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. 2010 Feb 14;2010:974943. doi: 10.1155/2010/974943

Interaction of Botulinum Toxin with the Epithelial Barrier

Yukako Fujinaga 1,*
PMCID: PMC2822237  PMID: 20169001

Abstract

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is a protein toxin (~150 kDa), which possesses a metalloprotease activity. Food-borne botulism is manifested when BoNT is absorbed from the digestive tract to the blood stream and enters the peripheral nerves, where the toxin cleaves core proteins of the neuroexocytosis apparatus and elicits the inhibition of neurotransmitter release. The initial obstacle to orally ingested BoNT entering the body is the epithelial barrier of the digestive tract. Recent cell biology and molecular biology studies are beginning to elucidate the mechanism by which this large protein toxin crosses the epithelial barrier. In this review, we provide an overview of the structural features of botulinum toxins (BoNT and BoNT complex) and the interaction of these toxins with the epithelial barrier.

1. Introduction

The botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT, Mr. ~150 kDa, types A to G), which is produced by various strains of the anaerobic spore-forming bacteria Clostridium botulinum, C. butyricum, and C. baratii, is one of the most toxic proteins to humans. BoNT is the etiologic agent that causes botulism, a severe neurological disease characterized by flaccid paralysis. The most common mechanism of botulism poisoning is through oral ingestion of the toxin contaminated in food. The lethal dose of BoNT for humans is not known but has been estimated in primate studies; the estimated lethal amount of crystalline type A toxin (main ingredient is 19S toxin, see chapter II-1) for a 70 kg human is approximately 0.09–0.15 ug intravenously or intramuscularly, and 70 ug orally (reviewed in [1]). BoNT binds specifically to neuronal cells, enters the cytoplasm, and then cleaves the core proteins involved in the vesicular fusion machinery by its metalloprotease activity, thereby blocking the release of neurotransmitters (reviewed in [2]). When produced by the bacterium, the BoNT is found in complexes (BoNT complexes, progenitor toxins) associated with nontoxic components (reviewed in [3–7], Figures 1(a) and 2).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Botulinum neurotoxin complexes and food-borne botulism. (a) Schematic structure of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) complexes. (b) The pathway followed by BoNT complexes from the lumen of the intestinal tract to the cytosol of the peripheral nerve terminal in food-borne botulism. Orally ingested BoNT complexes (12S and 16S toxins) must cross the intestinal epithelial barrier to cause the food-borne botulism. After absorption from the small intestine, the botulinum neurotoxin complexes enter the lymphatic system, then the blood stream [3, 8]. In the lymphatic circulation and blood, BoNT exists as a free form dissociated from the complex [3, 9] and binds specifically to neurons [2, 10]. Inhibition of neurotransmitter release occurs via a four-step mechanism, (1) binding, (2) endocytosis, (3) translocation, and (4) cleavage of the SNARE proteins [2].

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Features of types A to G BoNT complexes. Type A (A1) BoNT is produced by C. botulinum in three forms: 12S, 16S, and 19S toxins. Types B, C, and D BoNT are produced in two forms: 16S and 12S toxins. Types E, F, (and A2) BoNT are produced as 12S toxin. Type G BoNT complex is produced as 16S toxin (reviewed in [3, 6, 7]).

To cause disease, orally ingested BoNT in the complexes must take a long journey to reach their targets, the peripheral nerves (Figure 1(b)). The initial obstacle to orally ingested BoNT entering the body is the epithelial barrier of the digestive tract. Although the molecular mechanism by which this large protein toxin crosses the epithelial barrier is not completely defined, recent studies have led to a progressive understanding of the interaction of BoNT and BoNT complexes with the epithelial barrier.

Here, we describe the structure-activity relationship of botulinum toxins (BoNT and BoNT complexes) and cover recent advances in our understanding of the transport pathway followed by these toxins from the gut lumen to the general circulation across the epithelial barrier.

