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Jastrab JB, Kagan JC. Strategies of bacterial detection by inflammasomes. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:835-850. [PMID: 38636521 PMCID: PMC11103797 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian innate immunity is regulated by pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) and guard proteins, which use distinct strategies to detect infections. PRRs detect bacterial molecules directly, whereas guards detect host cell manipulations by microbial virulence factors. Despite sensing infection through different mechanisms, both classes of innate immune sensors can activate the inflammasome, an immune complex that can mediate cell death and inflammation. Inflammasome-mediated immune responses are crucial for host defense against many bacterial pathogens and prevent invasion by non-pathogenic organisms. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which inflammasomes are stimulated by PRRs and guards during bacterial infection, and the strategies used by virulent bacteria to evade inflammasome-mediated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan B Jastrab
- Division of Gastroenterology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan C Kagan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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2
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Popoff MR. Overview of Bacterial Protein Toxins from Pathogenic Bacteria: Mode of Action and Insights into Evolution. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:182. [PMID: 38668607 PMCID: PMC11054074 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial protein toxins are secreted by certain bacteria and are responsible for mild to severe diseases in humans and animals. They are among the most potent molecules known, which are active at very low concentrations. Bacterial protein toxins exhibit a wide diversity based on size, structure, and mode of action. Upon recognition of a cell surface receptor (protein, glycoprotein, and glycolipid), they are active either at the cell surface (signal transduction, membrane damage by pore formation, or hydrolysis of membrane compound(s)) or intracellularly. Various bacterial protein toxins have the ability to enter cells, most often using an endocytosis mechanism, and to deliver the effector domain into the cytosol, where it interacts with an intracellular target(s). According to the nature of the intracellular target(s) and type of modification, various cellular effects are induced (cell death, homeostasis modification, cytoskeleton alteration, blockade of exocytosis, etc.). The various modes of action of bacterial protein toxins are illustrated with representative examples. Insights in toxin evolution are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel R Popoff
- Unité des Toxines Bactériennes, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 2001 INSERM U1306, F-75015 Paris, France
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3
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Archana CA, Sekar YS, Suresh KP, Subramaniam S, Sagar N, Rani S, Anandakumar J, Pandey RK, Barman NN, Patil SS. Investigating the Influence of ANTXR2 Gene Mutations on Protective Antigen Binding for Heightened Anthrax Resistance. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:426. [PMID: 38674361 PMCID: PMC11049084 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is the bacterium responsible for causing the zoonotic disease called anthrax. The disease presents itself in different forms like gastrointestinal, inhalation, and cutaneous. Bacterial spores are tremendously adaptable, can persist for extended periods and occasionally endanger human health. The Anthrax Toxin Receptor-2 (ANTXR2) gene acts as membrane receptor and facilitates the entry of the anthrax toxin into host cells. Additionally, mutations in the ANTXR2 gene have been linked to various autoimmune diseases, including Hyaline Fibromatosis Syndrome (HFS), Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Juvenile Hyaline Fibromatosis (JHF), and Infantile Systemic Hyalinosis (ISH). This study delves into the genetic landscape of ANTXR2, aiming to comprehend its associations with diverse disorders, elucidate the impacts of its mutations, and pinpoint minimal non-pathogenic mutations capable of reducing the binding affinity of the ANTXR2 gene with the protective antigen. Recognizing the pivotal role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in shaping genetic diversity, we conducted computational analyses to discern highly deleterious and tolerated non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) in the ANTXR2 gene. The Mutpred2 server determined that the Arg465Trp alteration in the ANTXR2 gene leads to altered DNA binding (p = 0.22) with a probability of a deleterious mutation of 0.808; notably, among the identified deleterious SNPs, rs368288611 (Arg465Trp) stands out due to its significant impact on altering the DNA-binding ability of ANTXR2. We propose these SNPs as potential candidates for hypertension linked to the ANTXR2 gene, which is implicated in blood pressure regulation. Noteworthy among the tolerated substitutions is rs200536829 (Ala33Ser), recognized as less pathogenic; this highlights its potential as a valuable biomarker, potentially reducing side effects on the host while also reducing binding with the protective antigen protein. Investigating these SNPs holds the potential to correlate with several autoimmune disorders and mitigate the impact of anthrax disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chamalapura Ashwathama Archana
- ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru 560064, India; (C.A.A.); (Y.S.S.); (N.S.); (S.R.); (J.A.); (S.S.P.)
| | - Yamini Sri Sekar
- ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru 560064, India; (C.A.A.); (Y.S.S.); (N.S.); (S.R.); (J.A.); (S.S.P.)
| | - Kuralayanapalya Puttahonnappa Suresh
- ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru 560064, India; (C.A.A.); (Y.S.S.); (N.S.); (S.R.); (J.A.); (S.S.P.)
| | | | - Ningegowda Sagar
- ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru 560064, India; (C.A.A.); (Y.S.S.); (N.S.); (S.R.); (J.A.); (S.S.P.)
| | - Swati Rani
- ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru 560064, India; (C.A.A.); (Y.S.S.); (N.S.); (S.R.); (J.A.); (S.S.P.)
| | - Jayashree Anandakumar
- ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru 560064, India; (C.A.A.); (Y.S.S.); (N.S.); (S.R.); (J.A.); (S.S.P.)
| | - Rajan Kumar Pandey
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, 17177 Solna, Sweden;
| | - Nagendra Nath Barman
- College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Guwahati 781022, India;
| | - Sharanagouda S. Patil
- ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru 560064, India; (C.A.A.); (Y.S.S.); (N.S.); (S.R.); (J.A.); (S.S.P.)
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4
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Hilliard JJ, Jakielaszek C, Mannino F, Hossain M, Qian L, Fishman C, Demons S, Hershfield J, Soffler C, Russo R, Henning L, Novak J, O'Dwyer K. Efficacy of therapeutically administered gepotidacin in a rabbit model of inhalational anthrax. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0149723. [PMID: 38358266 PMCID: PMC10916377 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01497-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is a Gram-positive Centers for Disease Control and Prevention category "A" biothreat pathogen. Without early treatment, inhalation of anthrax spores with progression to inhalational anthrax disease is associated with high fatality rates. Gepotidacin is a novel first-in-class triazaacenaphthylene antibiotic that inhibits bacterial DNA replication by a distinct mechanism of action and is being evaluated for use against biothreat and conventional pathogens. Gepotidacin selectively inhibits bacterial DNA replication via a unique binding mode and has in vitro activity against a collection of B. anthracis isolates including antibacterial-resistant strains, with the MIC90 ranging from 0.5 to 1 µg/mL. In vivo activity of gepotidacin was also evaluated in the New Zealand White rabbit model of inhalational anthrax. The primary endpoint was survival, with survival duration and bacterial clearance as secondary endpoints. The trigger for treatment was the presence of anthrax protective antigen in serum. New Zealand White rabbits were dosed intravenously for 5 days with saline or gepotidacin at 114 mg/kg/d to simulate a dosing regimen of 1,000 mg intravenous (i.v.) three times a day (TID) in humans. Gepotidacin provided a survival benefit compared to saline control, with 91% survival (P-value: 0.0001). All control animals succumbed to anthrax and were found to be blood- and organ culture-positive for B. anthracis. The novel mode of action, in vitro microbiology, preclinical safety, and animal model efficacy data, which were generated in line with Food and Drug Administration Animal Rule, support gepotidacin as a potential treatment for anthrax in an emergency biothreat situation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Lian Qian
- GSK, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Samandra Demons
- US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeremy Hershfield
- US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | - Carl Soffler
- US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | - Riccardo Russo
- Rutgers University School of Medicine, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Lisa Henning
- Battelle Biomedical Research Center (BBRC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Joseph Novak
- Battelle Biomedical Research Center (BBRC), Columbus, Ohio, USA
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5
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Benn JS, Nunez CM, Blue-McLendon A, Chaki SP, Ficht TA, Rice-Ficht AC, Cook WE. LETHAL TOXIN NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODY RESPONSE INDUCED FOLLOWING ORAL VACCINATION WITH A MICROENCAPSULATED BACILLUS ANTHRACIS STERNE STRAIN 34F2 VACCINE PROOF-OF-CONCEPT STUDY IN WHITE-TAILED DEER ( ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS). J Zoo Wildl Med 2024; 55:212-218. [PMID: 38453505 DOI: 10.1638/2023-0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Improved methods are needed to prevent wildlife deaths from anthrax. Caused by Bacillus anthracis, naturally occurring outbreaks of anthrax are frequent but unpredictable. The commercially available veterinary vaccine is labeled for subcutaneous injection and is impractical for large-scale wildlife vaccination programs; therefore, oral vaccination is the most realistic method to control and prevent these outbreaks. We reported the induction of an anthrax-specific lethal toxin (LeTx) neutralizing antibody response in mice following oral vaccination with alginate microcapsules containing B. anthracis Sterne strain 34F2 spores, coated with poly-L-lysine (PLL) and vitelline protein B (VpB). We continued evaluating our novel vaccine formulation through this proof-of-concept study in white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus; n = 9). We orally vaccinated WTD via needle-free syringe with three formulations of the encapsulated vaccine: 1) PLL-VpB-coated microcapsules with 107-8 spores/ml (n = 5), 2) PLL-VpB-coated microcapsules with 109-10 spores/ml (n = 2), and 3) PLL-coated microcapsules with 109-10 spores/ml (n = 2). Although the limited sample sizes require continued experimentation, we observed an anthrax-specific antibody response in WTD serum following oral vaccination with PLL-coated microcapsules containing 109 spores/ ml. Furthermore, this antibody response neutralized anthrax LeTx in vitro, suggesting that continued development of this vaccine may allow for realistic wildlife anthrax vaccination programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie S Benn
- Cook Wildlife Lab, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA,
| | - Chase M Nunez
- Cook Wildlife Lab, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA,
| | - Alice Blue-McLendon
- The Winnie Carter Wildlife Center, Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Physiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Sankar P Chaki
- The Global Health Research Complex, Division of Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Thomas A Ficht
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Allison C Rice-Ficht
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Walter E Cook
- Cook Wildlife Lab, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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6
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Georgopoulos AP, James LM. Anthrax Vaccines in the 21st Century. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:159. [PMID: 38400142 PMCID: PMC10892718 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccination against Bacillus anthracis is the best preventive measure against the development of deadly anthrax disease in the event of exposure to anthrax either as a bioweapon or in its naturally occurring form. Anthrax vaccines, however, have historically been plagued with controversy, particularly related to their safety. Fortunately, recent improvements in anthrax vaccines have been shown to confer protection with reduced short-term safety concerns, although questions about long-term safety remain. Here, we (a) review recent and ongoing advances in anthrax vaccine development, (b) emphasize the need for thorough characterization of current (and future) vaccines, (c) bring to focus the importance of host immunogenetics as the ultimate determinant of successful antibody production and protection, and (d) discuss the need for the systematic, active, and targeted monitoring of vaccine recipients for possible Chronic Multisymptom Illness (CMI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Apostolos P. Georgopoulos
- The Gulf War Illness Working Group, Brain Sciences Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA;
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Lisa M. James
- The Gulf War Illness Working Group, Brain Sciences Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA;
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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7
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Tessier E, Cheutin L, Garnier A, Vigne C, Tournier JN, Rougeaux C. Early Circulating Edema Factor in Inhalational Anthrax Infection: Does It Matter? Microorganisms 2024; 12:308. [PMID: 38399712 PMCID: PMC10891819 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Anthrax toxins are critical virulence factors of Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus strains that cause anthrax-like disease, composed of a common binding factor, the protective antigen (PA), and two enzymatic proteins, lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). While PA is required for endocytosis and activity of EF and LF, several studies showed that these enzymatic factors disseminate within the body in the absence of PA after intranasal infection. In an effort to understand the impact of EF in the absence of PA, we used a fluorescent EF chimera to facilitate the study of endocytosis in different cell lines. Unexpectedly, EF was found inside cells in the absence of PA and showed a pole-dependent endocytosis. However, looking at enzymatic activity, PA was still required for EF to induce an increase in intracellular cAMP levels. Interestingly, the sequential delivery of EF and then PA rescued the rise in cAMP levels, indicating that PA and EF may functionally associate during intracellular trafficking, as well as it did at the cell surface. Our data shed new light on EF trafficking and the potential location of PA and EF association for optimal cytosolic delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Tessier
- Département des Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France (C.R.)
