Characterization of Outer Membrane Vesicles from Fusobacterium nucleatum

Background/objectives: Fusobacterium nucleatum is an oral pathogen and is associated with the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study is to evaluate the ability of outer membrane vesicles (OMV) from F. nucleatum to modulate cellular responses in colonic cells. Methodology: Here we show that infection of colonic epithelial cells with F. nucleatum and its OMV induce pro-inflammatory chemokine and cytokine production and promote an EMT-like pheno- and genotypes in vitro as demonstrated by suppression of E-cadherin and up-regulation of several mesenchymal markers. F. nucleatum and its OMV modulate the barrier function of intestinal monolayers, a process likely related to their demonstrated ability to degrade E-cadherin and suppress its expression. Findings: Analysis of the OMV proteome by mass spectrometry demonstrates that they harbor the known virulence factors that appear to be enriched with proteolytic activity. Novelty/contribution: Taken together, these data indicate that F. nucleatum OMV have the potential to contribute to disease progression in the context of CRC. Keywords: Outer Membrane Vesicles, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Colorectal Cancer, Protease.