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Wang P, Fredj Z, Zhang H, Rong G, Bian S, Sawan M. Blocking Superantigen-Mediated Diseases: Challenges and Future Trends. J Immunol Res 2024; 2024:2313062. [PMID: 38268531 PMCID: PMC10807946 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2313062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Superantigens are virulence factors secreted by microorganisms that can cause various immune diseases, such as overactivating the immune system, resulting in cytokine storms, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Some studies have demonstrated that superantigens do not require intracellular processing and instated bind as intact proteins to the antigen-binding groove of major histocompatibility complex II on antigen-presenting cells, resulting in the activation of T cells with different T-cell receptor Vβ and subsequent overstimulation. To combat superantigen-mediated diseases, researchers have employed different approaches, such as antibodies and simulated peptides. However, due to the complex nature of superantigens, these approaches have not been entirely successful in achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes. CD28 interacts with members of the B7 molecule family to activate T cells. Its mimicking peptide has been suggested as a potential candidate to block superantigens, but it can lead to reduced T-cell activity while increasing the host's infection risk. Thus, this review focuses on the use of drug delivery methods to accurately target and block superantigens, while reducing the adverse effects associated with CD28 mimic peptides. We believe that this method has the potential to provide an effective and safe therapeutic strategy for superantigen-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengbo Wang
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Zina Fredj
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Hongyong Zhang
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Guoguang Rong
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Sumin Bian
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Mohamad Sawan
- CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China
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2
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Basu S, Sineva E, Nguyen L, Sikdar N, Park JW, Sinev M, Kunta M, Gupta G. Host-derived chimeric peptides clear the causative bacteria and augment host innate immunity during infection: A case study of HLB in citrus and fire blight in apple. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:929478. [PMID: 36618616 PMCID: PMC9816411 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.929478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial diseases cause severe losses in the production and revenue of many fruit crops, including citrus and apple. Huanglongbing (HLB) in citrus and fire blight in apple are two deadly diseases without any cure. In this article, we introduce a novel therapy for HLB and fire blight by enhancing the innate immunity of the host plants. Specifically, we constructed in silico a library of chimeras containing two different host peptides with observed or predicted antibacterial activity. Subsequently, we performed bactericidal and toxicity tests in vitro to select a few non-toxic chimeras with high antibacterial activity. Finally, we conducted ex planta studies to show that not only do the chimeras clear the causative bacteria from citrus leaves with HLB and from apple leaves with fire blight but they also augment the host's innate immunity during infection. This platform technology can be extended to design host-derived chimeras against multiple pathogenic bacteria that cause diseases in plants and animals of agricultural importance and in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supratim Basu
- New Mexico Consortium, NMC-Biolab at Santa Fe Business Incubator, Santa Fe, NM, United States
| | - Elena Sineva
- New Mexico Consortium, NMC-Biolab at Santa Fe Business Incubator, Santa Fe, NM, United States
| | - Liza Nguyen
- New Mexico Consortium, NMC-Biolab at Santa Fe Business Incubator, Santa Fe, NM, United States
| | - Narattam Sikdar
- New Mexico Consortium, NMC-Biolab at Santa Fe Business Incubator, Santa Fe, NM, United States
| | - Jong Won Park
- Texas A&M Univ.-Kingsville Citrus Center, Weslaco, TX, United States
| | - Mikhail Sinev
- New Mexico Consortium, NMC-Biolab at Santa Fe Business Incubator, Santa Fe, NM, United States
| | - Madhurababu Kunta
- Texas A&M Univ.-Kingsville Citrus Center, Weslaco, TX, United States
| | - Goutam Gupta
- New Mexico Consortium, NMC-Biolab at Santa Fe Business Incubator, Santa Fe, NM, United States
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3
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Chen G, Karauzum H, Long H, Carranza D, Holtsberg FW, Howell KA, Abaandou L, Zhang B, Jarvik N, Ye W, Liao GC, Gross ML, Leung DW, Amarasinghe GK, Aman MJ, Sidhu SS. Potent Neutralization of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B In Vivo by Antibodies that Block Binding to the T-Cell Receptor. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:4354-4367. [PMID: 30928493 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
To develop an antibody (Ab) therapeutic against staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), a potential incapacitating bioterrorism agent and a major cause of food poisoning, we developed a "class T" anti-SEB neutralizing Ab (GC132) targeting an epitope on SEB distinct from that of previously developed "class M" Abs. A systematic engineering approach was applied to affinity-mature Ab GC132 to yield an optimized therapeutic candidate (GC132a) with sub-nanomolar binding affinity. Mapping of the binding interface by hydrogen-deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry revealed that the class T epitope on SEB overlapped with the T-cell receptor binding site, whereas other evidence suggested that the class M epitope overlapped with the binding site for the major histocompatibility complex. In the IgG format, GC132a showed ∼50-fold more potent toxin-neutralizing efficacy than the best class M Ab in vitro, and fully protected mice from lethal challenge in a toxic shock post-exposure model. We also engineered bispecific Abs (bsAbs) that bound tetravalently by utilizing two class M binding sites and two class T binding sites. The bsAbs displayed enhanced toxin neutralization efficacy compared with the respective monospecific Ab subunits as well as a mixture of the two, indicating that enhanced efficacy was due to heterotypic tetravalent binding to two non-overlapping epitopes on SEB. Together, these results suggest that class T anti-SEB Ab GC132a is an excellent candidate for clinical development and for bsAb engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Chen
