Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance to complement-mediated immunity is dependent on the capsular serotype

Distribution patterns and influential factors of pathogenic bacteria in freshwater aquaculture sediments

Pathogenic bacteria, the major causative agents of aquaculture diseases, are a serious impediment to the aquaculture industry. However, the bioinformatics of pathogenic bacteria and virulence factors (VFs) in sediments, an important component of freshwater aquaculture ecosystems, are not well characterized. In this study, 20 sediment samples were collected from fish pond sediments (FPS), shrimp field sediments (SFS), fish pond sediment control (FPSC), and shrimp field sediment control (SFSC). Molecular biological information was obtained on a total of 173 pathogenic bacteria, 1093 virulence factors (VFs), and 8475 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) from these samples. The results indicated that (1) aquaculture patterns and sediment characteristics can affect the distribution of pathogenic bacteria. According to the results of the Kruskal-Wallis H test, except for Mycobacterium gilvum, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) among the four sediment types in the average abundance of major pathogenic bacteria (top 30 in abundance), and the average abundance of major pathogenic bacteria in the four sediment types followed the following pattern: FPS > SFS > FPSC > SFSC. (2) Pathogenic bacteria are able to implement a variety of complex pathogenic mechanisms such as adhesion, invasion, immune evasion, and metabolic regulation in the host because they carry a variety of VFs such as type IV pili, HSI-I, Alginate, Colibactin, and Capsule. According to the primary classification of the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB), the abundance of VFs in all four types of sediments showed the following pattern: offensive VFs > non-specific VFs > defensive VFs > regulation of virulence-related genes. (3) Total organic carbon (TOC), total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), nitrite, and nitrate were mostly only weakly positively correlated with the major pathogenic bacteria and could promote the growth of pathogenic bacteria to some extent, whereas ammonia was significantly positively correlated with most of the major pathogenic bacteria and could play an important role in promoting the growth and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. (4) Meanwhile, there was also a significant positive correlation between CAZyme genes and major pathogenic bacteria (0.62 ≤ R ≤ 0.89, P < 0.05). This suggests that these pathogenic bacteria could be the main carriers of CAZyme genes and, to some extent, gained a higher level of metabolic activity by degrading organic matter in the sediments to maintain their competitive advantage. (5) Worryingly, the results of correlation analyses indicated that MGEs in aquaculture sediments could play an important role in the spread of VFs (R = 0.82, P < 0.01), and in particular, plasmids (R = 0.75, P < 0.01) and integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs, R = 0.65, P < 0.05) could be these major vectors of VFs. The results of this study contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the health of freshwater aquaculture sediments and provide a scientific basis for aquaculture management and conservation.

Serotype-Dependent Inhibition of Streptococcus pneumoniae Growth by Short-Chain Fatty Acids

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe infectious diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media. Despite the availability of antibiotics and pneumococcal vaccines against some invasive serotypes, pneumococcal infection remains a tremendous clinical challenge due to the increasing frequency of infection by antimicrobial resistant, nonencapsulated, and/or non-vaccine serotype strains. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are produced at various mucosal sites in the body, have potent antimicrobial activity, including inhibition of pathogen growth and/or bacterial biofilm formation. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) against various serotypes pneumococci. Propionate generally inhibited the growth of S. pneumoniae serotypes included in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) 13, except for serotypes 3 and 7F, though butyrate and acetate showed no or low inhibition, depending on the serotypes. Of note, butyrate showed strong inhibition against serotype 3, the most prevalent invasive strain since the introduction of the PCV. No SCFAs showed inhibitory effects against serotype 7F. Remarkably, the nonencapsulated pneumococcal strain had more sensitivity to SCFAs than encapsulated parental strains. Taken together, these results suggest that propionate showing the most potent inhibition of pneumococcal growth may be used as an alternative treatment for pneumococcal infection, and that butyrate could be used against serotype 3, which is becoming a serious threat.

Contribution of nadR to the cell growth and virulence of Streptococcus suis serotype 2

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) has been reported to be a highly invasive pathogen in swine and a zoonotic agent for humans. Although many bacterial virulence factors have been identified, our an insightful understanding of SS2 pathogenicity is lacking. The gene nadR, encoding nicotinamide-nucleotide adenylyltransferase, was first reported as a regulator and transporter of the intracellular NAD synthesis pathway in Salmonella typhimurium. In this study, we constructed a mutant strain of nadR (ΔnadR) to test the phenotypic and virulence variations between the deletion mutant and the wild-type strain ZY05719. The phenotypic experimental results showed that ΔnadR obviously inhibited cell growth and exhibited shorter chains than WT. The growth defect of ΔnadR was caused by the loss of the function of nadR for transporting the substrates nicotinamide mononucleotide and nicotinamide riboside in the intracellular NAD synthesis pathway. In the process of interaction with the host, ΔnadR participated in adherence and invasion to the host cells, and it was more easily cleared by RAW264.7 macrophages. More importantly, both zebrafish and BALB/c mice in vivo virulence experimental results showed that ΔnadR dramatically attenuated the virulence of SS2, and the ability of ΔnadR to colonize tissues was notably reduced in comparison with that of WT in the BALB/c mice infection model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to demonstrate that nadR not only plays an important role in bacterial growth, but also in connection with the virulence of SS2 as a global transcriptional regulator.

Establishment of a modified opsonophagocytic killing assay for anti-pneumococcal surface protein A antibody

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a pathogenic gram-positive bacterium that causes pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) induces antibodies that protect against lethal infections by pneumococci. PspA is a choline-binding protein present on the cell surface of almost all pneumococcal strains and is a non-capsular polysaccharide vaccine candidate. For research and development of PspA-based vaccines, an in-vitro test system to measure the activity of functional antibodies capable of killing pneumococci is essential. The opsonophagocytic killing (OPK) assay is used to evaluate the opsonic activity of functional antibodies induced by capsular polysaccharide (CPS)-based vaccines (standard OPK assay). Despite the potential of anti-PspA antibodies to protect against lethal infections in mice, the standard OPK assay fails to evaluate anti-PspA antibodies. Using a pneumococcal surface protein C-deficient strain and extending the incubation time of opsonized bacteria, complement, and HL-60 cells reportedly results in enhanced bactericidal activity (modified OPK assay). We aimed to measure the bactericidal activity of anti-PspA antibodies in intact pneumococcal strains. We optimized the pneumococcal culture method used in the OPK assay to increase the efficiency of anti-PspA antibody-mediated phagocytosis of HL-60 cells. As thick capsules hinder phagocytosis, we attempted to obtain pneumococci with thin capsules through an improved culture method. As pneumococci attached to cells exhibit thin capsules, pneumococci cultured in Todd Hewitt yeast extract (THY) broth were spread on blood agar plates and incubated for 4 h. cpsA mRNA transcript levels in pneumococci cultured on blood agar were lower than those in pneumococci cultured in THY broth. OPK activity against pneumococci expressing PspA of clades 1-5 was reasonably well detected using pneumococci cultured on blood agar in the modified OPK assay. The modified OPK assay for anti-PspA antibody using pneumococci cultured on blood agar represents a useful assay to determine the killing activity of functional anti-PspA antibodies against pneumococci.

Effects of Capsular Polysaccharide amount on Pneumococcal-Host interactions

Among the many oral streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) stands out for the capacity of encapsulated strains to cause invasive infection. Spread beyond upper airways, however, is a biological dead end for the organism, raising the question of the benefits of expending energy to coat its surface in a thick layer of capsular polysaccharide (CPS). In this study, we compare mutants of two serotypes expressing different amounts of CPS and test these in murine models of colonization, invasion infection and transmission. Our analysis of the effect of CPS amount shows that Spn expresses a capsule of sufficient thickness to shield its surface from the deposition of complement and binding of antibody to underlying epitopes. While effective shielding is permissive for invasive infection, its primary contribution to the organism appears to be in the dynamics of colonization. A thicker capsule increases bacterial retention in the nasopharynx, the first event in colonization, and also impedes IL-17-dependent clearance during late colonization. Enhanced colonization is associated with increased opportunity for host-to-host transmission. Additionally, we document substantial differences in CPS amount among clinical isolates of three common serotypes. Together, our findings show that CPS amount is highly variable among Spn and could be an independent determinant affecting host interactions.

Evolutionary and functional history of the Escherichia coli K1 capsule

Escherichia coli is a leading cause of invasive bacterial infections in humans. Capsule polysaccharide has an important role in bacterial pathogenesis, and the K1 capsule has been firmly established as one of the most potent capsule types in E. coli through its association with severe infections. However, little is known about its distribution, evolution and functions across the E. coli phylogeny, which is fundamental to elucidating its role in the expansion of successful lineages. Using systematic surveys of invasive E. coli isolates, we show that the K1-cps locus is present in a quarter of bloodstream infection isolates and has emerged in at least four different extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) phylogroups independently in the last 500 years. Phenotypic assessment demonstrates that K1 capsule synthesis enhances E. coli survival in human serum independent of genetic background, and that therapeutic targeting of the K1 capsule re-sensitizes E. coli from distinct genetic backgrounds to human serum. Our study highlights that assessing the evolutionary and functional properties of bacterial virulence factors at population levels is important to better monitor and predict the emergence of virulent clones, and to also inform therapies and preventive medicine to effectively control bacterial infections whilst significantly lowering antibiotic usage.

