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Ye X, Li J, Gao D, Ma P, Wu Q, Song D. A Dual-Mode Fluorescent Nanoprobe for the Detection and Visual Screening of Pathogenic Bacterial Spores. Anal Chem 2024; 96:6012-6020. [PMID: 38564412 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial vegetative cells turn into metabolically dormant spores in certain environmental situations. Once suitable conditions trigger the germination of spores belonging to the pathogenic bacterial category, public safety and environmental hygiene will be threatened, and lives will even be endangered when encountering fatal ones. Instant identification of pathogenic bacterial spores remains a challenging task, since most current approaches belonging to complicated biological methods unsuitable for onsite sensing or emerging alternative chemical techniques are still inseparable from professional instruments. Here we developed a polychromatic fluorescent nanoprobe for ratiometric detection and visual inspection of the pathogenic bacterial spore biomarker, dipicolinic acid (DPA), realizing rapidly accurate screening of pathogenic bacterial spores such as Bacillus anthracis spores. The nanoprobe is made of aminoclay-coated silicon nanoparticles and functionalized with europium ions, exhibiting selective and sensitive response toward DPA and Bacillus subtilis spores (simulants for Bacillus anthracis spores) with excellent linearity. The proposed sensing strategy allowing spore determination of as few as 0.3 × 105 CFU/mL within 10 s was further applied to real environmental sample detection with good accuracy and reliability. Visual quantitative determination can be achieved by analyzing the RGB values of the corresponding test solution color via a color recognition APP on a smartphone. Different test samples can be photographed at the same time, hence the efficient accomplishment of examining bulk samples within minutes. Potentially employed in various on-site sensing occasions, this strategy may develop into a powerful means for distinguishing hazardous pathogens to facilitate timely and proper actions of dealing with multifarious security issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiwen Ye
- Jilin Province Research Center for Engineering and Technology of Spectral Analytical Instruments, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Jingkang Li
- Jilin Province Research Center for Engineering and Technology of Spectral Analytical Instruments, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Dejiang Gao
- Jilin Province Research Center for Engineering and Technology of Spectral Analytical Instruments, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Pinyi Ma
- Jilin Province Research Center for Engineering and Technology of Spectral Analytical Instruments, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Nanomedicine and Translational Research Center, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130030, China
| | - Daqian Song
- Jilin Province Research Center for Engineering and Technology of Spectral Analytical Instruments, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun 130012, China
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Lin GL, Chang HH, Lin WT, Liou YS, Lai YL, Hsieh MH, Chen PK, Liao CY, Tsai CC, Wang TF, Chu SC, Kau JH, Huang HH, Hsu HL, Sun DS. Dachshund Homolog 1: Unveiling Its Potential Role in Megakaryopoiesis and Bacillus anthracis Lethal Toxin-Induced Thrombocytopenia. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3102. [PMID: 38542074 PMCID: PMC10970148 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Lethal toxin (LT) is the critical virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. One common symptom observed in patients with anthrax is thrombocytopenia, which has also been observed in mice injected with LT. Our previous study demonstrated that LT induces thrombocytopenia by suppressing megakaryopoiesis, but the precise molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain unknown. In this study, we utilized 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced megakaryocytic differentiation in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells to identify genes involved in LT-induced megakaryocytic suppression. Through cDNA microarray analysis, we identified Dachshund homolog 1 (DACH1) as a gene that was upregulated upon TPA treatment but downregulated in the presence of TPA and LT, purified from the culture supernatants of B. anthracis. To investigate the function of DACH1 in megakaryocytic differentiation, we employed short hairpin RNA technology to knock down DACH1 expression in HEL cells and assessed its effect on differentiation. Our data revealed that the knockdown of DACH1 expression suppressed megakaryocytic differentiation, particularly in polyploidization. We demonstrated that one mechanism by which B. anthracis LT induces suppression of polyploidization in HEL cells is through the cleavage of MEK1/2. This cleavage results in the downregulation of the ERK signaling pathway, thereby suppressing DACH1 gene expression and inhibiting polyploidization. Additionally, we found that known megakaryopoiesis-related genes, such as FOSB, ZFP36L1, RUNX1, FLI1, AHR, and GFI1B genes may be positively regulated by DACH1. Furthermore, we observed an upregulation of DACH1 during in vitro differentiation of CD34-megakaryocytes and downregulation of DACH1 in patients with thrombocytopenia. In summary, our findings shed light on one of the molecular mechanisms behind LT-induced thrombocytopenia and unveil a previously unknown role for DACH1 in megakaryopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan-Ling Lin
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (G.-L.L.); (H.-H.C.); (P.-K.C.)
- Integration Center of Traditional Chinese and Modern Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (W.-T.L.); (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-L.L.); (M.-H.H.)
| | - Hsin-Hou Chang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (G.-L.L.); (H.-H.C.); (P.-K.C.)
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (W.-T.L.); (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-L.L.); (M.-H.H.)
| | - Wei-Ting Lin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (W.-T.L.); (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-L.L.); (M.-H.H.)
| | - Yu-Shan Liou
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (W.-T.L.); (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-L.L.); (M.-H.H.)
| | - Yi-Ling Lai
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (W.-T.L.); (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-L.L.); (M.-H.H.)
| | - Min-Hua Hsieh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (W.-T.L.); (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-L.L.); (M.-H.H.)
| | - Po-Kong Chen
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (G.-L.L.); (H.-H.C.); (P.-K.C.)
| | - Chi-Yuan Liao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mennonite Christian Hospital, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (C.-C.T.)
| | - Chi-Chih Tsai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mennonite Christian Hospital, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (C.-C.T.)
| | - Tso-Fu Wang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (T.-F.W.); (S.-C.C.)
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
- Buddhist Tzu Chi Stem Cells Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Chao Chu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (T.-F.W.); (S.-C.C.)
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
- Buddhist Tzu Chi Stem Cells Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Hwa Kau
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan; (J.-H.K.); (H.-H.H.); (H.-L.H.)
| | - Hsin-Hsien Huang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan; (J.-H.K.); (H.-H.H.); (H.-L.H.)
| | - Hui-Ling Hsu
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan; (J.-H.K.); (H.-H.H.); (H.-L.H.)
| | - Der-Shan Sun
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (G.-L.L.); (H.-H.C.); (P.-K.C.)
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan; (W.-T.L.); (Y.-S.L.); (Y.-L.L.); (M.-H.H.)
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Bacterial agents (3rd section). Transfusion 2024; 64 Suppl 1:S208-42. [PMID: 38394040 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
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Curran EH, Devine MD, Hartley CD, Huang Y, Conrady CD, Debiec MR, Justin GA, Thomas J, Yeh S. Ophthalmic implications of biological threat agents according to the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives framework. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 10:1349571. [PMID: 38293299 PMCID: PMC10824978 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1349571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
As technology continues to evolve, the possibility for a wide range of dangers to people, organizations, and countries escalate globally. The United States federal government classifies types of threats with the capability of inflicting mass casualties and societal disruption as Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Energetics/Explosives (CBRNE). Such incidents encompass accidental and intentional events ranging from weapons of mass destruction and bioterrorism to fires or spills involving hazardous or radiologic material. All of these have the capacity to inflict death or severe physical, neurological, and/or sensorial disabilities if injuries are not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Ophthalmic injury can provide important insight into understanding and treating patients impacted by CBRNE agents; however, improper ophthalmic management can result in suboptimal patient outcomes. This review specifically addresses the biological agents the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deems to have the greatest capacity for bioterrorism. CBRNE biological agents, encompassing pathogens and organic toxins, are further subdivided into categories A, B, and C according to their national security threat level. In our compendium of these biological agents, we address their respective CDC category, systemic and ophthalmic manifestations, route of transmission and personal protective equipment considerations as well as pertinent vaccination and treatment guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma H. Curran
- Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Max D. Devine
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Caleb D. Hartley
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Ye Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Christopher D. Conrady
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Pathology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Matthew R. Debiec
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Grant A. Justin
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Joanne Thomas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Steven Yeh
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
- Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
- National Strategic Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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Çürek S, Geniş B, Özden Tuncer B, Tuncer Y. Prevalence, Toxin Genes, and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Bacillus cereus Isolates from Spices in Antalya and Isparta Provinces in Türkiye. Indian J Microbiol 2023; 63:549-561. [PMID: 38031610 PMCID: PMC10682334 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-023-01111-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus cereus is a pathogenic bacterium commonly found in nature and can produce toxins that cause food poisoning. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of B. cereus group bacteria in 50 unpackaged and 20 packaged spice samples frequently used as flavoring in Turkish cuisine, as well as investigate the presence of toxin genes and antibiotic resistance in the isolates. A total of 48 B. cereus group bacteria were isolated from 27 of 70 (38.57%) spice samples. The prevalence of B. cereus group bacteria in packaged (25%, 5/20) and unpackaged (44%, 22/50) spice samples did not differ significantly (P ˃ 0.05). All B. cereus group isolates were identified as B. cereus sensu stricto (B. cereus) using molecular methods. The hemolytic activity tests revealed that the most strains (44/48, 91.67%) are β-hemolytic. The distributions of toxin genes in isolates were investigated by PCR. It was determined that all isolates were identified to have 2-8 toxin genes, except B. cereus SBC3. The three most common toxin genes were found to be nheA (47/48, 97.92%), nheB (46/48, 95.83%), and entFM (46/48, 95.83%). All B. cereus isolates were susceptible to linezolid and vancomycin, while 35.42% (17/48) showed resistance to erythromycin. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) was detected in 8.3% (4/48) of B. cereus isolates, while 33.33% of the isolates showed multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index values higher than 0.2. The findings indicate that B. cereus may pose a health risk in packaged and unpackaged spices if present in high quantities. Therefore, the presence of B. cereus strains in both packaged and unpackaged spices should be monitored regarding consumer health and product safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sena Çürek
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Food Engineering, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye
| | - Burak Geniş
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Food Engineering, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye
| | - Banu Özden Tuncer
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Food Engineering, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye
| | - Yasin Tuncer
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Food Engineering, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye
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Narayan B, Verma SK, Singh S, Gupta MK, Kumar S. Protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis in combination with TLR4 or TLR5 agonist confers superior protection against lethal challenge in mouse model. Microbes Infect 2023; 25:105183. [PMID: 37437686 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The immunogenicity and protective ability of recombinant PA (rPA) with two innate immune system modulators, i.e., monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), a TLR4 agonist, and recombinant flagellin C (FliC), a TLR5 agonist, were studied in the mouse model. BALB/c mice were inoculated with three doses of rPA + alum (Alum group), rPA + FliC + alum (FliC group), rPA + MPLA + alum (MPLA group), or only alum adjuvant (Alum alone group). Significant increases in anti-PA IgG titers were observed in the Alum, FliC and MPLA groups when compared to control Alum alone group. Similarly, a significant enhancement of proinflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β), Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-12(p70), IL-2) and Th2 (IL-10, IL-4) cytokines were also noticed in Alum, FliC and MPLA groups compared to Alum alone group. The rPA-specific IgG and cytokine responses in MPLA and FliC groups were significantly higher than the Alum group, suggesting enhancement of immune response by these TLR agonists. MPLA was also found to skew the IgG1:IgG2a ratio towards IgG2a. At a challenge dose of 25 LD50, complete protection was observed in mice of MPLA group whereas lesser protection was observed in FliC (87%) and Alum (50%) groups. Therefore, we suggest the use of MPLA in further development of rPA based anthrax vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bineet Narayan
- Microbiology Division, Defence Research & Developmental Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior 474002, India
| | - Shailendra Kumar Verma
- Microbiology Division, Defence Research & Developmental Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior 474002, India
| | - Sandeep Singh
- Microbiology Division, Defence Research & Developmental Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior 474002, India
| | - Mahendra K Gupta
- School of Studies in Botany and Microbiology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India
| | - Subodh Kumar
- Microbiology Division, Defence Research & Developmental Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior 474002, India.
