Leptospira interrogans Catalase Is Required for Resistance to H2O2and for Virulence

Abstract

ABSTRACTPathogenicLeptospiraspp. are likely to encounter higher concentrations of reactive oxygen species induced by the host innate immune response. In this study, we characterizedLeptospira interroganscatalase (KatE), the only annotated catalase found within pathogenicLeptospiraspecies, by assessing its role in resistance to H2O2-induced oxidative stress and during infection in hamsters. PathogenicL. interrogansbacteria had a 50-fold-higher survival rate under H2O2-induced oxidative stress than did saprophyticL. biflexabacteria, and this was predominantly catalase dependent. We also characterized KatE, the only annotated catalase found within pathogenicLeptospiraspecies. Catalase assays performed with recombinant KatE confirmed specific catalase activity, while protein fractionation experiments localized KatE to the bacterial periplasmic space. The insertional inactivation ofkatEin pathogenicLeptospirabacteria drastically diminished leptospiral viability in the presence of extracellular H2O2and reduced virulence in an acute-infection model. Combined, these results suggest thatL. interrogansKatE confersin vivoresistance to reactive oxygen species induced by the host innate immune response.