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M D Boyle

Publications and source records attributed to M D Boyle.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Distinct profiles of immunoglobulin G-binding-protein expression by invasive serotype M1 isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes.

Analysis of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding-protein expression by invasive group A streptococcal isolates of the M1 serotype collected as part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance study revealed two distinct phenotypes. One group of type M1 isolates expressed a surface protein reactive with all four human IgG subclasses (type IIo), while a second group expressed a surface protein demonstrating significant reactivity only with human IgG3 (type IIb). The functional forms of IgG-binding protein were antigenically related, and both were recognized by a rabbit polyclonal antiserum to serotype M1 but not by normal rabbit serum. While the quantities of antigenic M1 protein present in the extracts of representative isolates displaying each phenotype differed, the functional differences were found to be qualitative and not solely quantitative. The IgG-binding properties of these antigenically related M1 proteins could be readily distinguished from those of another IgG-binding protein, protein H. Type M1 isolates of the IIb phenotype differed from those of the IIo phenotype by secreting larger amounts of a casein-hydrolyzing protease into culture supernatants.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Analysis of immunoglobulin G-binding-protein expression by invasive isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes.

Invasive group A streptococcal isolates collected as part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance study were analyzed for expression of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding proteins. Two IgG-binding phenotypes of group A isolates of the M1 serotype were identified. The first group expressed a surface protein that bound all four human IgG subclasses (type IIo) and was recognized by rabbit anti-serotype M1-specific antiserum but not by normal rabbit serum. The second group expressed an IgG-binding protein that was also recognized by the anti-serotype M1 antiserum but demonstrated significant nonimmune reactivity only with human IgG3 (type IIb). Analysis of extracts of the isolates for reactivity with human IgA, fibrinogen, and albumin was also performed. The importance of the binding of human plasma proteins to pathogenic group A streptococci remains to be established.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Capturing host plasmin(ogen): a common mechanism for invasive pathogens?

Plasmin is a potent enzyme that can dissolve blood clots and degrade extracellular matrix proteins. A number of pathogenic bacteria produce plasminogen activators. Many of these organisms can also bind plasmin(ogen) to surface receptors and protect the active enzyme from physiological inhibition. Cell-surface localization of plasmin may be a common mechanism used by bacteria to facilitate movement through normal tissue barriers.

Bacteria↗

Analysis of plasmin(ogen) acquisition by clinical isolates of group A streptococci incubated in human plasma.

Group A streptococci isolated from throat swabs or blood cultures were compared for the expression of plasmin(ogen) receptors. The majority of isolates bound 125I-labeled Lys-plasmin and 125I-labeled Lys-plasminogen while displaying minimal reactivity with 125I-labeled Glu-plasminogen. All streptococcal isolates could acquire surface enzymatic activity when incubated in human plasma but not if the plasma had been depleted of plasminogen. The ability to acquire surface enzymatic activity was limited by the quantity of streptokinase in the reaction mixture. There was no statistically significant difference between group A streptococci isolated from throat swabs and those from blood cultures with respect to their interaction with components of the fibrinolytic system in human plasma. However, these isolates could be divided into two groups based on their ability to acquire surface enzymatic activity when incubated in plasma with exogenous streptokinase. Surprisingly, the acquisition of surface enzymatic activity when incubated in plasma containing streptokinase was not always correlated with the plasmin(ogen) binding capacity determined by direct binding of radiolabeled ligands. Analysis of this phenomenon suggests that group A streptococci can use diverse mechanisms to acquire plasmin(ogen)-dependent enzymatic activity.

Animals↗

A group A streptococcal Enn protein potentially resulting from intergenomic recombination exhibits atypical immunoglobulin-binding characteristics.