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Wu W, Booth JL, Liang Z, Li G, Metcalf JP. Bacillus anthracis spores are internalized in human lung epithelial cells by Rab GTPase-supported macropinocytosis. Microb Pathog 2023; 183:106305. [PMID: 37586464 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Inhalation anthrax, the deadliest form of the disease, requires inhaled B. anthracis spores to escape from the alveolar space and travel to the mediastinal lymph nodes, from where the vegetative form of the pathogen disseminates, resulting in a rapidly fatal outcome. The role of epithelia in alveolar escape is unclear, but previous work suggests these epithelial cells are involved in this process. Using confocal microscopy, we found that B. anthracis spores are internalized more rapidly by A549 type II alveolar epithelial cells compared to hAELVi type I alveolar epithelial cells. Internalization of spores by alveolar epithelial cells requires cytoskeletal rearrangement evidenced by significant inhibition by cytochalasin D, an actin inhibitor. Chemical inhibitors of macropinocytosis significantly downregulated B. anthracis spore internalization in human alveolar cells, while inhibitors of other endocytosis pathways had minimal effects. Additional studies using a macropinosome marker and electron microscopy confirmed the role of macropinocytosis in spore uptake. By colocalization of B. anthracis spores with four endocytic Rab proteins, we demonstrated that Rab31 played a role in B. anthracis spore macropinocytosis. Finally, we confirmed that Rab31 is involved in B. anthracis spore internalization by enhanced spore uptake in Rab31-overexpressing A549 cells. This is the first report that shows B. anthracis spore internalization by macropinocytosis in human epithelial cells. Several Rab GTPases are involved in the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Wu
- Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - J Leland Booth
- Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Zhimin Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Guangpu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
| | - Jordan P Metcalf
- Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA; Pulmonary Section, Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
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Beitzinger C, Kronhardt A, Benz R. Chloroquine-analogues block anthrax protective antigen channels in steady-state and kinetic studies. Toxicology 2023; 492:153547. [PMID: 37201861 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The tripartite anthrax toxin from Bacillus anthracis represents the prototype of A-B type of toxins, where the effector A (an enzymatic subunit) is transported with the help of a binding component B into a target cell. Anthrax toxin consists of three different molecules, two effectors, lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF) and the binding component also known as protective antigen (PA). PA forms heptamers or octamers following binding to host cell's receptors and mediates the translocation of the effectors into the cytosol via the endosomal pathway. The cation-selective PA63-channel is able to reconstitute in lipid membranes and can be blocked by chloroquine and other heterocyclic compounds. This suggests that the PA63-channel contains a binding site for quinolines. In this study, we investigated the structure-function relationship of different quinolines for the block of the PA63-channel. The affinity of the different chloroquine analogues to the PA63-channel as provided by the equilibrium dissociation constant was measured using titrations. Some quinolines had a much higher affinity to the PA63-channel than chloroquine itself. We also performed ligand-induced current noise measurements using fast Fourier transformation to get insight in the kinetics of the binding of some quinolines to the PA63-channel. The on-rate constants of ligand binding were around 108M-1·s-1 at 150mM KCl and were only little dependent on the individual quinoline. The off-rates varied between 4s-1 and 160s-1 and depended much more on the structure of the molecules than the on-rate constants. The possible use of the 4-aminoquinolines as a therapy is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Beitzinger
- Rudolf Virchow Center, Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Straße 9, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Kronhardt
- Rudolf Virchow Center, Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Straße 9, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Roland Benz
- Science Faculty, Constructor University Bremen, Campus-Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany.
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Nikolakakis I, Michaleas SN, Panayiotakopoulos G, Papaioannou TG, Karamanou M. The History of Anthrax Weaponization in the Soviet Union. Cureus 2023; 15:e36800. [PMID: 37123719 PMCID: PMC10134958 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we reveal the anthrax weaponization in the Soviet Union and its impact on biowarfare research, technology, and public health that resulted in the development of the first Soviet Anthrax vaccine and the subsequent vaccination of animals and humans en masse. We assume that there are cases that a biowarfare technology was incorporated into the civilian industry and benefited public health. However, the legacy of bioweapons today still poses an asymmetric threat to public health and safety.
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Zhao F, Zhao C, Bai S, Yao L, Zhang Y. Triage Algorithms for Mass-Casualty Bioterrorism: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:ijerph20065070. [PMID: 36981980 PMCID: PMC10049471 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To understand existing triage algorithms, propose improvement measures through comparison to better deal with mass-casualty incidents caused by bioterrorism. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review. METHODS Medline, Scopus and Web of Science were searched up to January 2022. The studies investigating triage algorithms for mass-casualty bioterrorism. Quality assessment was performed using the International Narrative Systematic Assessment tool. Data extractions were performed by four reviewers. RESULTS Of the 475 titles identified in the search, 10 studies were included. There were four studies on triage algorithms for most bioterrorism events, four studies on triage algorithms for anthrax and two studies on triage algorithms for mental or psychosocial problems caused by bioterrorism events. We introduced and compared 10 triage algorithms used for different bioterrorism situations. CONCLUSION For triage algorithms for most bioterrorism events, it is necessary to determine the time and place of the attack as soon as possible, control the number of exposed and potentially exposed people, prevent infection and determine the type of biological agents used. Research on the effects of decontamination on bioterrorism attacks needs to continue. For anthrax triage, future research should improve the distinction between inhalational anthrax symptoms and common disease symptoms and improve the efficiency of triage measures. More attention should be paid to triage algorithms for mental or psychosocial problems caused by bioterrorism events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feida Zhao
- Institute of Disaster and Emergency Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chao Zhao
- Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Song Bai
- Evaluation and Optimization of Health Emergency Response Capacity, Institute of Disaster and Emergency Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Lulu Yao
- Emergency Medicine, Institute of Disaster and Emergency Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yongzhong Zhang
- Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Institute of Disaster and Emergency Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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Glinert I, Bar-David E, Ben-Shmuel A, Sittner A, Puni R, Laredo S, Kobiler D, Weiss S, Levy H. Alternate atxA and acpA dependent response of Bacillus anthracis to serum, HCO3- and CO2. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281879. [PMID: 36795682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis overcomes host immune responses by producing capsule and secreting toxins. Production of these virulence factors in response to entering the host environment was shown to be regulated by atxA, the major virulence regulator, known to be activated by HCO3- and CO2. While toxin production is regulated directly by atxA, capsule production is independently mediated by two regulators; acpA and acpB. In addition, it was demonstrated that acpA has at least two promotors, one of them shared with atxA. We used a genetic approach to study capsule and toxin production under different conditions. Unlike previous works utilizing NBY, CA or R-HCO3- medium under CO2 enriched conditions, we used a sDMEM-based medium. Thus, toxin and capsule production can be induced in ambient or CO2 enriched atmosphere. Using this system, we could differentiate between induction by 10% NRS, 10% CO2 or 0.75% HCO3-. In response to high CO2, capsule production is induced by acpA based response in an atxA-independent manner, with little to no toxin (protective antigen PA) production. atxA based response is activated in response to serum independently of CO2, inducing toxin and capsule production in an acpA or acpB dependent manner. HCO3- was also found to activate atxA based response, but in non-physiological concentrations. Our findings may help explain the first stages of inhalational infection, in which spores germinating in dendritic cells require protection (by encapsulation) without affecting cell migration to the draining lymph-node by toxin secretion.
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Turner S, Raisley B, Roach K, Bajaña S, Munroe ME, James JA, Coggeshall KM, Kovats S. Gram-Positive Bacteria Cell Wall Peptidoglycan Polymers Activate Human Dendritic Cells to Produce IL-23 and IL-1β and Promote T(H)17 Cell Differentiation. Microorganisms 2023; 11. [PMID: 36677464 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Gram-positive bacterial infections are a major cause of organ failure and mortality in sepsis. Cell wall peptidoglycan (PGN) is shed during bacterial replication, and Bacillus anthracis PGN promotes a sepsis-like pathology in baboons. Herein, we determined the ability of polymeric Bacillus anthracis PGN free from TLR ligands to shape human dendritic cell (DC) responses that are important for the initiation of T cell immunity. Monocyte-derived DCs from healthy donors were incubated with PGN polymers isolated from Bacillus anthracis and Staphylococcus aureus. PGN activated the human DCs, as judged by the increased expression of surface HLA-DR, CD83, the T cell costimulatory molecules CD40 and CD86, and the chemokine receptor CCR7. PGN elicited the DC production of IL-23, IL-6, and IL-1β but not IL-12p70. The PGN-stimulated DCs induced the differentiation of naïve allogeneic CD4+ T cells into T helper (TH) cells producing IL-17 and IL-21. Notably, the DCs from a subset of donors did not produce significant levels of IL-23 and IL-1β upon PGN stimulation, suggesting that common polymorphisms in immune response genes regulate the PGN response. In sum, purified PGN is a highly stimulatory cell wall component that activates human DCs to secrete proinflammatory cytokines and promote the differentiation of TH17 cells that are important for neutrophil recruitment in extracellular bacterial infections.
