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[Effects of mercury on the course of Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice].

Effects of mercury ions on the colonization of mice organs by Listeria monocytogenes were investigated. It was found that single injection of 0.05 LD50 mercury ions has little effect on listeria spreading in mice internal organs. Dissemination of bacteria in the liver of mice, which received 0.5 LD50, was similar to that one in control animals, which received physiologic solution, while higher numbers of bacteria were found in spleen of experimental animals at later stages of infection (after 24 and 48 h), when inflammation processes begin to take place. Chronic exposure to 0.05 LD50 mercury ions for 6 weeks caused decrease in body weight and survival of mice as well as increase in the infection degree of their internal organs. In addition, we demonstrate the mercury ions results in decreased synthesis of specific antibodies against listeria proteins.

Animals↗

Neonatal host defense mechanisms against Listeria monocytogenes infection: the role of lipopolysaccharides and interferons.

The human newborn infant is susceptible to lethal infection caused by a number of bacterial species including Listeria monocytogenes, a gram-positive rod which is pathogenic by virtue of its ability to survive intracellularly. In adult animals interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma or agents that induce or augment IFN production confer protection against lethal L. monocytogenes infection. Regulation and production of IFN is poorly understood during the neonatal period. We therefore evaluated the role of IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma, IFN-inducers (polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, amino-bromo-phenyl-pyrimidinone, amino-iodophenyl pyrimidinone) and lipopolysaccharide in modifying neonatal L. monocytogenes infection. Pretreatment of juvenile rats with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid or lipopolysaccharide protected them against a lethal challenge with L. monocytogenes. Among newborn rats, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, amino-iodo-phenyl pyrimidinone and amino-bromophenyl-pyrimidinone gave significant protection, however, lipopolysaccharide did not influence survival. The role of IFN was further examined. Pretreatment of 3-d-old rats with purified IFN-alpha/beta, native rat IFN-gamma or rDNA rat IFN-gamma protected them against the lethality of subsequent L. monocytogenes injection. At 3 d after bacterial challenge, bacterial content in the spleens of 3-d-old rats pretreated with rIFN-gamma were significantly decreased compared to controls: IFN-alpha/beta-pretreated animals had less of a decrease, which become significant only 5 d after challenge. Our experiments indicate a role for IFN in neonatal host defense against L. monocytogenes infection.

Animals↗

Endogenous gamma interferon-independent host resistance against Listeria monocytogenes infection in CD4+ T cell- and asialo GM1+ cell-depleted mice.

The effects of in vivo administration of antibodies against T-cell subsets and asialo GM1 (ASGM1)-bearing cells on endogenous gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production and host defense in Listeria monocytogenes-infected mice were investigated. Endogenous IFN-gamma titers in the bloodstreams and spleen extracts of mice on day 2 of infection were partially suppressed by administration of rabbit anti-ASGM1 antibody, but not by anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (MAb) or anti-CD8 MAb. Of the different combinations of these three antibodies, the most suppressive effect on IFN-gamma production was observed after administration of anti-CD4 Mab and anti-ASGM1 antibody, although anti-CD8 MAb combined with anti-CD4 MAb partially inhibited IFN-gamma production. In contrast, antilisterial resistance was suppressed by the administration of anti-CD8 MAb but not by anti-CD4 MAb or anti-ASGM1 antibody. Antilisterial resistance in mice in which both CD4+ cells and ASGM1+ cells had been depleted was performed as efficiently as in normal mice in spite of the fact that endogenous IFN-gamma production was markedly suppressed. Furthermore, these mice also eliminated L. monocytogenes cells efficiently from the spleens even when they were pretreated with anti-mouse IFN-gamma MAb. These results indicate that CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and ASGM1+ cells are all responsible for endogenous IFN-gamma production and that antilisterial resistance and endogenous IFN-gamma production are not absolutely correlated.