The gene encoding the Enn protein (enn) of the M untypeable group A streptococcal (GAS) strain 64/14 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, cloned into the expression vector pJLA602 and expressed in Escherichia coli DH5 alpha. Unlike other GAS-Enn proteins, which exhibit IgA-binding activity, the recombinant Enn enn64/14 protein reacted preferentially with human IgG3. The 1050 bp open reading frame comprising the enn64/14 gene was completely sequenced. The region of the gene encoding the signal peptide and the C-terminus exhibited > 95% homology to corresponding sections of other enn genes. The region of enn64/14 encoding the N-terminus of the mature Enn protein was found to be highly homologous to the corresponding section of the gene encoding the M-like protein of GAS serotype M9 (emmL9). The recombinant protein encoded by emmL9 was found to react with all four human IgG subclasses. About 30% of the 1152 bp open reading frame of emmL9 encoding the N-terminus was found to display > 90% homology to the corresponding section of enn64/14 but was < 50% homologous in the remainder of the gene sequence. The functional analysis of the subcloned N-terminal section of emmL9 demonstrated a polypeptide exhibiting selective binding to human IgG3. These findings suggested that enn64/14 was a hybrid gene formed by recombination of an enn gene and an emmL9 gene. The putative recombinational event could have involved a set of flanking 7 bp direct repeats. Since enn64/14 and emmL9 are genes from different phylogenetic lineages of GAS, this report provides evidence that intergenomic recombinations between different types of GAS genes can occur and could lead to hybrid proteins with unique Ig-binding characteristics.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Analysis of genes encoding two unique type IIa immunoglobulin G-binding proteins expressed by a single group A streptococcal isolate.

An emm-like gene (emmL) and a fcrA gene from group A streptococcal strain 64/14 (emmL64/14 and fcrA64/14) were amplified by PCR and force cloned into the heat-inducible expression vector pJLA 602. The emmL gene encoded a recombinant protein that bound human IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 in a nonimmune fashion. This is the reactivity profile of a type IIa IgG-binding protein. The emmL64/14 gene product was antigenically similar to the previously identified high-molecular-weight type IIa IgG-binding protein of strain 64/14 and had an N-terminal sequence identical to that of the wild-type protein. The fcrA gene also encoded a recombinant protein with type IIa functional activity. This protein was similar to the lower-molecular-weight type IIa IgG-binding protein previously isolated from strain 64/14 and was antigenically distinct from the higher-molecular-weight type IIa protein encoded by the emmL64/14 gene. The sequences for both genes including the intervening regions are presented. The emmL gene demonstrates significant homology to other class I emm and emmL genes expressed by opacity factor-negative group A streptococcal isolates. The fcrA gene was found to be homologous to other fcrA genes normally present in opacity factor-positive group A isolates. The sequence upstream of the fcrA gene and the intervening sequence between the end of the fcrA gene and the start of the emmL gene were similar to those reported for other fcrA genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of two functional forms of immunoglobulin G3-binding protein expressed by group A streptococci.

Analysis of group A streptococcal immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding protein reactivity with different human IgG3-myeloma proteins provided evidence for at least two functional forms of these molecules. Representative IgG3-binding molecules were isolated, biotinylated, and used as tracers in competitive binding assays. Cross-inhibition studies demonstrated the existence of two distinct patterns of IgG3-binding activity. Proteins of one form could be inhibited from binding to an IgG3-myeloma protein by streptococcal protein G while binding of the second form was not inhibited. These studies further underscore the extent of heterogeneity among immunoglobulin-binding proteins expressed by group A streptococci.

Animals↗

Association between expression of immunoglobulin G-binding proteins by group A streptococci and virulence in a mouse skin infection model.

In this study, we developed a mouse model of skin infection to test the association between expression of immunoglobulin-binding proteins by and infectivity of group A streptococci. Group A streptococci capable of crossing tissue barriers and establishing a lethal systemic infection in mice showed a higher level of immunoglobulin-binding protein expression. The group A streptococci recovered from the spleen of a mouse that died following a skin infection were found to be more virulent when injected into the skin of naive mice. Together, these results suggest that immunoglobulin-binding protein expression by group A streptococci correlates with their ability to establish invasive skin infections.

Animals↗

Association of type II immunoglobulin G-binding protein expression and survival of group A streptococci in human blood.

Expression of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding proteins on group A streptococcus strain 64 was monitored on bacteria subjected to sequential passage in human blood. After approximately 10 cycles through human blood, strain 64 demonstrated enhanced levels of IgG-binding protein, including the expression of a type IIa binding molecule with an M(r) of approximately 47,000 present only at very low levels on the parent isolate. Changes in the expression of IgG-binding proteins after passage in human blood were similar to those observed when the same organism was passaged sequentially intraperitoneally in mice. Strain 64, passaged in human blood 23 times, was found to be more virulent than the parent isolate when used to infect mice either intraperitoneally or in a skin air sac. These findings suggest that the expression of IgG-binding proteins may be a common response of group A organisms to pressures exerted by distinct host defense mechanisms.