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, and the Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | | | - Hua Long
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, and the Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Danielle Carranza
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, and the Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | | | - Katie A Howell
- Integrated Biotherapeutics, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Laura Abaandou
- Integrated Biotherapeutics, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Bojie Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Nick Jarvik
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, and the Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Wei Ye
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, and the Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Grant C Liao
- Integrated Biotherapeutics, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Michael L Gross
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO 63130, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Daisy W Leung
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Gaya K Amarasinghe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - M Javad Aman
- Integrated Biotherapeutics, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
| | - Sachdev S Sidhu
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, and the Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada.
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4
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Dutta K, Varshney AK, Franklin MC, Goger M, Wang X, Fries BC. Mechanisms mediating enhanced neutralization efficacy of staphylococcal enterotoxin B by combinations of monoclonal antibodies. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:6715-30. [PMID: 25572397 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.630715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a superantigen that cross-links the major histocompatibility complex class II and specific V-β chains of the T-cell receptor, thus forming a ternary complex. Developing neutralizing mAb to disrupt the ternary complex and abrogate the resulting toxicity is a major therapeutic challenge because SEB is effective at very low concentrations. We show that combining two SEB-specific mAbs enhances their efficacy, even though one of the two mAbs by itself has no effect on neutralization. Crystallography was employed for fine-mapping conformational epitopes in binary and ternary complexes between SEB and Fab fragments. NMR spectroscopy was used to validate and identify subtle allosteric changes induced by mAbs binding to SEB. The mapping of epitopes established that a combination of different mAbs can enhance efficacy of mAb-mediated protection from SEB induced lethal shock by two different mechanisms: one mAb mixture promoted clearance of the toxin both in vitro and in vivo by FcR-mediated cross-linking and clearance, whereas the other mAb mixture induced subtle allosteric conformational changes in SEB that perturbed formation of the SEB·T-cell receptor·major histocompatibility complex class II trimer. Finally structural information accurately predicted mAb binding to other superantigens that share conformational epitopes with SEB. Fine mapping of conformational epitopes is a powerful tool to establish the mechanism and optimize the action of synergistic mAb combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaushik Dutta
- From the New York Structural Biology Center, New York, New York 10027,
| | - Avanish K Varshney
- the Department of Medicine and Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11790, and the Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | | | - Michael Goger
- From the New York Structural Biology Center, New York, New York 10027
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- the Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Bettina C Fries
- the Department of Medicine and Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11790, and the Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
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5
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Chimeric anti-staphylococcal enterotoxin B antibodies and lovastatin act synergistically to provide in vivo protection against lethal doses of SEB. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27203. [PMID: 22102880 PMCID: PMC3216929 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is one of a family of toxins secreted by Staphylococcus aureus that act as superantigens, activating a large fraction of the T-cell population and inducing production of high levels of inflammatory cytokines that can cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and death. Extracellular engagement of the TCR of T-cells and class II MHC of antigen presenting cells by SEB triggers the activation of many intracellular signaling processes. We engineered chimeric antibodies to block the extracellular engagement of cellular receptors by SEB and used a statin to inhibit intracellular signaling. Chimeric human-mouse antibodies directed against different neutralizing epitopes of SEB synergistically inhibited its activation of human T-cells in vitro. In the in vivo model of lethal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in HLA-DR3 transgenic mice, two of these antibodies conferred significant partial protection when administered individually, but offered complete protection in a synergistic manner when given together. Similarly, in vivo, lovastatin alone conferred only partial protection from TSS similar to single anti-SEB antibodies. However, used in combination with one chimeric neutralizing anti-SEB antibody, lovastatin provided complete protection against lethal TSS in HLA-DR3 transgenic mice. These experiments demonstrate that in vivo protection against lethal doses of SEB can be achieved by a statin of proven clinical safety and chimeric human-mouse antibodies, agents now widely used and known to be of low immunogenicity in human hosts.
