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S F Hayes

Publications and source records attributed to S F Hayes.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Molecular and immunological analysis of a polymorphic periplasmic protein of Borrelia burgdorferi.

Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease, a tick-borne spirochetosis with a worldwide prevalence. To assist the categorization and typing of fresh isolates from global foci, we have identified a unique species-specific periplasmic protein (P22-A) conserved among all North American and European isolates examined. The gene encoding this antigen was cloned, and the recombinant was used to screen serum collected from experimentally infected animals. Although antibodies were detected in all infected animals at 21 days after inoculation with live, low-passage spirochetes, the response was stronger in other animals that were inoculated with inactivated and lysed bacteria. This result, along with the immune electron microscopy data, suggests P22-A is concentrated in the periplasmic space. The P22-A antigens exhibited size heterogeneity among different isolates, ranging between 20 and 23 kDa, but as a group the P22-A antigens appeared to retain antigenic homogeneity. Thus, P22-A can serve as a structural marker for characterizing new isolates of B. burgdorferi and may prove useful in future serological assays with a mixture of B. burgdorferi-specific antigens.

Animals↗

Variants selected by treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-infected cells with an immunotoxin.

An immunotoxin has been made by coupling anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope antibody 907 to ricin A chain (907-RAC). 907 recognizes an epitope within the immunodominant PB-1 loop of gp120. Variant cells were selected by cloning persistently infected H9/human T lymphocyte virus IIIB cells in the presence of the immunotoxin. Clones resistant to 907-RAC arose at a frequency of 0.1-1.0%. Seven clones were selected for intensive analysis. When studied, these clones fell into two distinct groups, members of which appeared to be identical, suggesting that the variation arose before the selection process. In contrast to the parent cells, none of the cloned variants produced infectious HIV. The first set of clones, designated the "E" variants, expressed decreased levels of the HIV envelope on the cell surface. However, levels of intracellular HIV antigens and reverse transcriptase were equal to or greater than that of the parental cell line. Radioimmunoprecipitation demonstrated that the gp160 was truncated to 145 kD (gp120 was normal length), capable of binding to CD4, and, unlike normal gp160, was released in its unprocessed form into the cellular supernatant. Sequence analysis demonstrated that a deletion at codon 687 of the envelope gene resulted in the production of this truncated protein. Ultrastructural analysis of E variants demonstrated some budding forms of virus, but also large numbers of HIV within intracellular vesicles. The second set of variants, the "F" series, produced no HIV antigens, reverse transcriptase, nor was there ultrastructural evidence of virus. However, proviral DNA was present. Virus could not be induced with agents known to activate latent HIV. These cells also lacked cell surface CD4 and could not be infected with HIV. These studies demonstrate that variation in HIV can affect the phenotype of the cells carrying the altered virus, allowing for escape from immunologic destruction. The E variants may serve as prototypes for attenuated HIV, which could be used as a vaccine. We have reconstructed the mutation found in the E variants within the infectious HIV clone HXB-2 and demonstrated that the resulting virus retains its noninfectious phenotype.

Base Sequence↗

Sequences in the U5-gag-pol region influence early and late pathogenic effects of Friend and Moloney murine leukemia viruses.

Friend replication-competent murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV), clone 57, induces a severe early hemolytic anemia and a later erythroleukemia after inoculation of newborn IRW or ICFW mice, whereas Moloney MuLV (M-MuLV) induces only lymphoid leukemia. We have shown previously that the attenuated hemolytic and erythroleukemogenic abilities of an F-MuLV variant, clone B3, were due mostly to changes in the env gene and long terminal repeat, respectively. For the present study, we derived two constructs exchanging env fragments of F-MuLV 57 and M-MuLV and compared them with two constructs described by Chatis et al. (J. Virol. 52:248-254, 1984) exchanging the U3 region of the long terminal repeat of the same parental viruses. When comparing the hemolytic effect of these constructs with those of the parent, we found that the U5-gag-pol region of F-MuLV was required for development of severe early hemolytic anemia and that, unlike the env of F-MuLV B3, the env of M-MuLV was fully competent in inducing severe early hemolytic anemia when associated with the F-MuLV U5-gag-pol and U3 regions. As expected, induction of erythroleukemia depended on the presence of the F-MuLV U3 region; however, the presence of both the U3 and U5-gag-pol regions of F-MuLV appeared to be synergistic and was associated with a more rapid appearance of erythroleukemia.