| | - Laurence Cheutin
- Département des Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France (C.R.)
| | - Annabelle Garnier
- Département des Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France (C.R.)
| | - Clarisse Vigne
- Département des Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France (C.R.)
| | - Jean-Nicolas Tournier
- Département des Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France (C.R.)
- Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Clémence Rougeaux
- Département des Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France (C.R.)
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8
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Bower WA, Yu Y, Person MK, Parker CM, Kennedy JL, Sue D, Hesse EM, Cook R, Bradley J, Bulitta JB, Karchmer AW, Ward RM, Cato SG, Stephens KC, Hendricks KA. CDC Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Anthrax, 2023. MMWR Recomm Rep 2023; 72:1-47. [PMID: 37963097 PMCID: PMC10651316 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.rr7206a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
This report updates previous CDC guidelines and recommendations on preferred prevention and treatment regimens regarding naturally occurring anthrax. Also provided are a wide range of alternative regimens to first-line antimicrobial drugs for use if patients have contraindications or intolerances or after a wide-area aerosol release of Bacillus anthracis spores if resources become limited or a multidrug-resistant B. anthracis strain is used (Hendricks KA, Wright ME, Shadomy SV, et al.; Workgroup on Anthrax Clinical Guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expert panel meetings on prevention and treatment of anthrax in adults. Emerg Infect Dis 2014;20:e130687; Meaney-Delman D, Rasmussen SA, Beigi RH, et al. Prophylaxis and treatment of anthrax in pregnant women. Obstet Gynecol 2013;122:885-900; Bradley JS, Peacock G, Krug SE, et al. Pediatric anthrax clinical management. Pediatrics 2014;133:e1411-36). Specifically, this report updates antimicrobial drug and antitoxin use for both postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) and treatment from these previous guidelines best practices and is based on systematic reviews of the literature regarding 1) in vitro antimicrobial drug activity against B. anthracis; 2) in vivo antimicrobial drug efficacy for PEP and treatment; 3) in vivo and human antitoxin efficacy for PEP, treatment, or both; and 4) human survival after antimicrobial drug PEP and treatment of localized anthrax, systemic anthrax, and anthrax meningitis. Changes from previous CDC guidelines and recommendations include an expanded list of alternative antimicrobial drugs to use when first-line antimicrobial drugs are contraindicated or not tolerated or after a bioterrorism event when first-line antimicrobial drugs are depleted or ineffective against a genetically engineered resistant B. anthracis strain. In addition, these updated guidelines include new recommendations regarding special considerations for the diagnosis and treatment of anthrax meningitis, including comorbid, social, and clinical predictors of anthrax meningitis. The previously published CDC guidelines and recommendations described potentially beneficial critical care measures and clinical assessment tools and procedures for persons with anthrax, which have not changed and are not addressed in this update. In addition, no changes were made to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for use of anthrax vaccine (Bower WA, Schiffer J, Atmar RL, et al. Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2019. MMWR Recomm Rep 2019;68[No. RR-4]:1-14). The updated guidelines in this report can be used by health care providers to prevent and treat anthrax and guide emergency preparedness officials and planners as they develop and update plans for a wide-area aerosol release of B. anthracis.
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Narayan B, Verma SK, Singh S, Gupta MK, Kumar S. Protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis in combination with TLR4 or TLR5 agonist confers superior protection against lethal challenge in mouse model. Microbes Infect 2023; 25:105183. [PMID: 37437686 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The immunogenicity and protective ability of recombinant PA (rPA) with two innate immune system modulators, i.e., monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), a TLR4 agonist, and recombinant flagellin C (FliC), a TLR5 agonist, were studied in the mouse model. BALB/c mice were inoculated with three doses of rPA + alum (Alum group), rPA + FliC + alum (FliC group), rPA + MPLA + alum (MPLA group), or only alum adjuvant (Alum alone group). Significant increases in anti-PA IgG titers were observed in the Alum, FliC and MPLA groups when compared to control Alum alone group. Similarly, a significant enhancement of proinflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β), Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-12(p70), IL-2) and Th2 (IL-10, IL-4) cytokines were also noticed in Alum, FliC and MPLA groups compared to Alum alone group. The rPA-specific IgG and cytokine responses in MPLA and FliC groups were significantly higher than the Alum group, suggesting enhancement of immune response by these TLR agonists. MPLA was also found to skew the IgG1:IgG2a ratio towards IgG2a. At a challenge dose of 25 LD50, complete protection was observed in mice of MPLA group whereas lesser protection was observed in FliC (87%) and Alum (50%) groups. Therefore, we suggest the use of MPLA in further development of rPA based anthrax vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bineet Narayan
- Microbiology Division, Defence Research & Developmental Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior 474002, India
| | - Shailendra Kumar Verma
- Microbiology Division, Defence Research & Developmental Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior 474002, India
| | - Sandeep Singh
- Microbiology Division, Defence Research & Developmental Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior 474002, India
| | - Mahendra K Gupta
- School of Studies in Botany and Microbiology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India
| | - Subodh Kumar
- Microbiology Division, Defence Research & Developmental Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior 474002, India.
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10
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Shahi A, Afzali S, Amirzargar A, Mohaghegh P, Salehi S, Mansoori Y. Potential roles of inflammasomes in the pathophysiology of Psoriasis: A comprehensive review. Mol Immunol 2023; 161:44-60. [PMID: 37481828 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease whose pathophysiology is attributed to both innate and adaptive immune cells and molecules. Despite the crucial roles of the immune system in psoriasis, it cannot be categorized as an autoimmune disease because of the lack of main signs of autoimmunity, such as specific antibodies, well-defined antigens, and autoimmune genetic risk factors. The presence of some cellular and molecular properties, such as the presence of neutrophils in skin lesions and the activation of the innate immune system, attributes psoriasis to a group of diseases called autoinflammatory disorders. Autoinflammatory diseases refer to a group of inherited disorders whose main manifestations are recurrent fever, a high level of acute-phase reactant, and a tendency for inflammation of the skin, joints, and other organs like the nervous system. In most autoinflammatory disorders, it has been seen that complexes of the high-molecular-weight protein named inflammasomes have significant roles. The inflammasome complex usually is formed and activated in the stimulated immune cell cytoplasm, and its activation consequently leads to inflammatory events such as producing of active caspase-1, mature interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-18 and can cause an inflammatory programmed cell death called pyroptosis. Since the identification of inflammasomes, it has been shown that there are close links between them and hereditary and acquired autoinflammatory diseases like psoriasis. In this review, we aim to focus on well-defined inflammasome and their role in the pathophysiology of psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Shahi
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Afzali
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aliakbar Amirzargar
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Poopak Mohaghegh
- Pediatrics Department, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Salehi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Yaser Mansoori
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran; Department of Medical Genetics, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
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11
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Ouyang W, Xie T, Fang H, Frucht DM. Development of a New Cell-Based AP-1 Gene Reporter Potency Assay for Anti-Anthrax Toxin Therapeutics. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:528. [PMID: 37755954 PMCID: PMC10538138 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthrax toxin is a critical virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis. The toxin comprises protective antigen (PA) and two enzymatic moieties, edema factor (EF) and lethal factor (LF), forming bipartite lethal toxin (LT) and edema toxin (ET). PA binds cellular surface receptors and is required for intracellular translocation of the enzymatic moieties. For this reason, anti-PA antibodies have been developed as therapeutics for prophylaxis and treatment of human anthrax infection. Assays described publicly for the control of anti-PA antibody potency quantify inhibition of LT-mediated cell death or the ET-induced increase in c-AMP levels. These assays do not fully reflect and/or capture the pathological functions of anthrax toxin in humans. Herein, we report the development of a cell-based gene reporter potency assay for anti-PA antibodies based on the rapid LT-induced degradation of c-Jun protein, a pathogenic effect that occurs in human cells. This new assay was developed by transducing Hepa1c1c7 cells with an AP-1 reporter lentiviral construct and has been qualified for specificity, accuracy, repeatability, intermediate precision, and linearity. This assay not only serves as a bioassay for LT activity, but has applications for characterization and quality control of anti-PA therapeutic antibodies or other products that target the AP-1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Ouyang
- Division of Biotechnology Review and Research II, Office of Biotechnology Products, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA; (T.X.); (H.F.)
| | | | | | - David M. Frucht
- Division of Biotechnology Review and Research II, Office of Biotechnology Products, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA; (T.X.); (H.F.)
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12
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Temrikar ZH, Golden JE, Jonsson CB, Meibohm B. Clinical and Translational Pharmacology Considerations for Anti-infectives Approved Under the FDA Animal Rule. Clin Pharmacokinet 2023; 62:943-953. [PMID: 37326917 PMCID: PMC10471120 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-023-01267-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The US Food and Drug Administration's Animal Rule provides a pathway for approval of drugs and biologics aimed to treat serious or life-threatening conditions wherein traditional clinical trials are either not ethical or feasible. In such a scenario, determination of safety and efficacy are based on integration of data on drug disposition and drug action collected from in vitro models, infected animals, and healthy volunteer human studies. The demonstration of clinical efficacy and safety in humans based on robust, well-controlled animal studies is filled with challenges. This review elaborates on the challenges in the translation of data from in vitro and animal models to human dosing for antimicrobials. In this context, it discusses precedents of drugs approved under the Animal Rule, along with the approaches and guidance undertaken by sponsors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaid H Temrikar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 881 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Jennifer E Golden
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Colleen B Jonsson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 881 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Regional Biocontainment Laboratory, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Bernd Meibohm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 881 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.