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Boyer AE, Gallegos-Candela M, Lins RC, Solano MI, Woolfitt AR, Lee JS, Sanford DC, Knostman KAB, Quinn CP, Hoffmaster AR, Pirkle JL, Barr JR. Comprehensive characterization of toxins during progression of inhalation anthrax in a non-human primate model. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010735. [PMID: 36534695 PMCID: PMC9810172 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhalation anthrax has three clinical stages: early-prodromal, intermediate-progressive, and late-fulminant. We report the comprehensive characterization of anthrax toxins, including total protective antigen (PA), total lethal factor (LF), total edema factor (EF), and their toxin complexes, lethal toxin and edema toxin in plasma, during the course of inhalation anthrax in 23 cynomolgus macaques. The toxin kinetics were predominantly triphasic with an early rise (phase-1), a plateau/decline (phase-2), and a final rapid rise (phase-3). Eleven animals had shorter survival times, mean±standard deviation of 58.7±7.6 hours (fast progression), 11 animals had longer survival times, 113±34.4 hours (slow progression), and one animal survived. Median (lower-upper quartile) LF levels at the end-of-phase-1 were significantly higher in animals with fast progression [138 (54.9-326) ng/mL], than in those with slow progression [23.8 (15.6-26.3) ng/mL] (p = 0.0002), and the survivor (11.1 ng/mL). The differences were also observed for other toxins and bacteremia. Animals with slow progression had an extended phase-2 plateau, with low variability of LF levels across all time points and animals. Characterization of phase-2 toxin levels defined upper thresholds; critical levels for exiting phase-2 and entering the critical phase-3, 342 ng/mL (PA), 35.8 ng/mL (LF), and 1.10 ng/mL (EF). The thresholds were exceeded earlier in animals with fast progression (38.5±7.4 hours) and later in animals with slow progression (78.7±15.2 hours). Once the threshold was passed, toxin levels rose rapidly in both groups to the terminal stage. The time from threshold to terminal was rapid and similar; 20.8±7.4 hours for fast and 19.9±7.5 hours for slow progression. The three toxemic phases were aligned with the three clinical stages of anthrax for fast and slow progression which showed that anthrax progression is toxin- rather than time-dependent. This first comprehensive evaluation of anthrax toxins provides new insights into disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E. Boyer
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Renato C. Lins
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Battelle Atlanta Analytical Services, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Maria I. Solano
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Adrian R. Woolfitt
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - John S. Lee
- Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Daniel C. Sanford
- Battelle Biomedical Research Center, West Jefferson, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Conrad P. Quinn
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Alex R. Hoffmaster
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - James L. Pirkle
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - John R. Barr
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Ciaston I, Dobosz E, Potempa J, Koziel J. The subversion of toll-like receptor signaling by bacterial and viral proteases during the development of infectious diseases. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 88:101143. [PMID: 36152458 PMCID: PMC9924004 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that respond to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The recognition of specific microbial ligands by TLRs triggers an innate immune response and also promotes adaptive immunity, which is necessary for the efficient elimination of invading pathogens. Successful pathogens have therefore evolved strategies to subvert and/or manipulate TLR signaling. Both the impairment and uncontrolled activation of TLR signaling can harm the host, causing tissue destruction and allowing pathogens to proliferate, thus favoring disease progression. In this context, microbial proteases are key virulence factors that modify components of the TLR signaling pathway. In this review, we discuss the role of bacterial and viral proteases in the manipulation of TLR signaling, highlighting the importance of these enzymes during the development of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Ciaston
- Department of Microbiology Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewelina Dobosz
- Department of Microbiology Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jan Potempa
- Department of Microbiology Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Department of Oral Health and Systemic Disease, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
| | - Joanna Koziel
- Department of Microbiology Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
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15
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Yu X, Fang M, Wang S, Li Z, Cheng L, Liu Z, Zhang D, Dong D, Kou Z. Investigation on an outbreak of cutaneous anthrax in a county of Shandong Province, China, 2021. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:875. [DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07802-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In order to verify the existence of an anthrax outbreak, determine its scope, grasp the epidemiological characteristics and find out the cause of the outbreak and recommend preventive and control measures.
Methods
Etiological hypothesis was developed through descriptive epidemiological methods. Hypotheses were tested by analyzing epidemiological methods by comparing the differences in the incidence of different exposure types. Nucleic acid detection and bacterial isolation and culture in the BSL-2 laboratories. SPSS 21 was used to conduct statistical analysis.
Results
A total of 126 family, workshop, shop environment samples and meat samples were collected, and 6 samples were collected from skin lesions of suspected cutaneous anthrax cases. 41 samples were positive by rPCR and 8 strains of Bacillus anthracis were cultivated. Participated in slaughtering, cutting beef of sick cattles was significantly associated with cutaneous anthrax (RR 3.75, 95% CI 1.08–13.07), this behavior is extremely dangerous.
Conclusions
Comprehensive analysis of laboratory results and epidemiological survey results and environmental assessments, we judge this epidemic to be an outbreak of cutaneous anthrax, associated with slaughtering and other processes from infected cattle imported from other province.
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Thompson JM, Cook R, Person MK, Negrón ME, Traxler RM, Bower WA, Hendricks K. Risk Factors for Death or Meningitis in Adults Hospitalized for Cutaneous Anthrax, 1950-2018: A Systematic Review. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 75:S459-S467. [PMID: 36251551 PMCID: PMC9649426 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous anthrax accounts for approximately 95% of anthrax cases worldwide. About 24% of untreated patients die, and many cases are complicated by meningitis. Here, we explore clinical features of cutaneous disease associated with poor outcomes. METHODS A systematic review identified 303 full-text articles published from 1950 through 2018 that met predefined inclusion criteria. Cases were abstracted, and descriptive analyses and univariate logistic regression were conducted to identify prognostic indicators for cutaneous anthrax. RESULTS Of 182 included patients, 47 (25.8%) died. Previously reported independent predictors for death or meningitis that we confirmed included fever or chills; nausea or vomiting; headache; severe headache; nonheadache, nonmeningeal signs; leukocytosis; and bacteremia. Newly identified predictors included anxiety, abdominal pain, diastolic hypotension, skin trauma, thoracic edema, malignant pustule edema, lymphadenopathy, and evidence of coagulopathy (all with P < .05). CONCLUSIONS We identified patient presentations not previously associated with poor outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Thompson
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA
| | - Rachel Cook
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, CDC Fellowship Program, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA
| | - Marissa K Person
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA
| | - María E Negrón
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA
| | - Rita M Traxler
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA
| | - William A Bower
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA
| | - Katherine Hendricks
- Correspondence: K. Hendricks, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, H24-12, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027 ()
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17
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Parker CM, Karchmer AW, Fisher MC, Muhammad KM, Yu PA. Safety of Antimicrobials for Postexposure Prophylaxis and Treatment of Anthrax: A Review. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 75:S417-S431. [PMID: 36251549 PMCID: PMC9649414 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent for anthrax, poses a potential bioterrorism threat and is capable of causing mass morbidity and mortality. Antimicrobials are the mainstay of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) and treatment of anthrax. We conducted this safety review of 24 select antimicrobials to identify any new or emerging serious or severe adverse events (AEs) to help inform their risk-benefit evaluation for anthrax. METHODS Twenty-four antimicrobials were included in this review. Tertiary data sources (e.g. Lactmed, Micromedex, REPROTOX) were reviewed for safety information and summarized to evaluate the known risks of these antimicrobials. PubMed was also searched for published safety information on serious or severe AEs with these antimicrobials; AEs that met inclusion criteria were abstracted and reviewed. RESULTS A total of 1316 articles were reviewed. No consistent observations or patterns were observed among the abstracted AEs for a given antimicrobial; therefore, the literature review did not reveal evidence of new or emerging AEs that would add to the risk-benefit profiles already known from tertiary data sources. CONCLUSIONS The reviewed antimicrobials have known and/or potential serious or severe risks that may influence selection when recommending an antimicrobial for PEP or treatment of anthrax. Given the high fatality rate of anthrax, the risk-benefit evaluation favors use of these antimicrobials for anthrax. The potential risks of antimicrobials should not preclude these reviewed antimicrobials from clinical consideration for anthrax but rather guide appropriate antimicrobial selection and prioritization across different patient populations with risk mitigation measures as warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne M Parker
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Adolf W Karchmer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Margaret C Fisher
- Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kalimah M Muhammad
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fellowship Program, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Patricia A Yu
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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18
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Wu J, Chen P, Chen J, Ye X, Cao S, Sun C, Jin Y, Zhang L, Du S. Integrated ratiometric fluorescence probe-based acoustofluidic platform for visual detection of anthrax biomarker. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 214:114538. [PMID: 35820251 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The sensitive detection of dipicolinic acid (DPA) as an excellent biomarker of Bacillus anthracis, especially through visual point-of-care testing, is significant for accurate and rapid diagnosis of anthrax to timely prevent anthrax disease or biological terrorist attack. Herein, an acoustofluidics-based colorimetric platform with the integrated ratiometric fluorescence probe (INT-probe) was fabricated, which improved the sensitivity of visual detection for DPA and overcame the poor reproducibility of the existing acoustofluidics-assisted colorimetric analysis. For the design of INT-probe, Eu3+-EDTA complex as sensing moiety was grafted onto the surface of blue organosilane-functionalized carbon dots (SiCDs)-doped SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Upon exposure to DPA, Eu3+ was sensitized by DPA to emit red luminescence, while the SiCDs as reference inside the SiO2 NPs still kept the blue fluorescence unchanged. Attributed to the acoustic radiation force-driven enrichment of the INT-probe, slight color changes caused by low concentration of DPA could be amplified and distinguished by naked-eyes/smartphone. With the increase of DPA concentration, obvious color variations of INT-probe/DPA aggregates from blue to pink could be observed, and the color information of the fluorescent aggregates was converted to red, green and blue values for quantitative analysis, whose lowest detectable concentration reached 100 nM that is about 2-3 orders of magnitude lower than the infectious dosage of Bacillus anthracis spores (60 μM). Importantly, benefiting from the great color signal enhancement by acoustofluidic sensing platform, the usage of Eu3+ reduced to as low as 0.273 μmol per gram of SiO2 NPs, providing a meaningful way to utilize lanthanide resource efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafeng Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Panpan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Jie Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Xiangxue Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Shurui Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Chuqiang Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Yang Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Liying Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China.
| | - Shuhu Du
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China.