Animals↗

Horizontal transmission of murine retroviruses.

Both a feral mouse ecotropic virus (WM-E) and Friend ecotropic virus (F-MuLV) were transmitted horizontally among adult mice. Infection resulted in the production of antiviral antibody in the recipients, with no evidence of viremia or clinical disease. However, persistent low-level virus replication was detectable in the spleens of these mice as long as 8 months after initial infection. External secretions, including saliva, semen, and uterine secretions from viremic mice contained high concentrations of infectious virus. Nevertheless, transmission occurred only from viremic males to either males or females. Male-to-male transmission appeared to occur by parenteral inoculation of infectious saliva during fighting behavior. Evidence is presented that infection of females was by the venereal route. Of four mouse strains examined, NFS/N, IRW, and C57L females were all susceptible to venereal infection, whereas AKR mice were not. Since AKR mice are susceptible to infection by WM-E administered parenterally, this resistance appeared to be mediated by local viral interference due to the high-level expression of endogenous Akv gp70 within the female reproductive tract. Although both WM-E and F-MuLV were transmitted from viremic males to females, infection by WM-E was significantly more efficient than that by F-MuLV. This difference correlated with a distinct difference in cellular tropism of WM-E and F-MuLV within the epididymis of viremic males. F-MuLV gp70 was expressed only within stromal elements, whereas WM-E gp70 was seen largely within the epithelial lining cells and luminal contents of the duct. No evidence of virus expression within germ cells was observed. The possible influence of virus expression by epithelial cells of the female reproductive tract on infection of embryos is discussed.

Animals↗

Hemolytic anemia and erythroleukemia, two distinct pathogenic effects of Friend MuLV: mapping of the effects to different regions of the viral genome.

Two different pathogenic effects of the Friend ecotropic murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) were distinguished by serial examinations of hematocrits and reticulocyte counts of IRW mice inoculated as newborns. F-MuLV induced hemolytic anemia with increased levels of erythropoiesis, which was detectable as early as 13 days of age, whereas blocked erythroid differentiation, associated with erythroleukemia, was apparent only after 30 days of age. Using strains of Friend-MuLV with different virulences, we constructed recombinant viruses that allowed us to map the hemolytic effect and the ability to induce rapid erythroleukemia to different regions of the viral genome. Moreover, the ability of the virus to induce rapid erythroleukemia appeared to be independent of the presence of severe early hemolytic anemia.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗

A Borrelia-specific monoclonal antibody binds to a flagellar epitope.

In immunofluorescence assays monoclonal antibody H9724 recognized eight species of the spirochetal genus Borrelia but not representatives of the genera Treponema, Leptospira, and Spirochaeta. We examined the reactivity of H9724 against subcellular components of Borrelia hermsii, an agent of relapsing fever, and B. burgdorferi, the cause of Lyme disease. H9724 bound to isolated periplasmic flagella of the two borreliae. In Western blots the antibody reacted with the predominant protein in flagellar preparations from B. hermsii and B. burgdorferi; the apparent molecular weights of these flagellins were 39,000 and 41,000, respectively.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Analyses of gonococcal H8 antigen. Surface location, inter- and intrastrain electrophoretic heterogeneity, and unusual two-dimensional electrophoretic characteristics.

