bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of two bvg-repressed surface proteins of Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Stenson T H , Peppler M S
Published: January 2020

Bordetella pertussis, the etiological agent of whooping cough, has the ability to modulate its phenotype in response to environmental conditions by using the BvgAS sensory transduction system which is encoded by the vir locus (now known as bvg). The BvgAS system is part of a large family of two-component sensory transduction systems which are common to a number of pathogenic bacteria. Although much is known about the proteins which exist in the B. pertussis virulent (X-mode or phase I) phenotype, relatively little is known about the proteins produced in the avirulent (C-mode or phase III) phenotype. We used sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing techniques to demonstrate the existence of at least 22 vir-repressed molecules which are increased in the avirulent phenotype. In addition, a series of monoclonal antibodies which are specific for the surface of avirulent B. pertussis were developed. Using immunological and protein techniques, we characterized two of these antigens as surface-exposed proteins. One of these antigens is expressed only in B. pertussis but not in the related species B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica. The other antigen is also present in B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica but is expressed at lower levels which are not regulated by bvg. The identification and characterization of vir-repressed proteins (and the genes which encode and regulate them) may help elucidate a physiological role for modulation of this obligate human pathogen.
Characterization of transferrin binding proteins 1 and 2 in invasive type b and nontypeable strains of Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Gray-Owen S D , Schryvers A B
Published: January 2020

Haemophilus influenzae has the ability to obtain iron from human transferrin via two bacterial cell surface transferrin binding proteins, Tbp1 and Tbp2. Although a wide array of strains have been shown to express these receptor proteins, two studies have recently identified a series of isolates which appeared to lack the ability to bind transferrin. Included in this group were the members of a cryptic genospecies of nontypeable biotype IV strains which appear to possess a tropism for female urogenital tissues and are major etiologic agents of neonatal and postpartum bacteremia due to H. influenzae. The present study employed oligonucleotide primers specific for genes encoding the Tbp proteins of a type b biotype I strain of H. influenzae to probe the genomic DNAs of isolates from the previous studies. The tbpA and tbpB genes which encode Tbp1 and Tbp2, respectively, were detected in all of the strains tested either by PCR amplification directly or by Southern hybridization analysis. All of the strains displayed a transferrin binding phenotype, and affinity isolation of receptor proteins with transferrin-conjugated Sepharose recovered Tbp1 and/or Tbp2 from 11 of 14 strains, including 2 of the nontypeable biotype IV strains. In addition, all of the strains were capable of growing on human transferrin specifically, indicating that the mechanism of iron assimilation from transferrin is functional and is not siderophore mediated. These results confirm the presence of tbp genes in all of the invasive H. influenzae isolates characterized to date, suggesting that Tbp-mediated iron acquisition is important in disease which initiates from either the respiratory or urogenital mucosa.
Chemokine response in mice infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Rhoades E R , Cooper A M , Orme I M
Published: January 2020

We show here that infection of murine macrophages with various strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis induces the rapid in vitro expression of genes encoding chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha and macrophage inflammatory protein 2, which recruit neutrophils to sites of infection, and macrophage-recruiting chemokines 10-kDa, interferon-inducible protein (IP-10) and macrophage chemotactic protein 1. Three strains of M. tuberculosis, Erdman and the clinical isolates CSU 22 and CSU 46, induced similar levels of secretion of macrophage chemotactic protein 1 from infected macrophage monolayers; however, the Erdman strain failed to induce levels of secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha similar to those induced by either CSU 22 or CSU 46. Using a low-dose aerosol infection model, we also found that while the Erdman strain induced negligible increases in chemokine mRNA levels in the lungs, infection with either CSU 22 or CSU 46 resulted in greater levels of mRNA production for all four chemokines tested. The growth of these strains in the lungs was, however, equally well contained by acquired host immunity. These data allow us to hypothesize that the chemokine response in the lungs probably does not control the protective granulomatous response and that perhaps other T-cell- or macrophage-associated cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha or interleukin 12 may be involved in this process.
Commensal enteric bacteria engender a self-limiting humoral mucosal immune response while permanently colonizing the gut
Authors: Shroff K E , Meslin K , Cebra J J
Published: January 2020

We have employed a germfree mouse model to study the development and persistence of a humoral mucosal immune response to a gram-negative murine commensal organism, Morganella morganii. M. morganii bacteria rapidly colonize the gut, resulting in hypertrophy of Peyer's patches (PP), including germinal center reactions (GCR), and the development of specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses detected in vitro in PP fragment cultures and by ELISPOT assays of lamina propria cells. The GCR peaks 14 days after infection and begins to wane thereafter. Upon colonization, the organisms successfully translocate to the mesenteric lymph node and spleen, but the number of translocating bacteria begins to drop with the onset of a specific IgA response. A clonal B-cell microculture technique was used to determine the frequency of specific IgA plasmablasts and IgA memory cells. The frequencies of preplasmablasts were seen to be higher in the earlier stages of germinal center development, whereas the frequencies of antigen-specific memory cells appeared to remain at a relatively constant level even after 193 days postmonoassociation. We suggest that a successful secretory IgA response can attenuate chronic stimulation of GCR even though the bacteria persist in the gut. The observed developing hyporesponsiveness to a chronically present commensal organism may be relevant to the use of bacterial vectors for mucosal immunization.
Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the apa gene coding for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 45/47-kilodalton secreted antigen complex
Authors: Laqueyrerie A , Militzer P , Romain F , Eiglmeier K , Cole S , Marchal G
Published: January 2020