2. Structural Aspects of Botulinum Neurotoxin Complex

2.1. Overview of Molecular Composition of BoNT Complex

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT/NTX/7S toxin) is classified into seven serotypes, BoNT/A through BoNT/G, on the basis of their immunological properties. In addition, the variation observed in BoNT protein sequences within the serotypes, at least in serotype A–F, has resulted in designations of BoNT subtypes within a serotype [11–15]. For example, five subtypes of BoNT/A (termed A1–A5) have been identified. Subtypes are defined as differing by at least 2.6% at the amino acid level [11, 12]. These subtypes BoNT are produced by the bacterium as complexes (BoNT complexes/progenitor toxins) associated with nontoxic components (nontoxic neurotoxin-associated proteins, NAP) (reviewed in [3–7] Figures 1(a) and 2). Three forms of BoNT complexes, 12S toxin (M toxin/M-TC), 16S toxin (L toxin/L-TC), and 19S toxin (LL toxin/LL-TC), are the major forms in cultures of the bacteria. 12S toxin is composed of a BoNT and a nontoxic nonhemagglutinin (non-toxic non-HA, NTNH, also called as NTNHA; 130 kDa). 16S toxin is composed of a BoNT, an NTNH, and several hemagglutinin (HA) proteins. 19S toxin has the same components as 16S toxin and is presumed to be a dimer of two 16S toxins linked by one of the HA proteins [16]. C. botulinum type A (A1) strain produces 12S, 16S, and 19S toxins. Type B, C, and D strains produce 16S and 12S toxins. Type A2, E, and F strains only produce 12S toxin. Type G strain produces only 16S toxin (reviewed in [3, 6, 7]). Toxin types A, B, E, and F cause botulism in both humans and animals, whereas types C and D cause botulism mainly in animals, but very rarely in humans. Type G toxin producing organisms have been experimentally isolated from soil, but no naturally occurring outbreaks of botulism caused by type G toxin have been reported (reviewed in [1, 7]).

In this review, when it is not suitable to use the precise terms, BoNT and BoNT complex (i.e., BoNT plus NAP), we will use the term “botulinum toxin” which means either BoNT or BoNT complex.

2.2. Structure and Activity of BoNT

BoNT is synthesized as single-polypeptide chains of ~150 kDa but must be posttranslationally modified by a bacterial or tissue protease for activation (reviewed in [2]). The active form of the toxin consists of a light chain (L, 50 kDa) and a heavy chain (H, 100 kDa). The chains remain covalently and reversibly linked by a disulphide bond until exposed to reducing conditions, such as in the nerve cytosol. The L chain is a zinc endopeptidase, which cleaves the SNARE proteins VAMP (vesicle-associated membrane protein/synaptobrevin; cleaved by BoNT/B, D, F, and G), which is located in SV (synaptic vesicles), and SNAP-25 (25 kDa synaptosome associated proteins; cleaved by BoNT types A, C, and E) and syntaxin (cleaved by BoNT/C), which are expressed mainly in the plasma membrane [2]. The H chain is composed of two domains and serves as the vehicle that delivers the L chain into the cytosol of neuronal cells. The carboxy-terminal part of the H chain (Hc) is mainly responsible for neurospecific binding via its interaction with specific gangliosides and protein receptors (dual-receptor model, reviewed in [2, 10]). Regarding protein receptors, synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2) has been proposed to be a protein receptor for BoNT/A (all three isoforms SV2A, B and C [17], SV2C [18]), BoNT/E (SV2A and B [19]) and BoNT/F (SV2A, B and C [20]), while synaptotagmin I and II (Syt-I an -II) have been identified as protein receptors for both BoNT/B and BoNT/G [21–27]). In contrast, BoNT/C and BoNT/D seem to only interact with gangliosides (GD1b and GT1b) and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively [28]. The aminoterminal part of the H chain (HN) is thought to mediate translocation of the L chain from the lumen of an acidic intracellular compartment into the cytosol [29–31].

Information from the crystallographic structures of BoNT [32–37], cocrystallographic structures of BoNT with their SNARE substrates [38–40], and cocrystallographic structures of BoNT with receptors [41–44] have revealed the details of these interactions at the atomic level.