Animals↗

Identification of two type IIa IgG-binding proteins expressed by a single group A streptococcus.

Functional heterogeneity associated with Ig-binding proteins expressed by group A streptococci is well documented. In this study we have demonstrated that treatment of group A streptococcal isolate 64/14 with CNBr resulted in the solubilization of two different sized proteins that displayed identical functional reactivity with human IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 (characteristics of a type IIa binding protein). Monospecific polyclonal antibodies to each form of type IIa molecule were prepared and no antigenic cross-reactivity between the two m.w. forms of type IIa binding protein could be detected. The smaller m.w. protein was shown to be identical or closely related to the recombinant type IIa protein cloned from strain CS110. These studies provide further evidence for the heterogeneity of type II Ig-binding proteins expressed by pathogenic group A streptococci.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Streptokinase-producing streptococci grown in human plasma acquire unregulated cell-associated plasmin activity.

Group A streptococci grown in the presence of human plasma generated plasmin from plasminogen and captured the functional enzyme to a specific cell-surface receptor. Bacteria-bound plasmin was not regulated by alpha 2-antiplasmin present in the medium. The ability of the bacteria to acquire cell-associated plasmin activity was dependent on both the presence of plasminogen in the culture medium and the production of a bacterial plasminogen activator, streptokinase. The ability of group A streptococci to produce a plasminogen activator and capture resulting plasmin in an unregulatable form could provide the organism with a mechanism for invasion of normal tissue barriers.

Blotting, Western↗

Cloning, sequence analysis, and expression in Escherichia coli of a streptococcal plasmin receptor.

Plasmin(ogen) receptors are expressed by many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. We previously isolated a plasmin receptor from a pathogenic group A streptococcal strain (C. C. Broder, R. Lottenberg, G. O. von Mering, K. H. Johnston, and M. D. P. Boyle, J. Biol. Chem. 266:4922-4928, 1991). The gene encoding this plasmin receptor, plr, was isolated from a lambda gt11 library of chromosomal DNA from group A streptococcal strain 64/14 by screening plaques with antibodies raised against the purified streptococcal plasmin receptor protein. The gene was subcloned by using a low-copy-number plasmid and stably expressed in Escherichia coli, resulting in the production of an immunoreactive and functional receptor protein. The DNA sequence of the gene contained an open reading frame encoding 335 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 35,787. Upstream of the open reading frame, putative promoter and ribosomal binding site sequences were identified. The experimentally derived amino acid sequences of the N terminus and three cyanogen bromide fragments of the purified streptococcal plasmin receptor protein corresponded to the predicted sequence encoded by plr. The deduced amino acid sequence for the plasmin receptor protein revealed significant similarity (39 to 54% identical amino acid residues) to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functional and serological analysis of type II immunoglobulin G-binding proteins expressed by pathogenic group A streptococci.

Bacterial immunoglobulin-binding proteins expressed on the surface of group A streptococci represent a heterogeneous family of functionally related proteins. In this report, we describe efficient methods for extracting immunoglobulin-binding proteins and classifying them functionally and antigenically. A common characteristic of immunoglobulin-binding proteins expressed by group A streptococci appears to be the absence of internal methionine residues in the binding protein. This has enabled development of a rapid, efficient, cyanogen bromide-based extraction procedure for solubilizing these molecules from intact bacteria. Studies carried out with a series of monospecific polyclonal antibodies prepared in chickens have identified two major antigenic classes of immunoglobulin-binding proteins. The methods described in this report facilitate a rapid functional and serological screening of immunoglobulin-binding proteins that should now enable detailed epidemiological studies of the importance of these molecules in group A streptococcal infections and their relationship to other surface proteins, in particular, the antiphagocytic M protein.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Detection of rheumatoid-like factors in serum of chickens immunized with bacterial immunoglobulin binding proteins.

