bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of protective T cells in the acquired response to Leishmania donovani in genetically determined cure (H-2b) and noncure (H-2d) mouse strains
Authors: Ulczak O M , Ghadirian E , Skamene E , Blackwell J M , Kongshavn P A
Published: January 2020

The response to reinfection with Ethiopian Leishmania donovani was evaluated in genetically determined noncure (H-2d) B10.D2 mice that are able to resolve infection due to sublethal irradiation pretreatment after inoculation with a low parasite dose and in C57BL/10 mice that demonstrate the genetically determined cure (H-2b) response to L. donovani. It was found that after resolution of primary infection, C57BL/10 (cure) mice and sublethally irradiated B10.D2 (noncure) mice were resistant to rechallenge with L. donovani. Noncure mice inoculated with a low dose of amastigotes were not, however, solidly immune to reinfection. Adoptive-cell transfer experiments were then done to determine the T-cell subset that was associated with resistance to reinfection, and thus the development of immunity, in sublethally irradiated B10.D2 noncure mice and in C57BL/10 cure mice. T-cell-enriched preparations from spleens of immune donors were treated with subset-specific antibodies and complement prior to adoptive transfer in unprimed recipients. The results of the adoptive transfer experiments provide evidence that the genetically determined cure (H-2b) response in C57BL/10 mice and the cure response in genetically determined noncure (H-2d) B10.D2 mice brought about by sublethal irradiation pretreatment are mediated primarily by an L3T4+ Lyt-2- T cell.
Treponema pallidum-immobilizing antibodies in guinea pig experimental syphilis
Authors: Wicher K , Miller J N , Urquhart A W , Wicher V
Published: January 2020

Treponema pallidum-immobilizing (TPI) antibodies were examined in intradermally infected inbred strain 13 and adoptively immune inbred strain 2 guinea pigs. Both strains of animals produced TPI antibodies at or after 90 days of infection. TPI antibodies were not associated with the protective mechanism(s) operative after challenge in adoptively immune animals.
Internalization of Shigella flexneri into HeLa cells occurs without an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration
Authors: Clerc P L , Berthon B , Claret M , Sansonetti P J
Published: January 2020

Pathogenic Shigella flexneri invades epithelial cells through directed phagocytosis. The role of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) as a signal for this process was tested. No variation in the [Ca2+]i could be detected by using the fluorescent indicator fura 2 to measure the [Ca2+]i in HeLa cells during the invasion process. In addition, neither clamping nor maximal decreasing or increasing of the [Ca2+]i of HeLa cells had any effect on their susceptibility to invasion. These data demonstrate that [Ca2+]i is not a signal for S. flexneri directed phagocytosis in HeLa cells.
Bacterial iron enhances oxygen radical-mediated killing of Staphylococcus aureus by phagocytes
Authors: Hoepelman I M , Bezemer W A , Vandenbroucke-Grauls C M , Marx J J , Verhoef J
Published: January 2020

It has been shown that increasing bacterial iron concentration enhances killing by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) but not by polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN). It is possible that owing to the multiple bactericidal mechanisms of the PMN, differences in the killing rate of iron-loaded bacteria and control bacteria are obscured. We decided, therefore, to compare the killing of iron-loaded bacteria with that of control bacteria using human monocytes (MN), PMN, and PMN-derived cytoplasts. Incubation of Staphylococcus aureus with increasing concentrations of ferrous ammonium sulfate (0 to 1,000 microM) progressively increased the iron content in the bacteria (from 0.01 to 0.24 mumol of iron per 10(9) bacteria). Iron loading of the bacteria markedly increased their susceptibility to killing by H2O2. After 1 h of incubation with 1 mM H2O2, 95 +/- 2% of the iron-loaded bacteria were killed compared with 18 +/- 4% of the control bacteria (P less than 0.0001). Iron loading of bacteria did not alter their susceptibility to killing by human PMN. However, iron-loaded bacteria were more susceptible to killing by MN (after 12 min of incubation, 81 +/- 2 versus 74 +/- 2% killing; P less than 0.008) and to killing by PMN-derived cytoplasts (after 60 min of incubation, 52 +/- 8 versus 33 +/- 5%; P = 0.003) than the controls. Moreover, iron loading enhanced luminol-mediated chemiluminescence of MN, PMN, and PMN-derived cytoplasts. The hydroxyl radical scavenger thiourea inhibited H2O2-mediated killing of iron-loaded staphylococci as well as luminol-mediated chemiluminescence. These results suggest that alterations in intrinsic iron content increase killing of staphylococci by H2O2, MN, and PMN-derived cytoplasts by a free radical-mediated mechanism.
Neutrophil killing of two type 1 fimbria-bearing Escherichia coli strains: dependence on respiratory burst activation
Authors: Lock R , Dahlgren C , Lindén M , Stendahl O , Svensbergh A , Ohman L
Published: January 2020