2.3. NTNH and HA Proteins

The nontoxic components (NAP) of 12S and 16S toxins are composed of an NTNH and an NTNH with several HA proteins, respectively. All these components and a BoNT are associated with each other by noncovalent binding. The BoNT dissociates from NAP in slightly alkaline conditions (higher than pH 7.2~8) (reviewed in [3]).

NTNHs are produced by all types (strains) of C. botulinum and are the most conserved proteins in the botulinum neurotoxin complex (their amino acid identity level is 76~83.5%) (reviewed in [5]). The biological and structural roles of NTNH are not completely understood, although it is believed that they confer resistance to proteolysis in the gastrointestinal tract (reviewed in [3], for type D NTNH [45]).

The HA component consists of three different proteins: HA1 (also referred to as HA-33 in types C and D, HA-34 in type B, and HA-35 in type A, based on their molecular weight), HA2 (also referred to as HA-15 in type A, HA-17 in types C and D, and HA-18 in type B), and HA3 (also referred to as HA-70, a precursor form of HA3a and HA3b) [6]).

The 12S toxin is composed of a BoNT and an NTNH at a 1 : 1 ratio (reviewed in [3, 6, 45]). 16S toxin results from the assembly of a BoNT, an NTNH, and HA proteins (HA1, HA2, and HA3) at a presumed 1 : 1 : 6 : 3 : 3 [46] or 1 : 1 : 4 : 4 : 2 ratio [47, 48].

The X-ray crystallographic structures of HA1 (type C [49, 50], type A [51]), HA1-HA2 complex (type D [46]), and HA3 (type C [52]) have been determined. Furthermore, recent transmission electron microscopy studies of type D 16S toxin suggest an ellipsoidal-shaped structure with 3 extended arms [46]. Other such studies will provide valuable information for understand the precise three- and four- dimensional structures of 12S and 16S toxin, although the crystallographic structures of these BoNT complexes have not yet been elucidated.

3. Mechanism of the Passage of Botulinum Toxins through the Digestive Tract

3.1. Site of Absorption of Botulinum Toxins

Botulinum toxin cannot penetrate intact skin, but the toxin is absorbed from mucosal surfaces or a wound (reviewed in [1]). In food-borne botulism and in intestinal botulism (infant and adult, botulinum toxins are produced from C. botulinum and other BoNT producing clostridia, which colonize the lumen of intestine), the toxins are absorbed from the digestive tract. During naturally occurring food-borne botulism, abdominal cramp, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea are often reported. These gastrointestinal symptoms are thought to be caused by other bacterial metabolites and may not occur if pure botulinum toxins are contaminated in foods (reviewed in [1]).

Experiments using ligated intestinal loops of animals and purified botulinum toxins showed that the upper small intestine was found to be the most important site for absorption of these toxins (reviewed in [3, 8]). Further in vivo experiments using recent imaging technology under physiological conditions (no ligation) will provide a more detailed understanding of the sites of the absorption of botulinum toxin in the intestine. After passing through the intestinal epithelium, the toxins first appear in the lymph and then in the blood (reviewed in [3, 8]). Botulinum toxin can also be absorbed from various mucous membranes, such as the mucous membranes of buccal cavity [53], stomach [54], and respiratory systems [55].

3.2. NAP Enhance the Oral Toxicity of BoNT by Their Protective Effects

The BoNT alone isolated from BoNT complexes was found to be only slightly toxic to mice when administrated orally. Its oral toxicity increases with the incremental association of the BoNT with the NAP (for a review, see [3]). Among six toxin serotypes (A to F), the type B (strain Lamanna) shows the most marked tendency, 16S toxin is about 1000 times more potent than 12S toxin, and 12S toxin is about 20 times more potent than BoNT in mice experiments [3]. Although the overall mechanism leading to the higher efficacy of the BoNT complexes is not fully understood, Sakaguchi's group has documented that their greater efficacy is due to the protective effect toward BoNT of the NAP from the low pH and proteases in the digestive tract [3]. Sakaguchi's group also reported that BoNT complexes do not dissociate in the digestive tract, including the duodenum in spite of the pH being around 7.0 [56], and the whole toxin complexes seem to be absorbed from the intestine into the lymphatics in rat ligated duodenum loop assay [9]; then molecular dissociation occurs immediately after BoNT complexes are absorbed into the lymphatics [9] (reviewed in [3]).

