Screening of 71 P. multocida proteins for protective efficacy in a fowl cholera infection model and characterization of the protective antigen PlpE

Background

There is a strong need for a recombinant subunit vaccine against fowl cholera. We used a reverse vaccinology approach to identify putative secreted or cell surface associated P. multocida proteins that may represent potential vaccine candidate antigens.

Principal Findings

A high-throughput cloning and expression protocol was used to express and purify 71 recombinant proteins for vaccine trials. Of the 71 proteins tested, only one, PlpE in denatured insoluble form, protected chickens against fowl cholera challenge. PlpE also elicited comparable levels of protection in mice. PlpE was localized by immunofluorescence to the bacterial cell surface, consistent with its ability to elicit a protective immune response. To explore the role of PlpE during infection and immunity, a plpE mutant was generated. The plpE mutant strain retained full virulence for mice.

Conclusion

These studies show that PlpE is a surface exposed protein and was the only protein of 71 tested that was able to elicit a protective immune response. However, PlpE is not an essential virulence factor. This is the first report of a denatured recombinant protein stimulating protection against fowl cholera.

Pasteurella multocida: diseases and pathogenesis

Pasteurella multocida is an enigmatic pathogen. It is remarkable both for the number and range of specific disease syndromes with which it is associated, and the wide range of host species affected. The pathogenic mechanisms involved in causing the different syndromes are, for the most part, poorly understood or completely unknown. The biochemical and serological properties of some organisms responsible for quite different syndromes appear to be similar. Thus, the molecular basis for host predilection remains unknown. The recent development of genetic manipulation systems together with the availability of multiple genome sequences should help to explain the association of particular pathological conditions with particular hosts as well as helping to elucidate pathogenic mechanisms.

Pasteurella multocida expresses two lipopolysaccharide glycoforms simultaneously, but only a single form is required for virulence: identification of two acceptor-specific heptosyl I transferases

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a critical virulence determinant in Pasteurella multocida and a major antigen responsible for host protective immunity. In other mucosal pathogens, variation in LPS or lipooligosaccharide structure typically occurs in the outer core oligosaccharide regions due to phase variation. P. multocida elaborates a conserved oligosaccharide extension attached to two different, simultaneously expressed inner core structures, one containing a single phosphorylated 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo) residue and the other containing two Kdo residues. We demonstrate that two heptosyltransferases, HptA and HptB, add the first heptose molecule to the Kdo(1) residue and that each exclusively recognizes different acceptor molecules. HptA is specific for the glycoform containing a single, phosphorylated Kdo residue (glycoform A), while HptB is specific for the glycoform containing two Kdo residues (glycoform B). In addition, KdkA was identified as a Kdo kinase, required for phosphorylation of the first Kdo molecule. Importantly, virulence data obtained from infected chickens showed that while wild-type P. multocida expresses both LPS glycoforms in vivo, bacterial mutants that produced only glycoform B were fully virulent, demonstrating for the first time that expression of a single LPS form is sufficient for P. multocida survival in vivo. We conclude that the ability of P. multocida to elaborate alternative inner core LPS structures is due to the simultaneous expression of two different heptosyltransferases that add the first heptose residue to the nascent LPS molecule and to the expression of both a bifunctional Kdo transferase and a Kdo kinase, which results in the initial assembly of two inner core structures.

Characterization of two lipoproteins in Pasteurella multocida

An in vivo expression technology (IVET) system was previously developed and used to identify Pasteurella multocida genes, which are upregulated during infection of the host. Of the many genes identified, two encoded products which showed similarity to the Haemophilus influenzae lipoproteins, protein D and PCP, which have been shown to stimulate heterologous immunity against infection with H. influenzae. Therefore, the lipoprotein homologues in P. multocida, designated GlpQ and PCP, were investigated. GlpQ and PCP were shown to be lipoproteins by demonstrating that post-translational processing of the proteins was inhibited by globomycin. The P. multocida GlpQ homologue showed glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase enzyme activity, indicating that it is a functional homologue of other characterized GlpQ enzymes. Using surface immunoprecipitation, PCP was found to be surface exposed, but GlpQ was not. Non-lipidated forms of GlpQ and PCP were expressed and purified from Escherichia coli and used to vaccinate mice. However, mice were not protected from challenge with live P. multocida. The lipoproteins were then expressed in E. coli in the lipidated form and used to vaccinate mice and chickens. Protection against challenge with live P. multocida was not observed.

