4000
Rabbit anti-GroEL CSB-PA323108XA01DXP 1:1000
Donkey anti-rabbit HRP BioLegend, Poly4064 1:5000
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Goat anti-rabbit IgG, HRP CST, 7074S 1:2000
Goat anti-mouse HRP BioLegend, 405306 1:5000
Goat anti-mouse HRP Invitrogen, 31430 1:5000
Horse anti-mouse IgG, HRP CST, 7076S 1:2000
Goat anti-rat HRP Invitrogen, 31470 1:5000
Rabbit anti-goat HRP Invitrogen, 31402 1:5000
Alexa Fluor 555 conjugated Goat
anti-mouse
Invitrogen, A28180 1:2000 (IF)
Alexa Fluor 568 conjugated Goat
anti-rat
Invitrogen, A-11077 1:1000 (IF, FC)
Alexa Fluor 647 conjugated Goat
anti-mouse
Invitrogen, A-21235 1:1000 (FC)
LIVE/DEAD Fixable Violet Dead
Cell Stain
Invitrogen, L34964 A
ProLong™ Glass Antifade
Mountant
Invitrogen, P36984
Clarity Western ECL Substrate BIO-RAD, 1705061
Immobilon®-P PVDF Membrane Merck Millipore, IPVH00010
MTT (3-(4,5-
Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-
Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide)
Invitrogen, M6494
Dulbecco's Modified Eagle
Medium (DMEM), high glucose
Gibco, 11965092
DMEM, high glucose, no Gibco, 31053-028
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glutamine, no phenol red
Fetal Bovine Serum, United
States Origin
Corning, 35-016-CV
0.05% Trypsin-EDTA Invitrogen, 25200072
StemPro Accutase Cell
Dissociation Reagent
Invitrogen, A1110501
100X Penicillin Streptomycin Invitrogen, 15070063 1X
L-Glutamine Invitrogen, 25030081 1X
DMSO Himedia, TC-185
Protease Inhibitor Cocktail
(Mammalian)
Sigma Aldrich, P8340 1:100
Acrylamide/Bisacrylamide
solution 30% (29:1)
Himedia, ML037
PVDF membrane Millipore, IPVH00010
Bovine Serum Albumin GoldBio, 9048-46-8
Saponin Sigma, S4521 0.2%
Paraformaldehyde Himedia, TCL119 4% solution in 1X PBS
DAPI Sigma, MBD0015 1:2000 (IF)
Puromycin Himedia, TC198 1μg/ml
Hanks’ Balanced Salt Solution Invitrogen, 14175095
Ionomycin Sigma/Invitrogen 10μM
Mucolipin Synthetic Agonist -1
(ML-SA1)
Sigma, SML0627 20μM and 50μM
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Cell lines and cell culture
HeLa CCL2 and J774 cells were cultured in DMEM media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine
serum (FBS), subsequently referred to as complete medium, in a humidified cell culture
incubator with 5% CO 2 at 37°C. For HeLa-WT, 1X penicillin/streptomycin and 1X amphotericin B
were additionally added to the media. For the EV isolation, imaging, and flow cytometry
experiments, cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 5% FBS. Cells were cultured in
phenol red-free media supplemented with 10% FBS and 1% L-Glutamine for the plate
reader-based growth curve experiments.
C. burnetii strains
C. burnetii strains were grown for 6 days in ACCM-2 at 37°C, 2.5% O 2, and 5% CO 2. Bacterial
cultures were then centrifuged at 3220 g for 15 minutes at 4°C. The bacterial pellet obtained
was resuspended in DMEM supplemented with 5% FBS. Genomic equivalents quantification
was done by qPCR using C. burnetii-specific dotA primers (dotA F:
GCGCAATACGCTCAATCACA, dotA R: CCATGGCCCCAATTCTCTT).
Table 1: C. burnetii strains used in this study.
Mucolipin Synthetic Inhibitor -3
(ML-SI3)
MedChem Express,
HY-139426A
10μM and 50μM
Ampicillin TCI, A2092 100μg/mL
Kanamycin Himedia, A009 50μg/mL
Amphotericin B Invitrogen, 15290-026 1X
Acidified Citrate Cysteine
Medium 2 (ACCM-2)
Sunrise Science, 4700-300
Uranyless EM Stain EMS, 22409
Carbon Film 400 Mesh Cu EM
grids
EMS, CF400-CU-50
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Sl.