A simple, rapid two-stage competitive binding radioimmunoassay is described for detecting rheumatoid factor-like antibodies in the serum of chickens immunized with bacterial immunoglobulin binding proteins. The assay could be adapted to determine the species specificity of any rheumatoid factor-like antibody by changing the species of immobilized IgG used. This assay has important practical implications for selecting suitable antibodies for detection of bacterial immunoglobulin binding proteins leaching from affinity columns in the presence of a large molar excess of IgG, and in determining the relationship between antibodies to bacterial IgG binding proteins and rheumatoid factor production.

Animals↗

The mitogenic activity of type III bacterial Ig binding proteins (protein G) for human peripheral blood lymphocytes is not related to their ability to react with human serum albumin or IgG.

The mitogenic potential of bacterial IgG Fc binding proteins for human PBL is controversial. Wild type and recombinant type III IgG Fc binding proteins induce a wide spectrum of proliferative responses ranging from non-mitogenic to potent responses. To understand the reason for these differences, three recombinant forms of a type III IgG Fc binding protein derived from a single human group C streptococcal strain, 26RP66, were generated. Form I bound human IgG and human serum albumin, form II bound IgG alone and form III bound human serum albumin alone. These functionally distinct forms were compared with the corresponding wild type preparation from the same strain for mitogenic potential. A mitogenic response was induced only with the form I recombinant or the native wild type protein. These proteins shared the functional characteristics of binding human serum albumin and IgG. Mixtures of the IgG binding (form II) and human serum albumin binding fragments (form III) failed to reconstitute the mitogenic potential of the full length proteins. These results demonstrate that the type III IgG Fc binding protein has mitogenic potential for human PBL that is not related to its ability to react with human serum albumin or IgG.

Binding, Competitive↗

Isolation of a prokaryotic plasmin receptor. Relationship to a plasminogen activator produced by the same micro-organism.

Plasminogen receptors have been identified on the surface of a number of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. A receptor demonstrating high affinity for plasmin with minimal reactivity with the native zymogen Glu-plasminogen has been identified on the surface of certain group A streptococci. In this study the group A streptococcal plasmin receptor has been solubilized and purified to homogeneity. The isolated protein was an Mr approximately 41,000 molecule which retained its ability to bind plasmin following solubilization and affinity purification on a column of enzymatically inactivated human plasmin. The isolated plasmin receptor was compared functionally, antigenically, and physicochemically to the secreted plasminogen activator, streptokinase, produced by the same organism. The Mr approximately 41,000 surface plasmin receptor was shown to be functionally and antigenically distinct from the Mr approximately 48,000 streptokinase molecule produced by the same strain and lacked any plasminogen activator activity. The streptokinase molecule produced by this strain was shown to be closely related to the plasminogen activator protein secreted by other group A and C streptococci. This study represents the first report of the isolation of a plasmin receptor, either prokaryotic or eukaryotic, with functional activity.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Evidence for functional heterogeneity in IgG Fc-binding proteins associated with group A streptococci.

A number of group A streptococcal isolates have been compared for their nonimmune reactivity with each human IgG subclass, and rabbit, pig, or horse IgG. The results obtained demonstrate considerable heterogeneity in the expression of type II IgG-binding proteins among and within group A isolates. Extraction and analysis of type II IgG-binding proteins from selected strains demonstrate the existence of five functionally distinct IgG-binding proteins. The type IIo IgG binding protein displayed the greatest range of reactivities, binding to all four human IgG subclasses, and rabbit, pig, and horse IgG. A variant of this protein, designated type II'o, bound all four human subclasses and rabbit IgG, but failed to react with pig or horse IgG. A type IIa protein was recovered from certain group A strains which bound human IgG1, IgG2, IgG4, as well as reacting with rabbit, pig, and horse IgG. A functionally related type IIc activity that displayed all of the reactivities of the type IIa protein but did not bind with human IgG2 was also identified. The final functional form of group A IgG-binding protein, the type IIb protein, bound exclusively to human IgG3. Comparison of these functionally different type II IgG-binding proteins demonstrated no simple structure-function relationship. These studies underscore the heterogeneity of type II Ig-binding proteins expressed by different group A streptococci and document that a single strain can change its pattern of expression of type II IgG-binding protein both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Animals↗