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Hofstaedter CE, O'Keefe IP, Met CM, Wu L, Vanderwoude J, Shin S, Diggle SP, Riquelme SA, Rasko DA, Doi Y, Harro JM, Kopp BT, Ernst RK. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lipid A Structural Variants Induce Altered Immune Responses. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2024. [PMID: 38656811 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2024-0059oc] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes chronic lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF), resulting in structural lung damage and progressive pulmonary decline. P. aeruginosa in the CF lung undergoes numerous changes, adapting to host-specific airway pressures while establishing chronic infection. P. aeruginosa undergoes lipid A structural modification during CF chronic infection, not seen in any other disease state. Lipid A, the membrane anchor of lipopolysaccharide (i.e., endotoxin), comprises the majority of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and is a potent toll-like receptor (TLR)4 agonist. The structure of P. aeruginosa lipid A is intimately linked with its recognition by TLR4, and subsequent immune response. Prior work has identified P. aeruginosa strains with altered lipid A structures that arise during chronic CF lung infection; however, the impact of P. aeruginosa lipid A structure on airway disease has not been investigated. Here, we show that P. aeruginosa lipid A lacks PagL-mediated deacylation during human airway infection using a direct-from-sample mass spectrometry approach on human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. This structure triggers increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production by primary human macrophages. Furthermore, alterations in lipid A 2-hydroxylation impact cytokine response in a site-specific manner, independent of CFTR function. Interestingly, there is a CF-specific reduction in IL-8 secretion within the epithelial-cell compartment that only occurs in CF bronchial epithelial cells when infected with CF-adapted P. aeruginosa that lack PagL-mediated lipid A deacylation. Taken together, we show that P. aeruginosa alters its lipid A structure during acute lung infection and that this lipid A structure induces stronger signaling through TLR4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey E Hofstaedter
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, 12264, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Ian P O'Keefe
- University of Maryland Baltimore, 12265, Microbial Pathogenesis, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Charles M Met
- University of Maryland Baltimore, 12265, Microbial Pathogenesis, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Ling Wu
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 14640, Microbiology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | | | - Sunny Shin
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 14640, Microbiology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | | | | | - David A Rasko
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, 12264, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Yohei Doi
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Janette M Harro
- University of Maryland Baltimore, 12265, Microbial Pathogenesis, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Benjamin T Kopp
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Inc, 1367, Pediatrics, ATLANTA, Georgia, United States
| | - Robert K Ernst
- University of Maryland Baltimore, 12265, Microbial Pathogenesis, Baltimore, Maryland, United States;
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Nemeth AM, Young MM, Melander RJ, Smith RD, Ernst RK, Melander C. Identification of a 2-Aminobenzimidazole Scaffold that Potentiates Gram-Positive Selective Antibiotics Against Gram-Negative Bacteria. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400127. [PMID: 38451872 PMCID: PMC11021177 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400127] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The development of novel therapeutic approaches is crucial in the fight against multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, particularly gram-negative species. Small molecule adjuvants that enhance the activity of otherwise gram-positive selective antibiotics against gram-negative bacteria have the potential to expand current treatment options. We have previously reported adjuvants based upon a 2-aminoimidazole (2-AI) scaffold that potentiate macrolide antibiotics against several gram-negative pathogens. Herein, we report the discovery and structure-activity relationship (SAR) investigation of an additional class of macrolide adjuvants based upon a 2-aminobenzimidazole (2-ABI) scaffold. The lead compound lowers the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of clarithromycin (CLR) from 512 to 2 μg/mL at 30 μM against Klebsiella pneumoniae 2146, and from 32 to 2 μg/mL at 5 μM, against Acinetobacter baumannii 5075. Preliminary investigation into the mechanism of action suggests that the compounds are binding to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in K. pneumoniae, and modulating lipooligosaccharide (LOS) biosynthesis, assembly, or transport in A. baumannii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansley M Nemeth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN-46556, USA
| | - Milah M Young
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN-46556, USA
| | - Roberta J Melander
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN-46556, USA
| | - Richard D Smith
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD-21201, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD-21201, USA
| | - Christian Melander
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN-46556, USA