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Guliy OI, Evstigneeva SS, Khanadeev VA, Dykman LA. Antibody Phage Display Technology for Sensor-Based Virus Detection: Current Status and Future Prospects. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:640. [PMID: 37367005 DOI: 10.3390/bios13060640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Viruses are widespread in the environment, and many of them are major pathogens of serious plant, animal, and human diseases. The risk of pathogenicity, together with the capacity for constant mutation, emphasizes the need for measures to rapidly detect viruses. The need for highly sensitive bioanalytical methods to diagnose and monitor socially significant viral diseases has increased in the past few years. This is due, on the one hand, to the increased incidence of viral diseases in general (including the unprecedented spread of a new coronavirus infection, SARS-CoV-2), and, on the other hand, to the need to overcome the limitations of modern biomedical diagnostic methods. Phage display technology antibodies as nano-bio-engineered macromolecules can be used for sensor-based virus detection. This review analyzes the commonly used virus detection methods and approaches and shows the prospects for the use of antibodies prepared by phage display technology as sensing elements for sensor-based virus detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga I Guliy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Subdivision of the Federal State Budgetary Research Institution Saratov Federal Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBPPM RAS), 13 Prospect Entuziastov, Saratov 410049, Russia
| | - Stella S Evstigneeva
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Subdivision of the Federal State Budgetary Research Institution Saratov Federal Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBPPM RAS), 13 Prospect Entuziastov, Saratov 410049, Russia
| | - Vitaly A Khanadeev
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Subdivision of the Federal State Budgetary Research Institution Saratov Federal Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBPPM RAS), 13 Prospect Entuziastov, Saratov 410049, Russia
| | - Lev A Dykman
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Subdivision of the Federal State Budgetary Research Institution Saratov Federal Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBPPM RAS), 13 Prospect Entuziastov, Saratov 410049, Russia
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14
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Guerrero M. GG. Sporulation, Structure Assembly, and Germination in the Soil Bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis: Survival and Success in the Environment and the Insect Host. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres14020035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a rod-shaped, Gram-positive soil bacterium that belongs to the phylum Firmicutes and the genus Bacillus. It is a spore-forming bacterium. During sporulation, it produces a wide range of crystalline proteins that are toxic to different orders of insects. Sporulation, structure assembly, and germination are essential stages in the cell cycle of B. thuringiensis. The majority of studies on these issues have focused on the model organism Bacillus subtilis, followed by Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis. The machinery for sporulation and germination extrapolated to B. thuringiensis. However, in the light of recent findings concerning the role of the sporulation proteins (SPoVS), the germination receptors (Gr), and the cortical enzymes in Bt, the theory strengthened that conservation in sporulation, structure assembly, and germination programs drive the survival and success of B. thuringiensis in the environment and the insect host. In the present minireview, the latter pinpointed and reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria G. Guerrero M.
- Unidad Académica de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Immunobiología, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Av. Preparatoria S/N, Col. Agronomicas, Zacatecas 98066, Mexico
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15
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McCurdy S, Halasohoris SA, Babyak AL, Lembirik S, Hoover R, Hickman M, Scarff J, Klimko CP, Cote CK, Meinig JM. Efficacy of delafloxacin against the biothreat pathogen Bacillus anthracis. J Antimicrob Chemother 2023; 78:810-816. [PMID: 36738250 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkad015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of delafloxacin against Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. METHODS MICs were obtained according to CLSI guidelines for 30 virulent isolates and 14 attenuated antibiotic-resistant strains. For the in vivo efficacy study, mice were administered delafloxacin (30-62.5 mg/kg) subcutaneously, or ciprofloxacin (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally beginning at either 24 or 48 ± 1 h post-challenge (post-exposure prophylaxis) and continued every 12 h for 14 days with study termination on day 30. The mean inhaled dose in the study was approximately 103 × LD50 equivalents, and the range was 87-120 × LD50. RESULTS Delafloxacin (MIC90 = 0.004 mg/L) was 16-fold more potent than ciprofloxacin (MIC90 = 0.06 mg/L) against a 30-strain set of virulent B. anthracis. Against a panel of attenuated antibiotic-resistant strains, delafloxacin demonstrated potency ≥128-fold over that observed with ciprofloxacin. When evaluated in vivo, mice treated with all delafloxacin doses tested at 24 h post-challenge demonstrated equivalent survival compared with mice treated with the positive control ciprofloxacin. Because of the high challenge dose of spores, mice treated at 48 h showed rapid and high mortality in all groups including the positive control. Surviving animals in all delafloxacin- and ciprofloxacin-treated groups (24 and 48 h) showed complete splenic clearance of infection and <2.2 × 103 cfu/g lung tissue. CONCLUSIONS Given the high bar set by the 100 × LD50 challenge dose in this study, the results from delafloxacin treatment are promising for the treatment of inhaled anthrax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra McCurdy
- Melinta Therapeutics, 44 Whippany Rd, Morristown, NJ, USA
| | - Stephanie A Halasohoris
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Ashley L Babyak
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Sanae Lembirik
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Randall Hoover
- Pharmacology Consultant for Melinta Therapeutics, 15 Plane Tree Ln, Dix Hills, NY 11746, USA
| | - Mark Hickman
- Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND), CBRN Medical, 110 Thomas Johnson Dr., Suite 300, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer Scarff
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Christopher P Klimko
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Christopher K Cote
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - J Matthew Meinig
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD, USA
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Shinde S, Miryala SK, Anbarasu A, Ramaiah S. Systems biology approach to understand the interplay between Bacillus anthracis and human host genes that leads to CVDs. Microb Pathog 2023; 176:106019. [PMID: 36736801 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Humans infected with invasive Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis) have a very poor prognosis and are at high risk for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and shock. Several bacterial elements probably have significant pathogenic roles in this pathogenic process of anthrax. In our current work, we have analysed the molecular level interactions between B. anthracis and human genes to understand the interplay during anthrax that leads to the CVDs. Our results have shown dense interactions between the functional partners in both host and the B. anthracis Gene interaction network (GIN). The functional enrichment analysis indicated that the clusters in the host GIN had genes related to hypoxia and autophagy in response to the lethal toxin; and genes related to adherens junction and actin cytoskeleton in response to edema toxin play a significant role in multiple stages of the disease. The B. anthracis genes BA_0530, guaA, polA, rpoB, ribD, secDF, metS, dinG and human genes ACTB, EGFR, EP300, CTNNB1, ESR1 have shown more than 50 direct interactions with the functional partners and hence they can be considered as hub genes in the network and they are observed to have important roles in CVDs. The outcome of our study will help to understand the molecular pathogenesis of CVDs in anthrax. The hub genes reported in the study can be considered potential drug targets and they can be exploited for new drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabduli Shinde
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, West Bengal, India
| | - Sravan Kumar Miryala
- Medical and Biological Computing Laboratory, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anand Anbarasu
- Medical and Biological Computing Laboratory, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sudha Ramaiah
- Medical and Biological Computing Laboratory, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Alternate atxA and acpA dependent response of Bacillus anthracis to serum, HCO3- and CO2. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281879. [PMID: 36795682 PMCID: PMC9934324 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis overcomes host immune responses by producing capsule and secreting toxins. Production of these virulence factors in response to entering the host environment was shown to be regulated by atxA, the major virulence regulator, known to be activated by HCO3- and CO2. While toxin production is regulated directly by atxA, capsule production is independently mediated by two regulators; acpA and acpB. In addition, it was demonstrated that acpA has at least two promotors, one of them shared with atxA. We used a genetic approach to study capsule and toxin production under different conditions. Unlike previous works utilizing NBY, CA or R-HCO3- medium under CO2 enriched conditions, we used a sDMEM-based medium. Thus, toxin and capsule production can be induced in ambient or CO2 enriched atmosphere. Using this system, we could differentiate between induction by 10% NRS, 10% CO2 or 0.75% HCO3-. In response to high CO2, capsule production is induced by acpA based response in an atxA-independent manner, with little to no toxin (protective antigen PA) production. atxA based response is activated in response to serum independently of CO2, inducing toxin and capsule production in an acpA or acpB dependent manner. HCO3- was also found to activate atxA based response, but in non-physiological concentrations. Our findings may help explain the first stages of inhalational infection, in which spores germinating in dendritic cells require protection (by encapsulation) without affecting cell migration to the draining lymph-node by toxin secretion.
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Whole-Transcriptome Analysis Highlights Adenylyl Cyclase Toxins-Derived Modulation of NF-κB and ERK1/2 Pathways in Macrophages. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15020139. [PMID: 36828453 PMCID: PMC9967024 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15020139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Edema toxin (ET), one of the main toxic factors of Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis), is a kind of potent adenylate cyclase (AC). B. anthracis has adapted to resist macrophage microbicidal mechanisms in part by secreting ET. To date, there is limited information on the pathogenic mechanisms used by ET to manipulate macrophage function, especially at the transcriptome level. We used RNA sequencing to study transcriptional changes in RAW264.7 cells treated with ET. We aimed to identify molecular events associated with the establishment of infection and followed changes in cellular proteins. Our results indicate that ET inhibited TNF-α expression in the RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cell line by activating the cAMP/PKA pathway. ET challenge of macrophages induced a differential expression of genes that participate in multiple macrophage effector functions such as cytokine production, cell adhesion, and the inflammatory response. Furthermore, ET influenced the expression of components of the ERK1/2, as well as the NF-αB signaling pathways. We also showed that ET treatments inhibit the phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 protein. ET also attenuated NF-αB subunit p65 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity of NF-αB via the cAMP/PKA pathway in macrophages. Since the observed modulatory effects were characteristic only of the bacterial exotoxin ET, we propose this may be a mechanism used by B. anthracis to manipulate macrophages and establish systemic infection.