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19
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Witt N, Galante D, Andreotti S, Abdel Glil M, Fasanella A, Meierhofer D, Tomaso H. Identification of Universally Applicable and Species-Specific Marker Peptides for Bacillus anthracis. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1549. [PMID: 36294983 DOI: 10.3390/life12101549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax is a zoonotic infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis (BA). Specific identification of this pathogen often relies on targeting genes located on two extrachromosomal plasmids, which represent the major pathogenicity factors of BA. However, more recent findings show that these plasmids have also been found in other closely related Bacillus species. In this study, we investigated the possibility of identifying species-specific and universally applicable marker peptides for BA. For this purpose, we applied a high-resolution mass spectrometry-based approach for 42 BA isolates. Along with the genomic sequencing data and by developing a bioinformatics data evaluation pipeline, which uses a database containing most of the publicly available protein sequences worldwide (UniParc), we were able to identify eleven universal marker peptides unique to BA. These markers are located on the chromosome and therefore, might overcome known problems, such as observable loss of plasmids in environmental species, plasmid loss during cultivation in the lab, and the fact that the virulence plasmids are not necessarily a unique feature of BA. The identified chromosomally encoded markers in this study could extend the small panel of already existing chromosomal targets and along with targets for the virulence plasmids, may pave the way to an even more reliable identification of BA using genomics- as well as proteomics-based techniques.
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20
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Ascough S, Ingram RJ, Chu KKY, Moore SJ, Gallagher T, Dyson H, Doganay M, Metan G, Ozkul Y, Baillie L, Williamson ED, Robinson JH, Maillere B, Boyton RJ, Altmann DM. Impact of HLA Polymorphism on the Immune Response to Bacillus Anthracis Protective Antigen in Vaccination versus Natural Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10101571. [PMID: 36298436 PMCID: PMC9610610 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The causative agent of anthrax, Bacillus anthracis, evades the host immune response and establishes infection through the production of binary exotoxins composed of Protective Antigen (PA) and one of two subunits, lethal factor (LF) or edema factor (EF). The majority of vaccination strategies have focused upon the antibody response to the PA subunit. We have used a panel of humanised HLA class II transgenic mouse strains to define HLA-DR-restricted and HLA-DQ-restricted CD4+ T cell responses to the immunodominant epitopes of PA. This was correlated with the binding affinities of epitopes to HLA class II molecules, as well as the responses of two human cohorts: individuals vaccinated with the Anthrax Vaccine Precipitated (AVP) vaccine (which contains PA and trace amounts of LF), and patients recovering from cutaneous anthrax infections. The infected and vaccinated cohorts expressing different HLA types were found to make CD4+ T cell responses to multiple and diverse epitopes of PA. The effects of HLA polymorphism were explored using transgenic mouse lines, which demonstrated differential susceptibility, indicating that HLA-DR1 and HLA-DQ8 alleles conferred protective immunity relative to HLA-DR15, HLA-DR4 and HLA-DQ6. The HLA transgenics enabled a reductionist approach, allowing us to better define CD4+ T cell epitopes. Appreciating the effects of HLA polymorphism on the variability of responses to natural infection and vaccination is vital in planning protective strategies against anthrax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Ascough
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London W12 0NN, UK
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (D.M.A.)
| | - Rebecca J. Ingram
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute of Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK
| | | | | | - Theresa Gallagher
- BioMET, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Hugh Dyson
- Defence Science Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Mehmet Doganay
- Department of Medical Genetics, Erciyes University Hospital, Kayseri 38095, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Metan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, Ankara 06000, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Ozkul
- Department of Medical Genetics, Erciyes University Hospital, Kayseri 38095, Turkey
| | - Les Baillie
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | | | - John H. Robinson
- Institute for Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Bernard Maillere
- CEA-Saclay, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, Université Paris-Saclay, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Rosemary J. Boyton
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London W12 0NN, UK
- Lung Division, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Daniel M. Altmann
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London W12 0NN, UK
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (D.M.A.)
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Affolter A, Kern J, Bieback K, Scherl C, Rotter N, Lammert A. Biomarkers and 3D models predicting response to immune checkpoint blockade in head and neck cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2022; 61:88. [PMID: 35642667 PMCID: PMC9183766 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has evolved into a powerful tool in the fight against a number of types of cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Although checkpoint inhibition (CPI) has definitely enriched the treatment options for advanced stage HNSCC during the past decade, the percentage of patients responding to treatment is widely varying between 14-32% in second-line setting in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with a sporadic durability. Clinical response and, consecutively, treatment success remain unpredictable in most of the cases. One potential factor is the expression of target molecules of the tumor allowing cancer cells to acquire therapy resistance mechanisms. Accordingly, analyzing and modeling the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is key to i) stratify subgroups of patients most likely to respond to CPI and ii) to define new combinatorial treatment regimens. Particularly in a heterogeneous disease such as HNSCC, thoroughly studying the interactions and crosstalking between tumor and TME cells is one of the biggest challenges. Sophisticated 3D models are therefore urgently needed to be able to validate such basic science hypotheses and to test novel immuno-oncologic treatment regimens in consideration of the individual biology of each tumor. The present review will first summarize recent findings on immunotherapy, predictive biomarkers, the role of the TME and signaling cascades eliciting during CPI. Second, it will highlight the significance of current promising approaches to establish HNSCC 3D models for new immunotherapies. The results are encouraging and indicate that data obtained from patient-specific tumors in a dish might be finally translated into personalized immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Affolter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Johann Kern
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Karen Bieback
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden‑Württemberg‑Hessen, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Claudia Scherl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nicole Rotter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anne Lammert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
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Popescu NI, Cochran J, Duggan E, Kluza J, Silasi R, Coggeshall KM. Internalization of Polymeric Bacterial Peptidoglycan Occurs through Either Actin or Dynamin Dependent Pathways. Microorganisms 2022; 10:552. [PMID: 35336127 PMCID: PMC8951193 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptidoglycan (PGN), a polymeric glycan macromolecule, is a major constituent of the bacterial cell wall and a conserved pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) that triggers immune responses through cytosolic sensors. Immune cells encounter both PGN polymers and hydrolyzed muropeptides during infections, and primary human innate immune cells respond better to polymeric PGN than the minimal bioactive subunit muramyl dipeptide (MDP). While MDP is internalized through macropinocytosis and/or clathrin-mediated endocytosis, the internalization of particulate polymeric PGN is unresolved. We show here that PGN macromolecules isolated from Bacillus anthracis display a broad range of sizes, making them amenable for multiple internalization pathways. Pharmacologic inhibition indicates that PGN primarily, but not exclusively, is internalized by actin-dependent endocytosis. An alternate clathrin-independent but dynamin dependent pathway supports 20–30% of PGN uptake. In primary monocytes, this alternate pathway does not require activities of RhoA, Cdc42 or Arf6 small GTPases. Selective inhibition of PGN uptake shows that phagolysosomal trafficking, processing and downstream immune responses are drastically affected by actin depolymerization, while dynamin inhibition has a smaller effect. Overall, we show that polymeric PGN internalization occurs through two endocytic pathways with distinct potentials to trigger immune responses.
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Jensen CFS, Dong L, Gul M, Fode M, Hildorf S, Thorup J, Hoffmann E, Cortes D, Fedder J, Andersen CY, Sønksen J. Fertility preservation in boys facing gonadotoxic cancer therapy. Nat Rev Urol 2022; 19:71-83. [PMID: 34667304 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-021-00523-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Patient survival following childhood cancer has increased with contemporary radiation and chemotherapy techniques. However, gonadotoxicity associated with treatments means that infertility is a common consequence in survivors. Novel fertility preservation options are emerging, but knowledge about these options amongst urologists and other medical professionals is lacking. Pre-pubertal boys generally do not produce haploid germ cells. Thus, strategies for fertility preservation require cryopreservation of tissue containing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Few centres worldwide routinely offer this option and fertility restoration (including testicular tissue engraftment, autotransplantation of SSCs and in vitro maturation of SSCs to spermatozoa) post-thaw is experimental. In pubertal boys, the main option for fertility preservation is masturbation and cryopreservation of the ejaculate. Assisted ejaculation using penile vibratory stimulation or electroejaculation and surgical sperm retrieval can be used in a sequential manner after failed masturbation. Physicians should inform boys and parents about the gonadotoxic effects of cancer treatment and offer fertility preservation. Preclinical experience has identified challenges in pre-pubertal fertility preservation, but available options are expected to be successful when today's pre-pubertal boys with cancer become adults. By contrast, fertility preservation in pubertal boys is clinically proven and should be offered to all patients undergoing cancer treatment.
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Johnson LC, Akinmola AT, Scholz C. Poly(glutamic acid): From natto to drug delivery systems. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2022.102292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Pattnaik M, Kshatri JS, Choudhary HR, Parai D, Shandilya J, Mansingh A, Padhi AK, Pati S, Bhattacharya D. Assessment of socio-behavioural correlates and risk perceptions regarding anthrax disease in tribal communities of Odisha, Eastern India. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:53. [PMID: 35031017 PMCID: PMC8760694 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07035-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study is a baseline survey to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices with regards to the anthrax disease among the communities before demonstrating a One Health approach for elimination of human anthrax in an endemic district of Odisha. A total of 2670 respondents from 112 villages of 14 blocks were interviewed for the study using a structured questionnaire by multi-stage sampling method. Descriptive statistics were reported and logistic regression was performed to estimate the relationship between the variables and knowledge of anthrax. RESULT Out of 2670 participants in the study, 76.25% were male and about half were illiterate. Most of the respondents (54.19%) were involved in agriculture as an occupation. 71% of the respondents had livestock in their houses and farming was the main purpose for keeping the livestock. Only one-fifth of the respondents (20.26%) knew about anthrax and a majority of them have come across the disease during community outbreaks. Almost 25.9% of livestock owners had knowledge about vaccination against anthrax disease although 83.4% of the livestock owners disposed the animal carcass by burial method. CONCLUSION The study findings indicated that the community members had poor knowledge of cause, symptoms, transmission and prevention of anthrax disease which may be improved by a One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matrujyoti Pattnaik
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India), Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, 751023, India
| | - Jaya Singh Kshatri
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India), Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, 751023, India
| | - Hari Ram Choudhary
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India), Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, 751023, India
| | - Debaprasad Parai
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India), Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, 751023, India
| | - Jyoti Shandilya
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India), Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, 751023, India
| | - Asit Mansingh
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India), Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, 751023, India
| | - Arun Kumar Padhi
- Office of the Chief District Medical Officer Koraput, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Odisha, Koraput, 764020, India
| | - Sanghamitra Pati
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India), Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, 751023, India.
| | - Debdutta Bhattacharya
- Department of Microbiology, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India), Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, 751023, India.