It was also reported that NAP plays a role in enhancing the neurotoxicity of BoNT, by a different mechanism from its protective effect against the external environment [57–60].

3.3. Transcytosis of BoNT across the Intestinal Epithelial Cells

In vitro experiments showed that BoNT/A and BoNT/B bind to polarized human intestinal epithelial cell lines (Caco-2 and T84) and undergo a transcytosis pathway from the apical to basolateral side [61–65]. The H chain of the BoNT is involved in binding and transcytosis in the intestinal cells [62, 64, 66], and gangliosides (GD1b and GT1b series) and SV2 (or SV2 related protein) on the intestinal cell surface are possibly involved in this process [64]. It was also reported that an intestinal crypt like cell line derived from mouse (m-ICc12), which expresses a higher amount of SV2C (or SV2C related protein) than Caco-2, showed a higher level of binding and passage of BoNT/A than Caco-2 [64]. Although the BoNT transcytosis pathway has not yet been clearly defined, a recent study found that the BoNT/A C-terminal part of H chain (Hc) enters preferentially via a Cdc42-dependent and clathrin–independent pathway in Caco-2 and m-ICc12 and reaches an early endosomal compartment [66].

3.4. HA Proteins Tether the BoNT to the Microvili of the Intestinal Epithelium

Several experiments were conducted to investigate the interaction of BoNT complexes with the intestinal epithelium. Experiments using ligated intestinal loops of guinea pigs and type C toxins (BoNT, 12S toxin and 16S toxin) showed that only 16S toxin has a potent and selective binding activity to the microvilli of the upper small intestine via sialic acid residues in cell surface glycoconjugates [67]. This finding suggests the important role of the HA component in intestinal absorption of BoNT. Subsequently, it was shown that type C 16 S toxin, but not 12S toxin or BoNT, binds and enters HT-29 cells (a human intestinal epithelial cell line) via the cell surface sialic acid containing O-liked glycoproteins [68]. When internalized into HT-29 cells, the type C16S toxin appears to be separated to the BoNT and NAP in endosome and the BoNT can further transferred to the Golgi apparatus [69]. In vivo, a substantial amount of ingested progenitor toxins seem to exist in their undissociated forms, at least until the BoNT complexes reach the luminal side of the intestine (see Section 3.2). These data led us to speculate that the HA in BoNT complex may play a role in the enhancement of BoNT absorption from the luminal surface of the intestinal epithelium to the circulating fluids, probably via transcytosis. Indeed, it was recently reported that HA1 of the type D 16S toxin may play a critical role in facilitating the passage of BoNT through Caco-2 monolayers [70]. However, it was shown that NAP does not facilitate the transcytosis of BoNT in T84, Caco-2, and Calu-3 (a human pulmonary cell line) (type A [55, 62, 64] type B [62]). At present, both of these studies, which propose directly opposite ideas, were done using mainly in vitro cell lines and these systems are not always physiologically relevant. Multilateral approaches using such in situ intestinal epithelium of the susceptible species will thus be necessary to role out the function of NAP in the transcytosis of BoNT.

Since it was demonstrated that type C HA of the BoNT complex has a binding activity to the carbohydrates on the intestinal epithelial cell surfaces, additional studies have been carried out to characterize the binding property of other types of BoNT complexes. In type A, HA-positive BoNT complexes (mixture of 16S toxin and 19S toxin) but not 12S toxin show binding activity toward intestinal epithelial cells and erythrocytes, as in the case of type C BoNT complexes; whereas, the type A 16S toxin recognizes galactose residues instead of sialic acid residues in the cell surface glycoconjugates of these cells [71]. In agreement with this observation, in erythrocytes, the Galβ1-4GlcNAc moiety in the cell surface glycoconjugates has been determined as a major ligand for type A HA-positive BoNT complexes and HA1 (native HA1 exists in the culture medium) [72]. In the human intestinal cell line, Intestine-407, the Galβ1-4GlcNAc (N-acetyllactosamine) moiety in the cell surface oligosaccarides has been determined as a major ligand for type A HA-positive BoNT complexes [73].