Animals↗

Type I interferon production enhances susceptibility to Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Numerous bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharide potently induce type I interferons (IFNs); however, the contribution of this innate response to host defense against bacterial infection remains unclear. Although mice deficient in either IFN regulatory factor (IRF)3 or the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR)1 are highly susceptible to viral infection, we show that these mice exhibit a profound resistance to infection caused by the Gram-positive intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes compared with wild-type controls. Furthermore, this enhanced bacterial clearance is accompanied by a block in L. monocytogenes-induced splenic apoptosis in IRF3- and IFNAR1-deficient mice. Thus, our results highlight the disparate roles of type I IFNs during bacterial versus viral infections and stress the importance of proper IFN modulation in host defense.

Animals↗

CD1d-independent regulation of NKT cell migration and cytokine production upon Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a unique T-cell population that is positively selected by CD1d-expressing cells. In this study, we examined the kinetics of conventional CD4+TCRbeta+ and CD4-TCRbeta+ cells along with various NKT cell populations from WT and CD1d KO mice after oral Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) infection at different time points in tissue compartments. We found that CD4+TCRbeta+ cells expressing NK1.1+ (NKT) were constitutively expressed in the lung of both strains of mice, but disappeared after infection. In contrast, CD4-TCRbeta+ NK1.1+ cells migrated to the spleen. Here, we demonstrated that endogenous IL-12 was predominantly expressed in the spleen of CD1d KO mice 2 days after infection, whereas IL-4 was predominantly expressed in the liver of WT mice. Higher levels of IFN-gamma were expressed in MLN of CD1d KO but not in WT mice on day 5. Thus, tissue-specific ligands orchestrate the localization and activation of NKT cells to control immune response to Listeria, which may explain the difference in disease susceptibility.

Animals↗

Characterization of natural killer cells induced in the peritoneal exudates of mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes: a study of their tumor target specificity and their expression of murine differentiation antigens and human NK-associated antigens.

That M1/70, a monoclonal anti-murine macrophage antibody, recognizes murine natural killer cells (NK) and that there is an increase in NK following intraperitoneal infection with live Listeria monocytogenes (LM) was previously reported. Here, LM-induced NK cells were further characterized with respect to tumor target specificity and the expression of murine mast cell, mononuclear phagocyte, and lymphocyte differentiation antigens plus human NK-associated antigens. The M1/70-selected NK (Mac 1 NK) lysed Yac 1, RLmale 1, and WEHI 164.1, but not EL 4 or WTS cells. Immunoprecipitation with M1/70 demonstrated that Mac 1, the antigen recognized by M1/70, was present on NK and thioglycollate-elicited macrophages. Contaminating macrophages in the NK-enriched population did not account for the immunoprecipitated Mac 1. Mac 1 NK that lysed Yac 1 displayed Qa 5, LFA 1, asialo GM 1, Ly 5.1, and NK 1.2, but not Lyt 1, Lyt 2, Mac 2, Mac 3, or Mac 4. Thirty percent of these Mac 1 NK bore Thy 1.2. The presence of Thy 1.2 did not correlate with individual lytic efficiency or cell cycle. Antibodies to human NK antigens Leu 7, Leu 11a, and Leu 15 did not recognize LM-induced NK cells.

Animals↗

Role of NK1.1+ cells in experimental listeriosis. NK1+ cells are early IFN-gamma producers but impair resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection.

An enzyme-linked immunospot assay was used for detection of splenic IFN-gamma and IL-4 spot-forming cells from, C57Bl/6 and BALB/c mice, which differ in resistance to systemic L. monocytogenes infection. Numbers of spontaneous and Ag (heat-killed listeriae)-induced IFN-gamma SFC were 5- to 10-fold higher in C57Bl/6 as compared to BALB/c mice at day 1, day 7, and day 14 postinfection. In both strains of mice, Ag-induced IFN-gamma production reached maximum levels at day 7 postinfection and IL-4 production was slightly increased at day 1, decreasing thereafter. The early IFN-gamma production (day 1) in C57Bl/6 mice was abrogated by in vitro and in vivo depletion of NK1+ cells with PK136 mAbs, indicating that NK1+ cells are major IFN-gamma producers at day 1 after infection. In vivo depletion of NK1+ cells markedly increased numbers of IL-4 spot-forming cells in spleens of C57Bl/6 mice, suggesting a modulatory effect of NK1+ cells and IFN-gamma on IL-4 production. At day 5 postinfection, bacterial numbers in spleens were higher in C57Bl/6 than in BALB/c mice. Treatment with the anti-NK1.1 mAb and in vivo neutralization of IL-4 with the 11B11 mAb enhanced listerial clearing in C57Bl/6 mice. These findings suggest 1) BALB/c mice are more resistant than C57Bl/6 mice to L. monocytogenes EGD infection, 2) NK1+ cells and IL-4 play a detrimental role in L. monocytogenes infection, and 3) antilisterial resistance and levels of IFN-gamma are dissociable.

