The Role of the Type VI Secretion System of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as Target of the Host Adaptive Immune Response : A Microbiological and Immunological Approach
The type VI secretion system (T6SS) enables Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to secrete effector proteins into the environment or target cells, aiding in microbial competition, host manipulation, and nutrient uptake. While the molecular mechanisms of T6SS are increasingly understood, little is known about the host immune response to its secreted proteins. In this study, we investigated this interplay in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), whose lungs are chronically colonised by P. aeruginosa. This study investigates the adaptive immune response to T6SS proteins in a local cohort of over 100 pwCF. We established a unique biobank linking host biomaterials with individual P. aeruginosa isolates, enabling parallel analysis of immune profiles and bacterial genotypes. Serological assays suggest that pwCF develop specific antibody responses to secreted T6SS proteins, and revealed distinct immune profiles for the different T6SSs. These patterns may be associated with bacterial phylogeny and effector diversity, which appear to differ between major P. aeruginosa phylogroups. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of the interactions between P. aeruginosa T6SSs and the human immune system, and lays the groundwork for future research into their roles in chronic infection and clinical outcomes.
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