Studies using recombinant HA proteins showed that HA1 and HA3b have carbohydrate binding activities with different specificities [71, 74, 75]. In type C, the HA1 recognizes NeuAcα2-3 Galβ1- and Galβ1-4 GlcNAcβ1-; whereas, HA3b (and its precursor form, HA3) recognizes NeuAcα2-3 Galβ1- [74]. Type C HA1 has been shown to have two β-trefoil domains and bears similarities with the plant lectin ricin B-chain in its amino acid sequence [76] and crystal structure [49]. It has been demonstrated that each of these two β-trefoil domains (site I and site II) possesses a carbohydrate binding activity by viewing their X-ray crystal structures in complex with their carbohydrate ligands and point mutation analysis [50]. The site I β-trefoil domain bounds wide variety of sugars, such as N-acetylneuraminic acid, N-acetylgalactosamine, and galactose, while site II β-trefoil domain, which is located on the C-terminal side of site I, bounds only galactose and the binding avidity seems to be lower than that of site I. Regarding HA3, a binding site for N-acetylneuraminic acid within type C HA3 has been determined by X-ray crystallography and point mutation analysis [52]. What is the reason for the existence of multiple carbohydrate-binding sites with different specificities in the HA-positive BoNT complexes? Further studies are needed to clarify whether all of these three carbohydrate-binding sites are accessible in the complex form, whether, and how these carbohydrate-binding activities contribute to the passage of BoNT across the intestinal epithelial barrier.

3.5. HA Proteins Have Novel Activities That Disrupt the Epithelial Barrier Function

In 2008, we found a novel effect of the HA component; the type B HA disrupts the paracellular barrier of the intestinal epithelium and facilitates the transepithelial delivery of BoNT and other macromolecules both in vitro (human intestinal cell lines) and in vivo (mouse intestinal loop assay) [65]. On the other hand, this finding seems not to be in harmony with those reported by Sakaguchi who found that NAP does not enhance the rate of absorption of BoNT (in terms of antigenicity) in their in vivo rat intestinal loop assay [3]. The discrepancy may be due to species tropism in the action of HA; type B HA disrupts the paracellular barrier of the mouse, but not rat epithelium in the intestinal loop assay (manuscript in preparation).

We also found that type A HA proteins have a similar disrupting activity with a greater potency than type B HA proteins in Caco-2, T84, and MDCK I (canine kidney epithelial cell line) [77]. In contrast, type C HA proteins in the toxin complex (up to 300 nM) have no detectable effect on the paracellular barrier in these human cell lines [77]. These results indicate the correlation of the species tropism of HA action with the epidemiology of food-borne botulism. Therefore, HA action on the intestinal epithelial barrier may at least partially govern the susceptibility of different species to the toxicity of orally ingested BoNT complexes, and this may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of food-borne botulism.

In addition, we found that type C HA has a barrier disrupting activity and potent cytotoxicity in nonhuman originated certain epithelial cell lines (MDCK I, ACL-15, and RCN-9 derived from rat colon carcinomas) [77]. These data raise the possibility that type C HA induces damage in the intestinal epithelium of susceptible animals, which could allow the toxin complex unrestricted influx into the systemic circulation. However, this evidence about the epithelial barrier disruption provoked by type C HA proteins is limited to in vitro cell lines. Further in vivo studies using susceptible animals will provide a better understanding of the pathological roles of this cytotoxic activity.