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DeJong MA, Wolf MA, Bitzer GJ, Hall JM, Fitzgerald NA, Pyles GM, Huckaby AB, Petty JE, Lee K, Barbier M, Bevere JR, Ernst RK, Damron FH. BECC438b TLR4 agonist supports unique immune response profiles from nasal and muscular DTaP pertussis vaccines in murine challenge models. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0022323. [PMID: 38323817 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00223-23] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The protection afforded by acellular pertussis vaccines wanes over time, and there is a need to develop improved vaccine formulations. Options to improve the vaccines involve the utilization of different adjuvants and administration via different routes. While intramuscular (IM) vaccination provides a robust systemic immune response, intranasal (IN) vaccination theoretically induces a localized immune response within the nasal cavity. In the case of a Bordetella pertussis infection, IN vaccination results in an immune response that is similar to natural infection, which provides the longest duration of protection. Current acellular formulations utilize an alum adjuvant, and antibody levels wane over time. To overcome the current limitations with the acellular vaccine, we incorporated a novel TLR4 agonist, BECC438b, into both IM and IN acellular formulations to determine its ability to protect against infection in a murine airway challenge model. Following immunization and challenge, we observed that DTaP + BECC438b reduced bacterial burden within the lung and trachea for both administration routes when compared with mock-vaccinated and challenged (MVC) mice. Interestingly, IN administration of DTaP + BECC438b induced a Th1-polarized immune response, while IM vaccination polarized toward a Th2 immune response. RNA sequencing analysis of the lung demonstrated that DTaP + BECC438b activates biological pathways similar to natural infection. Additionally, IN administration of DTaP + BECC438b activated the expression of genes involved in a multitude of pathways associated with the immune system. Overall, these data suggest that BECC438b adjuvant and the IN vaccination route can impact efficacy and responses of pertussis vaccines in pre-clinical mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A DeJong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - M Allison Wolf
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Graham J Bitzer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Jesse M Hall
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Nicholas A Fitzgerald
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Gage M Pyles
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Annalisa B Huckaby
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Jonathan E Petty
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Katherine Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Mariette Barbier
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Justin R Bevere
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - F Heath Damron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
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Da Silva JT, Hernandez-Rojas LG, Mekonen HK, Hanson S, Melemedjian O, Scott AJ, Ernst RK, Seminowicz DA, Traub RJ. Sex differences in visceral sensitivity and brain activity in a rat model of comorbid pain: a longitudinal study. Pain 2024; 165:698-706. [PMID: 37756658 PMCID: PMC10859847 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003074] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are 2 chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) that present with significant comorbidity. Both conditions are more prevalent in women and are exacerbated by stress. While peripheral mechanisms might contribute to pain hypersensitivity for each individual condition, mechanisms underlying the comorbidity are poorly understood, complicating pain management when multiple conditions are involved. In this study, longitudinal behavioral and functional MRI-based brain changes have been identified in an animal model of TMD-like pain (masseter muscle inflammation followed by stress) that induces de novo IBS-like comorbid visceral pain hypersensitivity in rats. In particular, data indicate that increased activity in the insula and regions of the reward and limbic systems are associated with more pronounced and longer-lasting visceral pain behaviors in female rats, while the faster pain resolution in male rats may be due to increased activity in descending pain inhibitory pathways. These findings suggest the critical role of brain mechanisms in chronic pain conditions and that sex may be a risk factor of developing COPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce T. Da Silva
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- UM Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Luis G. Hernandez-Rojas
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- UM Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Computing, School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Zapopan, Mexico
| | - Hayelom K. Mekonen
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- UM Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shelby Hanson
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ohannes Melemedjian
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- UM Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alison J. Scott
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging (M4I) Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David A. Seminowicz
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Richard J. Traub
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- UM Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Yang H, Verhoeve VI, Chandler CE, Nallar S, Snyder GA, Ernst RK, Gillespie JJ. Structural determination of Rickettsia lipid A without chemical extraction confirms shorter acyl chains in later-evolving spotted fever group pathogens. mSphere 2024; 9:e0060923. [PMID: 38259062 PMCID: PMC10900879 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00609-23] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rickettsiae are Gram-negative obligate intracellular parasites of numerous eukaryotes. Human pathogens of the transitional group (TRG), typhus group (TG), and spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae infect blood-feeding arthropods, have dissimilar clinical manifestations, and possess unique genomic and morphological attributes. Lacking glycolysis, rickettsiae pilfer numerous metabolites from the host cytosol to synthesize peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). For LPS, O-antigen immunogenicity varies between SFG and TG pathogens; however, lipid A proinflammatory potential is unknown. We previously demonstrated that Rickettsia akari (TRG), Rickettsia typhi (TG), and Rickettsia montanensis (SFG) produce lipid A with long 2' secondary acyl chains (C16 or C18) compared to short 2' secondary acyl chains (C12) in Rickettsia rickettsii (SFG) lipid A. To further probe this structural heterogeneity and estimate a time point when shorter 2' secondary