Animals↗

4-1BB (CD137) is required for rapid clearance of Listeria monocytogenes infection.

4-1BB (CD137), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is a T-cell-costimulatory receptor that is expressed on activated T cells, dendritic cells, and NK cells. Little has been reported about its role in early host defense against bacterial infection. In this study, we report that 4-1BB-deficient (4-1BB(-/-)) mice are much more susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes (intracellular bacteria) infections than wild-type mice. Upon L. monocytogenes infection, 4-1BB(-/-) mice showed a lower survival rate, a higher bacterial burden in organs, and larger hepatic microabscesses than 4-1BB(+/+) mice. 4-1BB(-/-) mice also had impairment in clearance of bacteria from the bloodstream. Neutrophils from 4-1BB(+/+) mice constitutively expressed 4-1BB, which could be activated to induce intracellular Ca(2+) influx by ligation with anti-4-1BB antibody. On the other hand, neutrophils from 4-1BB(-/-) mice were defective in reactive oxygen species generation, phagocytic activities, and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization. In addition, mice pretreated with anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibody were much more resistant to L. monocytogenes infection than control antibody-treated mice. Our results support the notion that 4-1BB may play a major role in host defense against intracellular pathogens through neutrophil activation.

Animals↗

[Listeria monocytogenes infections--ten years' experience].

7 cases of listeriosis were diagnosed here between 1988-1997 (6 in last 3 years), or 2.94/100,000 admissions. 2 elderly patients suffered from meningitis and 2 pregnant women presented with premature contractions, 1 of whom delivered a premature, infected baby. 2 other patients had fever and gastroenteritis. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from blood in 4, CSF in 2 and the placenta in 1. It was isolated from those with bacterial meningitis. All patients recovered. Both increased awareness for prevention and better diagnosis are essential to reduce morbidity from this unusual pathogen.

Adult↗

Induction of Listeria monocytogenes infection by the consumption of ponderosa pine needles.

An infectious microorganism, identified as Listeria monocytogenes, has been isolated from the bloodstream of pregnant mice fed a diet containing Pinus ponderosa needles. When the isolate was injected into pregnant mice, reproductive dysfunction and other changes, including speckled livers, spleen atrophy, and hemorrhagic intestines, appeared to mimic the signs of the disease in pregnant mice fed pine needles. Moreover, these pathological changes are similar to those observed in cattle and other mammals experiencing abortions or toxemia, or both, attributed to the ingestion of P. ponderosa needles, suggesting that L. monocytogenes may be a part of the etiology of "pine needle abortion."

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Cutting edge: immunity and IFN-gamma production during Listeria monocytogenes infection in the absence of T-bet.

The T-box transcription factor T-bet is an important regulator of IFN-gamma production in all cell types and is considered to be essential for the generation of CD4 Th1 T cells. IFN-gamma in turn plays a critical role in immunity to many infectious agents. In this study, we demonstrate that T-bet is not required for host resistance to primary Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection. In the innate immune phase, control of LM replication, serum IFN-gamma, and numbers of IFN-gamma-producing NK cells were similar in T-bet-deficient and control mice. In the adaptive immune phase, there was no defect in bacterial clearance or in the numbers of LM-specific IFN-gamma-producing CD8 T cells in T-bet-deficient mice and only a modest, although significant, reduction in the numbers of Th1 CD4 T cells and IFN-gamma secretion by CD4 T cells. Thus, host resistance and the generation of IFN-gamma-producing cells in response to LM infection are not substantially compromised in the absence of T-bet.

Animals↗

Inhibition of Listeria locomotion by mosquito oostatic factor, a natural oligoproline peptide uncoupler of profilin action.