Age-dependent differences in efferocytosis determine the outcome of opsonophagocytic protection from invasive pathogens

In early life, susceptibility to invasive infection skews toward a small subset of microbes, whereas other pathogens associated with diseases later in life, including Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), are uncommon among neonates. To delineate mechanisms behind age-dependent susceptibility, we compared age-specific mouse models of invasive Spn infection. We show enhanced CD11b-dependent opsonophagocytosis by neonatal neutrophils improved protection against Spn during early life. The augmented function of neonatal neutrophils was mediated by higher CD11b surface expression at the population level due to dampened efferocytosis, which also resulted in more CD11bhi "aged" neutrophils in peripheral blood. Dampened efferocytosis during early life could be attributed to the lack of CD169+ macrophages in neonates and reduced systemic expressions of multiple efferocytic mediators, including MerTK. On experimentally impairing efferocytosis later in life, CD11bhi neutrophils increased and protection against Spn improved. Our findings reveal how age-dependent differences in efferocytosis determine infection outcome through the modulation of CD11b-driven opsonophagocytosis and immunity.

The divisome but not the elongasome organizes capsule synthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae

The bacterial cell envelope consists of multiple layers, including the peptidoglycan cell wall, one or two membranes, and often an external layer composed of capsular polysaccharides (CPS) or other components. How the synthesis of all these layers is precisely coordinated remains unclear. Here, we identify a mechanism that coordinates the synthesis of CPS and peptidoglycan in Streptococcus pneumoniae. We show that CPS synthesis initiates from the division septum and propagates along the long axis of the cell, organized by the tyrosine kinase system CpsCD. CpsC and the rest of the CPS synthesis complex are recruited to the septum by proteins associated with the divisome (a complex involved in septal peptidoglycan synthesis) but not the elongasome (involved in peripheral peptidoglycan synthesis). Assembly of the CPS complex starts with CpsCD, then CpsA and CpsH, the glycosyltransferases, and finally CpsJ. Remarkably, targeting CpsC to the cell pole is sufficient to reposition CPS synthesis, leading to diplococci that lack CPS at the septum. We propose that septal CPS synthesis is important for chain formation and complement evasion, thereby promoting bacterial survival inside the host.

Parapneumonic effusions related to Streptococcus pneumoniae: serotype and disease severity trends from 2006 to 2018 in Bristol, UK

RATIONALE

Streptococcus pneumoniae epidemiology is changing in response to vaccination and some data suggest that empyema incidence is increasing. However, differences exist between the UK and US studies. We describe trends in the clinical phenotype of adult pneumococcal pleural infection, including simple parapneumonic effusions (SPE) in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (PCV) era.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether there were differences in pneumococcal disease presentation and severity associated with pleural infection.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study, all adults ≥16 years admitted to three large UK hospitals, 2006-2018 with pneumococcal disease. 2477 invasive pneumococcal cases were identified: 459 SPE and 100 pleural infection cases. Medical records were reviewed for each clinical episode. Serotype data were obtained from the UK Health Security Agency national reference laboratory.

RESULTS

Incidence increased over time, including non-PCV-serotype disease. PCV7-serotype disease declined following paediatric PCV7 introduction, but the effect of PCV13 was less apparent as disease caused by the additional six serotypes plateaued with serotypes 1 and 3 causing such parapneumonic effusions from 2011 onwards.Patients with pleural infection had a median survival 468 days (95% CI 340 to 590) vs 286 days (95% CI 274 to 335) in those with SPE. Pleural infection associated with frank pus had lower 90-day mortality than pleural infection without pus (0% vs 29%, p<0.0001). 90-day mortality could be predicted by baseline increased RAPID (Renal, Age, Purulence, Infection source, and Dietary factors) score (HR 15.01, 95% CI 1.24 to 40.06, p=0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumococcal infection continues to cause severe disease despite the introduction of PCVs. The predominance of serotype 1 and 3 in this adult UK cohort is in keeping with previous studies in paediatric and non-UK studies. Rising non-PCV serotype disease and limited impact of PCV13 on cases caused by serotypes 1 and 3 offset the reductions in adult pneumococcal parapneumonic effusion disease burden observed following the introduction of the childhood PCV7 programme.

Characterization of the innate immune response to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in zebrafish

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is one of the most frequent causes of pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis in humans, and an important cause of mortality among children and the elderly. We have previously reported the suitability of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) larval model for the study of the host-pathogen interactions in pneumococcal infection. In the present study, we characterized the zebrafish innate immune response to pneumococcus in detail through a whole-genome level transcriptome analysis and revealed a well-conserved response to this human pathogen in challenged larvae. In addition, to gain understanding of the genetic factors associated with the increased risk for severe pneumococcal infection in humans, we carried out a medium-scale forward genetic screen in zebrafish. In the screen, we identified a mutant fish line which showed compromised resistance to pneumococcus in the septic larval infection model. The transcriptome analysis of the mutant zebrafish larvae revealed deficient expression of a gene homologous for human C-reactive protein (CRP). Furthermore, knockout of one of the six zebrafish crp genes by CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis predisposed zebrafish larvae to a more severe pneumococcal infection, and the phenotype was further augmented by concomitant knockdown of a gene for another Crp isoform. This suggests a conserved function of C-reactive protein in anti-pneumococcal immunity in zebrafish. Altogether, this study highlights the similarity of the host response to pneumococcus in zebrafish and humans, gives evidence of the conserved role of C-reactive protein in the defense against pneumococcus, and suggests novel host genes associated with pneumococcal infection.

Interrogation of the contribution of (endo)lysin domains to tune their bacteriolytic efficiency provides a novel clue to design superior antibacterials

Bacteriophage-derived endolysins and bacterial autolysins (hereinafter lysins) represent a completely new class of efficient antibacterials. They prevent the development of bacterial resistance and help protect commensal microbiota, producing cell wall lysis. Here we have investigated whether the acquisition of enzymatic active domains (EADs) and cell wall binding domains (CWBDs) of balancing efficiencies could be a way of tuning natural lysin activity. The concept was applied to produce a chimeric lysin of superior antibacterial capacity using the endolysin Skl and the major pneumococcal autolysin LytA. Combination of the Skl EAD and the cell wall choline-binding domain (CBD) of LytA in the chimera QSLA increased the bacterial killing by 2 logs or more compared to parental enzymes at an equal concentration and extended the substrate range to resistant and emergent pneumococci and other pathogens of the mitis group. Contrarily, QLAS, containing LytA EAD and Skl CBD, was inactive against all tested strains, although domain structures were preserved and hydrolysis of purified cell walls maintained in both chimeras. As a whole, our study provides a novel clue to design superior lysins to fight multidrug-resistant pathogens based on domain selection, and a powerful in-vivo active lysin (QSLA) with promising therapeutic perspectives.

Global transcriptional responses of pneumococcus to human blood components and cerebrospinal fluid

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a leading cause of severe invasive infectious diseases such as sepsis and meningitis. Understanding how pneumococcus adapts and survive in the human bloodstream environment and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is important for development of future treatment strategies. This study investigates the global transcriptional response of pneumococcus to human blood components and CSF acquired from discarded and anonymized patient samples. Extensive transcriptional changes to human blood components were observed during early stages of interaction. Plasma-specific responses were primarily related to metabolic components and include strong downregulation of fatty acid biosynthesis genes, and upregulation of nucleotide biosynthesis genes. No transcriptional responses specific to the active plasma proteins (e.g., complement proteins) were observed during early stages of interaction as demonstrated by a differential expression analysis between plasma and heat-inactivated plasma. The red blood cell (RBC)-specific response was far more complex, and included activation of the competence system, differential expression of several two-component systems, phosphotransferase systems and transition metal transporter genes. Interestingly, most of the changes observed for CSF were also observed for plasma. One of the few CSF-specific responses, not observed for plasma, was a strong downregulation of the iron acquisition system piuBCDA. Intriguingly, this transcriptomic analysis also uncovers significant differential expression of more than 20 small non-coding RNAs, most of them in response to RBCs, including small RNAs from uncharacterized type I toxin-antitoxin systems. In summary, this transcriptomic study identifies key pneumococcal metabolic pathways and regulatory genes involved with adaptation to human blood and CSF. Future studies should uncover the potential involvement of these factors with virulence in-vivo.

Functional vulnerability of liver macrophages to capsules defines virulence of blood-borne bacteria

Many encapsulated bacteria use capsules to cause invasive diseases. However, it remains largely unknown how the capsules enhance bacterial virulence under in vivo infection conditions. Here we show that the capsules primarily target the liver to enhance bacterial survival at the onset of blood-borne infections. In a mouse sepsis model, the capsules enabled human pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli to circumvent the recognition of liver-resident macrophage Kupffer cells (KCs) in a capsular serotype-dependent manner. In contrast to effective capture of acapsular bacteria by KCs, the encapsulated bacteria are partially (low-virulence types) or completely (high-virulence types) "untouchable" for KCs. We finally identified the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR) as the first known capsule receptor on KCs to recognize the low-virulence serotype-7F and -14 pneumococcal capsules. Our data identify the molecular interplay between the capsules and KCs as a master controller of the fate and virulence of encapsulated bacteria, and suggest that the interplay is targetable for therapeutic control of septic infections.

