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Targeting the Inside of Cells with Biologicals: Toxin Routes in a Therapeutic Context. BioDrugs 2023; 37:181-203. [PMID: 36729328 PMCID: PMC9893211 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00580-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Numerous toxins translocate to the cytosol in order to fulfil their function. This demonstrates the existence of routes for proteins from the extracellular space to the cytosol. Understanding these routes is relevant to multiple aspects related to therapeutic applications. These include the development of anti-toxin treatments, the potential use of toxins as shuttles for delivering macromolecular cargo to the cytosol or the use of drugs based on toxins. Compared with other strategies for delivery, such as chemicals as carriers for macromolecular delivery or physical methods like electroporation, toxin routes present paths into the cell that potentially cause less damage and can be specifically targeted. The efficiency of delivery via toxin routes is limited. However, low-delivery efficiencies can be entirely sufficient, if delivered cargoes possess an amplification effect or if very few molecules are sufficient for inducing the desired effects. This is known for example from RNA-based vaccines that have been developed during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as well as for other approved RNA-based drugs, which elicited the desired effect despite their typically low delivery efficiencies. The different mechanisms by which toxins enter cells may have implications for their technological utility. We review the mechanistic principles of the translocation pathway of toxins from the extracellular space to the cytosol, the delivery efficiencies, and therapeutic strategies or applications that exploit toxin routes for intracellular delivery.
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Menge C. The Role of Escherichia coli Shiga Toxins in STEC Colonization of Cattle. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12090607. [PMID: 32967277 PMCID: PMC7551371 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12090607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Many cattle are persistently colonized with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and represent a major source of human infections with human-pathogenic STEC strains (syn. enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)). Intervention strategies most effectively protecting humans best aim at the limitation of bovine STEC shedding. Mechanisms enabling STEC to persist in cattle are only partialy understood. Cattle were long believed to resist the detrimental effects of Shiga toxins (Stxs), potent cytotoxins acting as principal virulence factors in the pathogenesis of human EHEC-associated diseases. However, work by different groups, summarized in this review, has provided substantial evidence that different types of target cells for Stxs exist in cattle. Peripheral and intestinal lymphocytes express the Stx receptor globotriaosylceramide (Gb3syn. CD77) in vitro and in vivo in an activation-dependent fashion with Stx-binding isoforms expressed predominantly at early stages of the activation process. Subpopulations of colonic epithelial cells and macrophage-like cells, residing in the bovine mucosa in proximity to STEC colonies, are also targeted by Stxs. STEC-inoculated calves are depressed in mounting appropriate cellular immune responses which can be overcome by vaccination of the animals against Stxs early in life before encountering STEC. Considering Stx target cells and the resulting effects of Stxs in cattle, which significantly differ from effects implicated in human disease, may open promising opportunities to improve existing yet insufficient measures to limit STEC carriage and shedding by the principal reservoir host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Menge
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut/Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, D-07743 Jena, Germany
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Shi PL, Binnington B, Sakac D, Katsman Y, Ramkumar S, Gariepy J, Kim M, Branch DR, Lingwood C. Verotoxin A subunit protects lymphocytes and T cell lines against X4 HIV infection in vitro. Toxins (Basel) 2012; 4:1517-34. [PMID: 23242319 PMCID: PMC3528260 DOI: 10.3390/toxins4121517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2012] [Revised: 11/24/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous genetic, pharmacological and analogue protection studies identified the glycosphingolipid, Gb3 (globotriaosylceramide, Pk blood group antigen) as a natural resistance factor for HIV infection. Gb3 is a B cell marker (CD77), but a fraction of activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) can also express Gb3. Activated PBMCs predominantly comprise CD4+ T-cells, the primary HIV infection target. Gb3 is the sole receptor for Escherichia coli verotoxins (VTs, Shiga toxins). VT1 contains a ribosome inactivating A subunit (VT1A) non-covalently associated with five smaller receptor-binding B subunits. The effect of VT on PHA/IL2-activated PBMC HIV susceptibility was determined. Following VT1 (or VT2) PBMC treatment during