Enterococcus faecalis modulates phase variation in Clostridioides difficile

Abstract

To adapt and persist in the gastrointestinal tract, many enteric pathogens, including Clostridioides difficile, employ strategies such as phase variation to generate phenotypically heterogeneous populations. Notably, the role of the gut microbiota and polymicrobial interactions in shaping population heterogeneity of invading pathogens has not been explored. Here, we show that Enterococcus faecalis, an opportunistic pathogen that thrives in the inflamed gut during C. difficile infection, can impact the phase variable CmrRST signal transduction system in C. difficile. The CmrRST system controls multiple phenotypes including colony morphology, cell elongation, and cell chaining in C. difficile. Here we describe how interactions between E. faecalis and C. difficile on solid media lead to a marked shift in C. difficile phenotypes associated with phase variation of CmrRST. Specifically, E. faecalis drives a switch of the C. difficile population to the cmr-ON state leading to chaining and a rough colony morphology. This phenomenon preferentially occurs with E. faecalis among the enterococci, as other enterococcal species do not show a similar effect, suggesting that the composition of the polymicrobial environment in the gut is likely critical to shaping C. difficile population heterogeneity. Our findings shed light on the complex role that microbial ecology and polymicrobial interactions can have in the phenotypic heterogeneity of invading pathogens. IMPORTANCE STATEMENTClostridioides difficile is an enteric pathogen with critical implications for public health. The microbial ecosystem in which C. difficile resides shapes the behavior and fitness of C. difficile; however, the mechanisms underlying these interactions are not well defined. Here, we demonstrate that Enterococcus faecalis, an opportunistic pathogen known to co-colonize the gut with C. difficile, influences phase variation and downstream growth phenotypes in C. difficile. This phenomenon represents a new paradigm by which co-residing bacteria can modulate phase variation dynamics in C. difficile or other enteric pathogens. Understanding factors that influence C. difficile behavior may elucidate new therapeutic strategies, especially in complex polymicrobial infections.