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6
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Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a Gram positive bacterium that is carried by about one third of the general population and is responsible for common and serious diseases. These diseases include food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome, which are caused by exotoxins produced by S. aureus. Of the more than 20 Staphylococcal enterotoxins, SEA and SEB are the best characterized and are also regarded as superantigens because of their ability to bind to class II MHC molecules on antigen presenting cells and stimulate large populations of T cells that share variable regions on the β chain of the T cell receptor. The result of this massive T cell activation is a cytokine bolus leading to an acute toxic shock. These proteins are highly resistant to denaturation, which allows them to remain intact in contaminated food and trigger disease outbreaks. A recognized problem is the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of S. aureus and these are a concern in the clinical setting as they are a common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in hospitalized patients. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of these proteins.
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7
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Potent neutralization of staphylococcal enterotoxin B by synergistic action of chimeric antibodies. Infect Immun 2010; 78:2801-11. [PMID: 20308304 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01121-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), a shock-inducing exotoxin synthesized by Staphylococcus aureus, is an important cause of food poisoning and is a class B bioterrorism agent. SEB mediates antigen-independent activation of a major subset of the T-cell population by cross-linking T-cell receptors (TCRs) with class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC-II) molecules of antigen-presenting cells, resulting in the induction of antigen independent proliferation and cytokine secretion by a significant fraction of the T-cell population. Neutralizing antibodies inhibit SEB-mediated T-cell activation by blocking the toxin's interaction with the TCR or MHC-II and provide protection against the debilitating effects of this superantigen. We derived and searched a set of monoclonal mouse anti-SEB antibodies to identify neutralizing anti-SEB antibodies that bind to different sites on the toxin. A pair of non-cross-reactive, neutralizing anti-SEB monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was found, and a combination of these antibodies inhibited SEB-induced T-cell proliferation in a synergistic rather than merely additive manner. In order to engineer antibodies more suitable than mouse MAbs for use in humans, the genes encoding the VL and VH gene segments of a synergistically acting pair of mouse MAbs were grafted, respectively, onto genes encoding the constant regions of human Igkappa and human IgG1, transfected into mammalian cells, and used to generate chimeric versions of these antibodies that had affinity and neutralization profiles essentially identical to their mouse counterparts. When tested in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or splenocytes derived from HLA-DR3 transgenic mice, the chimeric human-mouse antibodies synergistically neutralized SEB-induced T-cell activation and cytokine production.
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8
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Tarkowski A, Collins LV, Jonsson IM, Eriksson K, Sakiniene E, Verdrengh M. Microbial Superantigens as Virulence Factors and Ways to Counteract Their Actions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 35:642-6. [PMID: 14620148 DOI: 10.1080/00365540310016330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Microbial superantigens represent a group of molecules that is able to cause massive activation of the host immune system. Human diseases originating from superantigen-secreting bacterial agents are characterized by shock, which continues to pose major health problems. Presently, the treatment of superantigen-mediated infections is limited to the administration of antibiotics and handling of the state of shock. However, the development of multiple antibiotic-resistant, superantigen-producing bacterial strains increases the threat of these infections, and prompts researchers to better understand and treat disease states in which exposure to superantigens is at least partly responsible for the outcome. In the past decade, significant understanding has been achieved regarding the molecular mechanisms of superantigen-host interactions. Based on this understanding, a variety of promising strategies directed against superantigens have been developed. In this review, we discuss some of these strategies, as well as the potential for therapeutic applications of superantigens for the benefit of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Tarkowski
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Göteborg University, Sweden.