IL2/PHA activation, the small Gb3+/CD4+ T-cell subset was eliminated but, surprisingly, remaining CD4+ T-cell HIV-1IIIB (and HIV-1Ba-L) susceptibility was significantly reduced. The Gb3-Jurkat T-cell line was similarly protected by brief VT exposure prior to HIV-1IIIB infection. The efficacy of the VT1A subunit alone confirmed receptor independent protection. VT1 showed no binding or obvious Jurkat cell/PBMC effect. Protective VT1 concentrations reduced PBMC (but not Jurkat cell) proliferation by 50%. This may relate to the mechanism of action since HIV replication requires primary T-cell proliferation. Microarray analysis of VT1A-treated PBMCs indicated up regulation of 30 genes. Three of the top four were histone genes, suggesting HIV protection via reduced gene activation. VT blocked HDAC inhibitor enhancement of HIV infection, consistent with a histone-mediated mechanism. We speculate that VT1A may provide a benign approach to reduction of (X4 or R5) HIV cell susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Lin Shi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada; E-Mail:
- Division of Molecular Structure and Function and Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada; E-Mail:
| | - Beth Binnington
- Division of Molecular Structure and Function and Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada; E-Mail:
| | - Darinka Sakac
- Canadian Blood Services, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M1, Canada; E-Mails: (D.S.); (Y.K.)
| | - Yulia Katsman
- Canadian Blood Services, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M1, Canada; E-Mails: (D.S.); (Y.K.)
| | - Stephanie Ramkumar
- Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada; E-Mails: (S.R.); (M.K.); (D.R.B.)
| | - Jean Gariepy
- Department of Medical Biophysics & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada; E-Mail:
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Minji Kim
- Canadian Blood Services, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M1, Canada; E-Mails: (D.S.); (Y.K.)
- Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada; E-Mails: (S.R.); (M.K.); (D.R.B.)
| | - Donald R. Branch
- Canadian Blood Services, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M1, Canada; E-Mails: (D.S.); (Y.K.)
- Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada; E-Mails: (S.R.); (M.K.); (D.R.B.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Toronto General Research Institute of the University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Clifford Lingwood
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada; E-Mail:
- Division of Molecular Structure and Function and Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada; E-Mail:
- Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada; E-Mails: (S.R.); (M.K.); (D.R.B.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-416-813-5998; Fax: +1-416-813-5993
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Attempts to express the A1-GMCSF immunotoxin in the baculovirus expression vector system. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2012; 76:749-54. [PMID: 22484943 DOI: 10.1271/bbb.110862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Immunotoxins are fusion proteins consisting of two elements, a targeting and a toxin moiety, and are designed for specific elimination of tumor cells. Previously we expressed a recombinant fusion protein consisting of the toxic fragment of Shiga toxin (A1) and GMCSF (A1-GMCSF) in Escherichia coli, and evaluated its cytotoxic properties in acute myeloid leukemia and colon carcinoma cell lines. In view of the specific cytotoxic effects of this immunotoxin, further detailed in-vitro and preclinical studies were undertaken. Large amounts of the recombinant protein of high purity and free of unwanted side products, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), were required. Since GMCSF is of mammalian origin and it requires proper disulfide bond formation, we intended to use the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) for the expression of the recombinant fusion protein. However, despite previous reports on the expression of several other immunotoxins by this system, the A1 derived fusion proteins revealed an inhibitory effect on baculoviral particle formation and even caused cell death in insect cells. This observation was further pursued and confirmed by the use of other baculoviral specific promoters. The salient features of this finding are described below.
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Abstract
Ricin and Shiga toxins designated as ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) are RNA N-glycosidases that depurinate a specific adenine (A₄₃₂₄ in rat 28S rRNA) in the conserved α-sarcin/ricin loop of the large rRNA, inhibiting protein synthesis. Evidence obtained from a number of studies suggests that interaction with ribosomal proteins plays an important role in the catalytic activity and ribosome specificity of RIPs. This review summarizes the recent developments in identification of the ribosomal proteins that interact with ricin and Shiga toxins and the principles governing these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilgun E Tumer
- Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520, USA.