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Sharma S, Bahl V, Srivastava G, Shamim R, Bhatnagar R, Gaur D. Recombinant full-length Bacillus Anthracis protective antigen and its 63 kDa form elicits protective response in formulation with addavax. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1075662. [PMID: 36713362 PMCID: PMC9877290 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1075662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent for the lethal disease anthrax, primarily affecting animals and humans in close contact with an infected host. The pathogenicity of B. anthracis is attributed to the secreted exotoxins and their outer capsule. The host cell-binding exotoxin component "protective antigen" (PA) is reported to be a potent vaccine candidate. The aim of our study is to produce several PA constructs and analyze their vaccine potential. Methods We have designed the various subunit, PA-based recombinant proteins, i.e., full-length Protective antigen (PA-FL), C-terminal 63 kDa fragment (PA63), Protective antigen domain 1-domain 4 chimeras (PA-D1-4) and protective antigen domain 4 (PA-D4) and analyzed their vaccine potential with different human-compatible adjuvants in the mouse model. We have optimized the process and successfully expressed our recombinant antigens as soluble proteins, except full-length PA. All the recombinant antigen formulations with three different adjuvants i.e., Addavax, Alhydrogel, and Montanide ISA 720, were immunized in different mouse groups. The vaccine efficacy of the formulations was analyzed by mouse serum antigen-specific antibody titer, toxin neutralization assay, and survival analysis of mouse groups challenged with a lethal dose of B. anthracis virulent spores. Results We have demonstrated that the PA-FL addavax and PA63 addavax formulations were most effective in protecting spore-challenged mice and serum from the mice immunized with PAFL addavax, PA-FL alhydrogel, PA63 addavax, and PA63 alhydrogel formulations were equivalently efficient in neutralizing the anthrax lethal toxin. The higher levels of serum Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in PA-FL addavax immunized mice correspond to the enhanced protection provided by the formulation in challenged mice. Discussion We have demonstrated that the PA-FL addavax and PA63 addavax formulations exhibit equivalent efficiency as vaccine formulation both in a mouse model of anthrax and mammalian cell lines. However, PA63 is a smaller antigen than PA-FL and more importantly, PA63 is expressed as a soluble protein in E. coli, which imparts a translational advantage to PA63-based formulation. Thus, the outcome of our study has significant implications for the development of protective antigen-based vaccine formulations for human use against the lethal disease anthrax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikhar Sharma
- Laboratory of Malaria & Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India,Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States,*Correspondence: Shikhar Sharma, ;
| | - Vanndita Bahl
- Laboratory of Malaria & Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Gaurav Srivastava
- Food Technology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Risha Shamim
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakesh Bhatnagar
- Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepak Gaur
- Laboratory of Malaria & Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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ERK and c-Myc signaling in host-derived tumor endothelial cells is essential for solid tumor growth. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2211927120. [PMID: 36574698 PMCID: PMC9910475 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2211927120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The limited efficacy of the current antitumor microenvironment strategies is due in part to the poor understanding of the roles and relative contributions of the various tumor stromal cells to tumor development. Here, we describe a versatile in vivo anthrax toxin protein delivery system allowing for the unambiguous genetic evaluation of individual tumor stromal elements in cancer. Our reengineered tumor-selective anthrax toxin exhibits potent antiproliferative activity by disrupting ERK signaling in sensitive cells. Since this activity requires the surface expression of the capillary morphogenesis protein-2 (CMG2) toxin receptor, genetic manipulation of CMG2 expression using our cell-type-specific CMG2 transgenic mice allows us to specifically define the role of individual tumor stromal cell types in tumor development. Here, we established mice with CMG2 only expressed in tumor endothelial cells (ECs) and determined the specific contribution of tumor stromal ECs to the toxin's antitumor activity. Our results demonstrate that disruption of ERK signaling only within tumor ECs is sufficient to halt tumor growth. We discovered that c-Myc is a downstream effector of ERK signaling and that the MEK-ERK-c-Myc central metabolic axis in tumor ECs is essential for tumor progression. As such, disruption of ERK-c-Myc signaling in host-derived tumor ECs by our tumor-selective anthrax toxins explains their high efficacy in solid tumor therapy.
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Holay M, Krishnan N, Zhou J, Duan Y, Guo Z, Gao W, Fang RH, Zhang L. Single Low-Dose Nanovaccine for Long-Term Protection against Anthrax Toxins. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:9672-9678. [PMID: 36448694 PMCID: PMC9970955 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c03881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Anthrax infections caused by Bacillus anthracis are an ongoing bioterrorism and livestock threat worldwide. Current approaches for management, including extended passive antibody transfusion, antibiotics, and prophylactic vaccination, are often cumbersome and associated with low patient compliance. Here, we report on the development of an adjuvanted nanotoxoid vaccine based on macrophage membrane-coated nanoparticles bound with anthrax toxins. This design leverages the natural binding interaction of protective antigen, a key anthrax toxin, with macrophages. In a murine model, a single low-dose vaccination with the nanotoxoids generates long-lasting immunity that protects against subsequent challenge with anthrax toxins. Overall, this work provides a new approach to address the ongoing threat of anthrax outbreaks and bioterrorism by taking advantage of an emerging biomimetic nanotechnology.
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Metzger D, Miller K, Lyon W, Migliozzi R, Pangburn HA, Saldanha R. Host Cell Transcriptional Tuning with CRISPR/dCas9 to Mitigate the Effects of Toxin Exposure. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3657-3668. [PMID: 36318971 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax infection is caused byBacillus anthracis, a bacterium that once established within the host releases lethal toxin (LeTx). Anthrax LeTx is internalized by the capillary morphogenesis protein 2/anthrax toxin receptor 2 (CMG2/ANTXR2) cell surface receptor on mammalian cells. Once inside the cell, LeTx cleaves mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), ultimately leading to cell death. Previous reports have shown that decreased expression of ANTXR2 reduces cell susceptibility to LeTx. By ablating the ANTXR2 gene in cells in vitro, we observed complete resistance to LeTx-induced cell death. Here, we directed CRISPR/dCas9-based tools to the ANTXR2 promoter to modulate ANTXR2 expression without altering the underlying gene sequence in human cell lines that express the receptor at high levels. We hypothesized that downregulating the expression of the ANTXR2 gene at the genomic level would mitigate the impact of toxin exposure. In one epigenetic editing approach, we employed the fusion of DNMT3A DNA methyltransferase and dCas9 (dCas9-DNMT3A) to methylate CpGs within the CpG island of the ANTXR2 promoter and found this repressed ANTXR2 gene expression resulting in significant resistance to LeTx-induced cell death. Furthermore, by multiplexing gRNAs to direct dCas9-DNMT3A to multiple sites in the ANTXR2 promoter, we applied a broader distribution of CpG methylation along the gene promoter resulting in enhanced repression and resistance to LeTx. In parallel, we directed the dCas9-KRAB-MeCP2 transcriptional repressor to the ANTXR2 promoter to quickly and robustly repress ANTXR2 expression. With this approach, in as little as two weeks, we created resistance to LeTx at a similar level to ANTXR2 gene-ablated cells. Overall, we present a transcriptional tuning approach to inhibit the effects of LeTx and provide a framework to repress toxin-binding cell surface receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Metzger
- UES, Inc., assigned to 711 Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45432, United States
| | - Kennedy Miller
- UES, Inc., assigned to 711 Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45432, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16801, United States
| | - Wanda Lyon
- Airman Bioengineering Division, 711 Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Rebecca Migliozzi
- UES, Inc., assigned to 711 Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45432, United States
| | - Heather A Pangburn
- Airman Bioengineering Division, 711 Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Roland Saldanha
- Airman Bioengineering Division, 711 Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
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23
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Slay RM, Cook R, Hendricks K, Boucher D, Merchlinsky M. Pre- and Postlicensure Animal Efficacy Studies Comparing Anthrax Antitoxins. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 75:S441-S450. [PMID: 36251555 PMCID: PMC9649416 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The deliberate use of Bacillus anthracis spores is believed by the US government to be a high bioweapons threat. The first line of defense following potential exposure to B. anthracis spores would be postexposure prophylaxis with antimicrobials that have activity against B. anthracis. Additional therapies to address the effects of toxins may be needed in systemically ill individuals. Over the last 2 decades, the United States government (USG) collaborated with the private sector to develop, test, and stockpile 3 antitoxins: anthrax immunoglobulin intravenous (AIGIV), raxibacumab, and obiltoxaximab. All 3 products target protective antigen, a protein factor common to the 2 exotoxins released by B. anthracis, and hamper or block the toxins' effects and prevent or reduce pathogenesis. These antitoxins were approved for licensure by the United States Food and Drug Administration based on animal efficacy studies compared to placebo. METHODS We describe USG-sponsored pre- and postlicensure studies that compared efficacy of 3 antitoxins in a New Zealand White rabbit model of inhalation anthrax; survival following a lethal aerosolized dose of B. anthracis spores was the key measure of effectiveness. To model therapeutic intervention, intravenous treatments were started following onset of antigenemia. RESULTS In pre- and postlicensure studies, all 3 antitoxins were superior to placebo; in the postlicensure study, raxibacumab and obiltoxaximab were superior to AIGIV, but neither was superior to the other. CONCLUSIONS These data illustrate the relative therapeutic benefit of the 3 antitoxins and provide a rationale to prioritize their deployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond M Slay
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rachel Cook
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, CDC Fellowship Program, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Katherine Hendricks
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David Boucher
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Michael Merchlinsky
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Bridging Animal and Human Data in Pursuit of Vaccine Licensure. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091384. [PMID: 36146462 PMCID: PMC9503666 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The FDA Animal Rule was devised to facilitate approval of candidate vaccines and therapeutics using animal survival data when human efficacy studies are not practical or ethical. This regulatory pathway is critical for candidates against pathogens with high case fatality rates that prohibit human challenge trials, as well as candidates with low and sporadic incidences of outbreaks that make human field trials difficult. Important components of a vaccine development plan for Animal Rule licensure are the identification of an immune correlate of protection and immunobridging to humans. The relationship of vaccine-induced immune responses to survival after vaccination and challenge must be established in validated animal models and then used to infer predictive vaccine efficacy in humans via immunobridging. The Sabin Vaccine Institute is pursuing licensure for candidate filovirus vaccines via the Animal Rule and has convened meetings of key opinion leaders and subject matter experts to define fundamental components for vaccine licensure in the absence of human efficacy data. Here, filoviruses are used as examples to review immune correlates of protection and immunobridging. The points presented herein reflect the presentations and discussions during the second meeting held in October 2021 and are intended to address important considerations for developing immunobridging strategies.
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Novel approaches for the treatment of infections due to multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Future Med Chem 2022; 14:1133-1148. [PMID: 35861021 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is a major challenge for global healthcare, emerging because of several reasons including overpopulation, increased global migration and selection pressure due to enhanced use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are the widely used therapeutic options to combat infectious diseases; however, unfortunately, inadequate and irregular antibiotic courses are also major contributing factors in the emergence of AMR. Additionally, persistent failure to develop and commercialize new antibiotics has created the scarcity of effective anti-infective drugs. Thus, there is an urgent need for a new class of antimicrobials and other novel approaches to curb the menace of AMR. Besides the conventional approaches, some novel approaches such as the use of antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophages, immunomodulation, host-directed therapy and antibodies have shown really promising potentials.
