Selective adsorption of heterophile polyglycerophosphate antigen from antigen extracts of Streptococcus mutans and other gram-positive bacteria

Chromosomal inversion between rrn operons among Streptococcus mutans serotype c oral and blood isolates

Streptococcus mutans causes dental caries and infective endocarditis. The aim of this study was to determine genomic diversity among serotype c S. mutans laboratory and clinical strains and to characterize the genetic events involved. A genome-based approach using PFGE coupled with Southern hybridization was employed to examine a total of 58 serotype c oral and blood isolates and seven laboratory strains and to compare them with S. mutans UA159. No significant differences were found in the phenotypic characteristics of the strains tested, except that some of the strains exhibited smooth rather than rough colony morphology. In contrast, PFGE profiles of clinical isolates, from either diseased or healthy subjects, exhibited diverse patterns, suggesting that recombination or point mutations occurred frequently in vivo. Diverse PFGE patterns, with various lengths of insertions and deletions, could be detected even within a localized chromosomal region between rRNA operons. Comparative analysis using Southern hybridization with specific markers revealed that a large chromosomal inversion had also occurred between rrn operons in 25 strains.

Serum antibodies to pathogenic actinomycetes in the normal human population

Sera of persons without known actinomycotic infection (n = 153) were tested for antibodies reacting with antigenic preparations of different Actinomyces spp. and Nocardia spp. By using an enzyme immunoassay, 16% of all of the sera analyzed reacted significantly with antigens of A. viscosus and 2% those of with A. naeslundii. The antigens detected by these antibodies were of low molecular mass (14-32 kDa) and showed a uniform reaction pattern in the immunoblot analysis. Multiple bands coccurred with a difference of approximately 2 kDa in size suggesting the presence of repetitive units. Analogous antibodies were not observed with A. israelii serovar 1 and serovar 2 antigens, which were only insignificantly bound by the sera. The antibodies demonstrated were most probably acquired during episodes of periodontal disease or gingivitis in which A. viscosus is etiologically involved. Antibodies against nocardial antigens were not demonstrated in significant proportions by enzyme immunoassay and immunoblot analysis.

Chemiluminescence of neutrophils from patients with Behçet's disease and its correlation with an increased proportion of uncommon serotypes of Streptococcus sanguis in the oral flora

Zymosan-induced chemiluminescence was investigated in whole blood and in neutrophils: in both, the peak count was frequently elevated in Behçet's disease, and was significantly higher than in healthy controls; similarly the peak time was shorter. There were more uncommon serotypes of Streptococcus sanguis in the oral flora of patients with Behçet's disease. Common serotypes were present in the flora of healthy controls, but not in patients with the disease. The percentage of Strep. sanguis in the oral flora was significantly correlated with the level of chemiluminescence response. Thus infection with uncommon serotypes of Strep. sanguis may play a role in the aetiology of Behçet's disease.

Chemical properties and immunobiological activities of streptococcal lipoteichoic acids

Lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) were chromatographically purified from crude phenol-water extract of whole cells of some streptococcal species, which included Streptococcus pyogenes Sv, Streptococcus mutans 6715, and Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10556. Among these, special attention was paid to S. pyogenes LTA for analyses of chemical composition and biological activities. All LTA preparations contained equimolar amounts of glycerol and phosphorus. Chemical analyses showed that S. pyogenes LTA contained glycerophosphate, alanine, glucose, and fatty acids (as palmitic acid) at molar ratio of 1 : 0.1 : 0.1 : 0.25. The crude phenol-water extract and isolated LTA from S. pyogenes Sv were found to be mitogenic for spleen cells of BALB/c and BALB/c (nu/nu) mice, but not for thymus cells of BALB/c mice. The mitogenicity of deacylated LTA (dLTA) was significantly lower than that of LTA. It was also found that various LTA preparations possessed polyclonal B cell activation ability and adjuvant activity both in vivo and in vitro, as demonstrated by using hemolytic plaque assay. LTA, but not dLTA, induced macrophage activation which resulted in tumor cytotoxicity in mice. Limulus lysate activity of S. pyogenes LTA was approximately 1,000 fold lower than that of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. These results indicate that streptococcal LTA possesses various immunobiological activities that modulate lymphoreticular system in vivo and in vitro.