Mosquito oostatic factor, a naturally occurring decapeptide (YDPAPPPPPP), strikingly resembles the primary structure of oligoproline-rich regions within the protein ActA, a bacterial surface protein required for Listeria motility in host cells. When microinjected into Listeria-infected PtK2 cells, the insect oostatic factor rapidly blocks Listeria-induced actin rocket tail assembly as well as intracellular locomotion of this pathogen. At intracellular concentrations of about 90 nM, transient inhibition of rocket tail formation and bacterial locomotion occurs, followed by full recovery of tail length and motility. However, at 0.9 microM oostatic factor, both processes are permanently arrested. Introduction of oostatic factor by microinjection also causes PtK2 peripheral membrane retraction in both Listeria-infected and uninfected cells. Epifluorescence microscopy with bodipy-phallacidin reveals that cells microinjected with the insect factor lose all actin stress fibers and accumulate F-actin in regions of membrane retraction. When the insect peptide is combined with profilin as an equimolar binary solution (1 microM [final concentration] each), intracellular addition fails to inhibit Listeria rocket-tail formation, fails to block intracellular bacterial movement, and no longer causes marked membrane retraction. The ability of profilin to neutralize the inhibitory action of oostatic factor is consistent with complex formation, and this finding suggests that profilin may interact directly with ActA peptide as well as a host cell peripheral membrane component to promote actin filament assembly by locally generating ATP-actin. Dispersal of profilin from such sites by oligoproline-rich peptide inhibitors suggests that profilin is directly involved in intracellular pathogen locomotion and reorganization of actin cytoskeleton of the host cell peripheral membrane.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sequential appearance of gamma/delta- and alpha/beta-bearing T cells in the peritoneal cavity during an i.p. infection with Listeria monocytogenes.

To search for a potential role of T cell antigen receptor (TcR) gamma/delta-bearing cells in host-defense against Listeria monocytogenes, we analyzed the sequential appearance of gamma/delta and alpha/beta T cell in the peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) during an i.p. infection with sublethal dose (2 X 10(3) of viable Listeria organisms in mice. The PEC on day 1 after the infection consisted of 48% macrophages and 50% lymphocytes, most of which were surface IgM+ (B) cells. The number of PEC increased to the maximal level by day 3. The PEC at this stage contained an appreciable number of CD3+ T cells in addition to a large number of macrophages. Of the CD3+ cells, the proportion of CD4- CD8- cells, most of which expressed no TcR alpha/beta, increased to the maximal level on day 3 after the infection. In correlation with an increased number of CD3+ CD4- CD8- TcR alpha/beta- cells, high level of TcR gamma/delta chain gene messages was detected in the nonadherent population of the PEC on this stage. On the other hand, the PEC on day 8 contained an increased number of CD4+ CD8- and CD4- CD8+ cells which expressed TcR alpha/beta chain on their surface. These results suggest that the gamma/delta T cells precede the alpha/beta T cells in appearance during listerial infection. The gamma/delta T cells may be involved at the first line of the host-defense against Listeria.

Animals↗

Suppression of major histocompatibility complex class I and class II gene expression in Listeria monocytogenes-infected murine macrophages.

Macrophage cells play a central role during infection with Listeria monocytogenes by both providing a major habitat for bacterial multiplication and presenting bacterial antigens to the immune system. In this study, we investigated the influence of L. monocytogenes infection on the expression of MHC class I and class II genes in two murine macrophage cell lines. Steady-state levels of I-Abeta chain mRNA were decreased in both resting J774A.1 and P388D1 macrophages infected with L. monocytogenes whereas reduction of H-2K mRNA was only observed in P388D1 cells. In addition, L. monocytogenes suppressed induction of MHC class I and class II mRNAs in response to gamma-interferon as well as the maintenance of the induced state in activated P388D1 macrophages. Exposure to the non-pathogenic species L. innocua or a deletion mutant of L. monocytogenes, which lacks the lecithinase operon, did not cause a reduction in H-2K and I-Abeta mRNA levels nor suppress expression of Ia antigens. Inhibition of MHC gene expression may represent an important part of the cross-talk between L. monocytogenes and the macrophage that probably influences the efficiency of a T cell-mediated immune response and thus the outcome of a listerial infection.

Animals↗