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Zuo Z, Liu J, Sun Z, Silverstein R, Zou M, Finkel T, Bugge TH, Leppla SH, Liu S. A potent tumor-selective ERK pathway inactivator with high therapeutic index. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac104. [PMID: 35899070 PMCID: PMC9308561 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
FDA-approved BRAF and MEK small molecule inhibitors have demonstrated some level of efficacy in patients with metastatic melanomas. However, these "targeted" therapeutics have a very low therapeutic index, since these agents affect normal cells, causing undesirable, even fatal, side effects. To address these significant drawbacks, here, we have reengineered the anthrax toxin-based protein delivery system to develop a potent, tumor-selective MEK inactivator. This toxin-based MEK inactivator exhibits potent activity against a wide range of solid tumors, with the highest activity seen when directed toward tumors containing the BRAFV600E mutation. We demonstrate that this reengineered MEK inactivator also exhibits an extremely high therapeutic index (>15), due to its in vitro and in vivo activity being strictly dependent on the expression of multiple tumor-associated factors including tumor-associated proteases matrix metalloproteinase, urokinase plasminogen activator, and anthrax toxin receptor capillary morphogenesis protein-2. Furthermore, we have improved the specificity of this MEK inactivator, restricting its enzymatic activity to only target the ERK pathway, thereby greatly diminishing off-target toxicity. Together, these data suggest that engineered bacterial toxins can be modified to have significant in vitro and in vivo therapeutic effects with high therapeutic index.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhihao Sun
- Aging Institute of University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Rachel Silverstein
- Aging Institute of University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Meijuan Zou
- Aging Institute of University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Toren Finkel
- Aging Institute of University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA,Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Thomas H Bugge
- Proteases and Tissue Remodeling Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Stephen H Leppla
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shihui Liu
- To whom correspondence should be addressed:
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Abstract
Anthrax has been feared for its high mortality in animals and humans for centuries. The etiologic agent is considered a potentially devastating bioweapon, and since 1876―when Robert Koch demonstrated that Bacillus anthracis caused anthrax―it has been considered the sole cause of the disease. Anthrax is, however, a toxin-mediated disease. The toxins edema toxin and lethal toxin are formed from protein components encoded for by the pXO1 virulence plasmid present in pathogenic B. anthracis strains. However, other members of the Bacillus cereus group, to which B. anthracis belongs, have recently been shown to harbor the pXO1 plasmid and produce anthrax toxins. Infection with these Bacillus cereus group organisms produces a disease clinically similar to anthrax. This suggests that anthrax should be defined by the exotoxins encoded for by the pXO1 plasmid rather than the bacterial species it has historically been associated with, and that the definition of anthrax should be expanded to include disease caused by any member of the B. cereus group containing the toxin-producing pXO1 plasmid or anthrax toxin genes specifically.
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Osterloh A. Vaccination against Bacterial Infections: Challenges, Progress, and New Approaches with a Focus on Intracellular Bacteria. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10050751. [PMID: 35632507 PMCID: PMC9144739 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many bacterial infections are major health problems worldwide, and treatment of many of these infectious diseases is becoming increasingly difficult due to the development of antibiotic resistance, which is a major threat. Prophylactic vaccines against these bacterial pathogens are urgently needed. This is also true for bacterial infections that are still neglected, even though they affect a large part of the world’s population, especially under poor hygienic conditions. One example is typhus, a life-threatening disease also known as “war plague” caused by Rickettsia prowazekii, which could potentially come back in a war situation such as the one in Ukraine. However, vaccination against bacterial infections is a challenge. In general, bacteria are much more complex organisms than viruses and as such are more difficult targets. Unlike comparatively simple viruses, bacteria possess a variety of antigens whose immunogenic potential is often unknown, and it is unclear which antigen can elicit a protective and long-lasting immune response. Several vaccines against extracellular bacteria have been developed in the past and are still used successfully today, e.g., vaccines against tetanus, pertussis, and diphtheria. However, while induction of antibody production is usually sufficient for protection against extracellular bacteria, vaccination against intracellular bacteria is much more difficult because effective defense against these pathogens requires T cell-mediated responses, particularly the activation of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. These responses are usually not efficiently elicited by immunization with non-living whole cell antigens or subunit vaccines, so that other antigen delivery strategies are required. This review provides an overview of existing antibacterial vaccines and novel approaches to vaccination with a focus on immunization against intracellular bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Osterloh
- Department of Infection Immunology, Research Center Borstel, Parkallee 22, 23845 Borstel, Germany
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Finch CL, Martinez C, Leffel E, Skiadopoulos MH, Hacker A, Mwesigwa B, Maïga D, Mugisa I, Munkwase G, Rustomjee R. Vaccine Licensure in the Absence of Human Efficacy Data. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10030368. [PMID: 35335000 PMCID: PMC8954083 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10030368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical vaccine development and regulatory approval generally occurs in a linear, sequential manner: Phase 1: safety, immunogenicity; Phase 2: immunogenicity, safety, dose ranging, and preliminary efficacy; Phase 3: definitive efficacy, safety, lot consistency; and following regulatory approval, Phase 4: post-marketing safety and effectiveness. For candidate filovirus vaccines, where correlates of protection have not been identified, and phase 2 and 3 efficacy of disease prevention trials untenable, large and/or protracted, each trial may span decades, with full licensure expected only after several decades of development. Given the urgent unmet need for new Marburg virus and Ebola Sudan virus vaccines, the Sabin Vaccine Institute hosted a key stakeholder virtual meeting in May 2021 to explore the possibility of licensure by use of an “animal rule-like” licensure process, based on a risk/benefit assessment specific to regional needs and informed by epidemiology. This may be appropriate for diseases where there are no or limited treatment options, and those prone to sporadic outbreaks with high rates of transmission, morbidity, and mortality. The discussion focused on two contexts: licensure within the Ugandan regulatory environment, a high burden country where Ebola vaccine trials are ongoing, and licensure by the United States FDA—a well-resourced regulatory agency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney L. Finch
- Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC 20037, USA;
- Correspondence: (C.L.F.); (R.R.)
| | | | | | | | - Adam Hacker
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Bloomsbury, London NW1 2BE, UK;
| | - Betty Mwesigwa
- Makerere University Walter Reed Project, Kampala 16524, Uganda;
| | - Diadié Maïga
- Regional Office of Africa, World Health Organization, Brazzaville P.O. Box 06, Congo;
| | - Ian Mugisa
- National Drug Authority, Kampala 23096, Uganda; (I.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Grant Munkwase
- National Drug Authority, Kampala 23096, Uganda; (I.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Roxana Rustomjee
- Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC 20037, USA;
- Correspondence: (C.L.F.); (R.R.)
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Lactobacillus rhamnosus Ameliorates Multi-Drug-Resistant Bacillus cereus-Induced Cell Damage through Inhibition of NLRP3 Inflammasomes and Apoptosis in Bovine Endometritis. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10010137. [PMID: 35056585 PMCID: PMC8777719 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10010137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus cereus, considered a worldwide human food-borne pathogen, has brought serious health risks to humans and animals and huge losses to animal husbandry. The plethora of diverse toxins and drug resistance are the focus for B. cereus. As an alternative treatment to antibiotics, probiotics can effectively alleviate the hazards of super bacteria, food safety, and antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and distribution of B. cereus in dairy cows and to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in a model of endometritis induced by multi-drug-resistant B. cereus. A strong poisonous strain with a variety of drug resistances was used to establish an endometrial epithelial cell infection model. B. cereus was shown to cause damage to the internal structure, impair the integrity of cells, and activate the inflammatory response, while L. rhamnosus could inhibit cell apoptosis and alleviate this damage. This study indicates that the B. cereus-induced activation of the NLRP3 signal pathway involves K+ efflux. We conclude that LGR-1 may relieve cell destruction by reducing K+ efflux to the extracellular caused by the perforation of the toxins secreted by B. cereus on the cell membrane surface.
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Firstova VV, Shakhova AS, Riabko AK, Silkina MV, Zeninskaya NA, Romanenko YO, Marin MA, Rogozin MM, Kartseva AS, Dyatlov IA, Shemyakin IG. Characterization of the adaptive immune response of donors receiving live anthrax vaccine. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260202. [PMID: 34928976 PMCID: PMC8687594 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Live anthrax vaccine containing spores from attenuated strains STI-1 of Bacillus anthracis is used in Russia and former CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) to prevent anthrax. In this paper we studied the duration of circulation of antibodies specific to spore antigens, the protective antigen (PA), the lethal factor (LF) and their domains (D) in donors’ blood at different times after their immunization with live anthrax vaccine. The relationship between the toxin neutralization activity level and the level of antibodies to PA, LF and their domains was tested. The effect of age, gender and number of vaccinations on the level of adaptive post-vaccination immune response has been studied. It was shown that antibodies against PA-D1 circulate in the blood of donors for 1 year or more after immunization with live anthrax vaccine. Antibodies against all domains of LF and PA-D4 were detected in 11 months after vaccination. Antibodies against the spores were detected in 8 months after vaccination. A moderate positive correlation was found between the titers of antibodies to PA, LF, or their domains, and the TNA of the samples of blood serum from the donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria V. Firstova
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal Budget Institution of Science «State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology» of Federal Service of Consumer Right Surveillance & Human Welfare, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Obolensk, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Anastasia S. Shakhova
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal Budget Institution of Science «State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology» of Federal Service of Consumer Right Surveillance & Human Welfare, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Obolensk, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Alena K. Riabko
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal Budget Institution of Science «State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology» of Federal Service of Consumer Right Surveillance & Human Welfare, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Obolensk, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
- * E-mail:
| | - Marina V. Silkina
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal Budget Institution of Science «State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology» of Federal Service of Consumer Right Surveillance & Human Welfare, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Obolensk, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Natalia A. Zeninskaya
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal Budget Institution of Science «State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology» of Federal Service of Consumer Right Surveillance & Human Welfare, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Obolensk, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Yana O. Romanenko
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal Budget Institution of Science «State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology» of Federal Service of Consumer Right Surveillance & Human Welfare, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Obolensk, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Maksim A. Marin
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal Budget Institution of Science «State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology» of Federal Service of Consumer Right Surveillance & Human Welfare, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Obolensk, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Methun M. Rogozin
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal Budget Institution of Science «State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology» of Federal Service of Consumer Right Surveillance & Human Welfare, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Obolensk, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Alena S. Kartseva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal Budget Institution of Science «State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology» of Federal Service of Consumer Right Surveillance & Human Welfare, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Obolensk, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Ivan A. Dyatlov
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal Budget Institution of Science «State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology» of Federal Service of Consumer Right Surveillance & Human Welfare, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Obolensk, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Igor G. Shemyakin
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal Budget Institution of Science «State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology» of Federal Service of Consumer Right Surveillance & Human Welfare, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Obolensk, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
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Multiplexed, High-Sensitivity Measurements of Antibody Affinity Using Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor. BIOSENSORS 2021; 11:bios11120483. [PMID: 34940240 PMCID: PMC8699213 DOI: 10.3390/bios11120483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax lethal factor (LF) is one of the enzymatic components of the anthrax toxin responsible for the pathogenic responses of the anthrax disease. The ability to screen multiplexed ligands against LF and subsequently estimate the effective kinetic rates (kon and koff) and complementary binding behavior provides critical information useful in diagnostic and therapeutic development for anthrax. Tools such as biolayer interferometry (BLI) and surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) have been developed for this purpose; however, these tools suffer from limitations such as signal jumps when the solution in the chamber is switched or low sensitivity. Here, we present multiplexed antibody affinity measurements obtained by the interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (IRIS), a highly sensitive, label-free optical biosensor, whose stability, simplicity, and imaging modality overcomes many of the limitations of other multiplexed methods. We compare the multiplexed binding results obtained with the IRIS system using two ligands targeting the anthrax lethal factor (LF) against previously published results obtained with more traditional surface plasmon resonance (SPR), which showed consistent results, as well as kinetic information previously unattainable with SPR. Additional exemplary data demonstrating multiplexed binding and the corresponding complementary binding to sequentially injected ligands provides an additional layer of information immediately useful to the researcher.