Characterization of a monoclonal antibody specific for lipoteichoic acid from various gram-positive bacteria

A hybrid cell line, 3G6, producing monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the polyglycerophosphate (PGP) backbone of lipoteichoic acids has been derived by the polyethylene glycol-induced fusion of mouse myeloma cells and spleen cells from mice immunized with partially purified glucosyltransferase from culture supernatant of Streptococcus mutans strain 6715. Immunodiffusion tests and ELISA revealed that the antibody reacted with purified PGP from group A Streptococcus pyogenes strain Sv as well as crude phenol-water and saline extracts of various gram-positive bacteria except for a few species such as biotype B S. sanguis, Micrococcus sp., and Actinomyces viscosus. Whole cells of serotype b S. mutans and Staphylococcus epidermidis were agglutinated upon addition of 3G6 mAb, while those of most other species were not significantly affected by this procedure. A hapten inhibition study showed that glycerophosphate was only a potent inhibitor of passive hemagglutination reactions between LTA coated sheep erythrocytes and 3G6 mAb.

Immunochemical comparison of cell-wall antigens of various viridans streptococci, including strain 2A2+3 hot from recurrent oral aphthous ulceration in man

Several studies suggest that patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration show cell-mediated and humoral immunity to antigens of Streptococcus sanguis, particularly strain 2A2+3 HOT which is said to be antigenically similar or identical to Strep. sanguis strain ATCC 10556. However, physiological classification as well as analysis of the immunologically dominant cell-wall antigens by immunoelectrophoresis and indirect immunofluorescence showed that the strain is actually a strain of Streptococcus mitis and is antigenically more like ATCC 10557 than ATCC 10556. The findings illustrate the antigenic heterogeneity of the Strep. sanguis and Strep. mitis taxons, and demonstrate the need for antigenic analysis of viridans streptococcal strains used in immunological studies of the aetiology of disease and in antiserum production. Commercial streptococcal group and antisera were also tested.

Use of combined immunization routes in induction of a salivary immunoglobulin A response to Streptococcus mutans in Macaca fascicularis monkeys

Various combinations of immunization routes were examined for ability to elicit or prolong (or both) a salivary secretory immunoglobulin A response to Streptococcus mutans strain Ingbritt (serotype c) in Macaca fascicularis monkeys. Intraductal (i.d.), per os (p.o.), and subcutaneous (s.c.) routes were utilized. Four groups of three to five monkeys each were immunized by the following schedules: group I--p.o., s.c., i.d.; group II--i.d., p.o., i.d.; group III--s.c., p.o., i.d.; and group IV--control. Immune responses in the serum and parotid fluid were quantitated by using passive hemagglutination assays with purified serotype-specific polysaccharide and by indirect immunofluorescent staining assays. Both s.c. and i.d., but not p.o., routes resulted in detectable serum antibody responses. Only i.d. immunization resulted in a measurable salivary response. Indirect immunofluorescent staining revealed specific secretory immunoglobulin A antibodies in the parotid fluid which correlated with passive hemagglutination titers. The p.o. procedures used in this study did not result either in a prolonged immune response or in measurable tolerance related to the humoral or secretory immune system.