No
Name of the strain Property Source
1. wt C. burnetii Wild type C. burnetii Nine Mile phase II
(NMII) (RSA439)
Prof. Craig Roy,
Yale University
School of
Medicine (7,58)
2. C. burnetii pGFP C. burnetii that constitutively expresses
GFP
3. icmL::Tn C. burnetii C. burnetii with a transposon insertion in
icmL.1/dotI (cbu1629)
Isolation of EVs
For EV isolation, J774 and HeLa cells were plated on 10 cm dishes (2 million/dish and 1.5
million/dish, respectively) and infected with C. burnetii (wt, or GFP-expressing, as indicated). For
each experimental condition, 2-4 dishes were maintained. Cell supernatants were collected on
indicated days, and cell debris was removed by centrifugation at 400 × g, 10 minutes, 4°C.
Pellets were discarded, and supernatants were then spun at 3220 × g, 20 minutes, 4°C to obtain
extracellular Coxiella. Pellets were stored at -20°C, and supernatants were ultracentrifuged
(Type 50.2 Ti or SW40 Ti Rotor, Beckman Coulter) at 100,000 × g, 2 hours, 4°C to obtain small
EVs. Pellets were washed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) 1X PBS and re-pelleted at
100,000 × g, 2 hours, 4°C. The pellets were resuspended in 20μl 1X filter-sterile PBS and
stored for further processing.
Western blotting
For the preparation of lysates, cells were washed with 10 mL 1X PBS after removal of
supernatants on 5 dpi (J774) or 6 dpi (HeLa), and centrifuged at 400 × g, 10 minutes, 4°C. Cells
were lysed in RIPA buffer (1% NP-40, 1 mM EGTA, 2 mM MgCl 2, 0.5% Na+ Deoxycholate, 0.1%
SDS, 150 mM NaCl, 50 mM Tris pH 7.5) supplemented with Protease Inhibitor Cocktail at 1:100
dilution on ice for 20 minutes with intermittent vortexing. The samples were centrifuged at
14,000 × g for 10 minutes at 4°C. Resultant lysates, 3220g fraction, and EV fraction were mixed
with 4X Laemmli buffer supplemented with β-mercaptoethanol and boiled at 99°C for 5 minutes.
Cell lysates were loaded in the ratio of 1:30 (J774 macrophages) and 1:60 (HeLa CCL2).
Proteins were separated by 9% acrylamide/bisacrylamide gel electrophoresis, transferred to
PVDF membranes, and probed with the indicated primary antibody, followed by horseradish
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peroxidase (HRP)‐conjugated secondary antibody. Clarity Western ECL Substrate was used for
chemiluminescence, and membranes were imaged using Bio-Rad ChemiDoc XRS+ system.
Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
1 μL of EV fraction isolated from uninfected and infected J774 macrophages was diluted to
1000μL using 1X filter-sterilized PBS and analyzed in a Particle Metrix Zetaview-PMX 130-Mono
laser for measuring the concentration and size of particles at the Centre for Biomaterials
Cellular and Molecular Theranostics Testing Laboratories (CBCMTL), Vellore Institute of
Technology.
Transmission electron microscopy
Negative staining was done for TEM sample preparation. Carbon film-coated 400 mesh copper
EM grids were glow-discharged for 5 minutes using a GloQube® Plus glow discharge unit
(Quorum Technologies). 10μL of the diluted EV suspension (1:10) was placed on a parafilm,
above which the copper grid was placed for adsorption overnight at 4°C. After incubation, the
samples were washed twice with 1X PBS and blotted with Whatman no. 1 filter paper. The EV
sample was then fixed with 5μL of 2% glutaraldehyde for 30 seconds. This was followed by
adding 10μL Uranyless solution on the surface of the EM grid for 1 minute, followed by blotting
using filter paper. Next, the grid was allowed to air dry for 10 minutes and stored in an EM grid
box. This grid was then visualized using a 120kV FEI Tecnai Spirit Bio-Twin Transmission
Electron Microscope.
Ca2+-induced lysosomal exocytosis assay
Ca2+-induced lysosomal exocytosis assays were performed as described previously by
Escrevente et al. with slight modifications (35). Lysosomal exocytosis was induced using
ionomycin. HeLa and J774 cells were incubated in Ca2+- and Mg2+-free ice-cold Hanks Balanced
Salt Solution (HBSS) with DMSO or 10µM ionomycin in the presence of 4 mM CaCl 2, for
10 minutes at 37°C. After completion of incubation, cells were placed on ice and processed for
microscopy or flow cytometry analysis.