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Identification and Functional Characterization of Two Homologous SpoVS Proteins Involved in Sporulation of Bacillus thuringiensis. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0088121. [PMID: 34612699 PMCID: PMC8510167 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00881-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporulation is an important part of the life cycle of Bacillus thuringiensis and the basis for the production of parasporal crystals. This study identifies and characterizes two homologous spoVS genes (spoVS1 and spoVS2) in B. thuringiensis, both of whose expression is dependent on the σH factor. The disruption of spoVS1 and spoVS2 resulted in defective B. thuringiensis sporulation. Similar to Bacillus subtilis, B. thuringiensis strain HD(ΔspoVS1) mutants showed delayed formation of the polar septa, decreased sporulation efficiency, and blocked spore release. Different from B. subtilis, B. thuringiensis HD(ΔspoVS1) mutants had disporic septa and failed to complete engulfment in some cells. Moreover, HD(ΔspoVS2) mutants had delayed spore release. The effect of spoVS1 deletion on polar septum delay and sporulation efficiency could be compensated by spoVS2. β-Galactosidase activity analysis showed that the expression of pro-sigE and spoIIE decreased to different degrees in the HD(ΔspoVS1) and HD(ΔspoVS2) mutants. The different effects of the two mutations on the expression of sporulation genes led to decreases in Cry1Ac production of different levels. IMPORTANCE There is only one spoVS gene in B. subtilis, and its effects on sporulation have been reported. In this study, two homologous spoVS genes were found and identified in B. thuringiensis. The different effects on sporulation and parasporal crystal protein production in B. thuringiensis and their relationship were investigated. We found that these two homologous spoVS genes are highly conserved in the Bacillus cereus group, and therefore, the functional characterization of SpoVS is helpful to better understand the sporulation processes of members of the Bacillus cereus group.
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Mytych JS, Pan Z, Farris AD. Efferocytosis and Anthrax: Implications for Bacterial Sepsis? JOURNAL OF CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 3:133-139. [PMID: 34708219 PMCID: PMC8547791 DOI: 10.33696/immunology.3.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S Mytych
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), 940 Stanton L. Young Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Zijian Pan
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - A Darise Farris
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), 940 Stanton L. Young Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Apriliana U, Wibawa H, Ruhiat E, Untari T, Indarjulianto S. Isolation and identification of avirulent strains of Bacillus anthracis from environmental samples in Central Java, Indonesia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONE HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.14202/ijoh.2021.204-211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Anthrax is a non-contagious infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. The bacteria form spores that are resistant to extreme conditions and can contaminate the environment for decades. This study aimed to detect and characterize B. anthracis found in endemic areas of anthrax in Yogyakarta and Central Java province, Indonesia.
Materials and Methods: Soil samples were collected from Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta province (n=315) and Boyolali regency, Central Java province (n=100). Additional soil samples (n=10) and straw samples (n=5) were obtained from Pati regency, Central Java province. The isolation and identification of B. anthracis were performed using conventional methods: Morphology of bacteria colony in solid media, Gram staining, capsule staining, spores staining, and motility test. Isolates were further identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) against Ba813, lef (pXO1), and capC (pXO2) gene. An avirulent vaccine strain of B. anthracis (strain 34F2) was used as a control.
Results: Only four samples grew on blood agar with a ground-glass appearance, white-gray colony (Gunungkidul and avirulent strain) or yellowish (Boyolali and Pati). All were Gram-positive, presented chains, square-ended rods, spores, and were then identified as B. anthracis. Boyolali, Pati, and avirulent strain isolates had slightly different characteristics, including the growth of non-mucoid in the bicarbonate agar medium, and their uncapsulated form. The PCR showed two Gunungkidul isolates which amplified three genes, including Ba813, lef, and capC. Contrarily, the other isolates did not amplify the capC gene.
Conclusion: Gunungkidul isolates were identified as virulent strains of B. anthracis while Boyolali and Pati isolates were proposed as avirulent strains. This is the first report of isolation and identification of avirulent strains of B. anthracis in Central Java, Indonesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ully Apriliana
- Disease Investigation Center Wates, Jalan Raya Jogja-Wates Km 27 Po Box 18, Wates, Yogyakarta, 55602, Indonesia; Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Fauna 2, Karangmalang, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
| | - Hendra Wibawa
- Disease Investigation Center Wates, Jalan Raya Jogja-Wates Km 27 Po Box 18, Wates, Yogyakarta, 55602, Indonesia
| | - Endang Ruhiat
- Disease Investigation Center Wates, Jalan Raya Jogja-Wates Km 27 Po Box 18, Wates, Yogyakarta, 55602, Indonesia
| | - Tri Untari
- Department of Internal Medicine , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Fauna 2, Karangmalang, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
| | - Soedarmanto Indarjulianto
- Department of Internal Medicine , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Fauna 2, Karangmalang, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
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Portas R, Aschenborn OHK, Melzheimer J, Le Roux M, Uiseb KH, Czirják GÁ, Wachter B. GPS Telemetry Reveals a Zebra With Anthrax as Putative Cause of Death for Three Cheetahs in the Namib Desert. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:714758. [PMID: 34490403 PMCID: PMC8417783 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.714758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis that affects wildlife, livestock and also humans in different parts of the world. It is endemic in some parts of Africa, including Namibia, with species differing in their susceptibility to the disease. Carnivores are typically less susceptible to anthrax than herbivores. Most carnivore species survive infection and have high seroprevalence against anthrax, whereas most herbivore species have low seroprevalence and typically die quickly when infected. Several reports have shown that cheetahs, unlike most other large carnivores, are susceptible to anthrax leading to a sudden death. This finding was suggested to be linked to the low genetic variability of cheetahs which might reduce an adequate immune response and thus explain such a high susceptibility to the disease. Here, we report an incidence of three free-ranging cheetahs that died within 24 h after feeding on a mountain zebra that tested positive for anthrax in the Namib Desert. We were able to reconstruct this incidence with the data recorded in the GPS (Global Positioning System) collar worn by one of the cheetahs and retrieved in the field. It is very likely that the cheetahs died from anthrax, although Bacillus anthracis could not be isolated from tissue and soil samples by bacterial culturing. The mountain zebra is the first described case of a wild animal that tested positive for anthrax in this arid area in southwestern of Namibia. We discuss the negative laboratory results of the cheetahs in the light of new insights of their immune system and its potential to mount a response against this bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Portas
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Joerg Melzheimer
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manie Le Roux
- Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Directorate of Wildlife and National Parks, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Kenneth Heinrich Uiseb
- Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Directorate of Scientific Services, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Gábor Árpád Czirják
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bettina Wachter
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
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Roth KDR, Wenzel EV, Ruschig M, Steinke S, Langreder N, Heine PA, Schneider KT, Ballmann R, Fühner V, Kuhn P, Schirrmann T, Frenzel A, Dübel S, Schubert M, Moreira GMSG, Bertoglio F, Russo G, Hust M. Developing Recombinant Antibodies by Phage Display Against Infectious Diseases and Toxins for Diagnostics and Therapy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:697876. [PMID: 34307196 PMCID: PMC8294040 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.697876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies are essential molecules for diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by pathogens and their toxins. Antibodies were integrated in our medical repertoire against infectious diseases more than hundred years ago by using animal sera to treat tetanus and diphtheria. In these days, most developed therapeutic antibodies target cancer or autoimmune diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic was a reminder about the importance of antibodies for therapy against infectious diseases. While monoclonal antibodies could be generated by hybridoma technology since the 70ies of the former century, nowadays antibody phage display, among other display technologies, is robustly established to discover new human monoclonal antibodies. Phage display is an in vitro technology which confers the potential for generating antibodies from universal libraries against any conceivable molecule of sufficient size and omits the limitations of the immune systems. If convalescent patients or immunized/infected animals are available, it is possible to construct immune phage display libraries to select in vivo affinity-matured antibodies. A further advantage is the availability of the DNA sequence encoding the phage displayed antibody fragment, which is packaged in the phage particles. Therefore, the selected antibody fragments can be rapidly further engineered in any needed antibody format according to the requirements of the final application. In this review, we present an overview of phage display derived recombinant antibodies against bacterial, viral and eukaryotic pathogens, as well as microbial toxins, intended for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Daniel Ralph Roth
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Esther Veronika Wenzel
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Abcalis GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Maximilian Ruschig
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stephan Steinke
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Nora Langreder
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Philip Alexander Heine
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Kai-Thomas Schneider
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rico Ballmann
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Viola Fühner
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Stefan Dübel
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Abcalis GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany.,YUMAB GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Maren Schubert
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Federico Bertoglio
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Giulio Russo
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Abcalis GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michael Hust
- Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,YUMAB GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
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Jeon JH, Kim YH, Kim KA, Kim YR, Woo SJ, Choi YJ, Rhie GE. A putative exosporium lipoprotein GBAA0190 of Bacillus anthracis as a potential anthrax vaccine candidate. BMC Immunol 2021; 22:20. [PMID: 33743606 PMCID: PMC7981958 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-021-00414-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacillus ancthracis causes cutaneous, pulmonary, or gastrointestinal forms of anthrax. B. anthracis is a pathogenic bacterium that is potentially to be used in bioterrorism because it can be produced in the form of spores. Currently, protective antigen (PA)-based vaccines are being used for the prevention of anthrax, but it is necessary to develop more safe and effective vaccines due to their prolonged immunization schedules and adverse reactions. METHODS We selected the lipoprotein GBAA0190, a potent inducer of host immune response, present in anthrax spores as a novel potential vaccine candidate. Then, we evaluated its immune-stimulating activity in the bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. Protective efficacy of GBAA0190 was evaluated in the guinea pig (GP) model. RESULTS The recombinant GBAA0190 (r0190) protein induced the expression of various inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) in the BMDMs. These immune responses were mediated through toll-like receptor 1/2 via activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways. We demonstrated that not only immunization of r0190 alone, but also combined immunization with r0190 and recombinant PA showed significant protective efficacy against B. anthracis spore challenges in the GP model. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that r0190 may be a potential target for anthrax vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ho Jeon
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Hee Kim
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Ae Kim
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Ri Kim
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Je Woo
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Jin Choi
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi-Eun Rhie
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, 28159, Republic of Korea.