Isolation and immunobiological classification of Streptococcus sanguis from human tooth surfaces

A total of 113 pure cultures of Streptococcus sanguis were obtained from dental plaque samples of 64 subjects. All isolates synthesized glucan from sucrose, elaborated peroxide, and were alpha-hemolytic. Two biotypes and four serotypes were differentiated within the species. Biotype A (95 isolates) fermented salicin and inulin and hydrolyzed arginine and esculin, whereas biotype B (18 isolates) did not possess these activities. The isolates were serotyped with autoclaved extracts against whole-cell antiserum to strains ATCC 10556 or ST3 (serotype I), ATCC 10557 (serotype II), ATCC 10558 (serotype III), and ST7 (serotype IV), by the capillary precipitin test. Serotypes I, II, III, and IV were found to consist of 24, 16, 37, and 15 isolates. Type IV was demonstrated anew in this study. The remaining 21 isolates were not typed because of either multiple reactions or nonreactivity against the standardized typing sera. All isolates of serotype II belonged to biotype B, which resembles Streptococcus mitior physiologically. Five isolates representing four serotypes and an untypable strain were examined for their cariogenicity against specific-pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats fed high sucrose diet no. 2000. Organisms of each isolate were established in the mouths of the rats, but only three isolates induced weak caries that were restricted to pits and fissures of occlusal surfaces of the teeth.

Biosynthesis of D-alanyl-lipoteichoic acid: characterization of ester-linked D-alanine in the in vitro-synthesized product

d-Alanyl-lipoteichoic acid (d-alanyl-LTA) contains d-alanine ester residues which control the ability of this polyer to chelate Mg(2+). In Lactobacillus casei a two-step in vitro reaction sequence catalyzed by the d-alanine-activating enzyme and d-alanine:membrane acceptor ligase incorporates d-alanine into membrane acceptor. In this paper we provide additional evidence that the in vitro system catalyzes the covalent incorporation of d-[(14)C]alanine into membrane acceptor which is the poly([(3)H]glycerol phosphate) moiety of d-alanyl-LTA. This conclusion was supported by the observation that the d-[(14)C]alanine and [(3)H]glycerol labels of the partially purified product were co-precipitated by antiserum containing globulins specific for poly(glycerol phosphate). The isolation of d-[(14)C]alanyl-[(3)H]glycerol from d-[(14)C]alanine.[(3)H]glycerol-labeled d-alanyl-LTA synthesized in the in vitro system indicated that the d-alanine was linked to the poly(glycerol phosphate) chain of the LTA. A comparison of the reactivities of the d-alanine residues of d-alanyl-glycerol and d-alanyl-LTA supported the conclusion that the incorporated residue of d-alanine was attached by an ester linkage. Thus, the data indicated that the in vitro system catalyzes the incorporation of d-alanine covalently linked by ester linkages to the glycerol moieties of the poly(glycerol phosphate) chains of d-alanyl-LTA. New procedures are presented for the partial purification of d-alanyl-LTA with a high yield of ester-linked d-alanine and for the sequential degradation of the poly(glycerol phosphate) moiety substituted with d-alanine of d-alanyl-LTA with phosphodiesterase II/phosphatase from Aspergillus niger.

Biology, immunology, and cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans

Images

Isolation and serotyping of Streptococcus mutans from teeth and feces of children

Streptococcus mutans were detected in the feces from 10 of 29 caries-active patients, aged 4 to 9 years. The percentage of S. mutans to the total counts of facultatively anaerobic streptococci on mitis salivarius agar (Difco Laboratories) varied from 0 to 72.5%. S. mutans were then isolated from dental plaque of sound teeth and carious dentin of the 10 subjects known to harbor S. mutans in the feces. The frequency distribution of various serotypes of these dental and fecal isolates of S. mutans was compared by the immunodiffusion technique. Of the total 1,047 isolates (290 isolates from feces, 289 from dental plaque, and 468 from carious dentin), type c isolates were most prevalent (ca. 66%). Serotype d, e, f, and g isolates were also found but in far lower frequencies. Plural serotypes of S. mutans were occasionally found in dental and fecal samples of a single subject. For two subjects, relatively rare serotypes of S. mutans in the population examined, serotype e, f, or g, were predominantly found in their fecal and dental samples and those of their siblings and mother, suggesting an intrafamilial transmission of S. mutans.