A Jack of All Trades: The Role of Pneumococcal Surface Protein A in the Pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), or the pneumococcus, is a Gram-positive bacterium that colonizes the upper airway. Spn is an opportunistic pathogen capable of life-threatening disease should it become established in the lungs, gain access to the bloodstream, or disseminate to vital organs including the central nervous system. Spn is encapsulated, allowing it to avoid phagocytosis, and current preventative measures against infection include polyvalent vaccines composed of capsular polysaccharide corresponding to its most prevalent serotypes. The pneumococcus also has a plethora of surface components that allow the bacteria to adhere to host cells, facilitate the evasion of the immune system, and obtain vital nutrients; one family of these are the choline-binding proteins (CBPs). Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) is one of the most abundant CBPs and confers protection against the host by inhibiting recognition by C-reactive protein and neutralizing the antimicrobial peptide lactoferricin. Recently our group has identified two new roles for PspA: binding to dying host cells via host-cell bound glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and co-opting of host lactate dehydrogenase to enhance lactate availability. These properties have been shown to influence Spn localization and enhance virulence in the lower airway, respectively. Herein, we review the impact of CBPs, and in particular PspA, on pneumococcal pathogenesis. We discuss the potential and limitations of using PspA as a conserved vaccine antigen in a conjugate vaccine formulation. PspA is a vital component of the pneumococcal virulence arsenal - therefore, understanding the molecular aspects of this protein is essential in understanding pneumococcal pathogenesis and utilizing PspA as a target for treating or preventing pneumococcal pneumonia.

Strain Specific Variations in Acinetobacter baumannii Complement Sensitivity

The complement system is required for innate immunity against Acinetobacter baumannii, an important cause of antibiotic resistant systemic infections. A. baumannii strains differ in their susceptibility to the membrane attack complex (MAC) formed from terminal complement pathway proteins, but the reasons for this variation remain poorly understood. We have characterized in detail the complement sensitivity phenotypes of nine A. baumannii clinical strains and some of the factors that might influence differences between strains. Using A. baumannii laboratory strains and flow cytometry assays, we first reconfirmed that both opsonization with the complement proteins C3b/iC3b and MAC formation were inhibited by the capsule. There were marked differences in C3b/iC3b and MAC binding between the nine clinical A. baumannii strains, but this variation was partially independent of capsule composition or size. Opsonization with C3b/iC3b improved neutrophil phagocytosis of most strains. Importantly, although C3b/iC3b binding and MAC formation on the bacterial surface correlated closely, MAC formation did not correlate with variations between A. baumannii strains in their levels of serum resistance. Genomic analysis identified only limited differences between strains in the distribution of genes required for serum resistance, but RNAseq data identified three complement-resistance genes that were differentially regulated between a MAC resistant and two MAC intermediate resistant strains when cultured in serum. These data demonstrate that clinical A. baumannii strains vary in their sensitivity to different aspects of the complement system, and that the serum resistance phenotype was influenced by factors in addition to the amount of MAC forming on the bacterial surface.

Effects of Expression of Streptococcus pneumoniae PspC on the Ability of Streptococcus mitis to Evade Complement-Mediated Immunity

Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus mitis are genetically closely related and both frequently colonise the naso-oropharynx, yet S. pneumoniae is a common cause of invasive infections whereas S. mitis is only weakly pathogenic. We hypothesise that sensitivity to innate immunity may underlie these differences in virulence phenotype. We compared the sensitivity of S. pneumoniae and S. mitis strains to complement-mediated immunity, demonstrating S. mitis strains were susceptible to complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis. S. pneumoniae resistance to complement is partially dependent on binding of the complement regulator Factor H by the surface protein PspC. However, S. mitis was unable to bind factor H. The S. pneumoniae TIGR4 strain pspC was expressed in the S. mitis SK142 strain to create a S. mitis pspC⁺ strain. Immunoblots demonstrated the S. mitis pspC⁺ strain expressed PspC, and flow cytometry confirmed this resulted in Factor H binding to S. mitis, reduced susceptibility to complement and improved survival in whole human blood compared to the wild-type S. mitis strain. However, in mouse models the S. mitis pspC⁺ strain remained unable to establish persistent infection. Unlike S. pneumoniae strains, culture in serum or blood did not support increased CFU of the S. mitis strains. These results suggest S. mitis is highly sensitive to opsonisation with complement partially due to an inability to bind Factor H, but even when complement sensitivity was reduced by expression of pspC, poor growth in physiological fluid limited the virulence of S. mitis in mice.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms within the cps loci: another potential source of clinically important genetic variation for Streptococcus pneumoniae?

The Streptococcus pneumoniae capsule is essential for disease pathogenesis, suggesting that even minor genetic changes within the cps locus could potentially have important consequences. Arends et al. have identified 79 different non-synonymous SNPs in the cps locus of 338 19A serotype strains, and shown significant variations between strains in nucleotide sugars content and capsule shedding. Further work is required to characterise whether any of these changes have important functional consequences on capsule/host interactions.

Screening for phagocytosis resistance-related genes via a transposon mutant library of Streptococcus suis serotype 2

Streptococcus suis

serotype 2 (SS2) is a serious zoonotic pathogen which causes symptoms of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) and septicemia; these symptoms suggest that SS2 may have evade innate immunity. Phagocytosis is an important innate immunity process where phagocytosed pathogens are killed by lysosome enzymes, reactive oxygen, and nitrogen species, and acidic environments in macrophages following engulfment. A previously constructed mutant SS2 library was screened, revealing 13 mutant strains with decreased phagocytic resistance. Through inverse PCR, the transposon insertion sites were determined. Through bioinformatic analysis, the 13 disrupted genes were identified as Cps2F, 3 genes belonging to ABC transporters, WalR, TehB, rpiA, S-transferase encoding gene, prs, HsdM, GNAT family N-acetyltransferase encoding gene, proB, and upstream region of DnaK. Except for the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis associated Cps2F, the other genes had not been linked to a role in anti-phagocytosis. The survival ability in macrophages and whole blood of randomly picked mutant strains were significantly impaired compared with wild-type ZY05719. The virulence of the mutant strains was also attenuated in a mouse infection model. In the WalR mutant, the transcription of HP1065 decreased significantly compared with wild-type strain, indicating WalR might regulated HP1065 expression and contribute to the anti-phagocytosis of SS2. In conclusion, we identified 13 genes that influenced the phagocytosis resistant ability of SS2, and many of these genes have not been reported to be associated with resistance to phagocytosis. Our work provides novel insight into resistance to phagocytosis, and furthers our understanding of the pathogenesis mechanism of SS2.

Capsular polysaccharide switching in Streptococcus suis modulates host cell interactions and virulence

The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of Streptococcus suis defines various serotypes based on its composition and structure. Though serotype switching has been suggested to occur between S. suis strains, its impact on pathogenicity and virulence remains unknown. Herein, we experimentally generated S. suis serotype-switched mutants from a serotype 2 strain that express the serotype 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, or 14 CPS. The effects of serotype switching were then investigated with regards to classical properties conferred by presence of the serotype 2 CPS, including adhesion to/invasion of epithelial cells, resistance to phagocytosis by macrophages, killing by whole blood, dendritic cell-derived pro-inflammatory mediator production and virulence using mouse and porcine infection models. Results demonstrated that these properties on host cell interactions were differentially modulated depending on the switched serotypes, although some different mutations other than loci of CPS-related genes were found in each the serotype-switched mutant. Among the serotype-switched mutants, the mutant expressing the serotype 8 CPS was hyper-virulent, whereas mutants expressing the serotype 3 or 4 CPSs had reduced virulence. By contrast, switching to serotype 7, 9, or 14 CPSs had little to no effect. These findings suggest that serotype switching can drastically alter S. suis virulence and host cell interactions.

Synthetic Analogs of Streptococcus pneumoniae Capsular Polysaccharides and Immunogenic Activities of Glycoconjugates

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram-positive bacterium (pneumococcus) that causes severe diseases in adults and children. It was established that some capsular polysaccharides of the clinically significant serotypes of S. pneumoniae in the composition of commercial pneumococcal polysaccharide or conjugate vaccines exhibit low immunogenicity. The review considers production methods and structural features of the synthetic oligosaccharides from the problematic pneumococcal serotypes that are characterized with low immunogenicity due to destruction or detrimental modification occurring in the process of their preparation and purification. Bacterial serotypes that cause severe pneumococcal diseases as well as serotypes not included in the composition of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are also discussed. It is demonstrated that the synthetic oligosaccharides corresponding to protective glycotopes of the capsular polysaccharides of various pneumococcal serotypes are capable of inducing formation of the protective opsonizing antibodies and immunological memory. Optimal constructs of oligosaccharides from the epidemiologically significant pneumococcal serotypes are presented that can be used for designing synthetic pneumococcal vaccines, as well as test systems for diagnosis of S. pneumoniae infections and monitoring of vaccination efficiency .