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Luo JC, Long H, Zhang J, Zhao Y, Sun L. Characterization of a Deep Sea Bacillus toyonensis Isolate: Genomic and Pathogenic Features. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:629116. [PMID: 33777842 PMCID: PMC7988205 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.629116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus toyonensis is a group of Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the Bacillus cereus group and used in some cases as probiotics or biocontrol agents. To our knowledge, B. toyonensis from the deep sea (depth >1,000 m) has not been documented. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a B. toyonensis strain, P18, from a deep sea hydrothermal field. P18 is aerobic, motile, and able to grow at low temperatures (4°C) and high concentrations of NaCl (8%). P18 possesses a circular chromosome of 5,250,895 bp and a plasmid of 536,892 bp, which encode 5,380 and 523 genes, respectively. Of these genes, 2,229 encode hypothetical proteins that could not be annotated based on the COG database. Comparative genomic analysis showed that P18 is most closely related to the type strain of B. toyonensis, BCT-7112T. Compared to BCT-7112T, P18 contains 1,401 unique genes, 441 of which were classified into 20 COG functional categories, and the remaining 960 genes could not be annotated. A total of 319 putative virulence genes were identified in P18, including toxin-related genes, and 24 of these genes are absent in BCT-7112T. P18 exerted strong cytopathic effects on fish and mammalian cells that led to rapid cell death. When inoculated via injection into fish and mice, P18 rapidly disseminated in host tissues and induced acute infection and mortality. Histopathology revealed varying degrees of tissue lesions in the infected animals. Furthermore, P18 could survive in fish and mouse sera and possessed hemolytic activity. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that virulent B. toyonensis exists in deep sea environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Chang Luo
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.,College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Long
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Ocean, Yan Tai University, Yantai, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Li Sun
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.,College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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40
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O’Brien C, Varty K, Ignaszak A. The electrochemical detection of bioterrorism agents: a review of the detection, diagnostics, and implementation of sensors in biosafety programs for Class A bioweapons. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2021; 7:16. [PMID: 33585038 PMCID: PMC7872827 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-021-00242-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
During the past year, disease has shown us the iron grip it can hold over a population of people. Health systems can be overwhelmed, economies can be brought into recession, and many people can be harmed or killed. When weaponized, diseases can be manipulated to create a detriment to health while becoming an economic burden on any society. It is consequently prudent that easy detection of bioweapons is available to governments for protecting their people. Electrochemical sensing displays many distinct advantages, such as its low limit of detection, low cost to run, rapid generation of results, and in many instances portability. We therefore present a wide array of electrochemical sensing platforms currently being fabricated, a brief summary of Class A bioweapons, and the potential future of bioweapon detection and biosafety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor O’Brien
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Brunswick, 30 Dineen Drive, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3 Canada
| | - Kathleen Varty
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Brunswick, 30 Dineen Drive, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3 Canada
| | - Anna Ignaszak
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Brunswick, 30 Dineen Drive, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3 Canada
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41
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El-Chami D, Al Haddad M, Abi-Habib R, El-Sibai M. Recombinant anthrax lethal toxin inhibits cell motility and invasion in breast cancer cells through the dysregulation of Rho GTPases. Oncol Lett 2020; 21:163. [PMID: 33552281 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated death among women worldwide. Targeting breast cancer cell metastasis is an important therapeutic approach. The MAPK pathway is a key cell signaling pathway that plays a pivotal role in cellular invasion and migration. Numerous studies have identified the MAPK pathway as a way to target cell survival and motility. The present study treated MBA-MD-231 breast cancer cells with anthrax lethal toxin (LeTx), a potent MAPK inhibitor that selectively cleaves and inactivates all MEKs, as a potential therapeutic method to inhibit breast cancer cell migration. LeTx has been demonstrated to affect breast cancer cell migration. Cells treated with LeTx showed a significant decrease in motility, as observed using wound healing and random 2D motility assays. Additionally, cells treated with LeTx showed an increase in adhesion, which would explain the decrease in migration. Pull-down assays examining the activation status of the members of the Rho family of GTPases revealed an increase in RhoA activation accompanied by a decrease in Cdc42 activation following LeTx treatment. Finally, LeTx mediated a decrease in invasion using a Boyden chamber assay, which could be a result of the decrease in Cdc42 activation. The present study reported the effect of LeTx treatment on the migration, adhesion and invasion of breast cancer cells, demonstrating that this effect was associated with the dysregulation of the Rho GTPases, RhoA and Cdc42.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana El-Chami
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon
| | - Maria Al Haddad
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon
| | - Ralph Abi-Habib
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon
| | - Mirvat El-Sibai
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon
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Liu J, Zuo Z, Zou M, Finkel T, Liu S. Identification of the transcription factor Miz1 as an essential regulator of diphthamide biosynthesis using a CRISPR-mediated genome-wide screen. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009068. [PMID: 33057331 PMCID: PMC7591051 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Diphthamide is a unique post-translationally modified histidine residue (His715 in all mammals) found only in eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF-2). The biosynthesis of diphthamide represents one of the most complex modifications, executed by protein factors conserved from yeast to humans. Diphthamide is not only essential for normal physiology (such as ensuring fidelity of mRNA translation), but is also exploited by bacterial ADP-ribosylating toxins (e.g., diphtheria toxin) as their molecular target in pathogenesis. Taking advantage of the observation that cells defective in diphthamide biosynthesis are resistant to ADP-ribosylating toxins, in the past four decades, seven essential genes (Dph1 to Dph7) have been identified for diphthamide biosynthesis. These technically unsaturated screens raise the question as to whether additional genes are required for diphthamide biosynthesis. In this study, we performed two independent, saturating, genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens in human cells. These screens identified all previously known Dph genes, as well as further identifying the BTB/POZ domain-containing transcription factor Miz1. We found that Miz1 is absolutely required for diphthamide biosynthesis via its role in the transcriptional regulation of Dph1 expression. Mechanistically, Miz1 binds to the Dph1 proximal promoter via an evolutionarily conserved consensus binding site to activate Dph1 transcription. Therefore, this work demonstrates that Dph1-7, along with the newly identified Miz1 transcription factor, are likely to represent the essential protein factors required for diphthamide modification on eEF2. Diphthamide is a unique post-translationally modified histidine residue (His699 in yeast, His715 in all mammals) found only in eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF-2). Mice that are deficient in diphthamide biosynthesis are embryonic lethal, attesting to the importance of diphthamide in normal physiology. It has taken four decades to identify the seven non-redundant genes in diphthamide biosynthesis, but whether additional factors are required and how the pathway is regulated remained elusive. To address these issues, we performed two saturating, independent, and unbiased genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens. The screens concluded independently that Dph1-Dph7 and additionally transcription factor Miz1 are the key factors required for diphthamide biosynthesis. Mechanistically, Miz1 binds to the Dph1 proximal promoter via an evolutionarily conserved consensus binding site to activate Dph1 transcription. While diphthamide biosynthesis machinery (Dph1-Dph7) exists across eukaryotes, Miz1 orthologues do not exist in lower species such as yeast, C. elegans, and Drosophila, indicating that the regulation of diphthamide modification by Miz1 emerged much later in evolution. The work opens a new avenue for understanding the role that diphthamide modification plays in normal physiology and bacterial toxin pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Aging Institute of University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Zehua Zuo
- Aging Institute of University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Meijuan Zou
- Aging Institute of University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Toren Finkel
- Aging Institute of University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Shihui Liu
- Aging Institute of University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Sadeghpour SD, Karimi F, Alizadeh H. Predictive and fluorescent nanosensing experimental methods for evaluating anthrax protective antigen and lethal factor interactions for therapeutic applications. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 160:1158-1167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.05.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Rougeaux C, Becher F, Goossens PL, Tournier JN. Very Early Blood Diffusion of the Active Lethal and Edema Factors of Bacillus anthracis After Intranasal Infection. J Infect Dis 2020; 221:660-667. [PMID: 31574153 PMCID: PMC6996859 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lethal and edema toxins are critical virulence factors of Bacillus anthracis. Few data are available on their presence in the early stage of intranasal infection. Methods To investigate the diffusion of edema factor (EF) and lethal factor (LF), we use sensitive quantitative methods to measure their enzymatic activities in mice intranasally challenged with a wild-type B anthracis strain or with an isogenic mutant deficient for the protective antigen. Results One hour after mouse challenge, although only 7% of mice presented bacteremia, LF and EF were detected in the blood of 100% and 42% of mice, respectively. Protective antigen facilitated the diffusion of LF and EF into the blood compartment. Toxins played a significant role in the systemic dissemination of B anthracis in the blood, spleen, and liver. A mouse model of intoxination further confirmed that LT and ET could diffuse rapidly in the circulation, independently of bacteria. Conclusions In this inhalational model, toxins have disseminated rapidly in the blood, playing a significant and novel role in the early systemic diffusion of bacteria, demonstrating that they may represent a very early target for the diagnosis and the treatment of anthrax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Rougeaux
- Unité Biothérapies Anti-Infectieuses et Immunité, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France.,Pathogénie des Toxi-Infections Bactériennes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - François Becher
- Service de Pharmacologie et d'Immunoanalyse, Laboratoire d'Etude du Métabolisme des Médicaments, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Pierre L Goossens
- Pathogénie des Toxi-Infections Bactériennes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Nicolas Tournier
- Unité Biothérapies Anti-Infectieuses et Immunité, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France.,Pathogénie des Toxi-Infections Bactériennes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Ecole du Val-de-Grâce, Paris, France.,Centre National de Référence-Laboratoire Expert Charbon, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
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45
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Anthrax lethal factor cleaves regulatory subunits of phosphoinositide-3 kinase to contribute to toxin lethality. Nat Microbiol 2020; 5:1464-1471. [PMID: 32895527 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-020-0782-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax lethal toxin (LT), produced by Bacillus anthracis, comprises a receptor-binding moiety, protective antigen and the lethal factor (LF) protease1,2. Although LF is known to cleave mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MEKs/MKKs) and some variants of the NLRP1 inflammasome sensor, targeting of these pathways does not explain the lethality of anthrax toxin1,2. Here we report that the regulatory subunits of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)-p85α (PIK3R1) and p85β (PIK3R2)3,4-are substrates of LF. Cleavage of these proteins in a proline-rich region between their N-terminal Src homology and Bcr homology domains disrupts homodimer formation and impacts PI3K signalling. Mice carrying a mutated p85α that cannot be cleaved by LF show a greater resistance to anthrax toxin challenge. The LF(W271A) mutant cleaves p85α with lower efficiency and is non-toxic to mice but can regain lethality when combined with PI3K pathway inhibitors. We provide evidence that LF targets two signalling pathways that are essential for growth and metabolism and that the disabling of both pathways is likely necessary for lethal anthrax infection.