Purification and characterization of a rhamnose-containing cell wall antigen of Streptococcus mutans B13 (serotype d)

A rhamnose-containing polysaccharide (RCP) was extracted and purified from cell walls of Streptococcus mutans B13 (serotype d) and was chemically and immunologically characterized. Walls were initially extracted with 5% trichloroacetic acid at 4 degrees C to remove the serotype antigen and were then sequentially extracted with increasing concentrations of hot acid. Extracts lacking galactose were combined and chromatographed on a column of diethylaminoethyl--Sephadex A25. The purified RCP contained 90% carbohydrate, 1.4% protein, and 0.16% phosphorus. Analysis by gas chromatography indicated that the RCP was composed of rhamnose and glucose in a 1.6:1 ratio. RCP was immunogenic in rabbits when animals were immunized with whole cells or cell walls. Antisera prepared against partially extracted cell walls of B13 appeared specific for RCP. These sera were not reactive with purified serotype d antigen or lipoteichoic acid in passive hemagglutination assays or by agar gel diffusion. The RCP appeared to be a cell wall polysaccharide that was both chemically and immunologically distinct from the serotype d antigen.

Properties of Streptococcus mutans grown in a synthetic medium: binding of glucosyltransferase and in vitro adherence, and binding of dextran/glucan and glycoprotein and agglutination

The influence of culture media on various properties of Streptococcus mutans was investigated. Strains of S. mutans (serotypes c, d, f, and g) were grown in a complex medium (Todd-Hewitt broth [THB]) or a synthetic medium (SYN). The SYN cells, in contrast to THB cells, did not bind extracellular glucosyltransferase and did not produce in vitro adherence. Both types of cells possessed constitutive levels of glucosyltransferase. B13 cells grown in SYN plus invertase-treated glucose possessed the same level of constitutive enzyme as THB cells. In contrast to THB cells, the SYN cells of seven serotype strains did not agglutinate upon the addition of high-molecular-weight dextran/glucan. Significant quantities of lower-molecular-weight (2 x 10(4) or 7 x 10(4)) dextran and B13 glucan were bound by SYN cells. SYN cells agglutinated weakly in anti-glucan serum (titers, 0 to 16), whereas THB cells possessed titers of 32 to 256. Evidence for the existence of a second binding site in agglutination which does not possess a glucan-like polymer has been obtained. B13 cells grown in invertase-treated THB agglutinated to the same degree as normal THB cells. The nature of this site is unknown. SYN cells possess the type-specific polysaccharide antigen. B13 cells did not bind from THB a glycoprotein which reacts with antisera to the A, B, or T blood group antigens or which allows agglutination upon the addition of dextran. The results demonstrate that S. mutans grown in a chemically defined medium possesse markedly different biochemical and biological activities than cells grown in a complex organic medium.

Extractability of cell wall polysaccharide from lactobacilli and streptococci by autoclaving and by dilue acid

Autoclaving cell wall of Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt for 15 min under the Rantz and Randall conditions released one-tenth of the total cell wall carbohydrate, whereas two-thirds was extracted after autoclaving for 180 min. The extract contained the serotype c-specific antigen but lacked the lipoteichoic acid component extracted when whole cells were autoclaved. Autoclaving cell wall preparations from other strains of S. mutans and also Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus mitis in 0.85% NaCl for 180 min released the major proportion of the wall polysaccharide fraction. Approximately 50 to 90% of wall carbohydrate of Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus casei was released when cell wall preparations were autoclaved in 0.85% NaCl for 180 min. For wall preparations from several strains of S. mutans, autoclaving for 60 min at pH 3.75 released only 39 to 62% of wall carbohydrate, whereas almost total release could be achieved with the lactobacilli. Heating S. mutans Ingbritt cell wall for 24 h at 60 degrees C in 0.1 N H(2)SO(4) released only two-thirds of the wall carbohydrate; by comparison nearly all of the wall carbohydrate was released in 3 h from L. casei and L. fermentum. Autoclaving L. casei cell wall and purified soluble wall fractions hydrolyzed the phosphodiester bond between the polysaccharide and peptidoglycan. This was shown by the release of reactive N-acetylhexosamine in both cases and the presence of a phosphomonoester in the autoclaved soluble wall fractions. The results indicate that autoclaving can hydrolyze covalent linkages, and this must be considered when the Rantz and Randall procedure is used to obtain antigen preparations.