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Evlice O, Caparali EB. Severe Clinical Course of a Necrotic Cutaneous Lesion in a Livestock Farmer. Infect Dis Clin Pract 2022; 30. [DOI: 10.1097/ipc.0000000000001078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Chang JD, Vaughan EE, Liu CG, Jelinski JW, Terwilliger AL, Maresso AW. Metabolic profiling reveals nutrient preferences during carbon utilization in Bacillus species. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23917. [PMID: 34903830 PMCID: PMC8669014 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03420-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Bacillus includes species with diverse natural histories, including free-living nonpathogenic heterotrophs such as B. subtilis and host-dependent pathogens such as B. anthracis (the etiological agent of the disease anthrax) and B. cereus, a cause of food poisoning. Although highly similar genotypically, the ecological niches of these three species are mutually exclusive, which raises the untested hypothesis that their metabolism has speciated along a nutritional tract. Here, we developed a pipeline for quantitative total assessment of the use of diverse sources of carbon for general metabolism to better appreciate the "culinary preferences" of three distinct Bacillus species, as well as related Staphylococcus aureus. We show that each species has widely varying metabolic ability to utilize diverse sources of carbon that correlated to their ecological niches. This approach was applied to the growth and survival of B. anthracis in a blood-like environment and find metabolism shifts from sugar to amino acids as the preferred source of energy. Finally, various nutrients in broth and host-like environments are identified that may promote or interfere with bacterial metabolism during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Chang
- The Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ellen E Vaughan
- The Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carmen Gu Liu
- The Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joseph W Jelinski
- The Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Austen L Terwilliger
- The Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anthony W Maresso
- The Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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Hardy KS, Tessmer MH, Frank DW, Audia JP. Perspectives on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III Secretion System Effector ExoU and Its Subversion of the Host Innate Immune Response to Infection. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:880. [PMID: 34941717 PMCID: PMC8708460 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic, Gram-negative pathogen and an important cause of hospital acquired infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Highly virulent P. aeruginosa strains use a type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject exoenzyme effectors directly into the cytoplasm of a target host cell. P. aeruginosa strains that express the T3SS effector, ExoU, associate with adverse outcomes in critically ill patients with pneumonia, owing to the ability of ExoU to rapidly damage host cell membranes and subvert the innate immune response to infection. Herein, we review the structure, function, regulation, and virulence characteristics of the T3SS effector ExoU, a highly cytotoxic phospholipase A2 enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kierra S. Hardy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36608, USA;
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36608, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Maxx H. Tessmer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Dara W. Frank
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Jonathon P. Audia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36608, USA;
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36608, USA
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Jelinski J, Cortez M, Terwilliger A, Clark J, Maresso A. Loss of Dihydroxyacid Dehydratase Induces Auxotrophy in Bacillus anthracis. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:e0041521. [PMID: 34570623 PMCID: PMC8604071 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00415-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax disease is caused by infection with the bacteria Bacillus anthracis which, if left untreated, can result in fatal bacteremia and toxemia. Current treatment for infection requires prolonged administration of antibiotics. Despite this, inhalational and gastrointestinal anthrax still result in lethal disease. By identifying key metabolic steps that B. anthracis uses to grow in host-like environments, new targets for antibacterial strategies can be identified. Here, we report that the ilvD gene, which encodes dihydroxyacid dehydratase in the putative pathway for synthesizing branched chain amino acids, is necessary for B. anthracis to synthesize isoleucine de novo in an otherwise limiting microenvironment. We observed that ΔilvD B. anthracis cannot grow in media lacking isoleucine, but growth is restored when exogenous isoleucine is added. In addition, ΔilvD bacilli are unable to utilize human hemoglobin or serum albumin to overcome isoleucine auxotrophy, but can when provided with the murine forms. This species-specific effect is due to the lack of isoleucine in human hemoglobin. Furthermore, even when supplemented with physiological levels of human serum albumin, apotransferrin, fibrinogen, and IgG, the ilvD knockout strain grew poorly relative to nonsupplemented wild type. In addition, comparisons upon infecting humanized mice suggest that murine hemoglobin is a key source of isoleucine for both WT and ΔilvD bacilli. Further growth comparisons in murine and human blood show that the auxotrophy is detrimental for growth in human blood, not murine. This report identifies ilvD as necessary for isoleucine production in B. anthracis, and that it plays a key role in allowing the bacilli to effectively grow in isoleucine poor hosts. IMPORTANCE Anthrax disease, caused by B. anthracis, can cause lethal bacteremia and toxemia, even following treatment with antibiotics. This report identifies the ilvD gene, which encodes a dihydroxyacid dehydratase, as necessary for B. anthracis to synthesize the amino acid isoleucine in a nutrient-limiting environment, such as its mammalian host. The use of this strain further demonstrated a unique species-dependent utilization of hemoglobin as an exogenous source of extracellular isoleucine. By identifying mechanisms that B. anthracis uses to grow in host-like environments, new targets for therapeutic intervention are revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Jelinski
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Madeline Cortez
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Austen Terwilliger
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Justin Clark
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anthony Maresso
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Laut CL, Leasure CS, Pi H, Carlin SM, Chu ML, Hillebrand GH, Lin HK, Yi XI, Stauff DL, Skaar EP. DnaJ and ClpX are required for HitRS and HssRS two-component system signaling in Bacillus anthracis. Infect Immun 2021;:IAI0056021. [PMID: 34748369 DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00560-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax. This Gram-positive bacterium poses a substantial risk to human health due to high mortality rates and the potential for malicious use as a bioterror weapon. To survive within the vertebrate host, B. anthracis relies on two-component system (TCS) signaling to sense host-induced stresses and respond to alterations in the environment through changes in target gene expression. HitRS and HssRS are cross-regulating TCSs in B. anthracis that respond to cell envelope disruptions and high heme levels, respectively. In this study, an unbiased and targeted genetic selection was designed to identify gene products that are involved in HitRS and HssRS signaling. This selection led to the identification of inactivating mutations within dnaJ and clpX that disrupt HitRS- and HssRS-dependent gene expression. DnaJ and ClpX are the substrate-binding subunits of the DnaJK protein chaperone and ClpXP protease, respectively. DnaJ regulates the levels of HitR and HitS to facilitate signal transduction, while ClpX specifically regulates HitS levels. Together these results reveal that the protein homeostasis regulators, DnaJ and ClpX, function to maintain B. anthracis signal transduction activities through TCS regulation. One sentence summary: Use of a genetic selection strategy to identify modulators of two-component system signaling in Bacillus anthracis.
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Mytych JS, Pan Z, Farris AD. Efferocytosis and Anthrax: Implications for Bacterial Sepsis? J Cell Immunol 2021; 3:133-139. [PMID: 34708219 PMCID: PMC8547791 DOI: 10.33696/immunology.3.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S Mytych
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), 940 Stanton L. Young Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Zijian Pan
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - A Darise Farris
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), 940 Stanton L. Young Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Yang NJ, Neel DV, Deng L, Heyang M, Kennedy-Curran A, Tong VS, Park JM, Chiu IM. Nociceptive Sensory Neurons Mediate Inflammation Induced by Bacillus Anthracis Edema Toxin. Front Immunol 2021; 12:642373. [PMID: 34413846 PMCID: PMC8369925 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.642373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial products are able to act on nociceptive neurons during pathogenic infection. Neurogenic inflammation is an active part of pain signaling and has recently been shown to impact host-pathogen defense. Bacillus anthracis Edema Toxin (ET) produces striking edema in peripheral tissues, but the cellular mechanisms involved in tissue swelling are not completely understood. Here, we find that nociceptive neurons play a role in ET-induced edema and inflammation in mice. Subcutaneous footpad infection of B. anthracis Sterne caused ET-dependent local mechanical allodynia, paw swelling and body weight gain. Subcutaneous administration of ET induced paw swelling and vascular leakage, the early phases of which were attenuated in the absence of Trpv1+ or Nav1.8+ nociceptive neurons. Nociceptive neurons express the anthrax toxin receptor ANTXR2, but this did not mediate ET-induced edema. ET induced local cytokine expression and neutrophil recruitment, which were dependent in part on Trpv1+ nociceptive neurons. Ablation of Trpv1+ or Nav1.8+ nociceptive neurons also attenuated early increases in paw swelling and body weight gain during live B. anthracis infection. Our findings indicate that nociceptive neurons play an active role in inflammation caused by B. anthracis and Edema Toxin to potentially influence bacterial pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole J Yang
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dylan V Neel
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Liwen Deng
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michelle Heyang
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Victoria S Tong
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jin Mo Park
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Isaac M Chiu
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Aceng FL, Ario AR, Alitubeera PH, Neckyon MM, Kadobera D, Sekamatte M, Okethwangu D, Bulage L, Harris JR, Nguma W, Ndumu DB, Buule J, Nyakarahuka L, Zhu BP. Cutaneous anthrax associated with handling carcasses of animals that died suddenly of unknown cause: Arua District, Uganda, January 2015-August 2017. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009645. [PMID: 34424893 PMCID: PMC8382178 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anthrax is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to humans from infected animals. During May-June 2017, three persons with probable cutaneous anthrax were reported in Arua District, Uganda; one died. All had recently handled carcasses of livestock that died suddenly and a skin lesion from a deceased person tested positive by PCR for Bacillus anthracis. During July, a bull in the same community died suddenly and the blood sample tested positive by PCR for Bacillus anthracis. The aim of this investigation was to establish the scope of the problem, identify exposures associated with illness, and recommend evidence-based control measures. METHODS A probable case was defined as acute onset of a papulo-vesicular skin lesion subsequently forming an eschar in a resident of Arua District during January 2015-August 2017. A confirmed case was a probable case with a skin sample testing positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for B. anthracis. Cases were identified by medical record review and active community search. In a case-control study, exposures between case-patients and frequency- and village-matched asymptomatic controls were compared. Key animal health staff were interviewed to learn about livestock deaths. RESULTS There were 68 case-patients (67 probable, 1 confirmed), and 2 deaths identified. Cases occurred throughout the three-year period, peaking during dry seasons. All cases occurred following sudden livestock deaths in the villages. Case-patients came from two neighboring sub-counties: Rigbo (attack rate (AR) = 21.9/10,000 population) and Rhino Camp (AR = 1.9/10,000). Males (AR = 24.9/10,000) were more affected than females (AR = 0.7/10,000). Persons aged 30-39 years (AR = 40.1/10,000 population) were most affected. Among all cases and 136 controls, skinning (ORM-H = 5.0, 95%CI: 2.3-11), butchering (ORM-H = 22, 95%CI: 5.5-89), and carrying the carcass of livestock that died suddenly (ORM-H = 6.9, 95%CI: 3.0-16) were associated with illness. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to carcasses of animals that died suddenly was a likely risk factor for cutaneous anthrax in Arua District during 2015-2017. The recommendations are investigation of anthrax burden in livestock, prevention of animal infections through vaccinations, safe disposal of the carcasses, public education on risk factors for infection and prompt treatment of illness following exposure to animals that died suddenly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex Riolexus Ario
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Kampala, Uganda
- Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | - Musa Sekamatte
- Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Zoonotic Disease Coordination Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Lilian Bulage
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Kampala, Uganda
- African Field Epidemiology Network, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Julie R. Harris
- Workforce and Institute Development Branch, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Willy Nguma
- Arua District Local Government, Arua, Uganda
| | - Deo Birungi Ndumu
- Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Joshua Buule
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Bao-Ping Zhu
- Workforce and Institute Development Branch, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
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Rotem S, Steinberger-Levy I, Israeli O, Zahavy E, Aloni-Grinstein R. Beating the Bio-Terror Threat with Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1535. [PMID: 34361970 PMCID: PMC8304332 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A bioterror event using an infectious bacterium may lead to catastrophic outcomes involving morbidity and mortality as well as social and psychological stress. Moreover, a bioterror event using an antibiotic resistance engineered bacterial agent may raise additional concerns. Thus, preparedness is essential to preclude and control the dissemination of the bacterial agent as well as to appropriately and promptly treat potentially exposed individuals or patients. Rates of morbidity, death, and social anxiety can be drastically reduced if the rapid delivery of antimicrobial agents for post-exposure prophylaxis and treatment is initiated as soon as possible. Availability of rapid antibiotic susceptibility tests that may provide key recommendations to targeted antibiotic treatment is mandatory, yet, such tests are only at the development stage. In this review, we describe the recently published rapid antibiotic susceptibility tests implemented on bioterror bacterial agents and discuss their assimilation in clinical and environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ronit Aloni-Grinstein
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel; (S.R.); (I.S.-L.); (O.I.); (E.Z.)