The H8 protein is a surface-exposed antigen that is found, among members of the Neisseria genus, primarily on pathogenic species. In this study, the surface exposure of H8 was reassessed by four techniques. Results of slide agglutination, indirect fluorescent antibody binding, absorption of sera with whole gonococci, and immune electron microscopy all confirmed the presence of H8 in the outer membrane. The degree to which protein A-gold-labeled monoclonal antibodies bound to H8 was marked, and suggested that this antigen was present in abundant amounts in the outer membrane. Also in this study, the electrophoretic heterogeneity of this common surface antigen was examined. Because H8 stains poorly, electrophoretic mobility was assessed using polyclonal antibodies and a monoclonal antibody that recognizes a common H8 epitope. H8 was analyzed with respect to protein I, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and pilus and opacity phenotypic variation; results confirmed that heterogeneity of Mr was the rule among strains (21 were examined), however, the variability in Mr was independent of protein I or LPS Mr. In one strain (FA1090), the heterogeneity of H8 was examined among 10 piliation/opacity variants; the H8 (and LPS) Mr was identical in all variants; similar data were generated in strains JS3 and JS1. The electrophoretic mobility of H8 was altered in serum-resistant and neutrophil enzyme-resistant gonococci compared to the sensitive gonococci. Some of the unusual electrophoretic migration characteristics of the antigen were also examined. H8 formed a unique mushroom-shaped band in one-dimensional gels; in a two-dimensional electrophoresis system, the antigen migrated aberrantly, very similarly to LPS. Also seen in the two-dimensional electrophoresis profile were multimers of the H8 antigen; in strain JS3 (Mr 23,500), these migrated at 43,600, 86,000, and greater than 150,000. In other strains, the Mr of the multimers differed depending upon the Mr of the monomer. The two-dimensional migration characteristics (as measured by antigenicity) were completely destroyed by proteinase K digestion. Activity of H8 polyclonal antibodies to the antigens in two-dimensional gels was completely removed by adsorption of formalin-fixed whole cells, but was not affected by adsorption with LPS. These electrophoretic characteristics may reflect the close association of some nonprotein constituent, perhaps lipid or carbohydrate or both.

Animals↗

Isolation of a spirochete from the soft tick, Ornithodoros coriaceus: a possible agent of epizootic bovine abortion.

A Borrelia-like spirochete was detected in all three parasitic stages of Ornithodoros coriaceus, the soft tick implicated in the epizoology of epizootic bovine abortion. After the spirochete had been isolated, its distinctness from other North American tick-borne borreliae as well as from Spirochaeta aurantia, Treponema pallidum, and Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona was established on the basis of its morphology, protein components, and inability to infect mice. The spirochete is passed trans-stadially and via eggs by ticks, and it is also excreted in coxal fluid after ticks have fed and detached. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the spirochete may be causally related to epizootic bovine abortion.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies protecting mice against Rickettsia rickettsii.

Hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii were prepared from mice to investigate the function of rickettsial antigens. Of the 31 reactive hybridoma lines thus far tested for immunoglobulin subclasses, 11 belonged to the IgG2A subclass, 9 to the IgG2B subclass, and 7 to the IgG3 subclass; four did not react with any of the isotyping sera. Five of the antibodies recognized epitopes present on molecules that were presumed to be polysaccharide and heterogeneous in molecular weight. Twenty monoclonal antibodies reacted with a 170,000-dalton antigen, and six precipitated both the 133,000- and 32,000-dalton polypeptides. Only those antibodies to the 170,000- and 133,000-dalton antigens protected mice from challenge with R. rickettsii. Antibodies to these same antigens were detected in sera from patients convalescing from Rocky Mountain spotted fever. All monoclonal antibodies reacted with antigens apparently located on the rickettsial surface. The protective activity of these antibodies was not correlated with their reactivity in complement fixation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunofluorescence tests.

Animals↗

Morphology of three strains of contagious equine metritis organism.

Examination of recently isolated cultures of three strains of Contagious Equine Metritis Organism grown on specially formulated, serum-free, clear typing medium revealed the presence of numerous colonial opacity variants. These colonies were prepared by a number of fixation and staining techniques and examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Opaque and transparent phenotypes produced copious amounts of extracellular material compared with intermediate-opacity phenotypes which produced little or none. Also unique to intermediate colonies were numerous thin intercellular strands, which may represent pili or polymers of extracellular material. The presence of an unusual fibrillar layer (with similar electron density to the extracellular material) on the outer leaf of the outer membrane also was confirmed. A number of other ultrastructural features also were noted, including an epilayer, a thin nonmembranous layer which covered colonies and adjacent agar.

Animals↗

Variation in a major surface protein of Lyme disease spirochetes.