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9
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Vuyisich M, Gnanakaran S, Lovchik JA, Lyons CR, Gupta G. A dual-purpose protein ligand for effective therapy and sensitive diagnosis of anthrax. Protein J 2009; 27:292-302. [PMID: 18649128 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-008-9137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This article reports the design of a bivalent protein ligand with dual use in therapy and diagnosis of anthrax caused by Bacillus anthracis. The ligand specifically binds to PA and thereby blocks the intracellular delivery of LF and EF toxins that, respectively, cause cell lysis and edema. The ligand is a chimeric scaffold with two PA-binding domains (called VWA) linked to an IgG-Fc frame. Molecular modeling and binding measurements reveal that the VWA-Fc dimer binds to PA with high affinity (K(D)=0.2 nM). An in vitro bio-luminescence assay shows that VWA-Fc (at nanomolar concentration) protects mouse macrophages from lysis by PA/LF. In vivo studies demonstrate that VWA-Fc at low doses (approximately 50 microg/animal) are able to rescue animals from lethal doses of PA/LF and B. anthracis spores. Finally, VWA-Fc is utilized as the capture molecule in the sensitive (down to 30 picomolar) detection of PA using surface plasmon resonance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Momchilo Vuyisich
- Biosciences Division, Group B-7, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
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10
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Möllhoff M, Zanden HBV, Shiflett PR, Gupta G. Modeling of receptor mimics that inhibit superantigen pathogenesis. J Mol Recognit 2005; 18:73-83. [PMID: 15459942 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcal enterotoxins SEB and SEC3 and toxic shock syndrome toxin TSST-1 act as superantigens by overstimulating the human immune system and thereby compromise host defense. The mechanism of pathogenesis is explained on the basis of superantigen binding to the MHC class II receptor on the antigen presenting cell and to the T cell receptor (TcR) on the T cell. SEB, SEC3 and TSST-1 bind as intact proteins and make contacts with the alpha1 subdomain (DRalpha) of MHC class II and Vbeta subdomain of TcR. SEB, SEC3 and TSST-1 show specificities for different TcRVbeta isoforms. We have designed three different chimeras linking the same DRalpha with different TcRVbeta isoforms to specifically target SEB, SEC3 and TSST-1 and inhibit their pathogenesis. Here, we show by molecular modeling that the DRalpha, TcRVbeta and linker of a given chimera interact with the target superantigen in a type-specific manner. An initial model of the complex is constructed on the basis of observed inter-molecular contacts between DRalpha/TcRVbeta and the superantigens. A constant temperature (300 K) 200 ps molecular dynamics is performed to sample different conformations of a chimera-superantigen complex by utilizing the flexibility of the (GSTAPPA)(2) linker while maintaining the native folds of superantigen, DRalpha and TcRVbeta and the observed intermolecular contacts. After equilibration, 100 molecular dynamic snapshots are minimized and analyzed. This provides descriptions of various pairwise interactions at the contact interface in the complex and important clues on single site mutations on the chimera that may enhance the stability of a given superantigen-chimera complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margit Möllhoff
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
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11
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Abstract
Superantigens are a class of highly potent immuno-stimulatory molecules produced by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. These toxins possess the unique ability to interact simultaneously with MHC class II molecules and T-cell receptors, forming a trimolecular complex that induces profound T-cell proliferation. The resultant massive cytokine release causes epithelial damage and leads to capillary leak and hypotension. The staphylococcal superantigens are designated staphylococcal enterotoxins A, B, C (and antigenic variants), D, E, and the recently discovered enterotoxins G to Q, and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1. The streptococcal superantigens include the pyrogenic exotoxins A (and antigenic variants), C, G-J, SMEZ, and SSA. Superantigens are implicated in several diseases including toxic shock syndrome, scarlet fever and food poisoning; and their function appears primarily to debilitate the host sufficiently to permit the causation of disease. Structural studies over the last 10 years have provided a great deal of information regarding the complex interactions of these molecules with their receptors. This, combined with the wealth of new information from genomics initiatives, have shown that, despite their common molecular architecture, superantigens are able to crosslink MHC class II molecules and T-cell receptors by a variety of subtly different ways through the use of various structural regions within each toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Baker
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
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12