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Liskova EA, Egorova IY, Selyaninov YO, Razheva IV, Gladkova NA, Toropova NN, Zakharova OI, Burova OA, Surkova GV, Malkhazova SM, Korennoy FI, Iashin IV, Blokhin AA. Reindeer Anthrax in the Russian Arctic, 2016: Climatic Determinants of the Outbreak and Vaccination Effectiveness. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:668420. [PMID: 34250061 PMCID: PMC8264129 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.668420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Yamal Peninsula in the Russian Federation experienced a massive outbreak of anthrax in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in July–August 2016, with 2,650 (6.46% of the total susceptible population) animals infected, of which 2,350 died (case fatality rate of 88.67%). In our study, we analyzed climatic and epidemiological factors that could have triggered the outbreak. The cancelation of reindeer vaccination against anthrax in 2007 resulted in an increase in population susceptibility. In response to the outbreak, total vaccination of all susceptible animals was resumed. To assess the vaccination effectiveness, we tested 913 samples of blood serum taken from vaccinated reindeer using an antigenic erythrocyte diagnostic kit to detect specific anti-anthrax antibodies via an indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) 9 months after vaccination. We found that 814 samples had sufficiently high levels of anti-anthrax antibodies to indicate a protection level of 89% (95% confidence interval: 87–91%) of the whole reindeer population. Abnormally high ambient temperature in the summer of 2016 contributed to the thawing of permafrost and viable Bacillus anthracis spores could have become exposed to the surface; the monthly average air temperatures in June, July, and August 2016 were 20–100% higher than those of the previous 30-year period, while the maximum air temperatures were 16–75% higher. Using the projected climate data for 2081–2100 according to the “worst case” RCP8.5 scenario, we demonstrated that the yearly air temperature may average above 0°C across the entire Yamal Peninsula, while the yearly number of days with a mean temperature above 0°C may rise by 49 ± 6 days, which would provide conditions for reactivation of soil anthrax reservoirs. Our results showed that the outbreak of anthrax occurred under conditions of a significant increase in air temperature in the study area, underlined the importance of vaccination for controlling the epidemic process, and demonstrated the effectiveness of monitoring studies using the IHA diagnostic kit for detecting erythrocyte anthrax antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena A Liskova
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute - Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Irina Y Egorova
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology (FRCVM), Pokrov, Russia
| | - Yuri O Selyaninov
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology (FRCVM), Pokrov, Russia
| | - Irina V Razheva
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute - Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Nadezhda A Gladkova
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute - Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Nadezhda N Toropova
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute - Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Olga I Zakharova
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute - Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Olga A Burova
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute - Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Galina V Surkova
- Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Fedor I Korennoy
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute - Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.,FGBI Federal Centre for Animal Health (FGBI ARRIAH), Vladimir, Russia
| | - Ivan V Iashin
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute - Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Andrei A Blokhin
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod Research Veterinary Institute - Branch of Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
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Sittner A, Bar-David E, Glinert I, Ben-Shmuel A, Schlomovitz J, Levy H, Weiss S. Role of acpA and acpB in Bacillus anthracis capsule accumulation and toxin independent pathogenicity in rabbits. Microb Pathog 2021; 155:104904. [PMID: 33930422 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The poly- δ- d-glutamic acid capsule of Bacillus anthracis plays a major role in this bacterium pathogenicity. Capsule synthesis relies on a 5 gene operon; capB, C, A, D and E that are regulated by acpA and acpB, that respond to the major virulence regulator - atxA. We took a genetic approach to examine the involvement of acpA and acpB in capsule production in vitro and on B. anthracis virulence in vivo. To complement the effect of the mutations on capsule accumulation in vitro, we applied our toxin independent systemic infection method to study their effects in vivo. We found that though the roles of acpA and axpB are redundant in vitro, deleting acpA had a significant effect on pathogenicity, mainly on the time to death. As expected, deletion of both acpA and acpB resulted in loss of capsule accumulation in vitro and full attenuation in vivo, indicating that capsule production depends exclusively on acpA/B regulation. To identify additional effects of acpA and acpB on pathogenicity via non-capsule related virulence pathways, we bypassed acpA/B regulation by inserting the pagA promotor upstream to the cap operon, diverting regulation directly to atxA. This resulted in restoration of capsule accumulation in vitro and virulence (in intravenous or subcutaneous inoculation) in vivo. To test for additional pXO2-based genes involved in capsule production, we cloned the pagAprom-capA-E into the chromosome of VollumΔpXO2, which restored capsule accumulation. These results indicate that of the pXO2 genes, only capA-E and acpA are required for capsule production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assa Sittner
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, P.O. Box 19, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel
| | - Elad Bar-David
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, P.O. Box 19, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel
| | - Itai Glinert
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, P.O. Box 19, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel
| | - Amir Ben-Shmuel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, P.O. Box 19, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel
| | - Josef Schlomovitz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, P.O. Box 19, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel
| | - Haim Levy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, P.O. Box 19, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel.
| | - Shay Weiss
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, P.O. Box 19, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel
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Banger S, Pal V, Tripathi NK, Goel AK. Development of a set of three real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for detection of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2021; 66:587-96. [PMID: 33834427 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-021-00869-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax is a Gram-positive, non-motile, spore forming bacterium. Its spores can persist in soil and water for years and can also be aerosolized. A rapid, sensitive and specific method to detect B. anthracis is important for clinical management and preventing spread of anthrax. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay is a rapid technique that amplifies target DNA in isothermal conditions with high sensitivity and specificity. In this study, a LAMP assay set targeting a chromosomal and two plasmid markers was developed. The individual assays of the LAMP set targeting pXO1 plasmid (lef), pXO2 plasmid (capB), and chromosome (BA5345) sequences could detect 10, 250, and 100 fg of genomic DNA and 10, 100, and 50 copies of the DNA targets harboured in recombinant plasmids, respectively. The lef and capB LAMP assays could detect ≥ 1 × 103 CFU per mL of bacteria in spiked human blood samples, while BA5345 LAMP assay could detect ≥ 1 × 104 CFU of bacteria per mL of spiked blood. The amplification was monitored in real-time by turbidimeter, and visual detection was also accomplished under normal and UV light after adding SYBR Green 1 dye on completion of the reaction. The assay set was found to be highly sensitive and did not cross-react with the closely related Bacillus spp. and other bacterial strains used in the study.
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Kumar N, Gangwal A, Sangwan N, Dhasmana N, Keshavam CC, Tyagi E, Singh Y. ClpC-Mediated Sporulation Regulation at Engulfment Stage in Bacillus anthracis. Indian J Microbiol 2021; 61:170-9. [PMID: 33927458 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-021-00927-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial sporulation is a conserved process utilized by members of Bacillus genus and Clostridium in response to stress such as nutrient or temperature. Sporulation initiation is triggered by stress signals perceived by bacterial cell that leads to shutdown of metabolic pathways of bacterial cells. The mechanism of sporulation involves a complex network that is regulated at various checkpoints to form the viable bacterial spore. Engulfment is one such check point that drives the required cellular rearrangement necessary for the spore assembly and is mediated by bacterial proteolytic machinery that involves association of various Clp ATPases and ClpP protease. The present study highlights the importance of degradation of an anti-sigma factor F, SpoIIAB by ClpCP proteolytic machinery playing a crucial role in culmination of engulfment process during the sporulation in Bacillus anthracis.