Two monoclonal antibodies (H6831 and H5TS) differed in their indirect immunofluorescence reactivity when tested against 14 strains of Lyme disease spirochetes. Strains were bound by both antibodies, by H6831 or H5TS alone, or by neither. Western blot and immunoprecipitation studies revealed that the determinants of both antibodies were associated with abundant proteins with apparent subunit molecular weights of ca. 34,000 (34K-range proteins). The following results indicated that the 34K-range proteins were exposed on the surface of the spirochetes. (i) Antibody H6831 agglutinated the spirochetes; (ii) immune electron microscopy showed that the H6831 determinant was associated with the outer membrane; (iii) radiolabeled H6831 bound to live organisms; and (iv) proteases effectively removed the 34K-range proteins from intact cells. With their demonstrated variability and exposure on the surface, the 34K-range proteins may contribute to the serotype specificity of Lyme disease spirochetes.

Agglutination Tests↗

Bacteriophage in the Ixodes dammini spirochete, etiological agent of Lyme disease.

A bacteriophage with a B-3 morphology was detected by electron microscopy in a spirochete isolated from the tick Ixodes dammini. It has a 40- to 50-nm elongated head and a tail 50 to 70 nm in length. It appears devoid of collars or kite-tail structure. The spirochete has been identified as the causative agent of Lyme disease.

Animals↗

Lyme disease-a tick-borne spirochetosis?

A treponema-like spirochete was detected in and isolated from adult Ixodes dammini, the incriminated tick vector of Lyme disease. Causally related to the spirochetes may be long-lasting cutaneous lesions that appeared on New Zealand White rabbits 10 to 12 weeks after infected ticks fed on them. Samples of serum from patients with Lyme disease were shown by indirect immunofluorescence to contain antibodies to this agent. It is suggested that the newly discovered spirochete is involved in the etiology of Lyme disease.

Animals↗

Reactivation of Rickettsia rickettsii in Dermacentor andersoni ticks: an ultrastructural analysis.

Virulent Rickettsia in Dermacentor andersoni lose their pathogenicity and virulence for guinea pigs when subjected to physiological stresses, such as starvation (overwintering), of its tick vector. However, incubation of infected ticks at an elevated temperature (37 degrees C) for 24 to 48 h or feeding for a time (usually greater than 10 h) induces R. rickettsii to revert to a virulent state, a phenomenon defined as "reactivation." Electron microscopy reveals that the microcapsular and slime layers of R. rickettsii undergo changes dependent upon the physiological conditions within the tick vector. In engorged ticks, the microcapsular layer is readily identified as a discrete layer, approximately 16 nm thick, composed of globular subunits that have a periodicity of approximately 10 nm. The slime layer external to the microcapsular layer forms a discrete electron-lucent zone around the rickettsia. In starved ticks, neither the microcapsular layer nor slime layer remains a discrete entity. Instead, they are shed and form stringy, shredded, and somewhat flocculent strands of low electron density without periodicity. Incubation at 37 degrees C or feeding of starved infected ticks results in the restoration of a discrete microcapsular and slime layer. These reversible structural modifications are linked to physiological changes in the tick host and correlate with reactivation, i.e., restoration of pathogenicity and virulence of R. rickettsii.

Animals↗

Identification of an isolate of Rickettsia canada from California.

A strain of Rickettsia canada was recovered in 1980 an adult rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, taken from a black-tailed jack rabbit, Lepus californicus, in Mendocino County, California. In all examined biologic characteristics, this isolate, CA410, is indistinguishable from the prototype, strain 2678, isolated in Ontario, Canada, in 1963. These similarities include serologic and immunologic reactivity in laboratory mice and guinea pigs, cultural characteristics in Vero cells, chick embryo cells and embryonated eggs, low pathogenicity for mice, meadow voles and guinea pigs, unusual resistance to streptomycin, morphology by electron microscopy, and molar percentages of guanine plus cytosine of the deoxyribonucleic acids. Recovery of this second strain in the same species of tick, but far removed in time and place from the origin of the prototype, provides evidence that R. canada is an established, ecologically stable, rickettsia in North America.

Animals↗