New cellular and extracellular amphipathic antigen from Actinomyces viscosus NY1

A new type of amphipathic antigen was isolated from culture supernatants and cells of Actinomyces viscosus NY1 and partially characterized as a fatty acid-substituted heteropolysaccharide. Similar components have been detected serologically in other strains of Actinomyces.

Dextran/glucan binding by Streptococcus mutans: the role of molecular size and binding site in agglutination

1) S. mutans strains of serotypes a, d and g were strongly agglutinated with soluble glucans and dextran T2000. Homologous glucan did not in all cases produce agglutination. 2) The quantity of low molecular weight dextrans bound (T20 and T70) does not correspond to the agglutination induced by glucan or T2000. 3) The agglutination and binding of high molecular weight glucan by B13 cells was sensitive to heat, trypsin, dextranase, EDTA, SDS and urea, whereas no inhibition of binding of T20 and T70 was seen. 4) Pretreatment of B13 cells with anti-d, or anti-glucan sera, or Con A, RCA I, or RCA II completely inhibited agglutination by T2000 and caused a significant reduction of the binding of glucan. No reduction in the binding of T20 and T70 occurred. 5) An agglutination-negative mutant was agglutinated by sucrose but not by T2000 or high molecular weight glucan. It bound normal levels of T20 and T70. 6) The results indicate that B13 cells possess multiple glucan binding sites and that the site responsible for agglutination consists of both polysaccharide and protein. 7) Inhibition studies on agglutination and adherence using B13 cells indicate that the two processes involve different mechanisms.

Binding of lectins to Streptococcus mutans cells and type-specific polysaccharides, and effect on adherence

The lectin concanavalin A (Con A) agglutinated the cells of 13 of 15 strains of the seven serotypes of Streptococcus mutans in an 18-h incubation period. Strains of types a, d, f, and g agglutinated within 2 h. Strains of a, d, and f were also agglutinated in 2 h by the castor bean lectin RCA. S. sanguis, S. salivarius, S. bovis, Actinomyces viscosus, A. naeslundii, and Lactobacillus plantarum were agglutinated within 2 h. The S. mutans type f polysaccharide was precipitated by Con A. The a, b, c, d, and e polysaccharides were not precipitated. Glucan from d and e strains of S. mutans and dextran T2000 were also precipitated by Con A. D-glucose inhibited the agglutination of type f cells by Con A and the agglutination of type d cells by D-galactose. The quantity of [acetyl-3H]Con A bound was not proportional to the degree of agglutination. Cells grown in sucrose medium bound more Con A than those grown in glucose medium. After treatment with dextranase, the sucrose-grown cells bound two- to fourfold more Con A. The binding of Con A to the type-specific polysaccharide or to teichoic acid could not be determined by the use of specific antibody due to the binding of Con A to the antibody globulin on the cell surface. Con A bound to S. mutans cells did not inhibit the activity of cell-bound glucosyltransferase, glucan synthesis, and in vitro adherence. Bound Con A also did not inhibit the ability of heat-treated cells to bind glucosyltransferase, synthesize glucan, and produce in vitro adherence.

Antibodies to Acholeplasma laidlawii membrane lipids in normal guinea pig serum

Acholeplasma laidlawii is killed and lysed by fresh normal guinea pig serum (GPS) without additional antibodies. Prior incubation of GPS with whole A. laidlawii organisms abolishes the killing activity of GPS. In the present study it was demonstrated that antibodies are present in normal GPS. The classical pathway, not the alternative pathway, of the complement sequence was activated by these antibodies in fresh normal GPS. The antibodies in GPS belong to the IgG class of immunoglobulins. They are directed predominantly against the membrane phospholipids of A. laidlawii. These antibodies may be induced either by natural infection of guinea pigs with A. laidlawii or by antigenic determinants of other microorganisms of food antigens.