The production of reactive oxygen metabolites by neutrophils is thought to play a key role in host defense against invading microorganisms. In this study, the generation of oxygen metabolites induced by two uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains, ABU2 and PN7, and their subsequent killing in neutrophils were investigated. Both strains were grown to promote type 1 (mannose-sensitive) fimbria formation, but they differ with respect to other surface structures. When interacting with human neutrophils, the ABU2 bacteria adhered to and were phagocytized by the neutrophils, whereas PN7 bacteria adhered to the neutrophils but resisted phagocytosis. Both strains induced a pronounced neutrophil chemiluminescence response. However, when the intracellular and extracellular parts of the oxidative response were separated, we found that the predominant part of the response was of intracellular origin with the ABU2 bacteria as prey, whereas a large fraction of the response induced by the PN7 bacteria was extracellular. The general opinion is that production of reactive oxygen metabolites should be intraphagosomal to minimize the tissue-damaging effects of the metabolites and to optimize their bactericidal effects. However, since the surface-adherent bacteria (the PN7 cells) are killed in an aerobic but not an anaerobic milieu, whereas the ingested bacteria (the ABU2 cells) are killed in both aerobic and anaerobic milieu, we propose that extracellularly generated oxygen metabolites are of importance in killing E. coli strains that can resist neutrophil engulfment.
Presence of K88-specific receptors in porcine ileal mucus is age dependent
Authors: Conway P L , Welin A , Cohen P S
Published: January 2020

Ileal mucus and epithelial cells were isolated from newborn piglets that had never been fed and 35-day-old unweaned piglets. Both newborn and 35-day-old piglet mucus preparations supported growth of Escherichia coli Bd 1107/75 08, a K88-fimbriated porcine enterotoxigenic strain, equally well (i.e., generation times of 28 min were observed in both cases). Adhesion of E. coli Bd 1107/75 08 to 35-day-old piglet ileal epithelial cells was, at most, 2 times that of the same strain to newborn piglet ileal epithelial cells; however, adhesion of E. coli Bd 1107/75 08 to 35-day-old piglet ileal mucus was 16 times that of the same strain to newborn piglet ileal mucus. The receptor in 35-day-old piglet ileal mucus was K88 specific, since it could be removed by purified K88ab fimbriae. Furthermore, adhesion of E. coli Bd 1107/75 08 to 35-day-old piglet ileal mucus was blocked by PAB10, a K88ab-, K88ac-, K88ad-specific monoclonal antibody. Although E. coli Bd 1107/75 08 traversed both newborn and 35-day-old piglet ileal mucus about equally well in vitro and bound well to underlying ileal epithelial cells after passing through newborn ileal mucus, it did not bind to ileal epithelial cells after passing through 35-day-old piglet ileal mucus. The data are discussed with respect to the role that K88-specific receptors present in newborn and ileal mucus might play in the pathogenesis of porcine enterotoxigenic E. coli strains which bear K88 fimbriae.
Characterization of Leishmania major antigen-liposomes that protect BALB/c mice against cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Kahl L P , Lelchuk R , Scott C A , Beesley J
Published: January 2020

Leishmania major antigen-liposomes prepared as dehydration-rehydration vesicles (DRV) and composed of equimolar amounts of L-alpha-distearoyl phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol confer high-level host-protective immunity against virulent homologous challenge to susceptible BALB/c mice. Physical and antigenic characterization of these protective liposomes is described. Both empty and L. major antigen-DRV were multilamellate and heterogeneous in size, ranging from 0.10 to 2.00 microns. Although the liposomes were made by using a crude mixture of promastigote antigens, lipophosphoglycan covered the liposome surface; this was demonstrated by immunogold electron microscopy. Application of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot (immunoblot) analysis revealed preferential entrapment of the 63-kilodalton promastigote protease (gp63) into the DRV. We suggest that our L. major antigen-DRV merit further study because of their preferential entrapment of these two host protective antigens together with their long in vivo half-life. In addition, this report illustrates that intravenous or subcutaneous immunization of BALB/c mice with the same limited subset of protective antigens, predominantly lipophosphoglycan and gp63, within DRV liposomes leads to either protection and low splenic interleukin-3 production or to nonprotection and high splenic interleukin-3 production, respectively. This was consistent with our hypothesis that differential antigen presentation after administration of the same immunogen by the intravenous or the subcutaneous route results in differential T-cell activation.
Deletions affecting hemolytic and toxin activities of Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase
Authors: Bellalou J , Sakamoto H , Ladant D , Geoffroy C , Ullmann A
Published: January 2020

The Bordetella pertussis cyaA gene encodes a virulence factor which is a bifunctional protein exhibiting calmodulin-sensitive adenylate cyclase and hemolytic activities (P. Glaser, H. Sakamoto, J. Bellahov, A. Ullmann, and A. Danchin, EMBO J. 7:3997-4004, 1988). We characterized the hemolytic and toxin activities of the 200-kilodalton (kDa) bifunctional (CyaA) protein and showed that, whether cell associated or secreted, the 200-kDa CyaA protein carries hemolytic and toxin functions. The catalytically active 45-kDa form of adenylate cyclase released by proteolytic digestion of the 200-kDa CyaA protein displayed neither hemolytic nor toxin activities. We constructed in-phase deletions in the 3' region of the cyaA gene, which presumably carries the hemolytic determinant, and showed that the resulting proteins exhibited wild-type adenylate cyclase activity and were secreted without processing into culture supernatants. The hemolytic activities of these mutant CyaA proteins were severely reduced, and their toxin activities were abolished. These results suggest that the structural integrity of the 200-kDa CyaA protein is necessary for toxin activity and that distinct structural determinants within the CyaA protein are involved in secretion, pore formation, and entry into target cells.
An investigation into the mechanism of protection by local passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies against Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Ma J K , Hunjan M , Smith R , Kelly C , Lehner T
Published: January 2020