Pneumococcal Choline-Binding Proteins Involved in Virulence as Vaccine Candidates

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a pathogen responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. Currently, the available vaccines for the prevention of S. pneumoniae infections are the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide-based vaccine (PPV-23) and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV10 and PCV13). These vaccines only cover some pneumococcal serotypes (up to 100 different serotypes have been identified) and are unable to protect against non-vaccine serotypes and non-encapsulated pneumococci. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant non-vaccine serotypes after these vaccines is an increasing threat. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new pneumococcal vaccines which could cover a wide range of serotypes. One of the vaccines most characterized as a prophylactic alternative to current PPV-23 or PCVs is a vaccine based on pneumococcal protein antigens. The choline-binding proteins (CBP) are found in all pneumococcal strains, giving them the characteristic to be potential vaccine candidates as they may protect against different serotypes. In this review, we have focused the attention on different CBPs as vaccine candidates because they are involved in the pathogenesis process, confirming their immunogenicity and protection against pneumococcal infection. The review summarizes the major contribution of these proteins to virulence and reinforces the fact that antibodies elicited against many of them may block or interfere with their role in the infection process.

Sugar-Coated Killer: Serotype 3 Pneumococcal Disease

Capsular polysaccharide (CPS), which surrounds the bacteria, is one of the most significant and multifaceted contributors to Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence. Capsule prevents entrapment in mucus during colonization, traps water to protect against desiccation, can serve as an energy reserve, and protects the bacterium against complement-mediated opsonization and immune cell phagocytosis. To date, 100 biochemically and serologically distinct capsule types have been identified for S. pneumoniae; 20 to 30 of which have well-defined propensity to cause opportunistic human infection. Among these, serotype 3 is perhaps the most problematic as serotype 3 infections are characterized as having severe clinical manifestations including empyema, bacteremia, cardiotoxicity, and meningitis; consequently, with a fatality rate of 30%-47%. Moreover, serotype 3 resists antibody-mediated clearance despite its inclusion in the current 13-valent conjugate vaccine formulation. This review covers the role of capsule in pneumococcal pathogenesis and the importance of serotype 3 on human disease. We discuss how serotype 3 capsule synthesis and presentation on the bacterial surface is distinct from other serotypes, the biochemical and physiological properties of this capsule type that facilitate its ability to cause disease, and why existing vaccines are unable to confer protection. We conclude with discussion of the clonal properties of serotype 3 and how these have changed since introduction of the 13-valent vaccine in 2000.

CSF Levels of Elongation Factor Tu Is Associated With Increased Mortality in Malawian Adults With Streptococcus pneumoniae Meningitis

Background

Mortality from bacterial meningitis, predominately caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, exceeds 50% in sub-Saharan African countries with high HIV prevalence. Underlying causes of high mortality are poorly understood. We examined the host and pathogen proteome in the CSF of adults with proven pneumococcal meningitis (PM), testing if there was an association between differentially expressed proteins and outcome.

Materials/Methods

CSF proteomes were analyzed by quantitative Mass-Spectrometry. Spectra were identified using the Swissprot human and TIGR4 pneumococcal protein libraries. Proteins were quantitated and analyzed against mortality. Unique proteins in PM were identified against published normal CSF proteome. Random-Forest models were used to test for protein signatures discriminating outcome. Proteins of interest were tested for their effects on growth and neutrophil opsonophagocytic killing of S. pneumoniae.

Results

CSF proteomes were available for 57 Adults with PM (median age 32 years, 60% male, 70% HIV-1 co-infected, mortality 63%). Three hundred sixty individual human and 23 pneumococcal proteins were identified. Of the human protein hits, 30% were not expressed in normal CSF, and these were strongly associated with inflammation and primarily related to neutrophil activity. No human protein signature predicted outcome. However, expression of the essential S. pneumoniae protein Elongation Factor Tu (EF-Tu) was significantly increased in CSF of non-survivors [False Discovery Rate (q) <0.001]. Expression of EF-Tu was negatively co-correlated against expression of Neutrophil defensin (r 0.4 p p < 0.002), but not against complement proteins C3 or Factor H. In vitro, addition of EF-Tu protein impaired S. pneumoniae neutrophil killing in CSF.

Conclusions

Excessive S. pneumoniae EF-Tu protein in CSF was associated with reduced survival in meningitis in a high HIV prevalence population. We show EF-Tu may inhibit neutrophil mediated killing of S. pneumoniae in CSF. Further mechanistic work is required to better understand how S. pneumoniae avoids essential innate immune responses during PM through production of excess EF-Tu.

Streptococci and the complement system: interplay during infection, inflammation and autoimmunity

Streptococci are a broad group of Gram-positive bacteria. This genus includes various human pathogens causing significant morbidity and mortality. Two of the most important human pathogens are Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus or GAS). Streptococcal pathogens have evolved to express virulence factors that enable them to evade complement-mediated attack. These include factor H-binding M (S. pyogenes) and pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC) (S. pneumoniae) proteins. In addition, S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae express cytolysins (streptolysin and pneumolysin), which are able to destroy host cells. Sometimes, the interplay between streptococci, the complement, and antistreptococcal immunity may lead to an excessive inflammatory response or autoimmune disease. Understanding the fundamental role of the complement system in microbial clearance and the bacterial escape mechanisms is of paramount importance for understanding microbial virulence, in general, and, the conversion of commensals to pathogens, more specifically. Such insights may help to identify novel antibiotic and vaccine targets in bacterial pathogens to counter their growing resistance to commonly used antibiotics.

Deletion of the Zinc Transporter Lipoprotein AdcAII Causes Hyperencapsulation of Streptococcus pneumoniae Associated with Distinct Alleles of the Type I Restriction-Modification System

The capsule is the dominant Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence factor, yet how variation in capsule thickness is regulated is poorly understood. Here, we describe an unexpected relationship between mutation of adcAII, which encodes a zinc uptake lipoprotein, and capsule thickness. Partial deletion of adcAII in three of five capsular serotypes frequently resulted in a mucoid phenotype that biochemical analysis and electron microscopy of the D39 adcAII mutants confirmed was caused by markedly increased capsule thickness. Compared to D39, the hyperencapsulated ΔadcAII mutant strain was more resistant to complement-mediated neutrophil killing and was hypervirulent in mouse models of invasive infection. Transcriptome analysis of D39 and the ΔadcAII mutant identified major differences in transcription of the Sp_0505-0508 locus, which encodes an SpnD39III (ST5556II) type I restriction-modification system and allelic variation of which correlates with capsule thickness. A PCR assay demonstrated close linkage of the SpnD39IIIC and F alleles with the hyperencapsulated ΔadcAII strains. However, transformation of ΔadcAII with fixed SpnD39III alleles associated with normal capsule thickness did not revert the hyperencapsulated phenotype. Half of hyperencapsulated ΔadcAII strains contained the same single nucleotide polymorphism in the capsule locus gene cps2E, which is required for the initiation of capsule synthesis. These results provide further evidence for the importance of the SpnD39III (ST5556II) type I restriction-modification system for modulating capsule thickness and identified an unexpected linkage between capsule thickness and mutation of ΔadcAII Further investigation will be needed to characterize how mutation of adcAII affects SpnD39III (ST5556II) allele dominance and results in the hyperencapsulated phenotype.IMPORTANCE The Streptococcus pneumoniae capsule affects multiple interactions with the host including contributing to colonization and immune evasion. During infection, the capsule thickness varies, but the mechanisms regulating this are poorly understood. We have identified an unsuspected relationship between mutation of adcAII, a gene that encodes a zinc uptake lipoprotein, and capsule thickness. Mutation of adcAII resulted in a striking hyperencapsulated phenotype, increased resistance to complement-mediated neutrophil killing, and increased S. pneumoniae virulence in mouse models of infection. Transcriptome and PCR analysis linked the hyperencapsulated phenotype of the ΔadcAII strain to specific alleles of the SpnD39III (ST5556II) type I restriction-modification system, a system which has previously been shown to affect capsule thickness. Our data provide further evidence for the importance of the SpnD39III (ST5556II) type I restriction-modification system for modulating capsule thickness and identify an unexpected link between capsule thickness and ΔadcAII, further investigation of which could further characterize mechanisms of capsule regulation.

Identification of a novel bacterial taxon associated with bovine mastitis showing a close evolutionary relationship with Elizabethkingia sp

Recently, the characteristics of prevalent bacterial pathogens causing bovine mastitis have become increasingly complicated, and many commensal or unusual bacterial species have been isolated from milk samples of cows with mastitis. Strain JS20170427COW was isolated dominantly from the milk of Holstein Friesian cows with mastitis in Jiangsu province in China. Colonies of this strain showed a hillock-like protrusion, with a pale-yellow color at the protrusion and a transparent edge, 4-5 mm in diameter after cultivation at 37 °C for 24 h on 5% sheep blood-enriched agar. Although 16 s rRNA analysis showed the closest relationship with the family Flavobacteriaceae containing Elizabethkingia spp., Riemerella sp. and Soonwooa buanensis, the bacterial species of strain JS20170427COW could not be identified adequately because it had a sequence identity of less than 95 % in 16 s rRNA when compared with all the known species of the family Flavobacteriaceae. Unexpectedly, both the first and re-sequencing data determined the whole genome size of strain JS20170427COW to be 2.69 Mb, which is different from the above three closest bacterial species. Therefore, we hypothesized that strain JS20170427COW is a novel taxon of Flavobacteriaceae. Further identification using conserved genes, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), phylogenetic and average nucleotide identity analyses based on whole genome data suggested that JS20170427COW was more likely to be an Elizabethkingia-like strain, but that it does not belong to the Elizabethkingia genus. Comparison of the predicted open reading frames (ORFs) revealed that strain JS20170427COW encodes more special genes than Elizabethkingia species. In summary, we identified a novel Flavobacteriaceae taxon showing a close relationship with Elizabethkingia subspecies, which has potential pathogenicity in bovine mastitis.

