Scientific publications
In vitro modeling of polyclonal infection dynamics within the human airways by Haemophilus influenzae differential fluorescent labeling
Beatriz Rapún-Araiz # 1 2, Ioritz Sorzabal-Bellido # 3, Javier Asensio-López 1 2 4, María Lázaro-Díez 1 2, Mikel Ariz 3, Carlos Sobejano de la Merced 3, Begoña Euba 1 2, Ariadna Fernández-Calvet 1, Ivan Cortés-Domínguez 3, Saioa Burgui 4, Alejandro Toledo-Arana 1, Carlos Ortiz-de-Solórzano 3 5 6, Junkal Garmendia 1 2 7
Abstract
Genomic diversity of nontypeable H. influenzae strains confers phenotypic heterogeneity. Multiple strains of H. influenzae can be simultaneously isolated from clinical specimens, but we lack detailed information about polyclonal infection dynamics by this pathogen. A long-term barrier to our understanding of this host-pathogen interplay is the lack of genetic tools for strain engineering and differential labeling. Here, we present a novel plasmid toolkit named pTBH (toolbox for Haemophilus), with standardized modules for fluorescent or bioluminescent labeling, adapted to H. influenzae requirements but designed to be versatile so it can be utilized in other bacterial species.
We present detailed experimental and quantitative image analysis methods, together with proof-of-principle examples, and show the ample possibilities of 3D microscopy, combined with quantitative image analysis, to model H. influenzae polyclonal infection lifestyles and unravel the co-habitation and co-infection dynamics of this respiratory pathogen.
CITA DEL ARTÍCULO Microbiol Spectr. 2023 Dec 12;11(6):e0099323. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.00993-23. Epub 2023 Oct 5.
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