A heptosyltransferase mutant of Pasteurella multocida produces a truncated lipopolysaccharide structure and is attenuated in virulence

Pasteurella multocida is the causative agent of fowl cholera in birds. In a previous study using signature-tagged mutagenesis, we identified a mutant, AL251, which was attenuated for virulence in mice and in the natural chicken host. Sequence analysis indicated that AL251 had an insertional inactivation of the gene waaQ(PM), encoding a putative heptosyl transferase, required for the addition of heptose to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (M. Harper, J. D. Boyce, I. W. Wilkie, and B. Adler, Infect. Immun. 71:5440-5446, 2003). In the present study, using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, we have confirmed the identity of the enzyme encoded by waaQ(PM) as a heptosyl transferase III and demonstrated that the predominant LPS glycoforms isolated from this mutant are severely truncated. Complementation experiments demonstrated that providing a functional waaQ(PM) gene in trans can restore both the LPS to its full length and growth in mice to wild-type levels. Furthermore, we have shown that mutant AL251 is unable to cause fowl cholera in chickens and that the attenuation observed is not due to increased serum sensitivity.

Signature-tagged mutagenesis of Pasteurella multocida identifies mutants displaying differential virulence characteristics in mice and chickens

Pasteurella multocida is the causative agent of fowl cholera in birds. Signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) was used to identify potential virulence factors in a mouse septicemia disease model and a chicken fowl cholera model. A library of P. multocida mutants was constructed with a modified Tn916 and screened for attenuation in both animal models. Mutants identified by the STM screening were confirmed as attenuated by competitive growth assays in both chickens and mice. Of the 15 mutants identified in the chicken model, only 5 were also attenuated in mice, showing for the first time the presence of host-specific virulence factors and indicating the importance of screening for attenuation in the natural host.

The demonstration of Pasteurella multocida in the alimentary tract of chickens after experimental oral infection

A selective medium containing polymyxin B, crystal violet, thallous acetate, bacitracin and cycloheximide in 10% sheep blood dextrose starch agar, and a modified Pasteurella multocida-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were developed for the respective isolation and detection of P. multocida from chicken alimentary tract. The selective medium and the PCR assay were highly sensitive, detecting 100 cfu from colon contents. These techniques were used to follow the localisation of an orally administered virulent P. multocida in chickens. Pasteurellae could be isolated from the crop of some birds up to 30 h, occasionally from other sites after 28 h. It was concluded that the crop was a likely site for colonisation and that infection was most likely to occur through the mucosa of the jejunum or ileum.

The virulence and protective efficacy for chickens of pasteurella multocida administered by different routes

The relative virulence for chickens of five strains of Pasteurella multocida was evaluated. Twenty groups, each of ten chickens, were inoculated with a standard dose of 10(5) of each of five strains by the intramuscular (I.m.), intravenous (I.v.), intratracheal (I.tr.) or conjunctival (Co) routes. The highest mortality occurred in the groups dosed I.m. and I.v., followed by I.tr. inoculation. The relative virulence of each strain did not change when inoculated by the different routes. The most virulent strain, VP161, caused 100% mortality by all except the Co route. The least virulent strain, VP17, caused a single mortality by the I.v. route, but gave a high level of protection to birds inoculated by both the I.m. and I.v. routes, when challenged by intramuscular injection with (VP161). There was no protection against I.m. challenge in the birds inoculated by the I.tr. or Co routes. Serum antibody levels measured by ELISA correlated with the level of protection against virulent challenge for groups inoculated I.m. or I.v., but not I.tr. Western blots of pooled sera from each group did not show any specific antigen recognition that might explain the observed differences in protection. Inoculation with strain VP17, (both I.m. and I.tr.) also gave a high level of protection to birds challenged with strain VP161 by intratracheal instillation.

The effect of Pasteurella haemolytica and the leukotoxin of Pasteurella haemolytica on bovine lung explants

Bovine lung explants were used in a study designed to compare the pathogenic effects of Pasteurella haemolytica type 1, a nonpathogenic organism Neisseria subflava, or the crude leukotoxin of P. haemolytica on alveolar macrophages and lung parenchymal cells. Concentrated, purified peripheral blood neutrophil suspensions were added with the bacteria to some explants. Duplicate pairs of cultures from each treatment group were fixed at regular intervals up to 24 hours after seeding and morphological changes were assessed by light and electron microscopy. Pasteurella haemolytica caused deterioration of alveolar macrophages within one hour but did not affect parenchymal cells for more than 12 hours. Neisseria subflava did not affect alveolar macrophages initially, but caused an accelerated deterioration after four hours. After 24 hours, bacterial overgrowth caused similar deterioration of all cells in explants seeded with either bacterium. Alveolar macrophages phagocytosed large numbers of N. subflava but rarely ingested P. haemolytica. Added neutrophils did not have any discernible effect on any of the explants and did not potentiate bacterial effects. Addition of crude leukotoxin of P. haemolytica to the culture medium significantly accelerated alveolar macrophage deterioration without apparent effect on parenchymal cell survival. These results support the hypothesis that the severe tissue destruction of fulminant pneumonic pasteurellosis is not a direct result of bacterial infection.