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Hong-Geller E, Möllhoff M, Shiflett PR, Gupta G. Design of Chimeric Receptor Mimics with Different TcRVβ Isoforms. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:5676-84. [PMID: 14604991 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m309388200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins (S.E.) A-I, and toxic-shock syndrome toxin TSST-1 act as superantigens to cause overstimulation of the host immune system, leading to the onset of various diseases including food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome. SAgs bind as intact proteins to the DRalpha1 domain of the MHC class II receptor and the TcRVbeta domain from the T cell receptor and cause excessive release of cytokines such as IL-2, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma, and hyperproliferation of T cells. In addition, different SAgs bind and activate different TcRVbeta isoforms during pathogenesis of human immune cells. These two properties of SAgs prompted us to design several chimeric DRalpha1-linker-TcRVbeta proteins using different TcRVbeta isoforms to create chimeras that would specifically inhibit the pathogenesis of SAgs against which they were designed. In this study, we compare the design, interaction, and inhibitory properties of three different DRalpha1-linker-TcRVbeta chimeras targeted against three different SAgs, SEB, SEC3, and TSST-1. The inhibitory properties of the chimeras were tested by monitoring IL-2 release and T cell proliferation using a primary human cell model. We demonstrate that the three chimeras specifically inhibit the pathogenesis of their target superantigen. We performed molecular modeling to analyze the structural basis of the type specificity exhibited by different chimeras designed against their target SAgs, examine the role of the linker in determining binding and specificity, and suggest site-specific mutations in the chimera to enhance binding affinity. The fact that our strategy works equally well for SEB and TSST-1, two widely different phylogenic variants, suggests that the DRalpha1-linker-TcRVbeta chimeras may be developed as a general therapy against a broad spectrum of superantigens released during Staphylococcal infection.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Antigens/chemistry
- Cell Division
- Cell Line
- Cloning, Molecular
- Enterotoxins/chemistry
- Humans
- Interleukin-2/metabolism
- Kinetics
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
- Protein Binding
- Protein Isoforms
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/physiology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Staphylococcus aureus/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Temperature
- Time Factors
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Hong-Geller
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Biosciences Division, HRL-1, MS-M888, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544, USA
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13
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Zhou HX. Quantitative account of the enhanced affinity of two linked scFvs specific for different epitopes on the same antigen. J Mol Biol 2003; 329:1-8. [PMID: 12742013 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-2836(03)00372-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Protein and other antigens typically have a number of different epitopes. This presents an opportunity for designing high-affinity antibodies by connecting via a flexible peptide linker two antibody fragments recognizing non-overlapping epitopes on the same antigen. The same strategy was employed in natural and designed DNA-binding proteins. According to a previous theory, the linking enhances the antigen-binding affinity over those of the individual antibody fragments (with association constants K(A) and K(B)) by p(d(0))K(B) or p(d(0))K(A), where p(d(0))=(3/4pil(p)bL)(3/2)exp(-3d(0)(2)/4l(p)bL)(1-5l(p)/4bL+ cdots, three dots, centered ) is the probability density for the end-to-end vector of the flexible linker with L residues to have a distance d(0). The predicted affinity enhancement is found to be actually approached by a bi-specific antibody against hen egg lysozyme consisting of scFv fragments of D1.3 and HyHEL-10. The wide applicability of the theory is demonstrated by diverse examples of protein-protein interactions constrained by flexible linkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Physics and Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
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14
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Hong-Geller E, Gupta G. Therapeutic approaches to superantigen-based diseases: a review. J Mol Recognit 2003; 16:91-101. [PMID: 12720278 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Superantigens secreted by the bacterial pathogen Staphyloccocus aureus are extremely potent toxins that overstimulate the host immune system by binding to the MHC class II and T cell receptors and activating a large population of T cells. Superantigen infection has been shown to be the causative agents in acute diseases, food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome, and in more chronic conditions such as inflammatory skin diseases. In addition to the toll on public health, S. aureus superantigens also represent a potential biothreat to our national security. To address these risks, a number of different therapeutic strategies have been developed that target different aspects of the pathogenic mechanism of S. aureus and superantigen infection. These therapies, which encompass strategies as diverse as production of neutralizing antibodies, inhibitory peptide/receptor design and blockage of superantigen gene transcription, are being tested for treatment of established S. aureus infections in pre- and post-exposure scenarios. In this review, we will describe these different strategies and their efficacies in inhibition of superantigen-induced effects in the host, and present the future outlook for successfully producing therapies for superantigen-based disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Hong-Geller
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Biosciences Division, HRL-1, MS-M888, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
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15
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Abstract
We have assembled references of 700 articles published in 2001 that describe work performed using commercially available optical biosensors. To illustrate the technology's diversity, the citation list is divided into reviews, methods and specific applications, as well as instrument type. We noted marked improvements in the utilization of biosensors and the presentation of kinetic data over previous years. These advances reflect a maturing of the technology, which has become a standard method for characterizing biomolecular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Rich