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Baines D, Erb S, Lowe R, Turkington K, Sabau E, Kuldau G, Juba J, Masson L, Mazza A, Roberts R. A prebiotic, Celmanax™, decreases Escherichia coli O157:H7 colonization of bovine cells and feed-associated cytotoxicity in vitro. BMC Res Notes 2011; 4:110. [PMID: 21473767 PMCID: PMC3090735 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2010] [Accepted: 04/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Escherichia coli O157:H7 is the most common serovar of enterohemorrhagic E. coli associated with serious human disease outbreaks. Cattle are the main reservoir with E. coli O157:H7 inducing hemorrhagic enteritis in persistent shedding beef cattle, however little is known about how this pathogen affects cattle health. Jejunal Hemorrhage Syndrome (JHS) has unclear etiology but the pathology is similar to that described for E. coli O157:H7 challenged beef cattle suggestive that E. coli O157:H7 could be involved. There are no effective treatments for JHS however new approaches to managing pathogen issues in livestock using prebiotics and probiotics are gaining support. The first objective of the current study was to characterize pathogen colonization in hemorrhaged jejunum of dairy cattle during natural JHS outbreaks. The second objective was to confirm the association of mycotoxigenic fungi in feeds with the development of JHS and also to identify the presence of potential mycotoxins. The third objective was to determine the impact of a prebiotic, Celmanax™, or probiotic, Dairyman's Choice™ paste, on the cytotoxicity associated with feed extracts in vitro. The fourth objective was to determine the impact of a prebiotic or a probiotic on E. coli O157:H7 colonization of mucosal explants and a bovine colonic cell line in vitro. The final objective was to determine if prebiotic and probiotic feed additives could modify the symptoms that preceded JHS losses and the development of new JHS cases. Findings Dairy cattle developed JHS after consuming feed containing several types of mycotoxigenic fungi including Fusarium culmorum, F. poae, F. verticillioides, F. sporotrichioides, Aspergillusflavus, Penicillium roqueforti, P. crustosum, P. paneum and P. citrinum. Mixtures of Shiga toxin - producing Escherichia coli (STEC) colonized the mucosa in the hemorrhaged tissues of the cattle and no other pathogen was identified. The STECs expressed Stx1 and Stx2, but more significantly, Stxs were also present in the blood clot blocking the jejunum. Mycotoxin analysis of the corn crop confirmed the presence of fumonisin, NIV, ZEAR, DON, 15-ADON, 3-ADON, NEO, DAS, HT-2 and T-2. Feed extracts were toxic to enterocytes and 0.1% Celmanax™ removed the cytotoxicity in vitro. There was no effect of Dairyman's Choice™ paste on feed-extract activity in vitro. Fumonisin, T-2, ZEAR and DON were toxic to bovine cells and 0.1% Celmanax™ removed the cytotoxicity in vitro. Celmanax™ also directly decreased E. coli O157:H7 colonization of mucosal explants and a colonic cell line in a dose-dependent manner. There was no effect of Dairyman's Choice™ paste on E. coli O157:H7 colonization in vitro. The inclusion of the prebiotic and probiotic in the feed was associated with a decline in disease. Conclusion The current study confirmed an association between mycotoxigenic fungi in the feed and the development of JHS in cattle. This association was further expanded to include mycotoxins in the feed and mixtures of STECs colonizing the severely hemorrhaged tissues. Future studies should examine the extent of involvement of the different STEC in the infection process. The prebiotic, Celmanax™, acted as an anti-adhesive for STEC colonization and a mycotoxin binder in vitro. Future studies should determine the extent of involvement of the prebiotic in altering disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica Baines
- Lethbridge Research Centre, 5403 1 Avenue South, P,O, Box 3000, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada.
