Purification, pore-forming ability, and antigenic relatedness of the major outer membrane protein of Shigella dysenteriae type 1

Pathogen-associated porin turns IL-10 competent B-1a cells toward proinflammatory cytokine response

Shigellosis is a major problem in the developing countries causing mortality and morbidity particularly among the children. Shigella spp. harbours the epithelial cells of the human colon to infect the host and spread the disease. We analyzed the response of B-1a cells, the major component of the mucosal immune system to porin of Shigella dysenteriae type 1. We show that porin while proliferating B-1a cells, deplete Siglec-G, the inhibitory molecule present on B-1a cells. Adjuvanticity of porin has been shown to govern innate signaling for promoting host adaptive immune response. Up-regulation of CD69 and CD40 denotes activation of the cells parallel to abrogation of Siglec-G. As a result of cell activation, porin stimulated the inflammatory cytokines of CD5⁺ B-1a cells, otherwise rich in IL-10. The work shows B-1a cell responses promote the immunopotentiating activity of porin.

Activation of TOLLIP by porin prevents TLR2-associated IFN-γ and TNF-α-induced apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells

Interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α cause chronic inflammation of the intestine leading to progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is manifested through rapid apoptosis of the intestinal epithelial cells (iECs). Here, we show inhibition of IFN-γ and TNF-α-induced apoptosis of INT-407 cells by porin, a microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) with affinity for toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and commonly present in Gram-negative bacteria. Proinflammatory cytokines induce apoptosis by activation of caspase 8 that triggers caspase 9 through Bax finally leading to activation of caspase 3, the executioner caspase. Interestingly, while IFN-γ and TNF-α promotes Bax expression, in contrast porin up-regulates anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL resulting in iEC survivability. We show elevated expression of TLR2 is a key requisite for IFN-γ and TNF-α mediated caspase 8 up-regulation that contributes to apoptosis of iECs. Down-regulation of TLR2 expression is central for checking apoptosis which is achieved by elevated level of toll-interacting protein (TOLLIP) in presence of porin. Attempts to limit IBD is in progress with anti-IFN-γ and anti-TNF-α Abs or use of IL-10. Although probiotic bacterial proteins have shown to successfully reduce IFN-γ and TNF-α mediated apoptosis, the exact mechanism of their action has remained elusive. This study identifies the underlying sequential events of transient TLR2 stimulation followed by its blocking in response to the bacterial outer membrane protein, which advocates intervention at TLR-juncture is crucial for controlling IBD.

Antigenic relatedness defines Toll-like receptor 2 is crafted on ligand blueprint

Toll-like receptors are located particularly on mammalian immune cells to recognize pathogen-associated molecules. Toll-like receptors are categorized on the basis of ligand specificity that includes Toll-like receptor 2 with affinity for bacterial porin, the major outer membrane protein. Here we show TLR2 antibody recognizes the monomer of porin, primarily a TLR2-ligand in Western blot, thus displaying relatedness of primary structures between the receptor and its ligand. Quantitative analysis revealed relatedness of the native porin molecule with TLR2 was as high as 71%, suggesting imprint of native porin trimer is mostly copied by the receptor crossing limits of primary structures. Flow cytometric analysis of TLR2 on HEK-293 cells shows the receptor and ligand also have common molecular patterns on surface, which is distinctively separate from regions assigned for putative TLR(*)ligand interaction. Molecular mimetic and specificity of TLR will caution investigators targeting TLR-ligands to develop adjuvants and vaccines.

Bacterial ligand stimulates TLR2-dependent chemokines of colon cell

Shigella spp. are known to penetrate the colonic epithelial cells causing shigellosis, which results in production of convalescent antibodies against porin, the surface exposed major outer membrane protein. Porin has been categorized as primarily TLR2-ligand and here we validated its signaling procedure in colonic INT-407 cells simulating the host scenario. Porin up-regulated TLR2 and -6 followed by TLR2·MYD88 complex formation suggesting direct involvement of MYD88 for downstream signaling. Translocation of NF-κB p65 and p50 subunits on to the nucleus indicates involvement of the transcription factor in signaling. Porin-induced TLR signaling specifically stimulated the pro-inflammatory chemokine panel comprising of MIP-1α, MCP-1 and IL-8. Inhibition studies of TLR2 and NF-κB led to abrogation of the pro-inflammatory chemokine response, showing TLR-dependent signaling through NF-κB regulate gut activity. This work elucidates TLR2 not only scans pathogen-associated molecule but also has a direct role in maneuvering colon cell response.