- Center for Biomolecular Interaction Analysis, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
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Langezaal I, Hoffmann S, Hartung T, Coecke S. Evaluation and prevalidation of an immunotoxicity test based on human whole-blood cytokine release. Altern Lab Anim 2002; 30:581-95. [PMID: 12513684 DOI: 10.1177/026119290203000605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Immunotoxicology is a relatively new field in toxicology, and is one of emerging importance, because immunotoxicity appears to contribute to the development of cancer, autoimmune disorders, allergies and other diseases. At present, there is a lack of human cell-based immunotoxicity assays for predicting the toxicity of xenobiotics toward the immune system in a simple, fast, economical and reliable way. Existing immunotoxicity tests are mainly performed in animals, although species differences favour human-based testing. Whole-blood cytokine release models have attracted increasing interest, and are broadly used for pharmacological in vitro and ex vivo studies, as well as for pyrogenicity testing. We have adapted those methods for immunotoxicity testing, to permit the potency testing of immunostimulants and immunosuppressants. Following stimulation with a lipopolysaccharide or staphylococcal enterotoxin B, monocytes and lymphocytes release interleukin-1beta and interleukin-4, respectively. Thirty-one pharmaceutical compounds, with known effects on the immune system, were used to optimise and standardise the method, by analysing their effects on cytokine release. The in vitro results were expressed as IC50 values for immunosuppression, and SC(4) (fourfold increase) values for immunostimulation, and compared with therapeutic serum concentrations of the compounds in patients, and in vivo LD50 values from animal studies. The in vitro results correlated well with the in vivo data, so the test appears to reflect immunomodulation. Results were reproducible (CV = 20 +/- 5%), and the method could be transferred to another laboratory (r(2) = 0.99). We therefore propose this method for further validation and for use in immunotoxicity testing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Langezaal
- European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods, Institute for Health & Consumer Protection, European Commission Joint Research Centre, 21020 Ispra (VA), Italy
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Schubert MS. A superantigen hypothesis for the pathogenesis of chronic hypertrophic rhinosinusitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, and related disorders. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2001; 87:181-8. [PMID: 11570613 DOI: 10.1016/s1081-1206(10)62222-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic eosinophilic-lymphocytic respiratory mucosal inflammatory disorders include hypertrophic sinus disease, allergic fungal sinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and chronic severe asthma. They have many analogous or shared aspects of pathology at molecular, cellular, and clinical levels of analysis. OBJECTIVE To propose a theory, and supporting data through comprehensive literature review, that unifies these diseases' pathogenesis. METHODS AND DATA SOURCES: Current medical literature was used as supportive background information. Reinterpretation of existing studies and reasoned speculation were used when necessary and identified where used. English language MEDLINE articles that referenced sinusitis, rhinosinusitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, nasal polyp, superantigen, and T cell receptor from 1983 to present were potentially used as background or supportive information. Additional referenced articles, published abstracts, and National Center for Biotechnology Information Entrez protein database searches were used. Case reports, studies, review articles, and textbooks were included. RESULTS Multiple lines of evidence support the proposed hypothesis that microbial T cell superantigen production, persistence, and host-responsiveness are the fundamental components that unify the pathogenesis of all common chronic eosinophilic-lymphocytic respiratory mucosal inflammatory disorders. Superantigen amplification of preexisting immunopathology is the proposed mechanism for disease induction and maintenance. Preexisting immunopathology is created in the individual by a potential heterogeneity of immunopathologic signals that can include type I immediate hypersensitivity, other antigen-specific immune responses, cytokine dysregulation, eicosanoid dysregulation, various genetic mutations, and other molecular pathology. Although the ability to develop chronic severe inflammatory disease is dependent upon this immunopathology, host T cell receptor V beta genetics and persistent superantigen production/exposure at the respiratory mucosa by relevant superantigen-producing extra- or intracellular microbes are postulated to be required. This mechanism for disease pathogenesis may also apply to other disorders. Approaches to prove this theory and its predictions are presented. CONCLUSIONS The pathogenesis of all the disorders discussed can be unified through the superantigen hypothesis proposed. Multiple lines of evidence support this hypothesis. How we view these common conditions will change, and new research into pathogenesis and treatment will occur if this proves true.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Schubert
- Allergy Asthma Clinic, Ltd, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA
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Metzler DE, Metzler CM, Sauke DJ. Biochemical Defense Mechanisms. Biochemistry 2001. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-012492543-4/50034-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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