A Novel Phage Element of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis P125109 Contributes to Accelerated Type III Secretion System 2-Dependent Early Inflammation Kinetics in a Mouse Colitis Model

Abstract

ABSTRACTSalmonella entericasubsp. I serovar Enteritidis exhibits type III secretion system 2 (TTSS2)-dependent early colonization and inflammation kinetics faster than those of closely relatedS. entericaserovar Typhimurium. To investigate the accelerated TTSS-2-dependent pathogenic potential ofS. Enteritidis, we focused on its genome. Results of a previously published comparative genomic study revealed the presence of mutually exclusive genes in both serovars. In this study, we investigated the roles of sixS. Enteritidis-specific genesin vivoby using differential fluorescence induction (DFI) through putative gene-specific promoters. The promoter construct associated with the gene locusSEN1140induced green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in the gut lumen, lamina propria, mesenteric lymph nodes, and related systemic organs. To further investigate the potential role ofSEN1140, we compared aSEN1140deletion mutant withS. Typhimurium in a TTSS1-deficient background. Interestingly, theS. Enteritidis mutant lackingSEN1140did not show the unique TTSS-2-dependent early colonization and inflammation kinetic phenotype ofS. Typhimurium. Consistent with this result, complementation ofSEN1140restored the TTSS-2-dependent accelerated inflammatory potential ofS. Enteritidis. This report presents a suitable screening strategy that uses a combination of DFI, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, quantitative PCR, and wild-type isogenic tagged-strain techniques to explore the unique roles ofS. Enteritidis-specific genes in bacterial pathogenesis.