Effective protection against a virulent challenge with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is induced mainly by previous immunization with living attenuated mycobacteria, and it has been hypothesized that secreted proteins serve as major targets in the specific immune response. To identify and purify molecules present in culture medium filtrate which are dominant antigens during effective vaccination, a two-step selection procedure was used to select antigens able to interact with T lymphocytes and/or antibodies induced by immunization with living bacteria and to counterselect antigens interacting with the immune effectors induced by immunization with dead bacteria. A Mycobacterium bovis BCG 45/47-kDa antigen complex, present in BCG culture filtrate, has been previously identified and isolated (F. Romain, A. Laqueyrerie, P. Militzer, P. Pescher, P. Chavarot, M. Lagranderie, G. Auregan, M. Gheorghiu, and G. Marchal, Infect. Immun. 61:742-750, 1993). Since the cognate antibodies recognize the very same antigens present in M. tuberculosis culture medium filtrates, a project was undertaken to clone, express, and sequence the corresponding gene of M. tuberculosis. An M. tuberculosis shuttle cosmid library was transferred in Mycobacterium smegmatis and screened with a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect the clones expressing the proteins. A clone containing a 40-kb DNA insert was selected, and by means of subcloning in Escherichia coli, a 2-kb fragment that coded for the molecules was identified. An open reading frame in the 2,061-nucleotide sequence codes for a secreted protein with a consensus signal peptide of 39 amino acids and a predicted molecular mass of 28,779 Da. The gene was referred to as apa because of the high percentages of proline (21.7%) and alanine (19%) in the purified protein. Southern hybridization analysis of digested total genomic DNA from M. tuberculosis (reference strains H37Rv and H37Ra) indicated that the apa gene was present as a single copy on the genome. The N-terminal identity or homology of the M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG purified molecules and their similar global and deduced amino acid compositions demonstrated the perfect correspondence between the molecular and chemical analyses. The presence of a high percentage of proline (21.7%) was confirmed and explained the apparent higher molecular mass (45/47 kDa) determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis resulting from the increased rigidity of molecules due to proline residues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Contact with cultured epithelial cells stimulates secretion of Salmonella typhimurium invasion protein InvJ
Authors: Zierler M K , Galán J E
Published: January 2020

Contact of Salmonella typhimurium with cultured epithelial cells results in the assembly of surface appendages termed invasomes which are presumably required for the internalization of these organisms into host cells. The assembly of these structures requires the function of a dedicated protein secretion system encoded in the inv locus. We show in this report that contact of wild-type S. typhimurium with cultured Henle-407 cells stimulated the secretion of InvJ, a recently identified target of the inv-encoded type III protein secretion system. Stimulation of InvJ secretion also occurred upon bacterial contact with bovine calf serum-coated culture dishes but did not occur upon S. typhimurium contact with glutaraldehyde-fixed Henle-407 cells. The stimulation of InvJ secretion did not require de novo protein synthesis. Invasion-defective invC and invG mutants of S. typhimurium failed to secrete InvJ upon contact with live Henle-407 cells. In contrast, contact-dependent secretion of InvJ in S. typhimurium invE mutants occurred at levels equivalent to those of the wild type. These results indicate that the presence of Henle-407 cells and/or serum is capable of activating the type III secretion system encoded in the inv locus, further supporting the notion that Salmonella entry into cultured cells is the result of a biochemical cross-talk between the bacteria and the host cells.
Escherichia coli induces transuroepithelial neutrophil migration by an intercellular adhesion molecule-1-dependent mechanism
Authors: Agace W W , Patarroyo M , Svensson M , Carlemalm E , Svanborg C
Published: January 2020

During bacterial infections at mucosal sites, neutrophils migrate to the mucosa and cross the epithelial barrier. We have examined neutrophil migration across Escherichia coli-stimulated uroepithelial cell layers in an attempt to more fully understand this process. Stimulation of uroepithelial cells with E. coli or interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) induced transepithelial neutrophil migration in a time- and stimulant dose-dependent manner. Uroepithelial cell lines and nontransformed uroepithelial cells expressed intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) but not ICAM-2, E-selectin, or P-selectin. Epithelial ICAM-1 expression was enhanced after stimulation with E. coli or IL-1 alpha. Anti-ICAM-1 antibody reduced transepithelial neutrophil migration by 61 to 85%, indicating that neutrophils bound ICAM-1 on the epithelial surface. Antibodies to CD18 and CD11b reduced migration by 70 to 79%, suggesting that CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) was acting as the neutrophil receptor for ICAM-1 in this process. Anti-CD11a antibodies had no effect on neutrophil migration. In conclusion, E. coli induced ICAM-1- and Mac-1-dependent transepithelial neutrophil migration. Previous studies have shown that urinary tract epithelial cells secrete IL-8 when exposed to E. coli or IL-1 alpha. These observations suggest that epithelial cells play an active role in neutrophil migration during urinary tract infections.
Panton-Valentine leucocidin and gamma-hemolysin from Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 49775 are encoded by distinct genetic loci and have different biological activities
Authors: Prévost G , Cribier B , Couppié P , Petiau P , Supersac G , Finck-Barbançon V , Monteil H , Piemont Y
Published: January 2020

Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 49775 produces three proteins recognized by affinity-purified antibodies against the S component of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (LukS-PV) and two proteins recognized by affinity-purified antibodies against the F component of this toxin (LukF-PV). Purification of these proteins and cloning of the corresponding genes provided evidence for the presence of two loci. The first one, encoding Panton-Valentine leucocidin, consisted of two cotranscribed open reading frames, lukS-PV and lukF-PV, coding the class S and the class F components, respectively. The second one coded for a gamma-hemolysin and consisted of two transcription units, the first one encoding an HlgA-like protein, a class S component, and the second one encoding two cotranscribed open reading frames identical to HlgC and HlgB, class S and class F components, respectively, from gamma-hemolysin from the reference strain Smith 5R. It appears that the Panton-Valentine leucocidin from S. aureus ATCC 49775 (V8 strain) should not be confused with leucocidin from ATCC 27733 (another isolate of V8 strain), which had 95% identity with HlgC and HlgB from gamma-hemolysin. The cosecretion of these five proteins led to six possible synergistic combinations between F and S components. Two of these combinations (LukS-PV-LukF-PV and HlgA-LukF-PV) had dermonecrotic activity on rabbit skin, and all six were leukocytolytic on glass-adsorbed leukocytes. Only three were hemolytic on rabbit erythrocytes, the two gamma-hemolysin combinations and the combination LukF-PV-HlgA.
Expression of the gene cluster associated with the Escherichia coli pilus adhesin K99
Authors: Lee J H , Isaacson R E
Published: January 2020

The biogenesis of the pilus adhesin K99 is dependent on the expression of eight contiguous genes, fanA to fanH. Transposon mutants were prepared by using TnlacZ and TnphoA, and selected transposon mutants were used to measure expression of each K99 gene. Expression of the K99 genes is likely controlled at the transcription level, since in general, there were no differences between the results obtained with the two transposons. fanC was the most highly expressed, and fanD was expressed at very low levels. The expression of TnlacZ fusions in fanA and fanB fusions was high. Deletion of fanA, fanB, and part of fanC abolished the expression of fanD but had no effect on the distal genes fanE to fanH. To locate the DNA regions required for expression of fanE to fanH, deletion mutations were prepared and the effects on expression of fanE to fanH were determined. The deletion of a segment between fanD and fanE abolished fanE and fanF expression but did not affect fanG and fanH. The deletion of a portion of fanF (approximately 1 kb proximal to fanG) abolished the expression of fanG and fanH. These results indicate the presence of regulatory elements proximal to fanE and to fanG. Putative promoters were identified in these regions by DNA homology and by primer extension. A stem-loop structure that may act as a transcriptional attenuator of fanF was also found at the beginning of fanF. These data confirm our previous model of K99 transcriptional organization.
Cloning and characterization of hemolytic genes from Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Drazek E S , Dubois A , Holmes R K , Kersulyte D , Akopyants N S , Berg D E , Warren R L
Published: January 2020

Strains of Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium associated with gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer in humans, express different degrees of hemolysis on agar containing erythrocytes (RBC). Here we report the isolation and characterization of six recombinant clones from a genomic library of H. pylori ATCC 49503 that confer on Escherichia coli the ability to lyse sheep RBC. DNA hybridizations indicated no sequence homology among these hemolytic clones. Hybridization mapping of them to an ordered H. pylori cosmid library identified their separate chromosomal locations. One clone hybridized to two regions separated by approximately 200 kb. The specificities of the hemolytic activities of these clones were tested with RBC from humans, monkeys, cattle, horses, guinea pigs, rabbits, and chickens as well as with RBC from sheep. One clone conferred the ability to lyse RBC from five species, a second clone allowed the lysis of RBC from four of these species, three other clones allowed the lysis of RBC from three of these species, and the sixth clone allowed the lysis of RBC from just two species. We propose that some or all of the genes that confer these various hemolytic activities contribute to pathogen-host tissue interactions and that the different specificities seen here are important for H. pylori infections of humans of different genotypes or disease states.
Adherence to and damage of endothelial cells by Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro: role of the capsule
Authors: Ibrahim A S , Filler S G , Alcouloumre M S , Kozel T R , Edwards J E , Ghannoum M A
Published: January 2020

