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Biomedical subjects

G Dougan

Publications and source records attributed to G Dougan.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Bacterial copper- and zinc-cofactored superoxide dismutase contributes to the pathogenesis of systemic salmonellosis.

Copper/zinc-cofactored superoxide dismutase ([Cu,Zn]-SOD) has been found in the periplasm of many bacterial species but its biological function is unknown. Here we report the cloning and characterization of sodC, encoding [Cu,Zn]-SOD, from Salmonella typhimurium. The predicted protein sequence shows only 58% identity to Escherichia coil SodC, and from this its chromosomal location and its immediate proximity to a phage gene, sodC, in Salmonella is speculated to have been acquired by bacteriophage-mediated horizontal transfer from an unknown donor. A sodC mutant of S. typhimurium was unimpaired on aerobic growth in rich medium but showed enhanced sensitivity in vitro to the microbicidal action of superoxide. S. typhimurium, S. choleraesuis and S. dublin sodC mutants showed reduced lethality in a mouse model of oral infection and persisted in significantly lower numbers in livers and spleens after intraperitoneal infection, suggesting that [Cu,Zn]-SOD plays a role in pathogenicity, protecting Salmonella against oxygen radical-mediated host defences. There was, however, no observable difference compared with wild type in the interaction of sodC mutants with porcine pleural, mouse peritoneal or J774 macrophages in vitro, perhaps reflecting the hierarchical capacity of different macrophage lines to kill Salmonella, the most efficient overwhelming the proposed protective effect of periplasmic SOD.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Safety of live oral Salmonella typhi vaccine strains with deletions in htrA and aroC aroD and immune response in humans.

A single-dose, oral Salmonella typhi vaccine strain has been sought as a carrier or vector of cloned genes encoding protective antigens of other pathogens. Such a hybrid vaccine, administered orally, would stimulate immune responses both at the mucosal surface and in the systemic compartment and would potentially provide protection against multiple pathogens. S. typhi CVD 908 and CVD 906, which harbor deletions in aroC and aroD, were further engineered by deletion in htrA to produce strains CVD 908-htrA and CVD 906-htrA, which are unable to sustain growth and are severely impaired in their ability to survive in host tissues. These strains were fed to humans at doses of 5 x 10(7) to 5 x 10(9) CFU with buffer, and safety and immune responses were assessed. CVD 908-htrA and CVD 906-htrA were well tolerated in volunteers; mild diarrhea in 3 of 36 volunteers and mild fever in 1 volunteer were the only notable adverse responses. The vaccine strains were not detected in blood cultures and only transiently detected in stool. Serum immune responses to S. typhi lipopolysaccharide and H antigens were observed in 75 to 100% of volunteers who received 5 x 10(8) to 5 x 10(9) CFU, and cells secreting S. typhi-specific antibodies were found in all volunteers after ingestion of either strain. Sixty-three percent to 83% of volunteers developed lymphoproliferative responses to S. typhi flagellar and particulate antigens after the higher doses. These studies demonstrate the potential of CVD 908-htrA as a live vector for the delivery of heterologous genes, and a clinical trial of such a construct is planned.

Administration, Oral↗

Down regulation of intimin expression during attaching and effacing enteropathogenic Escherichia coli adhesion.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) produces attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions in the intestinal mucosa. The intimate bacterial adhesion associated with A/E lesion formation is promoted by intimin, a 94-kDa EPEC surface protein. Anti-intimin antisera raised in rabbits by using the purified 280-amino-acid cell binding domain of intimin as the immunogen were employed in immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopical studies to investigate the expression of intimin by classical EPEC strain E2348/69 (O127:H6) and defined E2348/69 derivatives during culture growth and A/E bacterium adhesion to cultured HEp-2 cells. In stationary-phase broth cultures, only a small fraction of E2348/69 bacteria expressed intimin, and of those that did, immunolabelling revealed a uniform distribution of intimin over the bacterial surface; increased numbers of bacteria expressing intimin were detected when E2348/69 was grown in tissue culture medium, an effect not seen with strain JPN15, a virulence plasmid-cured derivative of E2348/69. Strain CVD206, an eaeA mutant of E2348/69, did not stain with the anti-intimin antisera, but strain CVD206(pCVD438), containing a functional eaeA gene, stained uniformly. After a 3-h incubation of HEp-2 cells with strain E2348/69, double immunofluorescence labelling of intimin and cellular actin revealed strong intimin expression by all A/E bacteria, but after 6 h of incubation, intimin expression by most E2348/69 bacteria was greatly reduced or not detected. This effect on intimin expression was not observed with strain JPN15 but was restored for strain JPN15(pCVD450) harboring the virulence plasmid-encoded per genes. These results indicate that surface expression of intimin is regulated by environmental factors during bacterial growth and following A/E lesion formation and that virulence plasmid-encoded genes participate in these regulation processes.