In Vivo Relationship between the Nano-Biomechanical Properties of Streptococcal Polysaccharide Capsules and Virulence Phenotype

In common with many bacterial pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae has a polysaccharide capsule which facilitates immune evasion and determines virulence. Recent data have shown that the closely related Streptococcus mitis also expresses polysaccharide capsules including those with an identical chemical structure to S. pneumoniae capsular serotypes. We utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques to investigate the biophysical properties of S. mitis and S. pneumoniae strains expressing the same capsular serotypes that might relate to differences in virulence potential. When comparing S. mitis and S. pneumoniae strains with identical capsule serotypes, S. mitis strains were susceptible to neutrophil killing, and electron microscopy and AFM demonstrated significant morphological differences. Force-volume mapping using AFM showed distinct force-curve profiles for the center and edge areas of encapsulated streptococcal strains. This "edge effect" was not observed in unencapsulated bacteria and therefore was a direct representation of the mechanical properties of the bacterial capsule. When two strains of S. mitis and S. pneumoniae expressed an identical capsular serotype, they presented similar biomechanical characteristics. This infers a potential relationship between capsule biochemistry and nanomechanics, independent of bacterial strain. Overall, this study demonstrates that it is possible to investigate reproducibly the mechanistic, structural, and mechanical properties of both the capsule and the body of individual living bacterial cells and relate the data to virulence phenotypes. We have demonstrated that using nanomechanics to investigate individual bacterial cells we can now begin to identify the surface properties bacterial pathogens require to avoid host-mediated immunity.

Neutrophils in community-acquired pneumonia: parallels in dysfunction at the extremes of age

"Science means constantly walking a tight rope" Heinrich Rohrer, physicist, 1933. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of death from infectious disease worldwide and disproportionately affects older adults and children. In high-income countries, pneumonia is one of the most common reasons for hospitalisation and (when recurrent) is associated with a risk of developing chronic pulmonary conditions in adulthood. Pneumococcal pneumonia is particularly prevalent in older adults, and here, pneumonia is still associated with significant mortality despite the widespread use of pneumococcal vaccination in middleand high-income countries and a low prevalence of resistant organisms. In older adults, 11% of pneumonia survivors are readmitted within months of discharge, often with a further pneumonia episode and with worse outcomes. In children, recurrent pneumonia occurs in approximately 10% of survivors and therefore is a significant cause of healthcare use. Current antibiotic trials focus on short-term outcomes and increasingly shorter courses of antibiotic therapy. However, the high requirement for further treatment for recurrent pneumonia questions the effectiveness of current strategies, and there is increasing global concern about our reliance on antibiotics to treat infections. Novel therapeutic targets and approaches are needed to improve outcomes. Neutrophils are the most abundant immune cell and among the first responders to infection. Appropriate neutrophil responses are crucial to host defence, as evidenced by the poor outcomes seen in neutropenia. Neutrophils from older adults appear to be dysfunctional, displaying a reduced ability to target infected or inflamed tissue, poor phagocytic responses and a reduced capacity to release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs); this occurs in health, but responses are further diminished during infection and particularly during sepsis, where a reduced response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) inhibits the release of immature neutrophils from the bone marrow. Of note, neutrophil responses are similar in preterm infants. Here, the storage pool is decreased, neutrophils are less able to degranulate, have a reduced migratory capacity and are less able to release NETs. Less is known about neutrophil function from older children, but theoretically, impaired functions might increase susceptibility to infections. Targeting these blunted responses may offer a new paradigm for treating CAP, but modifying neutrophil behaviour is challenging; reducing their numbers or inhibiting their function is associated with poor clinical outcomes from infection. Uncontrolled activation and degranulation can cause significant host tissue damage. Any neutrophil-based intervention must walk the tightrope described by Heinrich Rohrer, facilitating necessary phagocytic functions while preventing bystander host damage, and this is a significant challenge which this review will explore.

Identification of an Autorepressing Two-Component Signaling System That Modulates Virulence in Streptococcus suis Serotype 2

Streptococcus suis is one of the most important pathogens affecting the swine industry and is also an emerging zoonotic agent for humans. Two-component signaling systems (TCSs) play important roles in the adaptation of pathogenic bacteria to host environments. In this study, we identified a novel TCS, named TCS09HKRR, which facilitated Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) resistance to clearance by the host immune system and contributed to bacterial pathogenicity. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing analyses identified 79 genes that were differentially expressed between the wild-type (WT) and ΔTCS09HKRR strains, among which half of the 39 downregulated genes belonged to the capsular biosynthesis clusters. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the capsule of the ΔTCS09HKRR strain was thinner than that of the WT strain. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) showed that the regulator of TCS09HKRR (TCS09RR) could not bind the promoter regions of cps and neu clusters, which suggested that TCS09HKRR regulates capsule biosynthesis by indirect pathways. Unexpectedly, the TCS09HKRR operon was upregulated when TCS09HKRR was deleted. A specific region, ATGACATTTGTCAC, which extends from positions -193 to -206 upstream of the TCS09HKRR operon, was further identified as the TCS09RR-binding site using EMSA. These results suggested the involvement of a negative feedback loop in this regulation. In addition, TCS09RR was significantly upregulated by more than 18-fold when coincubated with RAW264.7 macrophages. Our data suggested that autorepression renders TCS09HKRR more sensitive to host stimuli, which optimizes the regulatory network of capsular biosynthesis in SS2.

Streptococcus pneumoniae Capsular Polysaccharide

The polysaccharide capsule of Streptococcus pneumoniae is the dominant surface structure of the organism and plays a critical role in virulence, principally by interfering with host opsonophagocytic clearance mechanisms. The capsule is the target of current pneumococcal vaccines, but there are 98 currently recognised polysaccharide serotypes and protection is strictly serotype-specific. Widespread use of these vaccines is driving changes in serotype prevalence in both carriage and disease. This chapter summarises current knowledge on the role of the capsule and its regulation in pathogenesis, the mechanisms of capsule synthesis, the genetic basis for serotype differences, and provides insights into how so many structurally distinct capsular serotypes have evolved. Such knowledge will inform ongoing refinement of pneumococcal vaccination strategies.

Semisynthetic glycoconjugate based on dual role protein/PsaA as a pneumococcal vaccine

Pneumococcal infections remain a major public health concern worldwide. The currently available vaccines in the market are based on pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides but they still need to be improved to secure an optimal coverage notably in population at risk. To circumvent this, association of virulence pneumococcal proteins to the polysaccharide valencies has been proposed with the hope to observe an additive - if not synergistic - protective effect. Along this line, the use of the highly conserved and ubiquitous pneumococcal surface adhesin A (PsaA) as a protein carrier for a synthetic pneumococcal oligosaccharide is demonstrated herein for the first time. A tetrasaccharide mimicking functional antigenic determinants from the S. pneumoniae serotype 14 capsular polysaccharide (Pn14TS) was chemically synthesised. The mature PsaA (mPsaA) was expressed in E. coli and purified using affinity chromatography. The Pn14PS was conjugated to mPsaA using maleimide-thiol coupling chemistry to obtain mPsaA-Pn14PS conjugate (protein/sugar molar ratio: 1/5.4). The mPsaA retained the structural conformation after the conjugation and lyophilisation. The prepared glycoconjugate adjuvanted with α-galactosylceramide, a potent activator of invariant Natural Killer T cells, was tested in mice for its immunological response upon subcutaneous injection in comparison with mPsaA alone and a model BSA conjugate (BSA-Pn14PS, used here as a control). Mice immunised with the mPsaA-Pn14TS produced a robust IgG response against mPsaA and against the capsular polysaccharide from pneumococcal serotype 14. These data provide the basis for novel pneumococcal vaccine development.

A recombinant conjugated pneumococcal vaccine that protects against murine infections with a similar efficacy to Prevnar-13

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) strongly protects against vaccine serotypes, but the rapid expansion of non-vaccine serotype disease and the vaccine's high expense has reduced its overall impact. We have developed Protein Glycan Coupling Technology (PGCT) as a flexible methodology for making low-cost polysaccharide/protein glycoconjugates recombinantly in Escherichia coli. We have used PGCT to make a recombinant PCV containing serotype 4 capsular polysaccharide linked to the Streptococcus pneumoniae proteins NanA, PiuA, and Sp0148. The introduction of the Campylobacter jejuni UDP-glucose 4-epimerase gene GalE (gne) into E. coli improved the yield of the resulting glycoprotein. PGCT glycoconjugate vaccination generated strong antibody responses in mice to both the capsule and the carrier protein antigens, with the PiuA/capsule glycoconjugate inducing similar anti-capsular antibody responses as the commercial PCV Prevnar-13. Antibody responses to PGCT glycoconjugates opsonised S. pneumoniae and Streptococcus mitis expressing the serotype 4 capsule and promoted neutrophil phagocytosis of S. pneumoniae to a similar level as antisera generated by vaccination with Prevnar-13. Vaccination with the PGCT glycoconjugates protected mice against meningitis and septicaemia with the same efficacy as vaccination with Prevnar-13. In addition, vaccination with the protein antigen components from PGCT glycoconjugates alone provided partial protection against septicaemia and colonisation. These data demonstrate that a vaccine made by PGCT is as effective as Prevnar-13, identifies PiuA as a carrier protein for glycoconjugate vaccines, and demonstrates that linking capsular antigen to S. pneumoniae protein antigens has additional protective benefits that could provide a degree of serotype-independent immunity.

