The extracellular domain of Staphylococcus aureus LtaS binds insulin and induces insulin resistance during infection

Nat Microbiol. 2018 May;3(5):622-631. doi: 10.1038/s41564-018-0146-2. Epub 2018 Apr 16.

Abstract

Insulin resistance is a risk factor for obesity and diabetes and predisposes individuals to Staphylococcus aureus colonization; however, the contribution of S. aureus to insulin resistance remains unclear. Here, we show that S. aureus infection causes impaired glucose tolerance via secretion of an insulin-binding protein extracellular domain of LtaS, eLtaS, which blocks insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Notably, eLtaS transgenic mice (eLtaS trans ) exhibited a metabolic syndrome similar to that observed in patients, including increased food and water consumption, impaired glucose tolerance and decreased hepatic glycogen synthesis. Furthermore, transgenic mice showed significant metabolic differences compared to their wild-type counterparts, particularly for the early insulin resistance marker α-hydroxybutyrate. We subsequently developed a full human monoclonal antibody against eLtaS that blocked the interaction between eLtaS and insulin, which effectively restored glucose tolerance in eLtaS trans and S. aureus-challenged mice. Thus, our results reveal a mechanism for S. aureus-induced insulin resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydroxybutyrates / metabolism
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Metabolic Syndrome / genetics
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Rats
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / metabolism
  • Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism
  • Staphylococcus aureus / pathogenicity*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Hydroxybutyrates
  • Insulin
  • 2-hydroxybutyric acid