Local oral passive immunization with Streptococcus mutans-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) (Guy's 13) prevented recolonization by indigenous S. mutans in human volunteers who had first been treated with a conventional antibacterial agent (chlorhexidine). The F(ab')2 fragment of the MAb was as protective as the intact immunoglobulin G, but the Fab fragment of the molecule failed to prevent recolonization of S. mutans. In subjects receiving the MAb Fab fragment, S. mutans levels in dental plaque and saliva reappeared at a similar rate to that found in sham-immunized subjects who received either saline or a nonprotective MAb. In vitro, MAb had no bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal effect on S. mutans. However, S. mutans grown in the presence of either intact immunoglobulin G MAb or the F(ab')2 fragment formed very long chains, which resulted in clumping of the cells. S. mutans grown with either saline or the MAb Fab fragment formed significantly shorter chains, more characteristic of streptococcal growth in liquid media. The results suggest that the two binding sites of the MAb molecule may be an essential feature for preventing streptococcal colonization but that the ability to bind to phagocytes and activate complement which resides in the Fc fragment is not essential. Protection against colonization by S. mutans lasting up to 2 years was observed in immunized subjects, although MAb was applied over a period of only 3 weeks. Furthermore, functional MAb was detected up to 3 days following application of MAb to the teeth. The long-term protection could not be accounted for by a persistence of MAb on the tooth surface, and we have suggested that it may be due to a shift in the balance of the oral flora which discouraged recolonization by S. mutans. However, examination of the proportions of Streptococcus sanguis and veillonella species in the recolonization experiments failed to reveal a significant change in the proportions of either organism, which returned to approximately the preexperimental levels in both the immunized and control groups. These findings confirm the in vivo functional specificity of the MAb to S. mutans but are not consistent with the suggestion that S. sanguis or veillonella take over the niche vacated by S. mutans, unless the shift in the proportion of these organisms cannot be detected by the method used.
Phase-variable lipopolysaccharide structures enhance the invasive capacity of Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Weiser J N , Williams A , Moxon E R
Published: January 2020

Genes necessary for the expression and phase variation of lipopolysaccharide epitopes of a virulent Haemophilus influenzae type b isolate (RM.7004) are contained within two chromosomal loci designated lic-1 and lic-2. Mutations were introduced into both lic-1 and lic-2, and the virulence of the double mutant was compared with that of the wild type in infant rats. These mutations in RM.7004 resulted in a significantly reduced incidence of bacteremia following intranasal inoculation, although nasopharyngeal colonization was similar for the mutant and wild-type strains. In contrast, no differences in bacteremia were observed when the mutant and wild-type strains were inoculated intraperitoneally.
Linkage of sucrose-metabolizing genes in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Perry D , Kuramitsu H K
Published: January 2020

Antibiotic resistance markers inserted adjacent to different cloned genes from Streptococcus mutans were used to determine the relative positions of these genes on the chromosome. The results showed that these genes, fru-1 and gbp, are closely linked to the gtfA-ftf-scrB cluster. However, gtfD was linked neither to this cluster nor to gtfB-gtfC.
Immunoreactivity of neoglycolipids constructed from oligomannosidic residues of the Candida albicans cell wall
Authors: Faille C , Michalski J C , Strecker G , Mackenzie D W , Camus D , Poulain D
Published: January 2020

To establish a model to study the immunoreactivity of oligosaccharidic structures from the Candida albicans cell wall, we attempted to construct neoglycolipids with these residues by using oligomannosides released after mild acid hydrolysis of the phosphopeptidomannans isolated from yeast forms. From a mixture of manno-oligosaccharides ranging from mannobiose to mannononaose, the structure of a quantitatively major component (mannotriose) was determined to be Man (beta 1-2) Man (beta 1-2) Man alpha by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. After coupling of the pool of oligosaccharides to a lipid (4-hexadecylaniline), the synthesized molecules were injected into mice and rats. Antibody responses were detected on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay plates coated with either phosphopeptidomannans or neoglycolipids. The hybrid molecules exhibited both immunogenicity and antigenicity. The kinetics of antibody responses as well as immunofluorescence patterns observed on whole C. albicans cells strongly mimicked results from the immunization of animals with natural antigens. Construction of neoglycolipids could therefore provide an interesting approach to the study of specific oligosaccharides of C. albicans and their recognition by the host immune system.
Cytotoxic and hemolytic effects of Tritrichomonas foetus on mammalian cells
Authors: Burgess D E , Knoblock K F , Daugherty T , Robertson N P
Published: January 2020

