Host cell sensing and restoration of mitochondrial function and metabolism within Helicobacter pylori VacA intoxicated cells

Helicobacter pylori vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) is an intracellular-acting protein exotoxin that induces mitochondrial dysfunction and energy depletion within host cells. Although exposure to VacA results in mitochondrial dysfunction, one recent study revealed that, following limited exposure to VacA, mitochondrial function and cellular ATP levels were restored in a time-dependent manner. Studies performed to address the mechanism by which host cells detect and respond to intracellular VacA identified the adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a sensor of toxin-dependent alterations in cellular energy status. Activation of AMPK in response to VacA was demonstrated to orchestrate alterations in mitochondrial dynamics which resulted in restoration of mitochondrial function. Specifically, upregulation of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp-1)-dependent mitochondrial fission resulted in reversible fragmentation of filamentous mitochondria and time-dependent reduction in mitochondrial-associated VacA, suggesting that fragmentation is important for removal of VacA from mitochondria. Cells with reduced levels of Drp-1 were more susceptible to VacA-dependent cell death, suggesting that mitochondrial dynamics is important for maintaining cell viability through the reduction in mitochondrial-associated toxin. Collectively, these studies support a model that cellular recovery and survival in response to VacA-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to host cell modulation of mitochondrial dynamics. This study provides new insights into cellular recognition and responses to intracellular-acting toxin modulation of host cell function, which could be relevant for the growing list of pathogenic microbes and viruses identified that target mitochondria as part of their virulence strategies. IMPORTANCE: Persistent human gastric infection with Helicobacter pylori is the single most important risk factor for development of gastric malignancy, which is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. An important virulence factor for Hp colonization and severity of gastric disease is the protein exotoxin VacA, which is secreted by the bacterium and modulates functional properties of gastric cells. VacA acts by damaging mitochondria, which impairs host cell metabolism through impairment of energy production. Here, we demonstrate that intoxicated cells have the capacity to detect VacA-mediated damage, and orchestrate the repair of mitochondrial function, thereby restoring cellular health and vitality. This study provides new insights into cellular recognition and responses to intracellular-acting toxin modulation of host cell function, which could be relevant for the growing list of pathogenic microbes and viruses identified that target mitochondria as part of their virulence strategies.