Escape from the intravascular compartment is likely a critical step in the development of hematogenously disseminated cryptococcal infections, such as meningitis. The capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans is considered to be a virulence factor because of its antiphagocytic properties. To further investigate the role of the capsule in escape from the intravascular compartment, we used isogenic strain pairs, an acapsular mutant, and an encapsulated clinical isolate to determine the effects of the capsule of C. neoformans on adherence to, phagocytosis by, and damage of endothelial cells in vitro. Acapsular C. neoformans adhered significantly more to endothelial cells and caused greater endothelial cell injury than did encapsulated organisms. Coating of an acapsular strain with cryptococcal glucuronoxylomannan decreased both adherence to and damage of endothelial cells by 61.7% +/- 9.1% and 76.6% +/- 10.2%, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated internalization of acapsular, but not encapsulated, organisms by endothelial cells. Internalization of an acapsular strain occurred through endothelial cell phagocytosis and was inhibited by cytochalasin D. Phagocytosis required a heat-labile serum factor, probably complement. These results suggest that acapsular or poorly encapsulated C. neoformans may be the form(s) that escapes from the vasculature during initiation of hematogenously disseminated disease.
The OmpU outer membrane protein, a potential adherence factor of Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Sperandio V , Girón J A , Silveira W D , Kaper J B
Published: January 2020

Expression of the OmpU outer membrane protein of Vibrio cholerae is positively regulated by toxR, which also regulates critical virulence factors such as cholera toxin and the toxin-coregulated pilus colonization factor. In this study, we have characterized the 38-kDa OmpU protein and investigated its role in the adhesion of V. cholerae to mammalian cells. The amino-terminal sequence of OmpU has similarity with the sequences of Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins, which, in turn, also have similarity with the sequence of Bordetella pertussis filamentous hemagglutinin. A monoclonal antibody directed against FHA recognized both V. cholerae OmpU and Escherichia coli OmpA, and polyclonal anti-OmpU antibodies recognized FHA and E. coli OmpA, suggesting the existence of common epitopes among these proteins. OmpU was strongly recognized by convalescent-phase serum from volunteers experimentally infected with virulent V. cholerae strains, indicating that OmpU is immunogenic and produced in vivo. OmpU selectively bound to fibronectin and to an arginine-glycine-asparagine (RGD) tripeptide but not to other matrix glycoproteins tested such as collagen or laminin. Antibodies directed against OmpU or their F(ab)2 fragments completely inhibited adhesion of several V. cholerae strains to HeLa, HEp-2, Caco-2, and Henle 407 epithelial cells and also inhibited intestinal colonization and conferred protection in newborn mice against both biotypes (El Tor and classical) of V. cholerae O1. Collectively, these data indicate that OmpU has adhesive properties which may play a role in the pathogenesis of cholera.
Escherichia coli invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo: molecular cloning and characterization of invasion gene ibe10
Authors: Huang S H , Wass C , Fu Q , Prasadarao N V , Stins M , Kim K S
Published: January 2020

Most cases of neonatal Escherichia coli meningitis develop as a result of hematogenous spread, but it is not clear how circulating E. coli crosses the blood-brain barrier. In an attempt to identify E. coli structures contributing to invasion into the central nervous system (CNS), TnphoA mutagenesis was performed with an invasive CSF isolate of E. coli K1 strain RS218 (O18:K1:H7), and TnphoA mutants were examined for their noninvasive capability in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC). The noninvasive mutants exhibited the invasive ability of < 1% of the parent strain. One of the noninvasive mutants (10A-23) with a single TnphoA insertion and no changes in phenotypic characteristics was found to be significantly less invasive into the CNS in the newborn rat model of hematogenous E. coli meningitis. The TnphoA inserts with flanking sequences were cloned and sequenced. A novel open reading frame (8.2 kDa) was identified. Open reading frame analysis indicated that the 8.2-kDa protein (Ibe10) contained multiple transmembrane domains. ibe10 was cloned into an expression vector, pQE30, and the purified Ibe10 was shown to inhibit invasion of BMEC by strain RS218. These findings indicate that ibe10 is one of the E. coli genes involved in the invasion of BMEC in vitro and in vivo.
Oral streptococci with genetic determinants similar to the glucosyltransferase regulatory gene, rgg
Authors: Vickerman M M , Sulavik M C , Clewell D B
Published: January 2020

The Streptococcus gordonii Challis glucosyltransferase structural gene, gtfG, is positively regulated by the upstream gene, rgg, the only described gtf regulatory determinant in oral streptococci. Southern hybridization analyses indicated that rgg-like and gtfG-like determinants were present on the same HindIII fragment in strains of S. gordonii, Streptococcus sanguis, and Streptococcus oralis, whereas no rgg-like determinants were detected in mutans streptococci, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus salivarius.
Giardicidal activity of lactoferrin and N-terminal peptides
Authors: Turchany J M , Aley S B , Gillin F D
Published: January 2020

Human and bovine lactoferrins and their derived N-terminal peptides were giardicidal in vitro. Fe3+, but not Fe2+, protected trophozoites from both native lactoferrin and peptides, although the latter lack iron-binding sites. Other divalent metal ions protected only against native lactoferrin. Log-phase cells were more resistant to killing than stationary-phase cells. These studies suggest that lactoferrin, especially in the form of the N-terminal peptides, may be an important nonimmune component of host mucosal defenses against Giardia lamblia.
Mitogenicity of M5 protein extracted from Streptococcus pyogenes cells is due to streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin C and mitogenic factor MF
Authors: Schmidt K H , Gerlach D , Wollweber L , Reichardt W , Mann K , Ozegowski J H , Fleischer B
Published: January 2020

M proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes are virulence factors which impede phagocytosis, bind to many plasma proteins, and induce formation of cross-reactive autoimmune antibodies. Recently, it has been reported that some M proteins, extracted with pepsin from streptococci (pep M), are superantigens. One of these, pep M5, was investigated in detail and was shown to stimulate human T cells bearing V beta 2, V beta 4, and V beta 8. In the present study, we extracted and purified M5 protein by different biochemical methods from two M type 5 group A streptococcal strains. The crude extracts were fractionated by affinity chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. All fractions were tested in parallel for M protein by immunoblotting and for T-cell-stimulating activity. Although several crude preparations of M5 protein were associated with mitogenicity for V beta 2 and V beta 8 T cells, the M5 proteins, irrespective of the extraction method, could be purified to the extent that they were no longer mitogenic. The mitogenic activity was not destroyed during the purification procedures but was found in fractions separated from M protein. In these fractions, streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin C and mitogenic factor MF could be detected by protein blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, anti-M protein sera did not inhibit the mitogenic activity of crude extracts, but antisera which contained anti-streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin C antibodies showed inhibition. The inability of M5 protein to stimulate T cells was confirmed with recombinant pep M5 produced in Escherichia coli. Our data strongly suggest that the mitogenic activity in M protein preparations is caused by traces of streptococcal superantigens different from M protein.
Identification and cloning of a novel plasmid-encoded enterotoxin of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli and Shigella strains
Authors: Nataro J P , Seriwatana J , Fasano A , Maneval D R , Guers L D , Noriega F , Dubovsky F , Levine M M , Morris J G
Published: January 2020

We have employed a molecular genetic approach to characterize the nature of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) enterotoxic activity, as previously observed in Ussing chambers (A. Fasano, B.A. Kay, R.G. Russell, D.R. Maneval, Jr., and M.M. Levine, Infect. Immun. 58:3717-3723, 1990). The screening of TnphoA mutants of EIEC yielded a single insertion mutant which had significantly reduced levels of enterotoxic activity in the Ussing chamber assay. DNA flanking the insertion was used as a probe to screen for EIEC cosmid clones which conferred secretogenic activity. Such screening resulted in the identification of two overlapping cosmid clones which elicited significant changes in mucosal short-circuit current (Isc). Subcloning and nucleotide sequence analysis of a DNA fragment from one of the cosmid clones led to the identification of a single open reading frame which conferred this enterotoxic activity. By DNA hybridization, this gene (designated sen for shigella enterotoxin) was found in 75% of EIEC strains and 83% of Shigella strains and was localized to the inv plasmid of Shigella flexneri 2457T. By PCR, a sen gene with 99.7% nucleotide identity was cloned and sequenced from 2457T. A deletion in the EIEC sen gene was constructed by allelic exchange, resulting in significantly lower rises in Isc than were elicited by the wild-type parent; however, significant enterotoxic activity remained in the sen deletion mutant. To purify the Sen protein, the gene was cloned into the multiple cloning site of the expression vector pKK223-3. Purification of the sen gene product yielded a protein with a molecular mass of 63 kDa which elicited rises in Isc in the Ussing chamber. We believe that the sen gene product may constitute all or part of a novel enterotoxin in EIEC and Shigella spp.
Pathogenesis of defined invasion mutants of Yersinia enterocolitica in a BALB/c mouse model of infection
Authors: Pepe J C , Wachtel M R , Wagar E , Miller V L
Published: January 2020

It has been hypothesized for many years that the ability of Yersinia spp. to invade tissue culture cells is reflective of their ability to penetrate the intestinal epithelium and that this capacity is an important aspect of the disease process. Three different genes from Yersinia spp. that are involved in the tissue culture invasion phenotype have been identified: inv, ail, and yadA. It was previously shown that inv is necessary for efficient penetration of the intestinal epithelium by Yersinia enterocolitica. The present study was initiated to determine whether other known Yersinia invasion factors could promote uptake of the bacteria by mice in the absence of invasion. In addition, the roles of these three invasion factors in the survival of the bacteria, lethality for mice, and development of pathology were compared. We found that YadA is necessary for persistence of Y. enterocolitica in Peyer's patches, and consistent with this observation, the yadA mutant was avirulent for mice infected either orally or intraperitoneally. In addition, the inv yadA double mutant was avirulent. Histological and immunohistological examination of the Peyer's patches of infected mice indicated that despite the presence of large numbers of CFU at 24 h the yadA and ail yadA mutants cause only minimal pathology and recruitment of macrophages. At 42 h postinfection, Peyer's patches from mice infected with the inv mutant showed no pathology, despite the prediction that some of the mice by this time would be colonized. However, at 72 h, inflammation and necrosis were evident in some Peyer's patches. Together, these observations suggest that for visible pathology to develop, a threshold number of bacteria (> 10(5)) is needed and the bacteria need to persist for more than 24 h. Lastly, YadA but not Ail may play a role in the less efficient, delayed invasion of the intestinal epithelium observed for the inv mutant.
Anti-Gal binds to pili of Neisseria meningitidis: the immunoglobulin A isotype blocks complement-mediated killing
Authors: Hamadeh R M , Estabrook M M , Zhou P , Jarvis G A , Griffiss J M
Published: January 2020