Geographically distinct lines of Tritrichomonas foetus were assayed for their ability to cause cytotoxicity in nucleated mammalian cells and lysis of bovine erythrocytes. T. foetus was highly cytotoxic toward a human cervical cell line (HeLa) and early bovine lymphosarcoma (BL-3) but displayed low levels of cytotoxicity against African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells. In addition to variation in the extent of cytotoxicity toward different targets, differences in the levels of cytotoxicity in the same nucleated target occurred with different parasite lines. Whole T. foetus, unfractionated whole-cell extracts, and parasite-conditioned medium (RPMI 1640 without serum) all caused lysis of bovine erythrocytes. Lytic activity in the conditioned medium was substantially reduced by repeated freezing and thawing or heating to 90 degrees C for 30 min. Damage of mammalian target cells by live T. foetus could be reduced by the presence of protease inhibitors; however, such inhibitors did not diminish the lytic effects of conditioned medium. These results suggested that proteolytic enzymes were necessary for the lytic mechanism of the live parasites but were not required once lytic factors were released into the parasite-conditioned medium. They further suggested that the lytic molecules were either proteins or had proteinaceous components.
Engineering of genetically detoxified pertussis toxin analogs for development of a recombinant whooping cough vaccine
Authors: Loosmore S M , Zealey G R , Boux H A , Cockle S A , Radika K , Fahim R E , Zobrist G J , Yacoob R K , Chong P C , Yao F L
Published: January 2020

Pertussis toxin (PT) is an important protective antigen in vaccines against whooping cough, and a genetically detoxified PT analog is the preferred form of the immunogen. Several amino acids of the S1 subunit were identified as functionally critical residues by site-directed mutagenesis, specifically, those at positions 9, 13, 26, 35, 41, 58, and 129. Eighty-three mutated PT operons were introduced into Bordetella parapertussis, and the resultant toxin analogs were screened for expression levels, enzymatic activity, residual toxicity, and antigenicity. While more than half of the mutants were found to be poorly secreted or assembled, the rest were fully assembled and most were highly detoxified. Single mutations resulted in up to a 1,000-fold reduction in both toxic and enzymatic activities, while PT analogs with multiple mutations (Lys-9 Gly-129, Glu-58 Gly-129, and Lys-9 Glu-58 Gly-129) were 10(6)-fold detoxified. Operons coding for stable and nontoxic mutants shown to express a critical immunodominant protective epitope were returned to the chromosome of Bordetella pertussis by allelic exchange. In vivo analysis of the toxin analogs showed a dramatic reduction in histamine sensitization and lymphocytosis-promoting activities, paralleling the reduction in toxic activities. All mutants were protective in an intracerebral challenge test, and the Lys-9 Gly-129 analog was found to be significantly more immunogenic than the toxoid. PT analogs such as those described represent suitable components for the design of a recombinant whooping cough vaccine.
Role of gamma interferon during infection with Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi
Authors: Meding S J , Cheng S C , Simon-Haarhaus B , Langhorne J
Published: January 2020

A role has been proposed for inflammatory mediators such as gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and reactive oxygen intermediates in the control of the blood stages of Plasmodium organisms. It was previously shown that IFN-gamma can be detected in the plasma of mice with a primary infection by Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi (AS). We found that susceptible and other resistant mouse strains produced IFN-gamma, suggesting that susceptibility is not due to a defect in IFN-gamma production. Administration of IFN-gamma to intact C57BL/6 mice slightly decreased and partially delayed parasitemia, whereas in vivo depletion of IFN-gamma through injection of a "cocktail" of monoclonal antibodies against IFN-gamma exacerbated infection. Since CD4+ T cells are essential for the development of a protective immune response to P. chabaudi chabaudi, we tested whether CD4+ T cells are responsible for IFN-gamma production in vivo and whether exogenous IFN-gamma can replace the protective function of the CD4+ T cells. Mice depleted of CD4+ T cells were unable to produce IFN-gamma, but factors in addition to IFN-gamma may be important in parasite clearance.
Purification and characterization of an outer membrane protein adhesin from Haemophilus parainfluenzae HP-28
Authors: Lai C H , Bloomquist C , Liljemark W F
Published: January 2020

Outer membranes were isolated from Haemophilus parainfluenzae HP-28 by a mild extraction method followed by Sephadex G-150 gel filtration chromatography. The first peak (pool 1) recovered contained an activity which inhibited adherence of HP-28 cells to saliva-coated spheroidal hydroxyapatite. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of pool 1 revealed a dominant protein band of 34 kDa. The SDS-PAGE-purified 34-kDa protein was excised from the gel and used for antibody preparation in rabbits. The antiserum produced was analyzed by immunoblot and was shown to be monospecific for the 34-kDa protein. Anti-34-kDa protein antibody was purified from the rabbit antiserum by protein A-Sepharose 6MB affinity chromatography. This antibody was then cross-linked to protein A-Sepharose 6MB to construct a second affinity column. The 34-kDa proteins were purified from outer membranes by this affinity chromatography. The 34-kDa protein was homogeneous, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing, and reverse-phase chromatography analyses. Fab and Fc fragments of the purified anti-34-kDa protein antibodies were prepared by papain digestion, followed by carboxymethyl cellulose chromatography. Fab fragments from the anti-34-kDa protein antibody and the affinity-purified 34-kDa protein both showed significant inhibition of parent H. parainfluenzae HP-28 cell adherence to experimental salivary pellicle and to Streptococcus sanguis SA-1.
Immunologic characterization of a cloned fragment containing the species-specific epitope from the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Toye B , Zhong G M , Peeling R , Brunham R C
Published: January 2020