Immunofluorescence
For immunofluorescence microscopy, J774 and HeLa cells were seeded on
poly-L-Lysine-coated coverslips in 24-well plates, and left uninfected or infected with
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GFP-expressing C. burnetii at MOI 50 and 100, respectively. Post-infection, the plates were
centrifuged at 500 x g for 30 minutes. On day 5 post-infection, ionomycin was used as a positive
control, and cells were immunostained. For sLAMP1 localization, cells were washed three times
with 1X PBS at desired time points, followed by blocking in a solution containing 0.5% BSA and
1% FBS in 1X PBS. Coverslips were then incubated with anti-LAMP1 primary antibody in
blocking solution for 30 minutes at 4°C, washed thrice with 1X PBS, and fixed with 4% PFA in
1X PBS for 10 minutes. Post-incubation coverslips were washed with 1X PBS. Subsequently,
coverslips were incubated with Alexa Fluor-conjugated secondary antibody and DAPI in a
blocking solution for 1 hour at room temperature. Finally, the coverslips were washed thrice with
1X PBS and mounted with ProLong™ Glass Antifade Mountant.
Images were acquired on an Olympus confocal microscope (FluoView3000) using a 100×/1.35
NA oil immersion objective. Images were processed with Fiji software.
Flow cytometry
For sLAMP1 analysis, J774 macrophages and HeLa CCL2 cells were seeded in 12-well
(150,000 cells/well) and 24-well plates (25,000 cells/well) and left uninfected or infected with
GFP-expressing C. burnetii at MOI 50 and 100, respectively. On day 5 post-infection, Ionomycin
was used as a positive control, and cells were harvested using Accutase and blocked in the flow
cytometry buffer (1X PBS + 2% FBS) for 30 minutes at 4°C. Cells were stained with anti-LAMP1
primary antibody for 30 minutes at 4°C. Next, cells were washed with 1X PBS and fixed using
4% PFA for 10 minutes at 4°C. Cells were again washed with 1X PBS and stained for Alexa
Fluor 568 or Alexa Fluor 647 conjugated secondary antibody for 1 hour at RT. Finally, cells were
washed with 1X PBS and resuspended in the flow cytometry buffer. Acquisition was performed
in a BD FACSLyric TM or BD FACSAriaIII flow cytometer. For the infected samples, we gated
additionally on GFP-positive cells and then evaluated the sLAMP1 intensity. The percentage of
sLAMP1-positive cells was determined using FlowJo software (BD Biosciences).
For cell viability analysis, J774 macrophages were left uninfected or infected with
GFP-expressing C. burnetii at an MOI of 50. Cells were harvested 5 days post-infection using
Accutase. Next, cells were resuspended in LIVE/DEAD Fixable Violet Dead Cell Stain as per the
manufacturer’s instructions. For the positive control sample, cells were heat-killed by placing
them at 60°C for 20 minutes before staining. Next, cells were washed with 1X PBS and fixed
using 4% PFA for 10 minutes at 4°C. Finally, cells were washed with 1X PBS and resuspended
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in the flow cytometry buffer. Acquisition was performed in a BD FACSLyric TM. The data was
plotted using FlowJo software (BD Biosciences).
Bacterial growth curve experiments and MTT assay
Cells were seeded in 96-well black tissue culture plates with transparent bottom and infected on
the next day with C. burnetii pGFP typically at multiple MOIs, including MOIs of 50, 100 and
250. Following infection, the plates were centrifuged at 500 x g for 30 minutes. From day 1
post-infection till day 5 post-infection, the fluorescence was measured in the Infinite F200 Pro
Tecan plate reader at Ex/Em 485/538 nm. For experiments with small molecules, at two days
post-infection, cells were treated with either of the two different concentrations of ML-SA1
(20μM and 50μM) or ML-SI3 (10μM and 50μM), or a corresponding volume of DMSO, and the
data represented was normalized to uninfected.
After 5 days post-infection, MTT (5mg/ml) dissolved in 1X PBS was added to the wells after
removing the media. Treatment with Triton X-100 for 30 minutes at 37°C was used as a positive
control. After 4 hours of incubation at 37°C, DMSO was added to the wells and mixed well.
Absorbance was measured using Infinite F200 Pro Tecan plate reader at 540 nm.
Statistical analysis
The data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 10.4.1 software. The statistical significance was
calculated using different analyses: Mann-Whitney U test, t-test, one-way or two-way analysis of
variance (ANOVA) with SD or SEM and post-hoc tests, as applicable to the data. Statistical
differences were highlighted as * p ≤ 0.05, ** p ≤ 0.01, *** p ≤ 0.001, **** p ≤ 0.0001.