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Youssef DM, Wieland B, Knight GM, Lines J, Naylor NR. The effectiveness of biosecurity interventions in reducing the transmission of bacteria from livestock to humans at the farm level: A systematic literature review. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 68:549-562. [PMID: 33538407 PMCID: PMC8451914 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Zoonotic bacterial infections are a health hazard for people who are in regular contact with livestock at the farm level. Improved biosecurity can limit zoonotic pathogen transmission within farms. The aim of this review was to summarize the effectiveness of farm-level biosecurity interventions in reducing bacterial transmission from animals to people who lived, worked in or visited farms. A systematic literature review was conducted using Embase, Ovid Medline and Agris databases, which were searched on 7th of July 2019, limited to English language papers but with no time exclusion criteria. A narrative synthesis was undertaken utilizing the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination approach, reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Risk of bias within and across the included studies was performed using established checklists. Out of 869 studies retrieved through database searches, 11 studies were selected. In addition, three studies were found through study reference lists. Fourteen studies were therefore included in this review. Biosecurity interventions were grouped into five categories: hand washing, sanitization and hygienic measures (six studies); personal protective equipment (five studies); vaccination (two studies); other interventions (e.g. air ventilation flap) (four studies); and routine farm activities (two studies). Across studies that investigated odds of human colonization or infection (three studies), odds were seen to both be increased and decreased through use of tested biosecurity measures. Large confidence intervals that often crossed the threshold of an odds ratio equal to 1 were found. Most of the studies' overall risk of bias was 'medium risk' (11 studies), with selection bias domains generally being scored 'medium risk.' Biosecurity interventions are potentially beneficial in reducing bacterial transmission from animals to humans. However, more high-quality evidence is needed to increase certainty in which interventions, in which contexts, are most effective from the human health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara Wieland
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Gwenan M Knight
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
| | - Jo Lines
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
| | - Nichola R Naylor
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
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Irenge LM, Bearzatto B, Ambroise J, Gala JL. Complete Genome Sequence of an Environmental Bacillus cereus Isolate Belonging to the Bacillus anthracis Clade. Microbiol Resour Announc 2020; 9:e00917-20. [PMID: 33214297 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00917-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We report here the complete genome sequence of a Bacillus cereus isolate identified in a soil sample from Namibia. This isolate is closely related to the B. anthracis clade. While the plasmids (500 and 12 kb) carry no detectable B. anthracis virulence gene, the large plasmid shares a 50-kb continuous region similar to plasmid pXO1. We report here the complete genome sequence of a Bacillus cereus isolate identified in a soil sample from Namibia. This isolate is closely related to the B. anthracis clade. While the plasmids (500 and 12 kb) carry no detectable B. anthracis virulence gene, the large plasmid shares a 50-kb continuous region similar to plasmid pXO1.
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Aloni-Grinstein R, Shifman O, Gur D, Aftalion M, Rotem S. MAPt: A Rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing for Bacteria in Environmental Samples as a Means for Bioterror Preparedness. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:592194. [PMID: 33224128 PMCID: PMC7674193 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.592194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance of bio-threat agents holds major concerns especially in light of advances in methods for engineering pathogens with antibiotic resistance. Preparedness means for rapid identification and prompt proper medical treatment are of need to contain the event and prevent morbidity and spreading of the disease by properly treating exposed individuals before symptoms appearance. Herein, we describe a novel, rapid, simple, specific, and sensitive method named Micro-Agar-PCR-test (MAPt), which determines antibiotic susceptibility of bio-terror pathogens, directly from environmental samples, with no need for any prior isolation, quantification, or enrichment steps. As proof of concept, we have used this approach to obtain correct therapeutic antibiotic minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for the Tier-1 select agents, Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, and Francisella tularensis, spiked in various environmental samples recapitulating potential bioterror scenarios. The method demonstrated efficiency for a broad dynamic range of bacterial concentrations, both for fast-growing as well as slow-growing bacteria and most importantly significantly shortening the time for accurate results from days to a few hours. The MAPt allows us to address bioterror agents-contaminated environmental samples, offering rational targeted prophylactic treatment, before the onset of morbidity in exposed individuals. Hence, MAPt is expected to provide data for decision-making personal for treatment regimens before the onset of symptoms in infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronit Aloni-Grinstein
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Ohad Shifman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - David Gur
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Moshe Aftalion
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Shahar Rotem
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
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Rougeaux C, Becher F, Goossens PL, Tournier JN. Very Early Blood Diffusion of the Active Lethal and Edema Factors of Bacillus anthracis After Intranasal Infection. J Infect Dis 2020; 221:660-667. [PMID: 31574153 PMCID: PMC6996859 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lethal and edema toxins are critical virulence factors of Bacillus anthracis. Few data are available on their presence in the early stage of intranasal infection. Methods To investigate the diffusion of edema factor (EF) and lethal factor (LF), we use sensitive quantitative methods to measure their enzymatic activities in mice intranasally challenged with a wild-type B anthracis strain or with an isogenic mutant deficient for the protective antigen. Results One hour after mouse challenge, although only 7% of mice presented bacteremia, LF and EF were detected in the blood of 100% and 42% of mice, respectively. Protective antigen facilitated the diffusion of LF and EF into the blood compartment. Toxins played a significant role in the systemic dissemination of B anthracis in the blood, spleen, and liver. A mouse model of intoxination further confirmed that LT and ET could diffuse rapidly in the circulation, independently of bacteria. Conclusions In this inhalational model, toxins have disseminated rapidly in the blood, playing a significant and novel role in the early systemic diffusion of bacteria, demonstrating that they may represent a very early target for the diagnosis and the treatment of anthrax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Rougeaux
- Unité Biothérapies Anti-Infectieuses et Immunité, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France.,Pathogénie des Toxi-Infections Bactériennes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - François Becher
- Service de Pharmacologie et d'Immunoanalyse, Laboratoire d'Etude du Métabolisme des Médicaments, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Pierre L Goossens
- Pathogénie des Toxi-Infections Bactériennes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Nicolas Tournier
- Unité Biothérapies Anti-Infectieuses et Immunité, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France.,Pathogénie des Toxi-Infections Bactériennes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Ecole du Val-de-Grâce, Paris, France.,Centre National de Référence-Laboratoire Expert Charbon, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
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Popescu NI, Girton A, Burgett T, Lovelady K, Coggeshall KM. Monocyte procoagulant responses to anthrax peptidoglycan are reinforced by proinflammatory cytokine signaling. Blood Adv 2019; 3:2436-47. [PMID: 31416821 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a frequent manifestation during bacterial infections and is associated with negative clinical outcomes. Imbalanced expression and activity of intravascular tissue factor (TF) is central to the development of infection-associated coagulopathies. Recently, we showed that anthrax peptidoglycan (PGN) induces disseminated intravascular coagulation in a nonhuman primate model of anthrax sepsis. We hypothesized that immune recognition of PGN by monocytes is critical for procoagulant responses to PGN and investigated whether and how PGN induces TF expression in primary human monocytes. We found that PGN induced monocyte TF expression in a large cohort of healthy volunteers similar to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Both immune and procoagulant responses to PGN involve intracellular recognition after PGN internalization, as well as surface signaling through immune Fcγ receptors (FcγRs). In line with our hypothesis, blocking immune receptor function, both signaling and FcγR-mediated phagocytosis, significantly reduced but did not abolish PGN-induced monocyte TF expression, indicating that FcγR-independent internalization contributes to intracellular recognition of PGN. Conversely, when intracellular PGN recognition is abolished, TF expression was sensitive to inhibitors of FcγR signaling, indicating that surface engagement of monocyte immune receptors can promote TF expression. The primary procoagulant responses to PGN were further amplified by proinflammatory cytokines through paracrine and autocrine signaling. Despite intersubject variability in the study cohort, dual neutralization of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β provided the most robust inhibition of the procoagulant amplification loop and may prove useful for reducing coagulopathies in gram-positive sepsis.
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Patel VI, Booth JL, Dozmorov M, Brown BR, Metcalf JP. Anthrax Edema and Lethal Toxins Differentially Target Human Lung and Blood Phagocytes. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12070464. [PMID: 32698436 PMCID: PMC7405021 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12070464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of inhalation anthrax, is a serious concern as a bioterrorism weapon. The vegetative form produces two exotoxins: Lethal toxin (LT) and edema toxin (ET). We recently characterized and compared six human airway and alveolar-resident phagocyte (AARP) subsets at the transcriptional and functional levels. In this study, we examined the effects of LT and ET on these subsets and human leukocytes. AARPs and leukocytes do not express high levels of the toxin receptors, tumor endothelium marker-8 (TEM8) and capillary morphogenesis protein-2 (CMG2). Less than 20% expressed surface TEM8, while less than 15% expressed CMG2. All cell types bound or internalized protective antigen, the common component of the two toxins, in a dose-dependent manner. Most protective antigen was likely internalized via macropinocytosis. Cells were not sensitive to LT-induced apoptosis or necrosis at concentrations up to 1000 ng/mL. However, toxin exposure inhibited B. anthracis spore internalization. This inhibition was driven primarily by ET in AARPs and LT in leukocytes. These results support a model of inhalation anthrax in which spores germinate and produce toxins. ET inhibits pathogen phagocytosis by AARPs, allowing alveolar escape. In late-stage disease, LT inhibits phagocytosis by leukocytes, allowing bacterial replication in the bloodstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vineet I. Patel
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (V.I.P.); (J.L.B.); (B.R.B.)
| | - J. Leland Booth
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (V.I.P.); (J.L.B.); (B.R.B.)
| | - Mikhail Dozmorov
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Brent R. Brown
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (V.I.P.); (J.L.B.); (B.R.B.)