Shigella flexneri 3a outer membrane protein C epitope is recognized by human umbilical cord sera and associated with protective activity

Shigella flexneri 3a is one of the five major strains of the Shigella genus responsible for dysentery, especially among children, in regions of high poverty and poor sanitation. The outer membrane proteins (OMP) of this bacterium elicit immunological responses and are considered a prime target for vaccine development. When injected into mice they elicit a protective immunological response against a lethal dose of the pathogen. The OMPs from S. flexneri 3a were isolated and resolved by two-dimension-SDS-PAGE. Two 38-kDa spots were of particular interest since in our earlier studies OMPs of such molecular mass were found to interact with umbilical cord sera. These two spots were identified as OmpC by ESI-MS/MS spectrometry. By DNA sequencing, the ompC gene from S. flexneri 3a was identical to ompC from S. flexneri 2a [Gene Bank: 24113600]. A 3D model of OmpC was built and used to predict B-cell type (discontinuous) antigenic epitopes. Six epitopes bearing the highest score were selected and the corresponding peptides were synthesized. Only the peptides representing loop V of OmpC reacted strongly with the umbilical cord serum immunoglobulins. To determine which amino acids are essential for the antigenic activity of the epitope, the loop V was scanned with a series of dodecapeptides. The peptide RYDERY was identified as a minimal sequence for the loop V epitope. Truncation at either the C- or N-terminus rendered this peptide inactive. Apart from C-terminal tyrosine, substitution of each of the remaining five amino acids with glycine, led to a precipitous loss of immunological activity. This peptide may serve as a ligand in affinity chromatography of OmpC-specific antibodies and as a component of a vaccine designed to boost human immune defenses against enterobacterial infections.

Porin of Shigella dysenteriae directly promotes toll-like receptor 2-mediated CD4+ T cell survival and effector function

Porin of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 up-regulated Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 on CD3-stimulated CD4(+) T cells but could not induce the expression of other TLRs. TLR2 in association with myeloid differentiating factor 88 (MyD88) triggered the downstream signal transduction pathway leading to activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), and degradation of IkappaB, the NF-kappaB inhibitor. TLR2 co-stimulation by porin resulted in T cell expansion by inducing both proliferation and survival of the CD4(+) T cells. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation inhibitor U0126 and NF-kappaB translocation inhibitor SN-50 significantly inhibited proliferation of T cells, highlighting a direct role of ERK and NF-kappaB in the process. However, cell survival involving Bcl-X(L) induction was found to be regulated essentially by ERK with no significant role of NF-kappaB. Porin-induced proliferation was supported by induction of IL-2 and CD25 that are known to play a pivotal role in T cell expansion. Apart from inducing T cell proliferation, porin triggered effector functions of the cells, evident from TLR2- and MyD88-dependent release of type 1 cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon (IFN)-gamma along with the induction of type 1 chemokines macrophage-inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha and MIP-1beta and their receptor CCR5. The proliferation, survival and effector function of CD4(+) T cells through TLR2 co-stimulation show the capability of porin to directly turn adaptive immunity into action.

Evaluation of outer membrane proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a protective agent in mice model

The crude Outer Membrane Protein (OMP) from a strain of P. aeruginosa isolated from burn patient was purified by two different methods. One procedure involved separation of Sodium Dodecyle Sulphate (SDS) and Triton X-100, where as the other involved using lysozyme enzyme. Both methods showed very similar polypeptide pattern and the major peptide band with molecular weight of 37 KD was common in both procedures. The protein estimation of OMP extracted by lysosyme was 3 mg mL(-1) compared to 5.5 mg mL(-1) extracted by Triton-X100 method. The latter was chosen to examine for the immunogenicity study in a mice model. The efficacy of immunization with OMP and challenge with homologous strain in mice showed a very good protection compared to control mice injected with saline. The passive haemoagglutination test (PHA) in mice, injected with OMP showed increased level of antibody after the second injection and stayed constant after repeated injection. The results of this study showed that the crude OMP extracted from P. aeruginosa induced a significant protection in mice against Pseudomonas infections and could be used as a vaccine candidate.