Actins↗

Intranasal immunogenicity and adjuvanticity of site-directed mutant derivatives of cholera toxin.

Genetically modified derivatives of cholera toxin (CT), harboring a single amino acid substitution in and around the NAD binding cleft of the A subunit, were isolated following site-directed mutagenesis of the ctxA gene. Two mutants of CT, designated CTS106 (with a proline-to-serine change at position 106) and CTK63 (with a serine-to-lysine change at position 63), were found to have substantially reduced ADP-ribosyltransferase activity and toxicity; CTK63 was completely nontoxic in all assays, whereas CTS106 was 10(4) times less toxic than wild-type CT. The mucosal adjuvanticity and immunogenicity of derivatives of CT were assessed by intranasal immunization of mice, with either ovalbumin or fragment C of tetanus toxin as a bystander antigen. Mice immunized with wild-type CT produced both local (immunoglobulin A in mucosal washes) and systemic immune responses to both CT and bystander antigens. CTS106 showed good local and systemic responses to bystander proteins and to itself. Interestingly, mice immunized with the nontoxic derivative of CT, CTK63, generated weak immune responses to the bystander antigens which were similar to those achieved when CT B subunit was used as an adjuvant. In parallel experiments, an equivalent nontoxic mutant of the Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin, LTK63 (with a serine-to-lysine change at position 63), was tested (9). In contrast to CTK63, LTK63 was found to be more immunogenic and a better intranasal adjuvant than recombinant heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit or CTK63. This information, together with data on immunoglobulin subclass responses, suggests that although highly homologous, CT and heat-labile enterotoxin should not be considered biologically identical in terms of their ability to act as intranasal adjuvants.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Influence of genes encoding proton-translocating enzymes on suppression of Salmonella typhimurium growth and colonization.

Twenty-four-hour-old, aerobically grown, Luria-Bertani broth cultures of Salmonella typhimurium F98 suppressed the growth of a spectinomycin-resistant (Spcr) derivative of the same strain inoculated at 10(3) CFU ml(-1). This growth suppression is genus specific and RpoS independent, and it is not solely a result of nutrient depletion (P. A. Barrow, M. A. Lovell, and L. Zhang-Barber, J. Bacteriol. 178:3072-3076, 1996). Mutations in three genes are shown here to significantly reduce growth suppression under these conditions. The mutations were located in the nuo, cyd, and unc operons, which code for the NADH dehydrogenase I, cytochrome d oxidase, and F0F1 proton-translocating ATPase complexes, respectively. When cultures were grown under strictly anaerobic conditions, only the unc mutant did not suppress growth. Prior colonization of the alimentary tract of newly hatched chickens with the S. typhimurium F98 wild type or nuo or cyd mutants suppressed colonization by an S. typhimurium F98 Spcr derivative inoculated 24 h later. In contrast, the S. typhimurium unc mutant did not suppress colonization. The nuo and unc mutants showed poorer growth on certain carbon sources. The data support the hypothesis that growth suppression operates because of the absence of a utilizable carbon source or electron acceptor.

Anaerobiosis↗

Transcription of the Campylobacter jejuni cell division gene ftsA.

As part of a study of genes whose transcription is maintained in stationary phase, cloned segments of DNA were selected from a Lambda ZAP II library of Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11,168. One such clone was found to encode a homologue of the Escherichia coli cell division gene ftsA. Examination of mRNA by transcription mapping revealed that the Campylobacter gene has one major and three minor transcription start sites. There were several significant differences in the structure and organisation of the C. jejuni ftsA promoter compared to that of E. coli.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The cell-binding domain of intimin from enteropathogenic Escherichia coli binds to beta1 integrins.

Bacteria interact with mammalian cells surface molecules, such as integrins, to colonize tissues and evade immunological detection. Herein, the ability of intimin, an outer membrane protein from enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, to bind beta1 integrins was investigated. Solid-phase binding assays revealed binding of the carboxyl-terminal 280 amino acids of intimin (Int280) to alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1 integrins. The binding required divalent ions (in particular, it was enhanced by Mn2+) and was inhibited by an RGD-containing peptide. Nonderivatized Int280, but not Int280CS (like Int280 but with Cys-937 replaced by Ser) blocked the binding of biotinylated Int280 to integrins. Int280 did not efficiently inhibit beta1 integrin binding of invasin from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Both intimin and invasin, immobilized on plastic surfaces, mediated adherence of resting or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-activated human CD4(+) T cells, whereas fibronectin mediated the adherence of only activated T cells. T cell binding to intimin and invasin was integrin mediated because it was specifically blocked by an RGD-containing peptide and by antibodies directed against the integrin subunits beta1, alpha4, and alpha5. These results demonstrate a specific integrin binding activity for intimin that is related to, but distinct from, that of invasin.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Attenuated Salmonella as live oral vaccines against typhoid fever and as live vectors.