SssP1, a Streptococcus suis Fimbria-Like Protein Transported by the SecY2/A2 System, Contributes to Bacterial Virulence

Streptococcus suis is an important Gram-positive pathogen in the swine industry and is an emerging zoonotic pathogen for humans. In our previous work, we found a virulent S. suis strain, CZ130302, belonging to a novel serotype, Chz, to be associated with acute meningitis in piglets. However, its underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis remain poorly understood. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete genomes of three Chz serotype strains, including strain CZ130302 and two avirulent strains, HN136 and AH681. By genome comparison, we found two putative genomic islands (GIs) uniquely encoded in strain CZ130302 and designated them 50K GI and 58K GI. In mouse infection model, the deletion of 50K and 58K GIs caused 270-fold and 3-fold attenuation of virulence, respectively. Notably, we identified a complete SecY2/A2 system, coupled with its secretory protein SssP1 encoded in the 50K GI, which contributed to the pathogenicity of strain CZ130302. Immunogold electron microscopy and immunofluorescence analyses indicated that SssP1 could form fimbria-like structures that extend outward from the bacterial cell surface. The sssP1 mutation also attenuated bacterial adherence in human laryngeal epithelial (HEp-2) cells and human brain microvessel endothelial cells (HBMECs) compared with the wild type. Furthermore, we showed that two analogous Ig-like subdomains of SssP1 have sialic acid binding capacities. In conclusion, our results revealed that the 50K GI and the inside SecY2/A2 system gene cluster are related to the virulence of strain CZ130302, and we clarified a new S. suis pathogenesis mechanism mediated by the secretion protein SssP1.IMPORTANCE Streptococcus suis is an important zoonotic pathogen. Here, we managed to identify key factors to clarify the virulence of S. suis strain CZ130302 from a novel serotype, Chz. Notably, it was shown that a fimbria-like structure was significantly connected to the pathogenicity of the CZ130302 strain by comparative genomics analysis and animal infection assays. The mechanisms of how the CZ130302 strain constructs these fimbria-like structures in the cell surface by genes encoding and production transport were subsequently elucidated. Biosynthesis of the fimbria-like structure was achieved by the production of SssP1 glycoproteins, and its construction was dependent on the SecA2/Y2 secretion system. This study identified a visible fimbria-like protein, SssP1, participating in adhesion to host cells and contributing to the virulence in S. suis These findings will promote a better understanding of the pathogenesis of S. suis.

A Quorum-Sensing System That Regulates Streptococcus pneumoniae Biofilm Formation and Surface Polysaccharide Production

Quorum sensing regulates bacterial social behaviors by production, secretion, and sensing of pheromones. In this study, we characterized a new quorum-sensing system of the Rgg/SHP class in S. pneumoniae D39. The system was found to directly induce the expression of a single gene cluster comprising the gene for the SHP pheromone and genes with putative functions in capsule synthesis. Capsule size, as measured by dextran exclusion, was increased by SHP exposure in R36A, an unencapsulated derivative of D39. In the encapsulated parent strain, overexpression of the gene cluster increased capsule size, supporting the role of Rgg/SHP in the synthesis of surface polysaccharides. Further, we found that biofilm formation on epithelial cells was reduced by overexpression of the system and increased in a mutant with an rgg deletion. Placing surface polysaccharide expression under quorum-sensing regulation may enable S. pneumoniae to tune interactions with the host and other bacteria in accordance with environmental and cell density conditions.

Despite vaccines, Streptococcus pneumoniae kills more than a million people yearly. Thus, understanding how pneumococci transition from commensals to pathogens is particularly relevant. Quorum sensing regulates collective behaviors and thus represents a potential driver of commensal-to-pathogen transitions. Rgg/small hydrophobic peptide (SHP) quorum-sensing systems are widespread in streptococci, yet they remain largely uncharacterized in S. pneumoniae. Using directional transcriptome sequencing, we show that the S. pneumoniae D39 Rgg0939/SHP system induces the transcription of a single gene cluster including shp and capsule gene homologs. Capsule size measurements determined by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran exclusion allowed assignment of the system to the regulation of surface polysaccharide expression. We found that the SHP pheromone induced exopolysaccharide expression in R36A, an unencapsulated derivative of D39. In the encapsulated parent strain, overexpression of the Rgg system resulted in a mutant with increased capsule size. In line with previous studies showing that capsule expression is inversely associated with biofilm formation, we found that biofilm formed on lung epithelial cells was decreased in the overexpression strain and increased in an rgg deletion mutant. Although no significant differences were observed between D39 and the rgg deletion mutant in a mouse model of lung infection, in competitive assays, overexpression reduced fitness. This is the first study to reveal a quorum-sensing system in streptococci that regulates exopolysaccharide synthesis from a site distinct from the original capsule locus.

IMPORTANCE Quorum sensing regulates bacterial social behaviors by production, secretion, and sensing of pheromones. In this study, we characterized a new quorum-sensing system of the Rgg/SHP class in S. pneumoniae D39. The system was found to directly induce the expression of a single gene cluster comprising the gene for the SHP pheromone and genes with putative functions in capsule synthesis. Capsule size, as measured by dextran exclusion, was increased by SHP exposure in R36A, an unencapsulated derivative of D39. In the encapsulated parent strain, overexpression of the gene cluster increased capsule size, supporting the role of Rgg/SHP in the synthesis of surface polysaccharides. Further, we found that biofilm formation on epithelial cells was reduced by overexpression of the system and increased in a mutant with an rgg deletion. Placing surface polysaccharide expression under quorum-sensing regulation may enable S. pneumoniae to tune interactions with the host and other bacteria in accordance with environmental and cell density conditions.

Capsule Type and Amount Affect Shedding and Transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae

The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of Streptococcus pneumoniae is characterized by its diversity, as it has over 95 known serotypes, and the variation in its thickness as it surrounds an organism. While within-host effects of CPS have been studied in detail, there is no information about its contribution to host-to-host transmission. In this study, we used an infant mouse model of intralitter transmission, together with isogenic capsule switch and cps promoter switch constructs, to explore the effects of CPS type and amount. The determining factor in the transmission rate in this model is the number of pneumococci shed in nasal secretions by colonized hosts. Two of seven capsule switch constructs showed reduced shedding. These constructs were unimpaired in colonization and expressed capsules similar in size to those of the wild-type strain. A cps promoter switch mutant expressing ~50% of wild-type amounts of CPS also displayed reduced shedding without a defect in colonization. Since shedding from the mucosal surface may require escape from mucus entrapment, a mucin-binding assay was used to compare capsule switch and cps promoter switch mutants. The CPS type or amount constructs that shed poorly were bound more robustly by immobilized mucin. These capsule switch and cps promoter switch constructs with increased mucin-binding affinity and reduced shedding also had lower rates of pup-to-pup transmission. Our results demonstrate that CPS type and amount affect transmission dynamics and may contribute to the marked differences in prevalence among pneumococcal types.IMPORTANCEStreptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, is readily transmitted, especially among young children. Its structurally and antigenically diverse capsular polysaccharide is the target of currently licensed pneumococcal vaccines. Epidemiology studies show that only a subset of the >95 distinct serotypes are prevalent in the human population, suggesting that certain capsular polysaccharide types might be more likely to be transmitted within the community. Herein, we used an infant mouse model to show that both capsule type and amount are important determinants in the spread of pneumococci from host to host. Transmission rates correlate with those capsule types that are better at escaping mucus entrapment, a key step in exiting the host upper respiratory tract. Hence, our study provides a better mechanistic understanding of why certain pneumococcal serotypes are more common in the human population.

The Pneumococcal Serotype 15C Capsule Is Partially O-Acetylated and Allows for Limited Evasion of 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine-Elicited Anti-Serotype 15B Antibodies

As a species, Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) utilizes a diverse array of capsular polysaccharides to evade the host. In contrast to large variations in sugar composition and linkage formation, O-acetylation is a subtle capsular modification that nonetheless has a large impact on capsular shielding and recognition of the capsule by vaccine-elicited antibodies. Serotype 15B, which is included in the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23), carries the putative O-acetyltransferase gene wciZ The coding sequence of wciZ contains eight consecutive TA repeats [(TA)₈]. Replication slippage is thought to result in the addition or loss of TA repeats, subsequently causing frameshift and truncation of WciZ to yield a nonacetylated serotype, 15C. Using sensitive serological tools, we show that serotype 15C isolates whose wciZ contains seven or nine TA repeats retain partial O-acetylation, while serotype 15C isolates whose wciZ contains six TA repeats have barely detectable O-acetylation. We confirmed by inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that (TA)₇ serotype 15C is ∼0.1% as acetylated as serotype 15B, while serotype 15X is nonacetylated. To eliminate the impact of genetic background, we created isogenic serotype 15B, (TA)₇ serotype 15C, and 15BΔwciZ (15X) strains and found that reduction or absence of WciZ-mediated O-acetylation did not affect capsular shielding from phagocytes, biofilm formation, adhesion to nasopharyngeal cells, desiccation tolerance, or murine colonization. Sera from PPV23-immunized persons opsonized serotype 15B significantly but only slightly better than serotypes 15C and 15X; thus, PPV23 may not result in expansion of serotype 15C.