Enterobacterial 38-kDa outer membrane protein is an age-dependent molecular marker of innate immunity and immunoglobulin deficiency as results from its reactivity with IgG and IgA antibody

In earlier studies on an animal model we observed protective properties of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of Shigella, Hafnia, and Escherichia coli strains. In order to investigate human sera for reactivity with OMPs we subjected these proteins to immunoblotting with umbilical cord plasma and sera from children and adults. The IgG and IgA antibodies interacted primarily with a 38-kDa protein, in similar way for several enterobacterial strains, but different for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This observation prompted us to determine the reactivity with the purified 38-kDa OMP in the sera of several groups of children. The reactivity of the protein from Shigella flexneri serotype 3a with sera in ELISA was age dependent, increasing from low reactivity in infants to the adult antibody level. The IgG and IgA antibody specific response thus revealed the normal pattern of immunity. The level of IgA and IgG antibody was significantly low in child patients with IgA and/or IgG immunoglobulin deficiencies, but was at the healthy control level in children with recurrent respiratory tract inflammation. These data correlated with total IgA and IgG levels in immunoglobulin-deficient children. The results indicate that this protein may serve as an immunodiagnostic marker, but also as an antigen carrier in vaccines.

Meningococcal porin PorB binds to TLR2 and requires TLR1 for signaling

TLR2 plays a key role in the initiation of the cellular innate immune responses by a wide range of bacterial products. TLRs signaling, including TLR2 and its coreceptors TLR1 and TLR6, is mediated by a number of specific ligands. Although many of the TLR-mediated cell signaling pathways have been elucidated in the past few years, the molecular mechanisms that lead to cell activation are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the interaction of PorB from Neisseria meningitidis with TLR2 and describe the direct binding of a bacterial protein to TLR2 for the first time. Using labeled PorB, we demonstrate its binding to TLR2 both in its soluble form in vitro, and when it is over-expressed on the surface of human embryonic kidney 293 cells. We also show that TLR2-mediated binding of PorB is directly related to cellular activation. In addition, using 293 cells expressing the chimeric TLR2/TLR1 and TLR2/TLR6 complexes, we report the selectivity of PorB binding to the TLR2/TLR1 heterodimer, which is required for initiating signaling in transfected 293 cells and in murine B cells. Together, these data provide new evidence that TLR2 recognizes PorB through direct binding, and that PorB-induced cell activation is mediated by a TLR2/TLR1 complex.

Porin of Shigella dysenteriae enhances Toll-like receptors 2 and 6 of mouse peritoneal B-2 cells and induces the expression of immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G2a and immunoglobulin A

Porin of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 increased the mRNA levels for Toll-like receptors TLR2 and TLR6, by 1.8-fold and twofold, respectively, in peritoneal cavity B-2 cells from C57BL/6 mice, implicating that the co-expression of TLR2 and TLR6 occurs as a combinatorial repertoire in response to porin. Among the two key TLRs, TLR2 and TLR4, which are primarily responsible for recognizing the majority of bacterial products, TLR2 alone participates in porin recognition. TLR2 expression was increased on B-2 cells, whereas the expression of TLR4 remained unaffected. Besides TLRs, mRNA for myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), an effector molecule associated with the TLR-mediated response, was enhanced by twofold, suggesting its involvement in the activity of porin. The B-2 cells showed a 1.8-fold increase in mRNA expression of the signalling molecule, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), in the presence of porin. Porin treatment of B-2 cells selectively up-regulated the expression of the costimulatory molecule, CD86, by 4.4-fold. Porin induced the cell-surface expression of immunoglobulin (Ig)M, of IgG2a preferentially among the IgG subclasses, and of IgA, on B-2 cells. The porin-mediated inductions of IgG2a and IgA were augmented by interleukin-6 on B-2 cells, by 2.7- and 1.6-fold, respectively.