Attenuated Salmonella typhi vaccine strain CVD 908, which harbors deletion mutations in aroC and aroD, has been shown to be well-tolerated and highly immunogenic, eliciting impressive serum antibody, mucosal IgA and cell-mediated immune responses. A further derivative prepared by introducing a deletion in htrA (which encodes a heat-shock protein that also has activity as a serine protease in CVD 908 (Chatfield et al., unpublished data) resulted in CVD 908-htrA. In phase 1 clinical trials, CVD 908-htrA appears very attractive as a live oral vaccine candidate. Both CVD 908 and CVD 908-htrA are useful as live vector vaccines to deliver foreign antigens to the immune system. Conditions that enhance the expression and immunogenicity of foreign antigens carried by CVD 908 and CVD 908-htrA are being investigated.

Administration, Oral↗

Homocysteine modification of HLA antigens and its immunological consequences.

Homocysteine-treated cells can be specifically lysed by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) identifiable in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis. Sensitization of target cells involves disulfide bonding and the interaction between homocysteine and HLA antigens occurs in a pre-Golgi compartment in the cells. Salmonella-infected B cells are also lysed by homocysteine-specific CTL, suggesting that intracellular invading microorganisms may provide homocysteine which would gain access to the newly synthesized intracellular HLA molecules and modify them inside the cells. Two different mechanisms for homocysteine modification of HLA antigens are proposed: homocysteine could bind directly to the unpaired cysteine residues in HLA antigens, or it could bind indirectly to HLA antigens through cysteine-containing peptides bound to them. Thus, HLA antigens containing unpaired cysteine residues (e.g. HLA B27) could be modified by homocysteine directly or indirectly, while HLA antigens without unpaired cysteine residues (e.g. HLA A68) could only be modified indirectly. The results are discussed in relation to the potential involvement of homocysteine-specific CTL in ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis, both of which are related to bacterial infections, associated with HLA B27, and considered to be autoimmune diseases.

Adult↗

Comparison of numerous delivery systems for the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by immunization.

A variety of vaccine delivery systems including peptides with various adjuvants, recombinant particles, live recombinant viruses and bacteria and plasmid DNA were tested for their ability to induce CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) against a well-defined epitope (amino acids 252-260) from the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of Plasmodium berghei. We compared routes of immunization that would be applicable for the administration of a malaria vaccine in humans. The majority of these vaccines did not induce high CTL responses in the spleens of immunized mice. However, both a yeast-derived Ty virus-like particle expressing the optimal nine-amino acid epitope SYIPSAEKI from the CS protein (CSP-VLP) and a lipid-tailed peptide of this same sequence induced high levels of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted CTL with one and three subcutaneous immunizations, respectively. Moreover, these CTL were able to recognize naturally processed antigen expressed by a recombinant vaccinia virus. The levels of CTL induced by CSP-VLP could be augmented by co-immunization with certain cytokines. Target cells pulsed with CSP-VLP were recognized and lysed, showing that the particles were effectively processed and presented through MHC class I presentation pathway. The levels of CTL induced using CSP-VLP and lipopeptides are comparable to those observed after immunization with multiple doses of irradiated sporozoites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunisation of mice using Salmonella typhimurium expressing human papillomavirus type 16 E7 epitopes inserted into hepatitis B virus core antigen.

Live vaccines based on BRD509, an attenuated S. typhimurium (aroA, aroD) strain, were constructed that directed the expression of hepatitis B core antigen particles (HBcAg) (BRD969) or HBcAg harbouring human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein sequences (BRD974), under the control of the in vivo inducible nirB promoter. These strains were used to orally or intravenously immunise different inbred mouse strains and humoral, secretory and cellular anti-E7 and anti-HBcAg responses were monitored. Both BRD969 and BRD974 induced anti-HBcAg humoral IgG responses following oral or intravenous immunisation of B10 mice, although responses were higher in BRD969 immunised animals. IgG subclass analysis revealed a predominantly IgG2a response in these animals. BRD974, but not BRD969, induced anti-E7 humoral IgG responses. Anti-HBcAg (BRD969 and BRD974) and anti-E7 (BRD974) IgA responses were detected in the intestines of orally immunised mice. Anti-Salmonella but not anti-HBcAg or anti-E7 T helper cell responses were detected in mice immunised with BRD509, BRD969 and BRD974. Thus Salmonella vaccine strains can be used to efficiently deliver HBcAg and E7 epitopes to the mucosal and systemic immune systems.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Delivery of the Pertactin/P.69 polypeptide of Bordetella pertussis using an attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strain: expression levels and immune response.