A 183-bp fragment encoding variable domain IV (VD IV) of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar B major outer membrane protein (MOMP) (amino acids 273 to 333) and containing the species-specific epitope was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with Schistosoma japonicum glutathione S-transferase (GST-VD IV). The fusion protein was affinity purified under nondenaturing conditions and used to immunize rabbits. Antisera were characterized by microimmunofluorescence, immunoblot, dot blot, peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent, and in vitro neutralization assays. Antisera recognized MOMP from all 12 tested serovars of C. trachomatis but not from Chlamydia psittaci. In a dot blot assay, antisera bound to elementary bodies of serovars B, D, E, L2, and K in a strong fashion and to elementary bodies of serovars F, G, A, and H in a weak fashion but not to elementary bodies of serovars C, J, and I. High-resolution peptide mapping with synthetic overlapping serovar B MOMP peptides in a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that immunization with GST-VD IV produced a serologic response that closely mimicked the response produced with purified serovar B elementary bodies. Antipeptide antibodies with strong binding to species- and subspecies-specific epitopes were elicited. Antisera were able to neutralize only those C. trachomatis serovars that bound antibodies in the dot blot assay. These results suggest that antigenic fragments from VD IV containing the species-specific epitope may be useful in the construction of a chlamydial vaccine for some but not all C. trachomatis serovars.
Inhibition of cholera toxin binding to membrane receptors by pig gastric mucin-derived glycopeptides: differential effect depending on the ABO blood group antigenic determinants
Authors: Monferran C G , Roth G A , Cumar F A
Published: January 2020

The capacity of pig gastric mucin-derived glycopeptides to interfere with the binding of cholera toxin (CT) to membrane receptors was studied. Two types of glycopeptide preparations with or without human blood group A antigenic activity were assayed for comparison in a system in which the target for the toxin was rat erythrocyte ghosts. Blood group A-active glycopeptides (A+ glycopeptides) were more potent inhibitors for the toxin binding than those lacking group A activity (A- glycopeptides). The mean values of the 50% inhibitory dose revealed that the A+ glycopeptide preparations were 6.6-fold-more potent inhibitors than the A- ones (P less than 0.001). The inhibitory capacity of the different A+ glycopeptide preparations was not directly proportional to the group A antigenic titer. The A+ glycopeptides showed a higher capacity than the A- glycopeptides to interact with the toxin as revealed by CT-glycopeptide complex formation, which could be detected by Sephacryl S-400 chromatography. This result suggests that glycopeptide inhibition of CT binding to the erythrocyte ghosts is mediated by a competition between the GM1 receptors and the glycopeptides for the toxin. The differential effect between both types of glycoconjugates was independent of the way of measuring the amount of glycopeptides used (dry weight, carbohydrate or protein content). The existence in the gastrointestinal tract of mucins not carrying or carrying different ABO blood group determinants, which could behave as more or less potent inhibitors of CT binding to membrane receptors, may help to explain the relationship between ABO blood groups and severity of cholera.
Haemophilus influenzae adheres to and enters cultured human epithelial cells
Authors: St Geme J W , Falkow S
Published: January 2020

Haemophilus influenzae is a common commensal organism of the human respiratory tract that initiates infection by colonizing the nasopharyngeal epithelium. In some individuals, colonization is followed by localized respiratory tract or systemic disease. To gain insight into the mechanisms by which H. influenzae attaches to and persists within the nasopharynx, we examined the interactions between a nonpiliated clinical isolate of H. influenzae and human epithelial cells. We noted substantial adherence that occurred independently of pili and required viable bacteria capable of de novo protein synthesis. Comparison of profiles of outer membrane proteins synthesized during incubation with epithelial cells for adherent and nonadherent bacteria identified several candidate adhesin molecules. In addition, a small number of adherent bacteria were capable of entering epithelial cells in a process that was inhibited by cytochalasin D and colchicine. The suggestion from our studies is that one or more of several newly synthesized nonpilus bacterial proteins are required for maximal in vitro adherence and invasion. We speculate that H. influenzae entry into epithelial cells may provide a mechanism for evasion of host defenses, thereby allowing persistence in the nasopharynx.
Surface hydrophobicity, adherence, and aggregation of cell surface protein antigen mutants of Streptococcus mutans serotype c
Authors: Koga T , Okahashi N , Takahashi I , Kanamoto T , Asakawa H , Iwaki M
Published: January 2020