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46
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Greaney AJ, Portley MK, O’Mard D, Crown D, Maier NK, Mendenhall MA, Mayer-Barber KD, Leppla SH, Moayeri M. Frontline Science: Anthrax lethal toxin-induced, NLRP1-mediated IL-1β release is a neutrophil and PAD4-dependent event. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:773-786. [PMID: 32421904 PMCID: PMC11062252 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.4hi0320-028r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax lethal toxin (LT) is a protease that activates the NLRP1b inflammasome sensor in certain rodent strains. Unlike better-studied sensors, relatively little is known about the priming requirements for NLRP1b. In this study, we investigate the rapid and striking priming-independent LT-induced release of IL-1β in mice within hours of toxin challenge. We find IL-1β release to be a NLRP1b- and caspase-1-dependent, NLRP3 and caspase-11-independent event that requires both neutrophils and peptidyl arginine deiminiase-4 (PAD4) activity. The simultaneous LT-induced IL-18 response is neutrophil-independent. Bone marrow reconstitution experiments in mice show toxin-induced IL-1β originates from hematopoietic cells. LT treatment of neutrophils in vitro did not induce IL-1β, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), or pyroptosis. Although platelets interact closely with neutrophils and are also a potential source of IL-1β, they were unable to bind or endocytose LT and did not secrete IL-1β in response to the toxin. LT-treated mice had higher levels of cell-free DNA and HMGB1 in circulation than PBS-treated controls, and treatment of mice with recombinant DNase reduced the neutrophil- and NLRP1-dependent IL-1β release. DNA sensor AIM2 deficiency, however, did not impact IL-1β release. These data, in combination with the findings on PAD4, suggest a possible role for in vivo NETs or cell-free DNA in cytokine induction in response to LT challenge. Our findings suggest a complex interaction of events and/or mediators in LT-treated mice with the neutrophil as a central player in induction of a profound and rapid inflammatory response to toxin.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/deficiency
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/physiology
- Animals
- Anthrax/immunology
- Antigens, Bacterial/pharmacology
- Antigens, Bacterial/toxicity
- Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/deficiency
- Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/physiology
- Bacillus anthracis/pathogenicity
- Bacillus anthracis/physiology
- Bacterial Toxins/pharmacology
- Bacterial Toxins/toxicity
- Extracellular Traps/physiology
- Inflammasomes/physiology
- Interleukin-1beta/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, 129 Strain
- Mice, Congenic
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, SCID
- Monocytes/drug effects
- Monocytes/physiology
- NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/deficiency
- Neutrophils/drug effects
- Neutrophils/metabolism
- Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 4/deficiency
- Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 4/physiology
- Pyroptosis/drug effects
- Radiation Chimera
- Species Specificity
- Spores, Bacterial
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison J. Greaney
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Makayla K. Portley
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Danielle O’Mard
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Devorah Crown
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Nolan K. Maier
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Megan A. Mendenhall
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Katrin D. Mayer-Barber
- Inflammation and Innate Immunity Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephen H. Leppla
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mahtab Moayeri
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Alameh S, Bartolo G, O’Brien S, Henderson EA, Gonzalez LO, Hartmann S, Klimko CP, Shoe JL, Cote CK, Grill LK, Levitin A, Martchenko Shilman M. Anthrax toxin component, Protective Antigen, protects insects from bacterial infections. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008836. [PMID: 32866212 PMCID: PMC7458312 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is a major zoonotic disease of wildlife, and in places like West Africa, it can be caused by Bacillus anthracis in arid nonsylvatic savannahs, and by B. cereus biovar anthracis (Bcbva) in sylvatic rainforests. Bcbva-caused anthrax has been implicated in as much as 38% of mortality in rainforest ecosystems, where insects can enhance the transmission of anthrax-causing bacteria. While anthrax is well-characterized in mammals, its transmission by insects points to an unidentified anthrax-resistance mechanism in its vectors. In mammals, a secreted anthrax toxin component, 83 kDa Protective Antigen (PA83), binds to cell-surface receptors and is cleaved by furin into an evolutionary-conserved PA20 and a pore-forming PA63 subunits. We show that PA20 increases the resistance of Drosophila flies and Culex mosquitoes to bacterial challenges, without directly affecting the bacterial growth. We further show that the PA83 loop known to be cleaved by furin to release PA20 from PA63 is, in part, responsible for the PA20-mediated protection. We found that PA20 binds directly to the Toll activating peptidoglycan-recognition protein-SA (PGRP-SA) and that the Toll/NF-κB pathway is necessary for the PA20-mediated protection of infected flies. This effect of PA20 on innate immunity may also exist in mammals: we show that PA20 binds to human PGRP-SA ortholog. Moreover, the constitutive activity of Imd/NF-κB pathway in MAPKK Dsor1 mutant flies is sufficient to confer the protection from bacterial infections in a manner that is independent of PA20 treatment. Lastly, Clostridium septicum alpha toxin protects flies from anthrax-causing bacteria, showing that other pathogens may help insects resist anthrax. The mechanism of anthrax resistance in insects has direct implications on insect-mediated anthrax transmission for wildlife management, and with potential for applications, such as reducing the sensitivity of pollinating insects to bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleem Alameh
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Gloria Bartolo
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Summer O’Brien
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Henderson
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Leandra O. Gonzalez
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Stella Hartmann
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher P. Klimko
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Shoe
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Christopher K. Cote
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Laurence K. Grill
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Anastasia Levitin
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AL); (MMS)
| | - Mikhail Martchenko Shilman
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AL); (MMS)
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48
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Alfaleh MA, Alsaab HO, Mahmoud AB, Alkayyal AA, Jones ML, Mahler SM, Hashem AM. Phage Display Derived Monoclonal Antibodies: From Bench to Bedside. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1986. [PMID: 32983137 PMCID: PMC7485114 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become one of the most important classes of biopharmaceutical products, and they continue to dominate the universe of biopharmaceutical markets in terms of approval and sales. They are the most profitable single product class, where they represent six of the top ten selling drugs. At the beginning of the 1990s, an in vitro antibody selection technology known as antibody phage display was developed by John McCafferty and Sir. Gregory Winter that enabled the discovery of human antibodies for diverse applications, particularly antibody-based drugs. They created combinatorial antibody libraries on filamentous phage to be utilized for generating antigen specific antibodies in a matter of weeks. Since then, more than 70 phage–derived antibodies entered clinical studies and 14 of them have been approved. These antibodies are indicated for cancer, and non-cancer medical conditions, such as inflammatory, optical, infectious, or immunological diseases. This review will illustrate the utility of phage display as a powerful platform for therapeutic antibodies discovery and describe in detail all the approved mAbs derived from phage display.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Alfaleh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hashem O Alsaab
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Bakur Mahmoud
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
| | - Almohanad A Alkayyal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Martina L Jones
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Research Council Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephen M Mahler
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Research Council Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anwar M Hashem
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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49
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Ball HS, Girma M, Zainab M, Riley H, Behrendt CT, Lienau C, Konzuch S, Avelar LAA, Lungerich B, Soojhawon I, Noble SM, Kurz T, Couch RD. Inhibition of the Yersinia pestis Methylerythritol Phosphate Pathway of Isoprenoid Biosynthesis by α-Phenyl-Substituted Reverse Fosmidomycin Analogues. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:5170-5175. [PMID: 32201804 PMCID: PMC7081406 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b04171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fosmidomycin inhibits IspC (1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase), the first committed enzyme in the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis. The MEP pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis is essential to the causative agent of the plague, Yersinia pestis, and is entirely distinct from the corresponding mammalian pathway. To further drug development, we established structure-activity relationships of fosmidomycin analogues by assessing a suite of 17 α-phenyl-substituted reverse derivatives of fosmidomycin against Y. pestis IspC. Several of these compounds showed increased potency over fosmidomycin with IC50 values in the nanomolar range. Additionally, we performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing with Y. pestis A1122 (YpA1122). The bacteria were susceptible to several compounds with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 128 to 512 μg/mL; a correlation between the IC50 and MIC values was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley S. Ball
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason
University, Manassas, Virginia 20110, United
States
- Wound
Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Misgina Girma
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason
University, Manassas, Virginia 20110, United
States
| | - Mosufa Zainab
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason
University, Manassas, Virginia 20110, United
States
| | - Honoria Riley
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason
University, Manassas, Virginia 20110, United
States
| | - Christoph T. Behrendt
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Claudia Lienau
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sarah Konzuch
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Leandro A. A. Avelar
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Beate Lungerich
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Iswarduth Soojhawon
- Wound
Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Schroeder M. Noble
- Wound
Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Thomas Kurz
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Robin D. Couch
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason
University, Manassas, Virginia 20110, United
States
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50
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Abstract
The Bacillus cereus group includes several Bacillus species with closely related phylogeny. The most well-studied members of the group, B. anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis, are known for their pathogenic potential. Here, we present the historical rationale for speciation and discuss shared and unique features of these bacteria. Aspects of cell morphology and physiology, and genome sequence similarity and gene synteny support close evolutionary relationships for these three species. For many strains, distinct differences in virulence factor synthesis provide facile means for species assignment. B. anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax. Some B. cereus strains are commonly recognized as food poisoning agents, but strains can also cause localized wound and eye infections as well as systemic disease. Certain B. thuringiensis strains are entomopathogens and have been commercialized for use as biopesticides, while some strains have been reported to cause infection in immunocompromised individuals. In this article we compare and contrast B. anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis, including ecology, cell structure and development, virulence attributes, gene regulation and genetic exchange systems, and experimental models of disease.
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