Hemagglutinin Protease HapA Associated With <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs) Disrupts Tight and Adherens Junctions

This study explores the virulence mechanisms of Vibrio cholerae, with a particular emphasis on HapA, a zinc metalloprotease delivered via outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The findings reveal that OMV-associated HapA disrupts the integrity of tight and adherens junctions in intestinal epithelial cell models more effectively than its purified counterpart, suggesting that association with OMVs substantially potentiates the pathogenic effects of HapA. The study further details the uptake of V. cholerae OMVs by epithelial cells, as well as their targeted degradation of key junctional proteins, including claudin, ZO-1, and β-catenin. These results highlight the critical role of OMV-associated HapA in compromising epithelial barrier function. Additionally, the use of spheroids and intestinal organoids in our experiments provides deeper insight into bacterial pathogenesis, offering valuable information for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.