alpha 1,3-Galactosyl antibodies (anti-Gal) are ubiquitous natural human serum and secretory polyclonal antibodies that bind to terminal galactose-alpha 1,3-galactose (alpha-galactosyl) residues. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-Gal can block alternative complement pathway-mediated lysis of representative gram-negative enteric bacteria that bind it to lipopolysaccharide alpha-galactosyl structures, thereby promoting survival of such bacteria in the nonimmune host. We wanted to know whether anti-Gal also could bind to the lipooligosaccharides (LOS) of Neisseria meningitidis. To our surprise, we found that serum and secretory anti-Gal bound to pili but not to LOS of certain strains. This suggested the presence of an immunogenic pilus carbohydrate epitope. Mild periodate oxidation of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-separated outer membrane preparations from strains that bound anti-Gal followed by labeling of the neoaldehyde groups resulted in the labeling of bands that corresponded to pilin and LOS, confirming that pilin contains carbohydrate structures. A Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin that also binds terminal alpha 1,3-galactosyl residues also bound to pilin. Serum IgG, IgA, and IgM anti-Gal as well as colostral secretory IgA anti-Gal bound to pilin, as judged by immunoblotting, and to the pili of intact piliated organisms, as judged by immunoelectron microscopy. Total serum anti-Gal (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and purified serum IgA1 anti-Gal, but not its purified IgG isotype, blocked complement-mediated lysis of a piliated meningococcal strain that bound anti-Gal to its pili. Colostral anti-Gal secretory IgA blocked killing of the same strain. Thus, anti-Gal IgA may promote disease when it binds to the pili of N. meningitidis strains.
Targeting vaccinia virus-expressed secretory beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin to the cell surface induces antibodies
Authors: Srinivasan J , Singh O , Chakrabarti S , Talwar G P
Published: January 2020

We carried out experiments designed to study the effect of a protein's localization on its immunogenicity. A novel cell-surface protein was generated from a small, glycosylated secretory protein. The DNA sequence encoding the entire precursor of the human chorionic gonadotropin beta (beta hCG) subunit was fused in the correct reading frame to the DNA sequence encoding the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein. This chimeric gene was introduced into the vaccinia virus genome to generate a recombinant virus. The recombinant virus, when used to infect animal cells, expressed a 135-amino-acid beta hCG subunit anchored in cellular membranes by the 48 carboxy-terminal amino acids of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein. The immunogenicity of this recombinant virus with respect to its ability to generate anti-hCG antibodies was compared with that of a second recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the native secretory form of beta hCG. All animals immunized with the vaccinia virus expressing beta hCG on the cell surface elicited high titers of anti-hCG antibodies. Even after a single immunization with the recombinant vaccinia virus, the anti-hCG antibody titers persisted for a long period of time (more than 6 months). None of the animals immunized with vaccinia virus expressing the native secretory form of beta hCG showed any hCG-specific antibody response.
Inhibition of S-fimbria-mediated adhesion to human ileostomy glycoproteins by a protein isolated from bovine colostrum
Authors: Ouwehand A C , Conway P L , Salminen S J
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to isolate and purify the component in bovine colostrum which is responsible for the inhibition of S-fimbria-mediated adhesion of Escherichia coli. Whey from defatted colostrum was fractionated by ultrafiltration, and the < 100K, < 30K, and < 10K fractions and the colostral whey were tested for inhibition of in vitro adhesion of radiolabelled S-fimbria-bearing E. coli to human ileostomy glycoproteins, which provide a model for human intestinal mucus. The inhibiting compound was purified from a dialyzed < 30K fraction with an anion exchange column which was eluted with a NaCl gradient (0 to 1.0 M). The compound was found to be a heat-resistant but pepsin-sensitive protein with an Mr of approximately 18,000 and an isoelectric point of approximately 5.75. The protein appears to block receptor sites for S-fimbriae on ileostomy glycoproteins, with steric hindrance being the most likely mechanism. Analysis of the amino acid sequence of the amino terminus of the 18K protein showed similarity with the sequence of beta-lactoglobulin.
Association of flagellum expression and intracellular growth of Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Pruckler J M , Benson R F , Moyenuddin M , Martin W T , Fields B S
Published: January 2020

We examined the role of the flagella of Legionella pneumophila in the infection of amoebae and human monocyte-like cells. Insertional mutants were constructed with mini-Tn10. Ten mutants (F-) which did not react with polyclonal L. pneumophila antiflagellar antisera were identified. Ten randomly selected mutants (F+) that did react with the polyclonal antiflagellar antiserum were also identified. The infectivity of these 20 mutants in Hartmannella vermiformis and human U937 cells was characterized. Seven of the 10 F- mutants were attenuated in their ability to multiply in the amoebae during the first 3 days of coincubation and failed to multiply in U937 cells. Three of the 10 F- mutants multiplied as well as the wild-type parent strain did in amoebae and to a limited degree in U937 cells. None of the 10 F+ mutants were attenuated in either the amoebae or U937 cells. While the flagellar structure is not essential for virulence, the ability of L. pneumophila to infect amoebae and human phagocytic cells appears to be linked to flagellar expression. We believe that the attenuated F- mutants contain insertions in genes critical to both flagellum expression and the infection process.
Immune responses to novel Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium vectors that express colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) of enterotoxigenic E. coli in the absence of the CFA/I positive regulator cfaR
Authors: Wu S , Pascual D W , VanCott J L , McGhee J R , Maneval D R , Levine M M , Hone D M
Published: January 2020