Position of O-Acetylation within the Capsular Repeat Unit Impacts the Biological Properties of Pneumococcal Serotypes 33A and 33F

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) produces many capsule types that differ in their abilities to evade host immune recognition. To explain these serotype-dependent protective capacities, many studies have investigated capsular thickness or the interaction of the capsule with complement proteins, but the effects of small chemical modifications of the capsule on its function have not been studied. One small chemical modification found frequently among pneumococcal capsules is O-acetylation. Pneumococcal serotype 33A has two membrane-bound O-acetyltransferase genes, wciG and wcjE A 33A wcjE-deficient variant, 33F, occurs naturally and is increasing in prevalence in the wake of widespread conjugate vaccine use, but no wciG-deficient variants have been reported. To study the biological consequence of the loss of O-acetylation, we created wciG-deficient variants in both serotypes 33A and 33F, which we named 33X1 (ΔwciG) and 33X2 (ΔwciG ΔwcjE). Serotypes 33X1 and 33X2 express novel capsule types based on serological and biochemical analyses. We found that loss of WcjE-mediated O-acetylation appears not to affect cell wall shielding, since serotypes 33A and 33F exhibit comparable nonspecific opsonophagocytic killing, biofilm production, and adhesion to nasopharyngeal cells, though serotype 33F survived short-term drying better than serotype 33A. Loss of WciG-mediated O-acetylation in serotypes 33X1 and 33X2, however, resulted in a phenotype resembling that of nonencapsulated strains: increased cell wall accessibility, increased nonspecific opsonophagocytic killing, enhanced biofilm formation, and increased adhesion to nasopharyngeal cells. We conclude that WciG-mediated, but not WcjE-mediated, O-acetylation is important for producing protective capsules in 33A and that small chemical changes to the capsule can drastically affect its biological properties.

Role of Streptococcus pneumoniae Proteins in Evasion of Complement-Mediated Immunity

The complement system plays a central role in immune defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae. In order to evade complement attack, pneumococci have evolved a number of mechanisms that limit complement mediated opsonization and subsequent phagocytosis. This review focuses on the strategies employed by pneumococci to circumvent complement mediated immunity, both in vitro and in vivo. At last, since many of the proteins involved in interactions with complement components are vaccine candidates in different stages of validation, we explore the use of these antigens alone or in combination, as potential vaccine approaches that aim at elimination or drastic reduction in the ability of this bacterium to evade complement.

Pneumococcal Predictive Proteins Selected by Microbial Genomic Approach Are Serotype Cross-Reactive and Bind to Host Extracellular Matrix Proteins

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a colonizer of the human nasopharynx, which accounts for most of the community-acquired pneumonia cases and can cause non-invasive and invasive diseases. Current available vaccines are serotype-specific and the use of recombinant proteins associated with virulence is an alternative to compose vaccines and to overcome these problems. In a previous work, we describe the identification of proteins in S. pneumoniae by reverse vaccinology and the genetic diversity of these proteins in clinical isolates. It was possible to purify a half of 20 selected proteins in soluble form. The expression of these proteins on the pneumococcal cells surface was confirmed by flow cytometry. We demonstrated that some of these proteins were able to bind to extracellular matrix proteins and were recognized by sera from patients with pneumococcal meningitis infection caused by several pneumococcal serotypes. In this context, our results suggest that these proteins may play a role in pneumococcal pathogenesis and might be considered as potential vaccine candidates.

IL-17A and complement contribute to killing of pneumococci following immunization with a pneumococcal whole cell vaccine

The pneumococcal whole cell vaccine (PWCV) has been investigated as an alternative to polysaccharide-based vaccines currently in use. It is a non-encapsulated killed vaccine preparation that induces non-capsular antibodies protecting mice against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and reducing nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage via IL-17A activation of mouse phagocytes. Here, we show that PWCV induces antibody and IL-17A production to protect mice against challenge in a fatal aspiration-sepsis model after only one dose. We observed protection even with a boiled preparation, attesting to the stability and robustness of the vaccine. PWCV antibodies were shown to bind to different encapsulated strains, but complement deposition on the pneumococcal surface was observed only on serotype 3 strains; using flow cytometer methodology, variations in PWCV quality, as in the boiled vaccine, were detected. Moreover, anti-PWCV induces phagocytosis of different pneumococcal serotypes by murine peritoneal cells in the presence of complement or IL-17A. These findings suggest that complement and IL-17A may participate in the process of phagocytosis induced by PWCV antibodies. IL-17A can stimulate phagocytic cells to kill pneumococcus and this is enhanced in the presence of PWCV antibodies bound to the bacterial cell surface. Our results provide further support for the PWCV as a broad-range vaccine against all existing serotypes, potentially providing protection for humans against NP colonization and IPD. Additionally, we suggest complement deposition assay as a tool to detect subtle differences between PWCV lots.

Naturally Acquired Human Immunity to Pneumococcus Is Dependent on Antibody to Protein Antigens

Naturally acquired immunity against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is thought to be dependent on anti-capsular antibody. However nasopharyngeal colonisation by Streptococcus pneumoniae also induces antibody to protein antigens that could be protective. We have used human intravenous immunoglobulin preparation (IVIG), representing natural IgG responses to S. pneumoniae, to identify the classes of antigens that are functionally relevant for immunity to IPD. IgG in IVIG recognised capsular antigen and multiple S. pneumoniae protein antigens, with highly conserved patterns between different geographical sources of pooled human IgG. Incubation of S. pneumoniae in IVIG resulted in IgG binding to the bacteria, formation of bacterial aggregates, and enhanced phagocytosis even for unencapsulated S. pneumoniae strains, demonstrating the capsule was unlikely to be the dominant protective antigen. IgG binding to S. pneumoniae incubated in IVIG was reduced after partial chemical or genetic removal of bacterial surface proteins, and increased against a Streptococcus mitis strain expressing the S. pneumoniae protein PspC. In contrast, depletion of type-specific capsular antibody from IVIG did not affect IgG binding, opsonophagocytosis, or protection by passive vaccination against IPD in murine models. These results demonstrate that naturally acquired protection against IPD largely depends on antibody to protein antigens rather than the capsule.

Recombination in Streptococcus pneumoniae Lineages Increase with Carriage Duration and Size of the Polysaccharide Capsule

Streptococcus pneumoniae causes a high burden of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) globally, especially in children from resource-poor settings. Like many bacteria, the pneumococcus can import DNA from other strains or even species by transformation and homologous recombination, which has allowed the pneumococcus to evade clinical interventions such as antibiotics and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). Pneumococci are enclosed in a complex polysaccharide capsule that determines the serotype; the capsule varies in size and is associated with properties including carriage prevalence and virulence. We determined and quantified the association between capsule and recombination events using genomic data from a diverse collection of serotypes sampled in Malawi. We determined both the amount of variation introduced by recombination relative to mutation (the relative rate) and how many individual recombination events occur per isolate (the frequency). Using univariate analyses, we found an association between both recombination measures and multiple factors associated with the capsule, including duration and prevalence of carriage. Because many capsular factors are correlated, we used multivariate analysis to correct for collinearity. Capsule size and carriage duration remained positively associated with recombination, although with a reduced P value, and this effect may be mediated through some unassayed additional property associated with larger capsules. This work describes an important impact of serotype on recombination that has been previously overlooked. While the details of how this effect is achieved remain to be determined, it may have important consequences for the serotype-specific response to vaccines and other interventions.

IMPORTANCE

The capsule determines >90 different pneumococcal serotypes, which vary in capsule size, virulence, duration, and prevalence of carriage. Current serotype-specific vaccines elicit anticapsule antibodies. Pneumococcus can take up exogenous DNA by transformation and insert it into its chromosome by homologous recombination. This mechanism has disseminated drug resistance and generated vaccine escape variants. It is hence crucial to pneumococcal evolutionary response to interventions, but there has been no systematic study quantifying whether serotypes vary in recombination and whether this is associated with serotype-specific properties such as capsule size or carriage duration. Larger capsules could physically inhibit DNA uptake, or given the longer carriage duration for larger capsules, this may promote recombination. We find that recombination varies among capsules and is associated with capsule size, carriage duration, and carriage prevalence and negatively associated with invasiveness. The consequence of this work is that serotypes with different capsules may respond differently to selective pressures like vaccines.

