Small excretory–secretory proteins of Acanthamoeba castellanii genotype T4 upregulate the expression of capsule-associated genes via the Rcs two-component system in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Small (<10 kDa) ESPs from AcT4 can induce capsule-associated gene expression in K. pneumoniae via activation of the Rcs two-component system, independent of virulence plasmids. These findings reveal a novel contact-independent mechanism by which environmental protozoa may contribute to the emergence of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae, highlighting potential public health risks from aquatic environments.
Authors
- Hsin‐Yu Hsieh
- Yu-Jen Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2981-9429)
- Yen-Chu Chuang
- Chih‐Ming Tsai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7305-7401)
Institutions
- China Medical University (TW)
- Ministry of Health and Welfare (TW)
- China Medical University Hospital (TW)
- Taichung Hospital (TW)
- National Cheng Kung University (TW)
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (TW)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Parasites & Vectors
- Published
- 2025-11-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07123-0
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Legionella and Acanthamoeba research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.80
Funders
- National Cheng Kung University
- National Science and Technology Council