An asd-stabilized plasmid carrying enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli cfaABCE genes was constructed and called pJGX15C-asd+. Expression of colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) by this plasmid occurs independently of the cfaABCE positive regulator cfaR in attenuated Salmonella delta aro delta asd strain H683 and nonpathogenic laboratory E. coli asd strain chi 6212. Oral immunization of mice with nonpathogenic E. coli chi 6212 (pJGX15C-asd+) does not elicit significant serum or mucosal responses against CFA/I. In contrast, oral immunization with a single dose of attenuated S. typhimurium H683(pJGX15C-asd+) elicits a 10(5)-fold increase in CFA/I-specific serum immunoglobulin G and significant elevation of CFA/I-specific immunoglobulin A-secreting B cells in the lamina propria, mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleen. Thus, only the Salmonella-CFA/I construct effectively delivered CFA/I to the inductive sites of the gut-associated and systemic lymphoid tissues.
Antioxidant function of melanin in black fungi
Authors: Jacobson E S , Hove E , Emery H S
Published: January 2020

1,8-Dihydroxynaphthalene melanin in Wangiella dermatitidis and Alternaria alternata was titrated in vivo with the oxidants permanganate, hypochlorite, and H2O2. Melanized strains neutralized more oxidant and withstood higher concentrations of permanganate and hypochlorite than albino strains did. H2O2 killing required 1,000-fold higher concentrations, and melanin did not protect W. dermatitidis against H2O2.
Antibodies to capsular polysaccharides are not protective against experimental Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis
Authors: Nemeth J , Lee J C
Published: January 2020

The protective efficacy of antibodies to the Staphylococcus aureus capsular polysaccharide was examined in a rat model of catheter-induced endocarditis. Capsular antibodies were induced either by active immunization with killed S. aureus or by passive immunization with hyperimmune rabbit antiserum to S. aureus. Control rats were injected with phosphate-buffered saline or passively immunized with normal rabbit serum or rabbit antiserum to a nonencapsulated strain. Animals with indwelling catheters were challenged intravenously with 5 x 10(4) to 4 x 10(6) CFU of the homologous S. aureus strain (capsular serotype 5 strain Reynolds or serotype 1 strain SA1 mucoid). Both immunized and control rats developed S. aureus endocarditis. The numbers of S. aureus cells recovered from the blood and aortic valve vegetations of immunized rats were similar to those of control rats, indicating that capsule-specific antibodies were not protective. To determine whether the presence of an indwelling catheter interfered with antibody-mediated protection against S. aureus endocarditis, catheters were removed 2 h after insertion in additional groups of rats. An inoculum of 10(8) CFU of strain Reynolds was needed to provoke endocarditis in rats catheterized for 2 h, compared with 5 x 10(4) CFU for rats with indwelling catheters. Passively transferred capsular antibodies were not protective since both immunized and nonimmunized animals developed endocarditis, and quantitative cultures of blood and valvular vegetations revealed no differences between immunized and control animals. The findings of this study indicate that antibodies to the capsular polysaccharide are not protective in the rat model of experimental S. aureus endocarditis.
Induction of inflammatory cytokines in bovine alveolar macrophages following stimulation with Pasteurella haemolytica lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Yoo H S , Maheswaran S K , Lin G , Townsend E L , Ames T R
Published: January 2020

Bovine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) cDNAs were generated by reverse transcription and then by PCR amplification from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated alveolar macrophage RNA. The amplified cDNAs were cloned into pPow and expressed in Escherichia coli DH5 alpha. The expressed proteins were confirmed as TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis and bioassays. We then used the cloned genes as probes in Northern (RNA) blots and investigated the kinetics of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA expression in bovine alveolar macrophages stimulated with purified LPS from Pasteurella haemolytica 12296. The effect of LPS on TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta gene expression was dose dependent, and induction was observed at a concentration of 0.01 microgram/ml. Both TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA expression were detectable within 0.5 h after stimulation with 1 microgram of LPS per ml, peaked at 1 to 2 h, steadily declined up to 16 h, and were undetectable by 24 h. Secreted TNF-alpha measured by bioassay peaked at 4 h and accumulated at a lesser concentration in conditioned medium throughout the 24 h. By contrast, secreted IL-1 beta was induced at 8 h and reached a maximal concentration at 24 h after stimulation. The ability of LPS to induce TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta gene expression and secretion of bioactive proteins were suppressed by polymyxin B. Our findings support a role for LPS from P. haemolytica in the induction of inflammatory cytokines in bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis.
Identification of a new intestinal spirochete with pathogenicity for chickens
Authors: Swayne D E , Eaton K A , Stoutenburg J , Trott D J , Hampson D J , Jensen N S
Published: January 2020