Up-regulation of CD80-CD86 and IgA on mouse peritoneal B-1 cells by porin of Shigella dysenteriae is Toll-like receptors 2 and 6 dependent

Porin of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 increased the mRNA levels for Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR6 by 1.5- and 2.9-fold respectively, of peritoneal cavity B-1a and B-1b cells, implicating that coexpression of TLR2 and TLR6 is essential as a combinatorial repertoire for recognition of porin by the B-1 cells. Among the two key TLRs, TLR2 and TLR4, which are primarily responsible for recognizing majority of the bacterial products, TLR2 and not TLR4, participates in porin recognition. TLR2 got increased on both the B-1 cell populations whereas the TLR4 expression remained unaffected. Besides TLRs, mRNA for MyD88, an effector molecule associated with TLR-mediated response was enhanced by 1.8-fold that suggests of its involvement in the activity of porin. Both of the B-1 cell populations expressed strongly the mRNA for NF-kappaB in the presence of porin, that was 2.4-fold more than untreated control, conforming to the earlier finding that coexpression of TLR2 and TLR6, resulted in robust NF-kappaB activation for signaling. Porin treatment of B-1 cell populations of C57BL/6 mice, and C3H/HeJ mice in particular, selectively up-regulated the expression of the costimulatory molecules. CD80 expression got enhanced on the B-1a cells whereas CD86 got solely expressed on B-1b cells. Porin-induced cell surface expression of IgM and IgA on B-1 cell populations from C57BL/6 mice. The IgA-generating capacity, hallmark of mucosal immune response, was confirmed with B-1 cells of C3H/HeJ, the lipopolysaccharide non-responder mouse, in response to the protein. The porin-mediated induction of IgA was augmented by interleukin-6 on B-1a and B-1b cells, by 2.4- and 2.6-fold, respectively. The IgA expressed on both B-1a and B-1b cell surfaces after 72 h of culture was found to bind to the 38 kDa monomer of porin confirming it to be anti-porin IgA antibody.

Porin of Shigella dysenteriae enhances mRNA levels for Toll-like receptor 2 and MyD88, up-regulates CD80 of murine macrophage, and induces the release of interleukin-12

Sera of patients convalescing from shigellosis reacted strongly and specifically with the 38,000 Da monomer of porin of Shigella dysenteriae type 1. Since human, the only natural host of S. dysenteriae type 1, recognized the protein through humoral immune response, it is of great significance to study the surface-exposed outer membrane antigen as an adjuvant. Porin treatment of CD11b+ peritoneal cavity (PerC) MPhi of BALB/c mouse was found to up-regulate CD80 on cell surface and had no effect on CD86 expression. The surface expression of CD80 got increased by 1.6-fold in the presence of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) supporting selective regulation of the B7-1 (CD80) member of the B7 family. MPhi released 7.25 pg of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the presence of porin. The protein in combination with IFN-gamma augmented profoundly the release of IL-12 by 2.6-fold. Porin-mediated induction of IL-12 release would therefore influence Th1-type response, known to be preferentially triggered due to up-regulation of CD80 expression. Treatment of PerC MPhi by the protein showed an increase of mRNA for both Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) by 2- and 2.3-fold respectively, emphasizing that TLR2 is essential for recognition of S. dysenteriae type 1 porin. Understanding the mechanism of adjuvanticity of porin of S. dysenteriae type 1 is a necessary step towards the development of a better adjuvant against shigellosis.

Role of porin of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 in modulation of lipopolysaccharide mediated nitric oxide and interleukin-1 release by murine peritoneal macrophages