The pac gene of the serotype c strain Streptococcus mutans MT8148 encodes a cell surface protein antigen (PAc) of approximate 190 kilodaltons. The serotype c strain S. mutans GS-5 does not produce the 190-kilodalton PAc but produces a lower-molecular-weight protein that reacts with anti-PAc serum. The SphI-BamHI fragment of the pac gene was ligated with the S. mutans-Escherichia coli shuttle vector pSA3. The chimeric shuttle vector was transformed into strain GS-5, and two transformants (TK15 and TK18) were isolated. These transformants produced a large amount of cell-free and cell-bound PAc of 190 kilodaltons. No plasmid was isolated from these transformants, and the EcoRI fragments of their chromosomal DNA hybridized with the erythromycin resistance gene in the shuttle vector DNA, indicating insertion of the chimeric shuttle vector DNA into the chromosomal DNA. The cell hydrophobicity of strains TK15 and TK18 as well as PAc-defective mutants constructed by inserting an erythromycin resistance gene into the pac gene of strain MT8148 was analyzed. Strains MT8148, TK15, and TK18 were hydrophobic. On the other hand, strain GS-5 and PAc-defective MT8148 transformants were hydrophilic. Resting cells of the hydrophobic strains attached in larger numbers to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite than did the hydrophilic strains. Human whole saliva induced the aggregation of cells of the hydrophobic strains but not that of cells of the hydrophilic strains. These results suggest that cell surface PAc of S. mutans serotype c participates in attachment of the streptococcal cell to experimental pellicles.
Roles of tumor necrosis factor and macrophages in lipopolysaccharide-induced accumulation of neutrophils in cutaneous air pouches
Authors: Harmsen A G , Havell E A
Published: January 2020

The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in macrophage-dependent neutrophil accumulation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was examined through the use of cutaneous air pouches formed on the backs of mice. To investigate the possibility that TNF functions in LPS-induced neutrophil accumulation, we injected LPS into newly formed air pouches (containing relatively few endogenous macrophages), 48-h-old air pouches (containing large numbers of endogenous macrophages), or newly formed air pouches instilled with 10(6) alveolar macrophages (AM). Six hours after LPS injection, air pouches possessing either AM or endogenous macrophages contained large numbers of neutrophils. Infusion of anti-TNF immunoglobulin G into the air pouches inhibited LPS-induced neutrophil accumulation by 84% in air pouches containing AM and 71% in air pouches containing large numbers of endogenous macrophages. TNF was also capable of including neutrophil accumulation when injected into air pouches containing relatively large numbers of either endogenous or exogenous macrophages but not when injected into air pouches containing small numbers of macrophages. In addition, incubation of AM in vitro with TNF induced the AM to cause neutrophil accumulation upon injection into newly formed air pouches. These results indicate that TNF functions in LPS-induced neutrophil accumulation. Furthermore, the results indicate that TNF functions by enhancing the ability of macrophages to cause neutrophil emigration. This is consistent with the possibility that LPS induces TNF production and that TNF, in turn, induces macrophages to produce cytokines with inflammatory activities.
Cellular location of a Treponema denticola chymotrypsinlike protease and importance of the protease in migration through the basement membrane
Authors: Grenier D , Uitto V J , McBride B C
Published: January 2020

A number of immunological methods were used to localize a cell-associated Treponema denticola chymotrypsinlike protease. Indirect immunofluorescence staining, immunogold labeling, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay all indicated that the protease was attached to the outside of the cell envelope. The invasive capability of T. denticola was evaluated by following the degradation of a reconstituted basement membrane material (Matrigel) and the release of spirochetes from the gel. Under conditions where the chymotrypsinlike activity was increased, more spirochetes migrated from the gel. Protease inhibitors strongly reduced the number of cells that moved out of the gel. The purified chymotrypsinlike protease degraded the basement membrane components type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. The study suggests that the T. denticola chymotrypsinlike protease may play an important role in the invasion and destruction of basement membrane.
Expression of the Bacillus anthracis protective antigen gene by baculovirus and vaccinia virus recombinants
Authors: Iacono-Connors L C , Schmaljohn C S , Dalrymple J M
Published: January 2020

The gene encoding Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) was modified by site-directed mutagenesis, subcloned into baculovirus and vaccinia virus plasmid transfer vectors (pAcYM1 and pSC-11, respectively), and inserted via homologous recombinations into baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus or vaccinia virus (strains WR and Connaught). Expression of PA was detected in both systems by immunofluorescence assays with antisera from rabbits immunized with B. anthracis PA. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis showed that the expressed product of both systems was slightly larger (86 kilodaltons) than B. anthracis-produced PA (83.5 kilodaltons). Analysis of trypsin digests of virus-expressed and authentic PA suggested that the size difference was due to the presence of a signal sequence remaining with the virus-expressed protein. Immunization of mice with either recombinant baculovirus-infected Spodoptera frugiperda cells or with vaccinia virus recombinants elicited a high-titer, anti-PA antibody response.
Involvement of gamma interferon in antibody enhancement by adjuvants
Authors: Odean M J , Frane C M , Van derVieren M , Tomai M A , Johnson A G
Published: January 2020

