The Dot/Icm-translocated effector LegC4 potentiates cytokine-mediated restriction of Legionella within accidental hosts.

Abstract

Legionella pneumophila is ubiquitous in freshwater environments where it replicates within unicellular protozoa. However, L. pneumophila is also an accidental human pathogen that can cause Legionnaires Disease in immunocompromised individuals by uncontrolled replication within alveolar macrophages. To replicate within eukaryotic phagocytes, L. pneumophila utilizes a Dot/Icm type IV secretion system to translocate a large arsenal of over 300 effector proteins directly into host cells. In mammals, translocated effectors contribute to innate immune restriction of L. pneumophila. We found previously that the effector LegC4 is important for L. pneumophila replication within a natural host protist but is deleterious to replication in a mouse model of Legionnaires Disease. In the present study, we used cultured mouse primary macrophages to investigate how LegC4 attenuates L. pneumophila replication. We found that LegC4 enhanced restriction of L. pneumophila replication within macrophages activated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or interferon (IFN)-{gamma}. Specifically, TNF-mediated signaling was required for LegC4-mediated attenuation of L. pneumophila replication within macrophages. In addition, expression of legC4 was sufficient to restrict L. longbeachae replication within TNF- or IFN-{gamma}-activated macrophages. Thus, this study demonstrates that LegC4 contributes to L. pneumophila clearance from healthy hosts by potentiating cytokine-mediated host defense mechanisms.\n\nImportanceLegionella are natural pathogens of protozoa and accidental pathogens of humans. Innate immunity in healthy individuals effectively controls Legionella infection due in part to rapid and robust production of pro-inflammatory cytokines resulting from detection of Dot/Icm-translocated substrates, including effectors. Here, we demonstrate that the effector LegC4 enhances pro-inflammatory host restriction of Legionella from macrophages. These data suggest that LegC4 may augment pro-inflammatory signaling or antimicrobial activity of macrophages, a function that has not previously been observed for another bacterial effector. Further insight into LegC4 function will likely reveal novel mechanisms to enhance immunity against pathogens.