Figure legends
Figure 1: Infection with C. burnetii leads to increased detection of extracellular vesicles
(EVs) and endolysosomal proteins in macrophages
J774 macrophages cells were either uninfected or infected with GFP-expressing C. burnetii
(MOI 50) for 5 days. (A) Schematic of Extracellular vesicle (EV) isolation from conditioned
media of J774 macrophages by differential centrifugation. (B-C) Cell-free supernatant was
collected from uninfected or C. burnetii-infected cells on 2 dpi (B) and subsequently on 5 dpi,
along with cell lysates (C). Immunoblot of the 3220g fraction, lysates and 100,000g fraction
derived from supernatants collected on 2 dpi (B) or 5 dpi (C) to detect various proteins, as
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indicated. (D) Cell viability was determined by flow cytometry by staining cells with LIVE/DEAD
fixable violet dead cell stain on 5 dpi. J774 cells were heat-killed at 60°C for 20 minutes and
were used as the positive control. Histogram shows the percentage of live cells (left) and dead
cells (right) in the bulk population. One representative data set is shown. (E) Concentration of
particles of different sizes in the EV fraction isolated from infected and uninfected macrophages
by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis. (F) Total concentration of particles in the EV fraction isolated
from infected and uninfected macrophages with each dot representing a distinct experiment (G)
Representative transmission electron microscopy images of the EV fraction isolated from
uninfected or infected cells at 5 dpi (scale bars = 200 nm). Data presented is representative of at
least 3 experiments (B and C), 2 experiments (D and G), and assimilation of 5 experiments (E,
F).
Figure 2: Infection with C. burnetii enhances surface localization of LAMP1 in
macrophages
J774 macrophages were left uninfected or infected with GFP-expressing C. burnetii (MOI 50)
for 5 dpi, or treated with ionomycin or vehicle control DMSO and stained to detect LAMP1,
without permeabilization. Ionomycin was used as the positive control for exocytosis. (A)
Immunofluorescent images of surface LAMP1 (sLAMP1) localization in J774 macrophages
(scale bar indicates 10 µm). (B) Binning strategy used to categorize surface localization
phenotypes as total, partial, and no localization, and is represented using ionomycin treatment
(scale bars = 5 µm). (C) Quantification of sLAMP1 phenotypes under infection and ionomycin
treatment conditions. Data are shown as the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments,
with at least 90 cells quantified for each treatment, per experiment. One representative data set
(D) and averages of four experiments (E) showing percentage of cells with sLAMP1 localization
as determined by flow cytometry. For the C. burnetii pGFP-infected samples, sLAMP1+ cells
were gated on the GFP-positive population.
Figure 3: Infection with C. burnetii increases the detection of extracellular endolysosomal
proteins and sLAMP1 in non-phagocytic cells
(A-B) Immunoblot of HeLa uninfected or infected with GFP-expressing C. burnetii (MOI 100).
Immunoblot of the 3220g fraction, and 100,000g fraction derived from cell-free supernatant
collected from uninfected or C. burnetii-infected cells (MOI 100) on 2 dpi (A) and subsequently
on 6 dpi, along with cell lysates (B). (C) Immunofluorescent images of surface LAMP1
(sLAMP1) in HeLa left uninfected, infected with C. burnetii pGFP MOI 100, or treated with
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ionomycin or vehicle control DMSO and stained to detect LAMP1, without permeabilization.
Scale bar indicates 10 µm. (D) One representative data set showing percentage of cells with
sLAMP1 localization as determined by flow cytometry. For the C. burnetii pGFP-infected
samples, sLAMP1+ cells were gated on the GFP-positive population. Data shown is
representative of at least two experiments.
Figure 4: T4BSS activity of C. burnetii is essential for infection-induced exocytosis
(A) Immunoblot of J774 cells uninfected or infected with wt or icmL::Tn C. burnetii (MOI 50) at 5
dpi. Cell-free supernatant was collected from uninfected or C. burnetii-infected cells, along with
cell lysates (A). (B) Percentage of viable J774 cells by MTT assay at 5 dpi. Treatment with
Triton X-100 is used as the positive control. Data presented is representative of at least 3 (A) or
2 independent experiments (B).
Figure 5: Modulation of the activity of the lysosomal cation channel mucolipin-1
(TRPML1) negatively impacts intracellular C. burnetii replication
HeLa cells were treated with different concentrations of the synthetic agonist of TRPML1,
ML-SA1 (A-B) or inhibitor ML-SI3 (C-D) and intracellular replication and host cell viability was
measured. Intracellular replication of C. burnetii pGFP was assessed by measuring GFP
fluorescence (A, C), and cell viability by MTT assay (B, D). Data shown is representative of 3
independent experiments (A, C) and 2 experiments (B, D).
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The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted May 26, 2025. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.05.26.655767doi: bioRxiv preprint
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