Giant cell hepatitis in four aborted foals: A possible leptospiral infection

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The hepatotoxicity of carbon disulphide in sheep

Carbon Disulphide (CS2) caused liver injury when dosed orally (intraruminally) at 0.05 ml per kg body weight to overnight fasted sheep which had been given 200 mg kg-1 DDT intraruminally 1 week previously to enhance the hepatic mixed function oxygenases. The liver lesion was a periacinar hepatocellular vacuolar degeneration, fully developed at 24 h and lasting from 4 to 5 days after which the hepatic morphology returned to normal. At 24 h after dosing with CS2 there was an increase in total liver water, sodium and potassium ions but without an increase in the concentration of these cations in total liver water, and a 50% reduction in microsomal cytochrome P450 levels. Calcium concentration was either unchanged or only slightly increased. The cytoplasmic vacuoles were mainly distensions of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and contained fine amorphous or fibrillary material, probably originating from damaged smooth endoplasmic reticulum membranes. The transient influx of fluid into these organelles is thought to be due to osmotic action generated by molecules derived from the latter macromolecular membrane fragments. The lesion resembles that seen in the rat due to CS2 after pretreatment with phenobarbitone. In situations in which sheep are drenched with CS2 and CCl4 in combination, it is suggested that the development of hepatic periacinar hydropic change due to the CS2 in animals normally susceptible to CCl4 because of enhanced microsomal cytochrome P450 levels would provide a better chance of survival than if CCl4 alone was administered and extensive periacinar coagulative necrosis occurred.

Estimation of antemortem serum electrolytes and urea concentrations from vitreous humor collected postmortem

Electrolyte and urea levels of vitreous humor collected from bovine eyes at various times postmortem, were compared with serum levels in the same animals. Provided the vitreous humor was filtered immediately after collection, measured levels of total calcium (Ca), potassium ions (K+), sodium ions (Na+) and urea nitrogen were very consistent. For 24 hours postmortem the concentrations of Ca, Na+ and urea nitrogen remained stable, while K+ increased to approximately 55% more than the immediate postmortem level. A small study using anesthetized dogs indicated that urea nitrogen levels of vitreous humor take several hours to equilibrate with elevated blood levels. Analysis of vitreous humor may be a useful adjunct to diagnosis in cases where antemortem clinical chemistry is absent or inadequate.

Polyserositis and meningitis associated with Escherichia coli infection in piglets

Two piglets which had a history of anorexia and weakness were examined pre and postmortem. Other piglets in the same herd had died within 24 hours of the onset of similar signs. The two piglets examined had a fibrinous polyserositis. Grossly, the pleura, peritoneum and joints were affected and an acute meningitis was noted on microscopic examination of the brains. Pure cultures of Escherichia coli were recovered from all but one of the organs and exudates cultured.

Influence of weed seed oil contamination on the nutritional quality of diets containing low erucic acid rapeseed (Brassica napus, Tower cultivar) oil when fed to rats

Oils from three samples of rapeseed screenings and a sample of stinkweed seeds (Thlaspi arvense) were added to Tower rapeseed oil at three levels (5, 10 and 15%). The contaminated Tower oils were fed at 20% (w/w) of a purified diet to male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats for 16 weeks. The screenings oils caused no increase in the focal myocardial lesion index or lipidosis of the rat hearts. Stinkweed oil gave a significant increase in myocardial lipidosis and a non-significant increase of the myocarditis index. These were attributed to an imbalance in the fatty acid composition of the Tower oil for the specific requirements of the growing rat. Screenings oil contamination had no significant effects on the feed intake or growth of the animals. The growth of rats fed stinkweed oil-contaminated diets was significantly lower than other treatments when it was adjusted for feed intake by analysis of covariance. No treatment effects on body organ weights nor on blood lipid parameter were observed. The presence of week seed oils, at the highest levels likely to be encountered in low erucic acid rapeseed oil, was concluded to have a significant influence on its nutritional value.

Leukomyelitis in the goat: a report of three cases

Three cases of focal myelitis in the spinal cords of young goats are described. The clinical findings and pathological changes were similar to those reported for viral leukoencephalomyelitis of goats. There were granular structures in a few cells in malacic areas, which on electron micrographs appear to be clumps of chromatin in the nuclei of gemistocytic astrocytes. They may represent mitotic figures.