In a previous study the adjuvant action of a monophosphoryl lipid A, a nontoxic derivative of endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was found to be negated by a monoclonal anti-gamma interferon (anti-IFN-gamma) antibody. The present investigation centered on three other adjuvants of diverse microbial origins, testing for their capacity to affect the release of IFN-gamma as an explanation for their antibody-enhancing action. The adjuvant action of each of the three, a wild-type LPS, synthetic poly(A)-poly(U) complexes, and a synthetic muramyl dipeptide, n-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-glutaminyl-n-butyl ester (murabutide), was transferable by adjuvant-stimulated T cells to normal spleen cells on coculture. Supernatant fluids from these T cells contained increased levels of IFN-gamma. Addition of a monoclonal anti-IFN-gamma antibody to adjuvant-stimulated spleen cell cultures reduced the adjuvant action by approximately one-half. Removal of natural killer cells from spleen cell populations prior to culture with antigen had no effect on the enhancement induced by LPS and monophosphoryl lipid A. It was concluded that the enhancement induced by the adjuvants LPS, poly(A)-poly(U), and murabutide is mediated in part by their action on T cells resulting in release of IFN-gamma suggesting activation of a common transmembrane signal.
Induction of antigen-specific immunity and tolerance to Mycobacterium leprae in Lewis rats
Authors: Winters M A , Humphres R C
Published: January 2020

Intradermal (i.d.) immunization of Lewis rats with autoclaved Mycobacterium leprae resulted in antigen-specific proliferation responses and interleukin-2 release from spleen and lymph node cells that were detectable as early as 21 days, persisted for at least 9 months, and were dependent on the dose of antigen administered. Immunized animals were also completely resistant to a footpad challenge with viable M. leprae. In contrast, intravenous (i.v.) administration of at least 10(8) irradiated M. leprae isolates induced a state of nonresponsiveness characterized by the absence of proliferation and interleukin-2 release by antigen-stimulated lymphoid cell cultures; however, in vitro responses to mitogenic stimulation and in vivo responses to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and Listeria monocytogenes were normal. Animals that received an i.v. injection of M. leprae remained nonresponsive to M. leprae antigens even after a subsequent i.d. immunization. This state of nonresponsiveness persisted for at least 6 months after induction. Results of footpad challenge experiments showed that the ability of animals rendered nonresponsive by an i.v. injection of M. leprae to control the growth of viable M. leprae in the footpad was not different from that of untreated rats. In addition, animals receiving an initial i.v. injection and a subsequent i.d. immunization with M. leprae were not protected from a viable challenge, as were rats that received only i.d. immunization. These results suggest that i.v. administration of a large dose of M. leprae to rats induces a state of nonresponsiveness to M. leprae antigens that may be similar to that seen in lepromatous leprosy patients.
In vitro association of leptospires with host cells
Authors: Thomas D D , Higbie L M
Published: January 2020

Interactions of Leptospira interrogans with cultured endothelial and kidney epithelial cells were assayed by examining (i) cytoadherence of intrinsically radiolabeled leptospires to eucaryotic cell monolayers and (ii) penetration of leptospires through cell monolayers grown on polycarbonate filters in chemotaxis chambers. L. interrogans serovars attached to cultured cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Adherence was diminished following pretreatment of organisms with proteases, rabbit immune serum, or heat. When observed by scanning electron microscopy, most leptospires attached by both ends, rather than just one tip like Treponema pallidum. In penetration assays, 9.7% of added L. interrogans migrated through the monolayer-filter barrier, while only 0.3% of L. biflexa penetrated in the same time interval. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that organisms entered the host cell cytoplasm. These in vitro results indicate that leptospires have an invasive capacity that may be related to pathogenicity in vivo and suggest that further investigation of interactions with host cells may enhance knowledge of leptospiral virulence.
Inhibitory and stimulatory effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pyocyanine on human T and B lymphocytes and human monocytes
Authors: Ulmer A J , Pryjma J , Tarnok Z , Ernst M , Flad H D
Published: January 2020

Pyocyanine, a pigment produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has dual dose-dependent stimulatory as well as inhibitory effects on immune responses in vitro as measured by DNA synthesis of human T and B lymphocytes, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by human T lymphocytes, immunoglobulin production by human B lymphocytes, and monokine production by human monocytes. In general, stimulatory activity was found at low concentrations of pyocyanine, whereas high concentrations of the pigment resulted in an inhibition of responses. At a pyocyanine concentration of 0.1 micrograms/ml or less the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes was enhanced, but at 0.5 micrograms/ml it was suppressed. IL-2 production by T lymphocytes was enhanced at concentrations up to 0.5 micrograms/ml but totally inhibited at 1.0 micrograms/ml. The differentiation of B lymphocytes to become immunoglobulin-producing cells was also enhanced in the presence of low doses of pyocyanine, whereas secretion of immunoglobulin by B lymphocytes was suppressed at all concentrations of pyocyanine. In contrast to the dual effects of pyocyanine on lymphocyte response, lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor release by monocytes was markedly enhanced by low as well as high concentrations of pyocyanine. From these results we conclude that this property of pyocyanine may lead to suppression of specific defense mechanisms and enhance harmful inflammatory reactions of the host during infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Muramic acid is not detectable in Chlamydia psittaci or Chlamydia trachomatis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Fox A , Rogers J C , Gilbart J , Morgan S , Davis C H , Knight S , Wyrick P B
Published: January 2020