| | - Jordan P. Metcalf
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (V.I.P.); (J.L.B.); (B.R.B.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Correspondence:
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Weilhammer DR, Dunkle AD, Boone T, Gilmore SF, Khemmani M, Peters SKG, Hoeprich PD, Fischer NO, Blanchette CD, Driks A, Rasley A. Characterization of Bacillus anthracis Spore Proteins Using a Nanoscaffold Vaccine Platform. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1264. [PMID: 32714323 PMCID: PMC7344197 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Subunit vaccines are theoretically safe and easy to manufacture but require effective adjuvants and delivery systems to yield protective immunity, particularly at critical mucosal sites such as the lung. We investigated nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs) containing the Toll-like receptor 4 agonist monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) as a platform for intranasal vaccination against Bacillus anthracis. Modified lipids enabled attachment of disparate spore and toxin protein antigens. Intranasal vaccination of mice with B. anthracis antigen-MPLA-NLP constructs induced robust IgG and IgA responses in serum and in bronchoalveolar and nasal lavage. Typically, a single dose sufficed to induce sustained antibody titers over time. When multiple immunizations were required for sustained titers, specific antibodies were detected earlier in the boost schedule with MPLA-NLP-mediated delivery than with free MPLA. Administering combinations of constructs induced responses to multiple antigens, indicating potential for a multivalent vaccine preparation. No off-target responses to the NLP scaffold protein were detected. In summary, the NLP platform enhances humoral and mucosal responses to intranasal immunization, indicating promise for NLPs as a flexible, robust vaccine platform against B. anthracis and potentially other inhalational pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina R Weilhammer
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Alexis D Dunkle
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Tyler Boone
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sean F Gilmore
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Mark Khemmani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sandra K G Peters
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Paul D Hoeprich
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Nicholas O Fischer
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Craig D Blanchette
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Adam Driks
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Amy Rasley
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
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Gasparrini AJ, Markley JL, Kumar H, Wang B, Fang L, Irum S, Symister CT, Wallace M, Burnham CAD, Andleeb S, Tolia NH, Wencewicz TA, Dantas G. Tetracycline-inactivating enzymes from environmental, human commensal, and pathogenic bacteria cause broad-spectrum tetracycline resistance. Commun Biol 2020; 3:241. [PMID: 32415166 PMCID: PMC7229144 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0966-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetracycline resistance by antibiotic inactivation was first identified in commensal organisms but has since been reported in environmental and pathogenic microbes. Here, we identify and characterize an expanded pool of tet(X)-like genes in environmental and human commensal metagenomes via inactivation by antibiotic selection of metagenomic libraries. These genes formed two distinct clades according to habitat of origin, and resistance phenotypes were similarly correlated. Each gene isolated from the human gut encodes resistance to all tetracyclines tested, including eravacycline and omadacycline. We report a biochemical and structural characterization of one enzyme, Tet(X7). Further, we identify Tet(X7) in a clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate and demonstrate its contribution to tetracycline resistance. Lastly, we show anhydrotetracycline and semi-synthetic analogues inhibit Tet(X7) to prevent enzymatic tetracycline degradation and increase tetracycline efficacy against strains expressing tet(X7). This work improves our understanding of resistance by tetracycline-inactivation and provides the foundation for an inhibition-based strategy for countering resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Gasparrini
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jana L Markley
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Hirdesh Kumar
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bin Wang
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Luting Fang
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Sidra Irum
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Atta ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Chanez T Symister
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Meghan Wallace
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Carey-Ann D Burnham
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Saadia Andleeb
- Atta ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Niraj H Tolia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. .,Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | | | - Gautam Dantas
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. .,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. .,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
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Dumas EK, Demiraslan H, Ingram RJ, Sparks RM, Muns E, Zamora A, Larabee J, Garman L, Ballard JD, Boons GJ, James JA, Kayabas U, Doganay M, Farris AD. Toxin-neutralizing antibodies elicited by naturally acquired cutaneous anthrax are elevated following severe disease and appear to target conformational epitopes. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230782. [PMID: 32294093 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding immune responses to native antigens in response to natural infections can lead to improved approaches to vaccination. This study sought to characterize the humoral immune response to anthrax toxin components, capsule and spore antigens in individuals (n = 46) from the Kayseri and Malatya regions of Turkey who had recovered from mild or severe forms of cutaneous anthrax infection, compared to regional healthy controls (n = 20). IgG antibodies to each toxin component, the poly-γ-D-glutamic acid capsule, the Bacillus collagen-like protein of anthracis (BclA) spore antigen, and the spore carbohydrate anthrose, were detected in the cases, with anthrax toxin neutralization and responses to Protective Antigen (PA) and Lethal Factor (LF) being higher following severe forms of the disease. Significant correlative relationships among responses to PA, LF, Edema Factor (EF) and capsule were observed among the cases. Though some regional control sera exhibited binding to a subset of the tested antigens, these samples did not neutralize anthrax toxins and lacked correlative relationships among antigen binding specificities observed in the cases. Comparison of serum binding to overlapping decapeptides covering the entire length of PA, LF and EF proteins in 26 cases compared to 8 regional controls revealed that anthrax toxin-neutralizing antibody responses elicited following natural cutaneous anthrax infection are directed to conformational epitopes. These studies support the concept of vaccination approaches that preserve conformational epitopes.
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Laut CL, Perry WJ, Metzger AL, Weiss A, Stauff DL, Walker S, Caprioli RM, Skaar EP. Bacillus anthracis Responds to Targocil-Induced Envelope Damage through EdsRS Activation of Cardiolipin Synthesis. mBio 2020; 11:e03375-19. [PMID: 32234818 PMCID: PMC7157781 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03375-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is a spore-forming bacterium that causes devastating infections and has been used as a bioterror agent. This pathogen can survive hostile environments through the signaling activity of two-component systems, which couple environmental sensing with transcriptional activation to initiate a coordinated response to stress. In this work, we describe the identification of a two-component system, EdsRS, which mediates the B. anthracis response to the antimicrobial compound targocil. Targocil is a cell envelope-targeting compound that is toxic to B. anthracis at high concentrations. Exposure to targocil causes damage to the cellular barrier and activates EdsRS to induce expression of a previously uncharacterized cardiolipin synthase, which we have named ClsT. Both EdsRS and ClsT are required for protection against targocil-dependent damage. Induction of clsT by EdsRS during targocil treatment results in an increase in cardiolipin levels, which protects B. anthracis from envelope damage. Together, these results reveal that a two-component system signaling response to an envelope-targeting antimicrobial induces production of a phospholipid associated with stabilization of the membrane. Cardiolipin is then used to repair envelope damage and promote B. anthracis viability.IMPORTANCE Compromising the integrity of the bacterial cell barrier is a common action of antimicrobials. Targocil is an antimicrobial that is active against the bacterial envelope. We hypothesized that Bacillus anthracis, a potential weapon of bioterror, senses and responds to targocil to alleviate targocil-dependent cell damage. Here, we show that targocil treatment increases the permeability of the cellular envelope and is particularly toxic to B. anthracis spores during outgrowth. In vegetative cells, two-component system signaling through EdsRS is activated by targocil. This results in an increase in the production of cardiolipin via a cardiolipin synthase, ClsT, which restores the loss of barrier function, thereby reducing the effectiveness of targocil. By elucidating the B. anthracis response to targocil, we have uncovered an intrinsic mechanism that this pathogen employs to resist toxicity and have revealed therapeutic targets that are important for bacterial defense against structural damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare L Laut
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - William J Perry
- Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Andy Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Devin L Stauff
- Department of Biology, Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Suzanne Walker
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard M Caprioli
- Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eric P Skaar
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Li S, Ma Q, Chen H, Liu Y, Yao G, Tang G, Wang D. Epidemiological Investigation and Etiological Analysis of a Cutaneous Anthrax Epidemic Caused by Butchering Sick Cattle in Guizhou, China. Front Public Health 2020; 8:65. [PMID: 32269982 PMCID: PMC7109284 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A suspected human cutaneous anthrax epidemic caused by butchering sick cattle occurred in Zhijin County of Guizhou Province, Southwest of China, in 2016. Epidemiological investigation and etiological analysis were performed to provide a scientific basis for the source tracking of the epidemic. The epidemic was epidemiologically investigated, and skin blister samples collected from patients and soil samples collected from the butchering spots were used for Bacillus anthracis isolation. The suspicious B. anthracis isolates were identified using conventional methods and PCR, followed by genotyping using multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeats (VNTRs) analysis (MLVA-15) and canonical single-nucleotide polymorphism (canSNP). The genetic relationship of epidemic strains and isolates collected from other regions was analyzed. Epidemiological investigation results showed that the patients may be infected by B. anthracis during butchering sick cattle. Two suspected B. anthracis strains were isolated from blood samples and blister fluids, respectively. Conventional methods identified the two suspected isolates as B. anthracis, while PCR results showed that anti-protective antigen (PA) and capsule (CAP) gene were positive in the two isolates. MLVA-15 showed that the MLVA profiles of the two isolates were 9-20-12-53-16-2-8-8-8-4-4-4-4-10-4, which is different from the MLVA profiles of representative strains from other regions. CanSNP analysis showed that the two strains belonged to cluster A.Br.001/002. Clustering analysis and minimum spanning tree (MST) demonstrated that the two isolates were clustered with strains previously isolated from Guizhou Province. The results indicated that B. anthracis was the pathogen for this epidemic, and the patients were infected during butchering the sick. The genetic characteristics and the relationship of the B. anthracis isolates to strains from other regions indicated that the epidemic was a local occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijun Li
- Laboratory of Bacterial Disease, Experiment Center, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Qing Ma
- Laboratory of Bacterial Disease, Experiment Center, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Guiyang Centre for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Laboratory of Bacterial Disease, Experiment Center, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Guanghai Yao
- Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Guangpeng Tang
- Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
| | - Dingming Wang
- Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, China
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50
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Makdasi E, Laskar O, Glinert I, Alcalay R, Mechaly A, Levy H. Rapid and Sensitive Multiplex Assay for the Detection of B. anthracis Spores from Environmental Samples. Pathogens 2020; 9:E164. [PMID: 32120986 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9030164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prompt and accurate detection of Bacillus anthracis spores is crucial in the event of intentional spore dissemination in order to reduce the number of expected casualties. Specific identification of these spores from environmental samples is both challenging and time-consuming. This is due to the high homology with other Bacillus species as well as the complex composition of environmental samples, which further impedes assay sensitivity. Previously, we showed that a short incubation of B.anthracis spores in a defined growth medium results in rapid germination, bacterial growth, and secretion of toxins, including protective antigen. In this work, we tested whether coupling the incubation process to a newly developed immune-assay will enable the detection of secreted toxins as markers for the presence of spores in environmental samples. The new immune assay is a flow cytometry-based multiplex that simultaneously detects a protective antigen, lethal factor, and edema factor. Our combined assay detects 1 × 103–1 × 104/mL spores after a 2 h incubation followed by the ~80 min immune-multiplex detection. Extending the incubation step to 5 h increased assay sensitivity to 1 × 102/mL spore. The protocol was validated in various environmental samples using attenuated or fully virulent B. anthracis spores. There was no substantial influence of contaminants derived from real environmental samples on the performance of the assay compared to clean samples, which allow the unequivocal detection of 3 × 103/mL and 3 × 102/mL spores following 2 and 5 hour’s incubation, respectively. Overall, we propose this method as a rapid, sensitive, and specific procedure for the identification of B. anthracis spores in environmental samples.
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