3.6. Possible HA-Mediated Three-Step Mechanism for the Intestinal Absorption of BoNT Complex

Our studies indicated that the type A~C HA proteins present in the 16S toxin act on undefined host molecules, mainly on the basolateral surface, and these induce the loss of the epithelial paracellular barrier without causing cytotoxicity (Types A and B HA) or the loss of general epithelial barrier function accompanied by cell damage (Types C HA), which facilitates the efficient transepithelial-absorption of luminal macromolecules including BoNT [65, 77]. Taking into account these findings and other group's findings, we propose a possible three-step mechanism by which the toxin traverses the intestinal epithelial barrier (Figure 3): Step 1, transport of a small amount of luminally located BoNT complexes [65] or BoNT alone [61–66] across the epithelium without disrupting the epithelial barrier via transcytosis; Step 2, disruption of the epithelial barrier by the HA moiety of the 16S toxin that has translocated to the basolateral surface [65, 77]; and Step 3, accumulation of a large amount of BoNT complexes (and BoNT) in the serosal side by passing through the damaged epithelial barrier [65]. As previously mentioned, the in vivo relevance of these steps is at present obscure and necessary to be confirmed experimentally.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Model for penetration of BoNT complexes through the intestinal epithelial barrier. Step 1: HA of the BoNT complex mediates binding and transcytosis of a small amount of luminally located BoNT complexes across the epithelium without disrupting the epithelial barrier (Arrows in yellow, “route i”) [65]. H chain of BoNT also mediates binding and transcytosis of BoNT (Arrows in green, “route ii”) [61–66]. Step 2: HA which has translocated on the basolateral surface disrupts the epithelial barrier. Types A and B HA proteins disrupt the paracellular barrier of without causing cytotoxic effects in the epithelial cells of their susceptible hosts [65, 77]. Type C HA proteins possibly evoke cytotoxic-barrier disrupting activity in the epithelial cells of susceptible animals [77]. Step 3: A large amount of the BoNT complexes and BoNT accumulates in the serosal side by passing from the damaged epithelial barrier (Arrows in light green, “route iii”) [65].

4. Conclusions and Perspectives

In these few years, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the interaction of botulinum toxin with the intestinal epithelial barrier. It has become clear that the type A, B, and C HA proteins in BoNT complexes possess a potent ability to disrupts epithelial barrier function and have distinct features in their modes of action. These findings provide an awareness of botulinum HA proteins as pathogenic factors that breach the host defense by direct interaction with the host epithelium, which is presumably linked to the intestinal transepithelial delivery of BoNT in food-borne botulism of susceptible species. However, the molecular mechanisms by which each type of A~C HA proteins disrupt intestinal epithelial barriers remain unclear. Similarly, it is unclear whether the lectin activities of HA 3 and HA1 are involved in these epithelial barrier disrupting activities. Overall, there are at least three possible routes taken by botulinum toxin to penetrate the gut epithelium; route i, HA-mediated transcytosis (“Step 1” described in chapter III-6, chapter III-4) [65], route ii, H chain-mediated transcytosis of BoNT alone (“Step 1” described in chapter III-6, chapter III-3) [61–66], and route iii, the route passing from the damaged epithelial barrier caused by HA actions (“Step 3” described in chapter III-6, chapter III-5) [65]. Which route(s) are taken and to what extent are they involved in the absorption of the toxin in food-borne botulism? To answer these questions, further studies to elucidate the molecular interactions that occur between the botulinum toxin (complex) and the intestinal epithelial barrier and in vivo validation using appropriate species are necessary. These studies not only will provide an important insight into the molecular mechanisms behind the development of food-borne botulism but also may lead to unique and powerful opportunities to understand the complicated mechanisms for the maintenance and regulation of the epithelial barrier system. Moreover, the mechanisms by which botulinum toxin traverses the intestinal epithelial barrier could be exploited to allow delivery of drugs across the epithelium.

Acknowledgments

The studies described in this review were partly supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan (Y. Fujinaga, T. Matsumura), from the Kato Memorial Bioscience Foundation (Y. Fujinaga), and from Suzuken Memorial Foundation (Y. Fujinaga).

A List of Abbreviations

BoNT:

Botulinum neurotoxin

HA:

Hemagglutinin

NTX:

Botulinum neurotoxin

NTNH:

Nontoxic nonhemagglutinin

NTNHA:

Nontoxic nonhemagglutinin

NAP:

Nontoxic neurotoxin-associated protein

TC:

Toxin complex.

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