By using the powerful separation technique of capillary gas chromatography combined with the selectivity of mass spectrometric detection, muramic acid was not detectable in purified elementary bodies of Chlamydia psittaci Cal 10 (less than or equal to 0.006%) or C. trachomatis serovar E (less than or equal to 0.02%). This confirms previous reports which suggested the absence of a typical peptidoglycan in Chlamydia spp.
Growth-dependent alterations in production of serotype-specific and common antigen lipopolysaccharides in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
Authors: McGroarty E J , Rivera M
Published: January 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 was grown in various media and at different temperatures, and the heterogeneity of the extracted lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The size distributions of the serotype-specific LPS and the common antigen LPS were analyzed on Western blots (immunoblots). Cells grown at high, near-growth-limiting temperatures, at low pH, in low concentrations of phosphate, or in high concentrations of NaCl, MgCl2, glycerol, or sucrose produced decreased amounts of the very long chain population of O-antigen LPS molecules. Lower temperatures and lowered glycerol, lowered sucrose, low sulfate, lower salt concentrations, and elevated pH did not significantly affect the level of this LPS population. The size and amount of common antigen LPS was either unaffected or increased slightly when the cells were grown under the above stress conditions. Cells grown under normal, nonstressed conditions were agglutinated only by serotype-specific antibodies. In contrast, cells grown under stress conditions, in which the long-O-polymer LPS was absent, were agglutinated by both serotype-specific and common antigen-specific antibodies. The results indicate that the long O polymers cover and mask the shorter common antigen. However, specific growth conditions limit the production of the long O polymer, allowing the exposure and reactivity of the common antigen on the cell surface.
Molecular aspects of immunoglobulin A1 degradation by oral streptococci
Authors: Reinholdt J , Tomana M , Mortensen S B , Kilian M
Published: January 2020

Using a panel of 143 strains classified according to a novel taxonomic system for oral viridans-type streptococci, we reexamined the ability of oral streptococci to attack human immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) molecules with IgA1 protease or glycosidases. IgA1 protease production was an exclusive property of all strains belonging to Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus oralis (previously S. mitior) and of some strains of Streptococcus mitis biovar 1. These are all dominant initiators of dental plaque formation. Degradation of the carbohydrate moiety of IgA1 molecules accompanied IgA1 protease activity in S. oralis and protease-producing strains of S. mitis biovar 1. Neuraminidase and beta-galactosidase were identified as extracellular enzymes in organisms of these taxa. By examination with enzyme-neutralizing antisera, four distinct IgA1 proteases were detected in S. sanguis biovars 1 to 3, S. sanguis biovar 4, S. oralis, and strains of S. mitis, respectively. The cleavage of IgA1 molecules by streptococcal IgA proteases was found to be influenced by their state of glycosylation. Treatment of IgA1 with bacterial (including streptococcal) neuraminidase increased susceptibility to protease, suggesting a cooperative activity of streptococcal IgA1 protease and neuraminidase. In contrast, a decrease in susceptibility was observed after extensive deglycosylation of the hinge region with endo-alpha-N acetylgalactosaminidase. The effector functions of IgA antibodies depend on the carbohydrate-containing Fc portion. Hence, the observation that oral streptococci may cleave not only the alpha 1 chains but also the carbohydrate moiety of IgA1 molecules suggests that the ability to evade secretory immune mechanisms may contribute to the successful establishment of these bacteria in the oral cavity.
Inactivation of chemotactic activity of C5a by the serratial 56-kilodalton protease
Authors: Oda T , Kojima Y , Akaike T , Ijiri S , Molla A , Maeda H
Published: January 2020

The effects of the 56-kilodalton protease (56K protease) from Serratia marcescens on complement-derived chemotactic activity were examined. Fresh human serum was incubated with zymosan to produce C5a. This activated serum was then incubated with various concentrations of 56K protease, and the chemotactic activity of mouse peritoneal exudate polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and macrophages was evaluated. A significant dose-dependent decrease of chemotactic activity was observed after protease treatment. Furthermore, treatment of human recombinant C5a with 56K protease at a dose of 1.0 microgram/ml resulted in a complete loss of chemotactic activity. When the living bacteria of the virulent strain, which produced about 10 times more protease than did the less virulent strain, were injected intraperitoneally into mice, the magnitude of infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity was much lower than that caused by the less virulent strain. Because complement-dependent chemotactic activity is an initial response to bacterial infection, these results suggest indirect pathogenic functions of serratial proteases that suppress chemotactic activity.
Oral vaccination of mice against tetanus by use of a live attenuated Salmonella carrier
Authors: Fairweather N F , Chatfield S N , Makoff A J , Strugnell R A , Bester J , Maskell D J , Dougan G
Published: January 2020

A Salmonella typhimurium aroA mutant has been used as a live carrier to immunize mice against tetanus. Plasmid pTETtac4, which expresses a 50-kilodalton fragment of tetanus toxin (fragment C) under the control of the tac promoter, was introduced into SL3261 aroA. When used as a live vaccine and administered orally or intravenously, this strain was able to induce protective immunity in mice against a lethal tetanus toxin challenge. When plasmid pTETtac2, which contains the lacI gene, was used, no immunity was obtained, indicating that the expression of fragment C was repressed in vivo. We believe that this is the first example of a successful oral vaccination that uses an attenuated bacterial carrier to deliver a protective antigen derived from tetanus toxin.