The ability of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 porin to induce the release of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) from peritoneal macrophages of mouse and to regulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) mediated release of the two proinflammatory mediators was investigated. Porin released nitrite when added to macrophage cultures. A maximum of 3.2-fold nitrite release by macrophages was observed with 100 ng ml(-1) of porin. The nitrite release of LPS was enhanced significantly by lower concentrations of porin, whereas the effect of IFN-gamma was enhanced by porin at higher concentrations. Polysaccharide (PS) moiety of LPS stimulated the nitrite release of elicited macrophages by 1.6-fold compared to untreated control. It also enhanced the stimulatory effect of 1 and 10 ng ml(-1) of porin by 1.3-fold. Lipid A (LPA) moiety of LPS did not release nitrite, nor did it increase the porin mediated nitrite production. Porin treated 24 h old macrophage culture supernatants were applied for ConA activated thymocyte proliferation as a measure for determination of IL-1 release. Sixty percent depletion of thymocyte proliferation was observed when the porin treated macrophage supernatants were absorbed with anti-IL-1 antibody. A maximum of 5.5-fold increase of thymocyte proliferation over control was found with 1 and 10 ng ml(-1) of porin. One or 10 ng ml(-1) of porin and LPS augmented the thymocyte growth, 1.5-fold beyond that obtained by porin and 1.8-/1. 7-fold more than that obtained by LPS, alone. Similarly, porin and IFN-gamma co-stimulated the cell growth also. PS enhanced the thymocyte proliferation by 5-fold. It also enhanced the thymocyte growth by co-stimulating 1.4-fold the effect observed by 1 or 10 ng ml(-1) of porin alone. LPA could not participate in the cell proliferating activity nor did it enhance the stimulatory effect of porin. Therefore, both nitrite release and thymocyte proliferation by LPS could be substituted by PS only. The tight association of the two bacterial outer membrane components, porin and LPS, could be a necessary co-signal for boosting the release of the two proinflammatory mediators, namely NO and IL-1, which may be associated with the inflammatory response of the colon during Shigella invasion.

Cloning and characterization of the major outer membrane protein gene (ompH) of Pasteurella multocida X-73

The major outer membrane protein (OmpH) of Pasteurella multocida X-73 was purified by selective extraction with detergents, followed by size exclusion chromatography. The planar lipid bilayer assay showed that OmpH has pore-forming function. The average single channel conductance in 1.0 M KCl was 0.62 nS. The gene (ompH) encoding OmpH has been isolated and sequenced by construction of a genomic library and PCR techniques. The coding region of this gene is 1,059 bp long. The predicted primary protein is composed of 353 amino acids, with a 20-amino-acid signal peptide. The mature protein is composed of 333 amino acids with a molecular mass of 36.665 kDa. The ompH gene encoding mature protein has been expressed in Escherichia coli by using a regulatable expression system. The ompH gene was distributed among 15 P. multocida serotypes and strain CU. Protection studies showed that OmpH was able to induce homologous protection in chickens. These findings demonstrate that OmpH is a protective outer membrane porin of strain X-73 and is conserved among P. multocida somatic serotypes.

Murine splenocyte proliferation by porin of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 and inhibition of bacterial invasion of HeLa cell by anti-porin antibody

The purified porin of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 showed strong mitogenic activity for murine splenocytes. Preincubation of S. dysenteriae type 1 with anti-porin antibody reduced the bacterial plaque formation in HeLa cell monolayers by 45%. The two immunobiological activities indicate that porin might be important in the induction of protective immunity against shigellosis.

The 32 kDa major outer-membrane protein of Pasteurella multocida capsular serotype D

The major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) of Pasteurella multocida serotype D strain P210, with an apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa, was purified and characterized. The purification method involved selective extraction of MOMP with N-lauroylsarcosine and SDS, followed by immunoaffinity chromatography using a murine monoclonal antibody (mAb). The N-terminal sequence and amino acid composition of the MOMP showed considerable similarity to other Gram-negative bacterial porins, notably to the 37 kDa MOMP (porin H) of P. multocida. Immunoelectron microscopy and colony blotting assays were used to demonstrate the surface localization of the 32 kDa MOMP on bacterial cells. The colony blotting assay provided a simple, sensitive and rapid screening method for visualizing accessibility of the antibody on the cells. In a Western blot assay, murine polyclonal hyperimmune serum against the purified 32 kDa MOMP recognized both serotype B and D strains bearing either a 32 kDa or a 37 kDa MOMP, whereas the mAb recognized only serotype D strains bearing a 32 kDa but not a 37 kDa MOMP. The present data indicate that the 32 kDa MOMPs of P. multocida are antigenically heterogeneous and possess both specific and cross-reacting epitopes. Detection of type-specific epitopes on the 32 kDa MOMP using an mAb may have potential implications regarding the feasibility of developing a serotyping system for P. multocida.