Pertactin/P.69, a surface-associated polypeptide antigen of Bordetella pertussis, was expressed in a Salmonella typhimurium aroA aroD vaccine strain, BRD509, using different expression systems, and the immune response in mice against these constructs was compared. Initially, Pertactin/P.69 was expressed on the surface of BRD509 from a single copy of the gene encoding the antigen localized on the Salmonella chromosome. As previously shown, secretory and humoral antibody responses could not be detected following multiple immunization with this strain (BRD640). However, a strong anti-Pertactin/P.69 proliferative response was observed in murine splenocytes following a single oral dose with BRD640. The stimulated splenocytes secreted interferon-gamma but not interleukin-5, indicating that BRD640 induced a Th1 type T-helper response against Pertactin/P.69. We wished to construct a vaccine strain that might induce secretory and humoral responses against Pertactin/P.69 as well as a cell-mediated immune response. Consequently, Pertactin/P.69 was expressed at high levels in the cytoplasm of BRD509 under the control of the inducible nirB promoter from a ColE1-based replicon. Anti-Pertactin/P.69 immune responses were not observed following immunization of BALB/c mice with this strain (BRD975). Priming of the immune system against Pertactin/P.69 was, however, observed following oral immunization with BRD975 and boosting subcutaneously with purified Pertactin/P.69 antigen. The major anti-Pertactin/P.69 IgG subclass detected in boosted mice was IgG2a; thus, as BRD640, BRD975 appeared to induce a Th1 type T-helper response against Pertactin/P.69.

Animals↗

Heterologous expression of the cuticular-glutathione peroxidase of lymphatic filariae in an attenuated vaccine strain of Salmonella typhimurium abrogates H-2 restriction of specific antibody responses.

The major soluble cuticular glycoprotein of lymphatic filariae, gp29, has been expressed in the Salmonella typhimurium aroA aroD live vaccine strain BRD509. Two distinct constructs were generated: a) pgp29, in which gp29 was expressed directly via the inducible promoter nirB, or b) pTetC-gp29, in which it was expressed as a C-terminal fusion to the non-toxic immunogenic fragment C of tetanus toxin, again under the control of nirB. In both cases, plasmid stability in vivo was demonstrated by recovery of recombinant bacteria from livers and spleens of mice immunized via the intravenous route. Negligible gp29-specific antibodies were detected in animals immunized with bacteria expressing the fragment C fusion protein, but bacteria expressing the non-fused protein resulted in gp29-specific antibody production in a proportion of animals immunized. Notably, a number of BALB/c and B10.D2/n (i.e. mice of the H-2d haplotype) responded, in contrast to previously documented nonresponsiveness during infection, or immunization with parasite extracts. Presentation of gp29 by live attenuated S. typhimurium resulted in a broad spectrum of antigen-specific IgG isotypes.

Animals↗

Role of the Bordetella pertussis P.69/pertactin protein and the P.69/pertactin RGD motif in the adherence to and invasion of mammalian cells.

The role of the Bordetella pertussis P.69/pertactin protein in mammalian cell adhesion and invasion was investigated. Salmonella strains expressing surface-associated P.69/pertactin from a chromosomally located prn gene were significantly more invasive than isogenic parental strains. This effect was most pronounced in the poorly invasive, semi-rough S. typhimurium strain LB5010. Escherichia coli K-12 strain HB101 harbouring the plasmid p41869D, which encodes the full-length prn gene under the control of the tac promoter on the broad-host-range plasmid pMMB66EH, was significantly more adhesive to HEp-2 and Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells growing in culture than E. coli HB101(pMMB66EH). However, the ability of E. coli to invade mammalian cells was not affected by P.69/pertactin expression. P.69/pertactin-mediated adhesiveness of HB101 to HEp-2 and CHO cells was not influenced by the viability of the bacterial cells. However, adherence was markedly reduced when assays were performed for less than 3 h, at 4 degrees C or in the presence of cycloheximide, suggesting the active participation of the eukaryotic cell in bacterial adhesion. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to mutate Asp to Glu in an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD-->RGE) sequence present in mature P.69/pertactin and the mutated gene was cloned in the same broad-host-range vector (plasmid p41869E). This mutation had no detectable influence on the ability of P.69/pertactin to mediate adhesion of HB101 to HEp-2 or CHO cells. Plasmids p41869D and p41869E were introduced into the bvg-negative B. pertussis strain BP347. Expression of P.69RGD or P.69RGE did not enhance the adhesiveness of BP347 for epithelial (HEp-2 and CHO) cells.

Animals↗