Two intestinal spirochete isolates obtained from chickens with diarrhea were examined by electron microscopy, biochemical tests, rRNA gene restriction pattern analysis, and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. One isolate (strain 91-1207/C1) was pathogenicity tested in vivo in chickens. The chicken spirochetes were morphologically indistinguishable from Serpulina innocens and Serpulina hyodysenteriae and phenotypically similar to S. innocens. However, the chicken spirochetes could be distinguished from S. innocens, S. hyodysenteriae, and other swine intestinal spirochetes by rRNA gene restriction pattern analysis and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. In pathogenicity tests in 1-day-old chicks and 14-month-old hens, chicken spirochete 91-1207/C1 produced pale-yellow, watery cecal contents and mild lymphocytic typhlitis. These findings support the conclusion that avian intestinal spirochetes can be pathogenic to commercial poultry and that the microorganisms are different from intestinal spirochetes that infect pigs.
Humoral and cell-mediated immunity to the Plasmodium falciparum ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen in an adult population exposed to highly endemic malaria
Authors: Beck H P , Felger I , Genton B , Alexander N , al-Yaman F , Anders R F , Alpers M
Published: January 2020

A parasitological and immunological survey was carried out in an area in Papua New Guinea highly endemic for malaria. Two hundred fourteen adult individuals were selected for studies to assess their immune responses against the malaria vaccine candidate ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA). Total immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies directed against RESA as well as specific IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 antibodies were determined. Humoral responses directed against RESA were frequent in all IgG subclasses. Only IgG3 responses were found to be age dependent. Total anti-RESA IgG antibodies were not correlated with protection against malaria as measured by parasite prevalence, parasite density, or health center attendance. In contrast, cytophilic antibodies (IgG1 and IgG3) were associated with reduced Plasmodium falciparum prevalence and reduced health center attendance. T-cell proliferation in general was low and very infrequent. No correlation between humoral and cellular immune responses could be found. Parasite density, parasite prevalence, and health center visits tended to be reduced in individuals with good humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.
Extracellular virulence factors in Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis: methods and implication of involvement of hemolysin BL
Authors: Beecher D J , Pulido J S , Barney N P , Wong A C
Published: January 2020

Bacillus cereus is a common cause of highly fulminant posttraumatic and metastatic endophthalmitis. Exotoxins or enzymes likely contribute to the severity of the infection, but specific virulence factors have not been identified. We developed two methods for the identification of B. cereus ocular virulence factors. In an in vitro assay that allows screening of multiple samples, retinal toxicity was estimated by measuring the release of lactate dehydrogenase from retinal buttons treated with B. cereus toxins. The results from this assay were confirmed with a sterile endophthalmitis model in which the histopathologic effect of intravitreally injected toxins was assessed. We tested pure hemolysin BL (HBL), a tripartite dermonecrotic vascular permeability factor of B. cereus, and crude exotoxin (CET) preparations, consisting of concentrated, cell-free B. cereus culture supernatant. In the in vitro assay, both CET and HBL caused rapid release of lactate dehydrogenase and retinal disintegration. In vivo, the toxins caused endophthalmitis clinically characteristic of B. cereus within 4 h. Histological changes included rapid retinal necrosis and detachment, choroidal edema, detachment and disruption of the retinal pigment epithelium, and rapid infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Neutralization of HBL in CET preparations inhibited toxicity in vitro by 54%, and pure HBL was less toxic than CET with equal HBL contents in both methods. The results suggest that B. cereus ocular virulence is multifactorial and that HBL contributes to virulence.
Differential induction of macrophage-derived cytokines by live and dead intracellular bacteria in vitro
Authors: Zhan Y , Cheers C
Published: January 2020

Marked differences in the abilities of living and heat-killed Brucella abortus and Listeria monocytogenes organisms to induce production of tumor necrosis factor alpha by in vitro-cultured macrophages were observed. Interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 appeared to be under different control. The results are discussed in relation to the induction of gamma interferon-producing Th1 cells and acquired cellular resistance to infection by living vaccines but not killed vaccines.
Sequencing of the gene encoding the major pilin of pilus colonization factor antigen III (CFA/III) of human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and evidence that CFA/III is related to type IV pili
Authors: Taniguchi T , Fujino Y , Yamamoto K , Miwatani T , Honda T
Published: January 2020

The plasmid-encoded structural gene cofA necessary for the production of the major pilin subunit of pilus colonization factor antigen III (CFA/III) of human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was identified, and the nucleotide sequence of the gene was determined. cofA consists of 714 nucleotides encoding a 238-amino-acid protein (molecular weight of 25,309). CofA seems to be a precursor of CFA/III pilin, because the first 23 residues of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified CFA/III pili coincided with the deduced amino acid sequence for residues 32 to 54 of CofA. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of CofA also indicated its processing to form mature pilin in the presence of the downstream region of cofA. These results suggest that the major pilin of CFA/III pili is produced as a precursor form which is posttranslationally modified to the mature pilin and forms morphological pili after cleavage of the Gly-30-Met-31 junction, probably by a protease encoded by an as-yet-unknown gene located downstream of cofA. Interestingly, the N-terminal 30-amino-acid sequence of mature CFA/III shows the highest identity (76.7%) to TcpA pilin of Vibrio cholerae, which is a type IV class B pilin.