Gram-negative pathogens ubiquitously shed outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that play a central role in initiating and regulating pathogenesis in the host. Due to their highly inflammatory nature, OMVs are extensively being examined for their role in mediating disease in addition to their applications in innovative vaccines. A key mechanism whereby OMVs mediate inflammation and disease progression is dependent on their ability to enter host cells. Currently, the role of OMV size on determining their mechanism of cellular entry and their protein composition remains unknown. In this study, we examined the mechanisms whereby OMV size regulates their mode of entry into epithelial cells, in addition to their protein cargo and composition. We identified that a heterogeneous sized population of Helicobacter pylori OMVs entered epithelial cells via macropinocytosis, clathrin, and caveolin-dependent endocytosis. However, smaller OMVs ranging from 20 to 100 nm in size preferentially entered host cells via caveolin-mediated endocytosis. Whereas larger OMVs ranging between 90 and 450 nm in size entered host epithelial cells via macropinocytosis and endocytosis. Most importantly, we identified the previously unknown contribution that OMV size has on determining their protein content, as fewer and less diverse bacterial proteins were contained within small OMVs compared to larger OMVs. Collectively, these findings identify the importance of OMV size in determining the mechanisms of OMV entry into host cells, in addition to regulating their protein cargo, composition, and subsequent immunogenicity. These findings have significant implications in broadening our understanding of the bacterial regulation of virulence determinants and immunogenic proteins associated with OMVs, their role in mediating pathogenesis and in refining the design and development of OMV-based vaccines.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes chronic inflammation which is a key precursor to gastric carcinogenesis. It has been suggested that H. pylori may limit this immunopathology by inducing the production of interleukin 33 (IL-33) in gastric epithelial cells, thus promoting T helper 2 immune responses. The molecular mechanism underlying IL-33 production in response to H. pylori infection, however, remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that H. pylori activates signalling via the pathogen recognition molecule Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerisation Domain-Containing Protein 1 (NOD1) and its adaptor protein receptor-interacting serine-threonine Kinase 2, to promote production of both full-length and processed IL-33 in gastric epithelial cells. Furthermore, IL-33 responses were dependent on the actions of the H. pylori Type IV secretion system, required for activation of the NOD1 pathway, as well as on the Type IV secretion system effector protein, CagA. Importantly, Nod1 mice with chronic H. pylori infection exhibited significantly increased gastric IL-33 and splenic IL-13 responses, but decreased IFN-γ responses, when compared with Nod1 animals. Collectively, our data identify NOD1 as an important regulator of mucosal IL-33 responses in H. pylori infection. We suggest that NOD1 may play a role in protection against excessive inflammation.

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) display phenotypic and functional characteristics of secondary lymphoid organs, and often develop in tissues affected by chronic inflammation, as well as in certain inflammation‐associated cancers where they are prognostic of improved patient survival. However, the mechanisms that govern the development of tumour‐associated TLSs remain ill‐defined. Here, we observed tumour‐associated TLSs in a preclinical mouse model (gp130 F/F) of gastric cancer, where tumourigenesis is dependent on hyperactive STAT3 signalling through the common IL‐6 family signalling receptor, gp130. Gastric tumourigenesis was associated with the development of B and T cell‐rich submucosal lymphoid aggregates, containing CD21+ cellular networks and high endothelial venules. Temporally, TLS formation coincided with the development of gastric adenomas and induction of homeostatic chemokines including Cxcl13, Ccl19 and Ccl21. Reflecting the requirement of gp130‐driven STAT3 signalling for gastric tumourigenesis, submucosal TLS development was also STAT3‐dependent, but independent of the cytokine IL‐17 which has been linked with lymphoid neogenesis in chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Interestingly, upregulated lymphoid chemokine expression and TLS formation were also observed in a chronic gastritis model induced by Helicobacter felis infection. Tumour‐associated TLSs were also observed in patients with intestinal‐type gastric cancer, and a gene signature linked with TLS development in gp130 F/F mice was associated with advanced clinical disease, but was not prognostic of patient survival. Collectively, our in vivo data reveal that hyperactive gp130‐STAT3 signalling closely links gastric tumourigenesis with lymphoid neogenesis, and while a TLS gene signature was associated with advanced gastric cancer in patients, it did not indicate a favourable prognosis.