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Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain origin, lineage, and Shiga toxin 2 expression affect colonization of cattle. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:5074-81. [PMID: 19525271 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00391-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 has evolved into an important human pathogen with cattle as the main reservoir. The recent discovery of E. coli O157:H7-induced pathologies in challenged cattle has suggested that previously discounted bacterial virulence factors may contribute to the colonization of cattle. The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of lineage type, cytotoxin activity, and cytotoxin expression on the amount of E. coli O157:H7 colonization of cattle tissue and cells in vitro. Using selected bovine- and human-origin strains, we determined that lineage type predicted the amount of E. coli O157:H7 strain colonization: lineage I > intermediate lineages > lineage II. All E. coli O157:H7 strain colonization was dose dependent, with threshold colonization at 10(3) to 10(5) CFU and maximum colonization at 10(7) CFU. We also determined that an as-yet-unknown factor of strain origin was the most dominant predictor of the amount of strain colonization in vitro. The amount of E. coli O157:H7 colonization was also influenced by strain cytotoxin activity and the inclusion of cytotoxins from lineage I or intermediate lineage strains increased colonization of a lineage II strain. There was a higher level of expression of the Shiga toxin 1 gene (stx(1)) in human-origin strains than in bovine-origin strains. In addition, lineage I strains expressed higher levels of the Shiga toxin 2 gene (stx(2)). The present study supports a role for strain origin, lineage type, cytotoxin activity, and stx(2) expression in modulating the amount of E. coli O157:H7 colonization of cattle.
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Ferens WA, Haruna J, Cobbold R, Hovde CJ. Low numbers of intestinal Shiga toxin-producing E. coli correlate with a poor prognosis in sheep infected with bovine leukemia virus. J Vet Sci 2009; 9:375-9. [PMID: 19043312 PMCID: PMC2811778 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2008.9.4.375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthy ruminants carry intestinal Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Stx has antiviral activities in vitro and STEC numbers correlate with reduced early viremia in sheep experimentally infected with bovine leukemia virus (BLV). This study assessed the impact of intestinal STEC on BLV-induced disease for one year post-BLV-challenge. High STEC scores (CFU/g feces × frequency of STEC-positive samples) correlated with good health, whereas poor weight gain, distress, and tumor development occurred only among animals with low STEC scores. STEC carriage was associated with increased percentages of B cells in peripheral blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Witold A Ferens
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-3052, USA
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Baines D, Lee B, McAllister T. Heterogeneity in enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coliO157:H7 fecal shedding in cattle is related toEscherichia coliO157:H7 colonization of the small and large intestine. Can J Microbiol 2008; 54:984-95. [DOI: 10.1139/w08-090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade, Escherichia coli O157:H7 have emerged as important pathogens of the gastrointestinal tract of humans. Healthy cattle have been identified as the primary reservoir, however, the factors affecting heterogeneous E. coli O157:H7 fecal shedding are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of E. coli O157:H7 colonization of small and large intestinal sites to the heterogeneity of fecal shedding in cattle. There was a dose-dependant E. coli O157:H7 E318N colonization of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, ascending colon, spiral colon, descending colon, and the rectoanal junction in vitro with no difference in E. coli O157:H7 colonization of the rectoanal junction and other intestinal sites. There were 10–100 times greater E. coli O157:H7 colonization of intestinal sites from persistent shedding cattle compared with nonpersistent shedding cattle. Novel pathologies were associated with E. coli O157:H7 colonization sites in the small and large intestine. The first pathology, focal petechiae, was present throughout the intestinal tract of cattle that ceased shedding E. coli O157:H7 for 5–12 weeks or in the jejunum, ileum, cecum, and ascending colon of cattle shedding E. coli O157:H7 for 4–5 months. The second pathology, mucosal hemorrhages, was present in the same sites as the focal petechiae in cattle shedding for 5 months and these hemorrhages were in the final stages of repair. Several features of these hemorrhages support this conclusion including the brown appearance, low amount of classic E. coli O157:H7 induced A/E lesions, flattened epithelium, and blunted villi. Although mucosal hemorrhages were present in the jejunum, ileum, cecum, and ascending colon in cattle shedding for 4 months, many other pathologies were also present that were indicative of hemorrhagic enteritis as evidenced by the blood red appearance of hemorrhages, severe edema, and dark red erythema. Escherichia coli O157:H7 were associated with both pathologies suggesting it is the causative agent. The current study supports a relationship between the amount of E. coli O157:H7 colonization in intestinal sites and heterogeneous fecal shedding by cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica Baines
- Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Byron Lee
- Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Tim McAllister
- Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada
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