CpsR, a GntR family regulator, transcriptionally regulates capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis and governs bacterial virulence in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Transcriptional regulation of capsule expression is critical for pneumococcal transition from carriage to infection, yet the underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood. Here, we describe the regulation of capsular polysaccharide, one of the most important pneumococcal virulence factor by a GntR family regulator, CpsR. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays have shown the direct interaction between CpsR and the cps promoter (cpsp), and their interaction could be competitively interfered by glucose. DNase I footprinting assays localized the binding site to a region −146 to −114 base pairs relative to the transcriptional start site of the cps locus in S. pneumoniae D39. We found that CpsR negatively controlled the transcription of the cps locus and hence CPS production, which was confirmed by fine-tuning expression of CpsR in a ΔcpsR complemented strain. Increased expression of CpsR in complemented strain led to a decreased resistance to the whole-blood-mediated killing, suggesting a protective role for CpsR-cpsp interaction in the establishment of invasive infection. Finally, animal experiments showed that CpsR-cpsp interaction was necessary for both pneumococcal colonization and invasive infection. Taken together, our results provide a thorough insight into the regulation of capsule production mediated by CpsR and its important roles in pneumococcal pathogenesis.

The Effect of a BSA Conjugate of a Synthetic Hexasaccharide Related to the Fragment of Capsular Polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae Type 14 on the Activation of Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses

We report the effect of a bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugate of a synthetic hexasaccharide (HS) related to the fragment of the capsular polysaccharide (PS) of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14 on the stimulation of innate immune system and the subsequent development of a PS-specific antibody response. Glycoconjugate (GC) in the presence (GC + AL) or absence of aluminum hydroxide was administered to mice twice. GC increased the number of TLR2-expressing cells and induced the maturation of dendritic cells (CD11c(+), CD80(+) and, MHCII(+)), which secreted IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα into the culture medium. The level of IL-1β, IL-10, IFNγ, and TNFα in the blood increased within 24 h after the single GC administration to mice. On day 7, the numbers of splenic CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes increased. After the second immunization, the levels of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes were lower than in the control, whereas the B cell, NK cell, and MHC class II-expressing cell numbers remained enhanced. However, of the presence of anti-PS, IgG antibodies were not detected. The addition of aluminum hydroxide to GC stimulated the production of GM-CSF, IL-1β, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IFNγ, and TNFα. Anti-PS IgG1 antibody titers 7 days after the second immunization were high. During that period, normal levels of splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes were maintained, whereas reduced CD8(+) T lymphocyte numbers and increased levels of B lymphocytes, NK cells, and MHC class II-expressing cell numbers were observed. Anti-PS IgG levels diminished until day 92. A booster immunization with GC + AL stimulated the production of anti-PS IgG memory antibodies, which were determined within 97 days. The elucidation of specific features of the effect of the synthetic HS conjugate on the stimulation of innate, cell-mediated immunity, and antibody response can favor the optimization of GC vaccine design.

Anatomical site-specific contributions of pneumococcal virulence determinants

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen globally associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is capable of causing a wide range of diseases including sinusitis, conjunctivitis, otitis media, pneumonia, bacteraemia, sepsis, and meningitis. While its capsular polysaccharide is indispensible for invasive disease, and opsonising antibodies against the capsule are the basis for the current vaccines, a long history of biomedical research indicates that other components of this Gram-positive bacterium are also critical for virulence. Herein we review the contribution of pneumococcal virulence determinants to survival and persistence in the context of distinct anatomical sites. We discuss how these determinants allow the pneumococcus to evade mucociliary clearance during colonisation, establish lower respiratory tract infection, resist complement deposition and opsonophagocytosis in the bloodstream, and invade secondary tissues such as the central nervous system leading to meningitis. We do so in a manner that highlights both the critical role of the capsular polysaccharide and the accompanying and necessary protein determinants. Understanding the complex interplay between host and pathogen is necessary to find new ways to prevent pneumococcal infection. This review is an attempt to do so with consideration for the latest research findings.

Relating Pneumococcal Carriage Among Children to Disease Rates Among Adults Before and After the Introduction of Conjugate Vaccines

The use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in children has a strong indirect effect on disease rates in adults. When children are vaccinated with PCVs, other serotypes that are not targeted by the vaccine can increase in frequency (serotype replacement) and reduce the direct and indirect benefits of the vaccine. To understand and predict the likely impacts of serotype replacement, it is important to know how patterns in the transmission of serotypes among children relate to disease rates in adults. We used data on pneumococcal carriage and disease from Navajo Nation children and adults collected before and after the routine use of PCVs (1998-2012). Using regression models within a Bayesian framework, we found that serotype-specific carriage and invasiveness (disease incidence divided by carriage prevalence) had similar patterns in children and adults. Moreover, carriage in children, invasiveness in children, and a serotype-specific random intercept (which captured additional variation associated with the serotypes) could predict the incidence serotype-specific pneumococcal disease in adults 18-39 years of age and those 40 years of age or older in the era of routine use of PCVs. These models could help us predict the effects of future pneumococcal vaccine use in children on disease rates in adults, and the modeling approach developed here could be used to test these findings in other settings.

PSGL-1 on Leukocytes is a Critical Component of the Host Immune Response against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease

Bacterial uptake by phagocytic cells is a vital event in the clearance of invading pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. A major role of the P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) on leukocytes against invasive pneumococcal disease is described in this study. Phagocytosis experiments using different serotypes demonstrated that PSGL-1 is involved in the recognition, uptake and killing of S. pneumoniae. Co-localization of several clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae with PSGL-1 was demonstrated, observing a rapid and active phagocytosis in the presence of PSGL-1. Furthermore, the pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide and the main autolysin of the bacterium ―the amidase LytA― were identified as bacterial ligands for PSGL-1. Experimental models of pneumococcal disease including invasive pneumonia and systemic infection showed that bacterial levels were markedly increased in the blood of PSGL-1^−/− mice. During pneumonia, PSGL-1 controls the severity of pneumococcal dissemination from the lung to the bloodstream. In systemic infection, a major role of PSGL-1 in host defense is to clear the bacteria in the systemic circulation controlling bacterial replication. These results confirmed the importance of this receptor in the recognition and clearance of S. pneumoniae during invasive pneumococcal disease. Histological and cellular analysis demonstrated that PSGL-1^−/− mice have increased levels of T cells migrating to the lung than the corresponding wild-type mice. In contrast, during systemic infection, PSGL-1^−/− mice had increased numbers of neutrophils and macrophages in blood, but were less effective controlling the infection process due to the lack of this functional receptor. Overall, this study demonstrates that PSGL-1 is a novel receptor for S. pneumoniae that contributes to protection against invasive pneumococcal disease.

S. pneumoniae is one of the most important and devastating human pathogens worldwide, mainly affecting young children, elderly people and immunocompromised patients. In terms of host immune defense against invasive pneumococcal isolates, professional phagocytes require receptor-mediated recognition of certain ligands on the bacterial surface for the uptake and clearance of the microorganism. In this study, we demonstrate that the P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) on leukocytes is involved in the phagocytosis process of S. pneumoniae by targeting the capsule and the surface protein LytA as pathogen-associated molecular patterns. To explore this process in more detail, we have used wild-type mice and mice deficient in PSGL-1 demonstrating that lack of PSGL-1 is detrimental for the host by increasing the susceptibility to the infection and the severity of the pneumococcal invasive disease. Overall, these data show the importance of PSGL-1 on leukocytes in host defense against S. pneumoniae and confirm that PSGL-1 plays a critical protective role against invasive bacterial disease.

The CodY regulator is essential for virulence in Streptococcus suis serotype 2

The main role of CodY, a global regulatory protein in most low G + C gram-positive bacteria, is in transcriptional repression. To study the functions of CodY in Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (S. suis 2), a mutant codY clone named ∆codY was constructed to explore the phenotypic variation between ∆codY and the wild-type strain. The result showed that the codY mutation significantly inhibited cell growth, adherence and invasion ability of S. suis 2 to HEp-2 cells. The codY mutation led to decreased binding of the pathogen to the host cells, easier clearance by RAW264.7 macrophages and decreased growth ability in fresh blood of Cavia porcellus. The codY mutation also attenuated the virulence of S. suis 2 in BALB/c mice. Morphological analysis revealed that the codY mutation decreased the thickness of the capsule of S. suis 2 and changed the surface structures analylized by SDS-PAGE. Finally, the codY mutation altered the expressions of many virulence related genes, including sialic acid synthesis genes, leading to a decreased sialic acid content in capsule. Overall, mutation of codY modulated bacterial virulence by affecting the growth and colonization of S. suis 2, and at least via regulating sialic acid synthesis and capsule thickness.

Pneumococcal Capsules and Their Types: Past, Present, and Future

Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is an important human pathogen. Its virulence is largely due to its polysaccharide capsule, which shields it from the host immune system, and because of this, the capsule has been extensively studied. Studies of the capsule led to the identification of DNA as the genetic material, identification of many different capsular serotypes, and identification of the serotype-specific nature of protection by adaptive immunity. Recent studies have led to the determination of capsular polysaccharide structures for many serotypes using advanced analytical technologies, complete elucidation of genetic basis for the capsular types, and the development of highly effective pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Conjugate vaccine use has altered the serotype distribution by either serotype replacement or switching, and this has increased the need to serotype pneumococci. Due to great advances in molecular technologies and our understanding of the pneumococcal genome, molecular approaches have become powerful tools to predict pneumococcal serotypes. In addition, more-precise and -efficient serotyping methods that directly detect polysaccharide structures are emerging. These improvements in our capabilities will greatly enhance future investigations of pneumococcal epidemiology and diseases and the biology of colonization and innate immunity to pneumococcal capsules.