acyl chains originated, we generated lipid A structures for two additional SFG rickettsiae (Rickettsia rhipicephali and Rickettsia parkeri) utilizing fast lipid analysis technique adopted for use with tandem mass spectrometry (FLATn). FLATn allowed analysis of lipid A structure directly from host cell-purified bacteria, providing a substantial improvement over lipid A chemical extraction. FLATn-derived structures indicate SFG rickettsiae diverging after R. rhipicephali evolved shorter 2' secondary acyl chains. While 2' secondary acyl chain lengths do not distinguish Rickettsia pathogens from non-pathogens, in silico analyses of Rickettsia LpxL late acyltransferases revealed discrete active sites and hydrocarbon rulers for long versus short 2' secondary acyl chain addition. Our collective data warrant determining Rickettsia lipid A inflammatory potential and how structural heterogeneity impacts lipid A-host receptor interactions.IMPORTANCEDeforestation, urbanization, and homelessness lead to spikes in Rickettsioses. Vector-borne human pathogens of transitional group (TRG), typhus group (TG), and spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae differ by clinical manifestations, immunopathology, genome composition, and morphology. We previously showed that lipid A (or endotoxin), the membrane anchor of Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), structurally differs in Rickettsia rickettsii (later-evolving SFG) relative to Rickettsia montanensis (basal SFG), Rickettsia typhi (TG), and Rickettsia akari (TRG). As lipid A structure influences recognition potential in vertebrate LPS sensors, further assessment of Rickettsia lipid A structural heterogeneity is needed. Here, we sidestepped the difficulty of ex vivo lipid A chemical extraction by utilizing fast lipid analysis technique adopted for use with tandem mass spectrometry, a new procedure for generating lipid A structures directly from host cell-purified bacteria. These data confirm that later-evolving SFG pathogens synthesize structurally distinct lipid A. Our findings impact interpreting immune responses to different Rickettsia pathogens and utilizing lipid A adjuvant or anti-inflammatory properties in vaccinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojik Yang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Victoria I. Verhoeve
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Courtney E. Chandler
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shreeram Nallar
- Division of Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Greg A. Snyder
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Division of Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph J. Gillespie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Hofstaedter CE, Chandler CE, Met CM, Gillespie JJ, Harro JM, Goodlett DR, Rasko DA, Ernst RK. Divergent Pseudomonas aeruginosa LpxO enzymes perform site-specific lipid A 2-hydroxylation. mBio 2024; 15:e0282323. [PMID: 38131669 PMCID: PMC10865791 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02823-23] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa can survive in a myriad of environments, partially due to modifications of its lipid A, the membrane anchor of lipopolysaccharide. We previously demonstrated that divergent late acyltransferase paralogs, HtrB1 and HtrB2, add acyloxyacyl laurate to lipid A 2- and 2'-acyl chains, respectively. The genome of P. aeruginosa also has genes which encode two dioxygenase enzymes, LpxO1 and LpxO2, that individually hydroxylate a specific secondary laurate. LpxO1 acts on the 2'-acyloxyacyl laurate (added by HtrB2), whereas LpxO2 acts on the 2-acyloxyacyl laurate (added by HtrB1) in a site-specific manner. Furthermore, while both enzyme pairs are evolutionarily linked, phylogenomic analysis suggests the LpxO1/HtrB2 enzyme pair as being of ancestral origin, present throughout the Pseudomonas lineage, whereas the LpxO2/HtrB1 enzyme pair likely arose via horizontal gene transfer and has been retained in P. aeruginosa over time. Using a murine pulmonary infection model, we showed that both LpxO1 and LpxO2 enzymes are functional in vivo, as direct analysis of in vivo lipid A structure from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed 2-hydroxylated lipid A. Gene expression analysis reveals increased lpxO2 but unchanged lpxO1 expression in vivo, suggesting differential regulation of these enzymes during infection. We also demonstrate that loss-of-function mutations arise in lpxO1 and lpxO2 during chronic lung infection in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), indicating a potential role for pathogenesis and airway adaptation. Collectively, our study characterizes lipid A 2-hydroxylation during P. aeruginosa airway infection that is regulated by two distinct lipid A dioxygenase enzymes.IMPORTANCEPseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes severe infection in hospitalized and chronically ill individuals. During infection, P. aeruginosa undergoes adaptive changes to evade host defenses and therapeutic interventions, increasing mortality and morbidity. Lipid A structural alteration is one such change that P. aeruginosa isolates undergo during chronic lung infection in CF. Investigating genetic drivers of this lipid A structural variation is crucial in understanding P. aeruginosa adaptation during infection. Here, we describe two lipid A dioxygenases with acyl-chain site specificity, each with different evolutionary origins. Further, we show that loss of function in these enzymes occurs in CF clinical isolates, suggesting a potential pathoadaptive phenotype. Studying these bacterial adaptations provides insight into selection pressures of the CF airway on P. aeruginosa phenotypes that persist during chronic infection. Understanding these adaptive changes may ultimately provide clinicians better control over bacterial populations during chronic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey E. Hofstaedter
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Courtney E. Chandler
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Charles M. Met
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph J. Gillespie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Janette M. Harro
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David R. Goodlett
- Departments of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - David A. Rasko
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Smith RD, Zhan M, Zhang S, Leekha S, Harris A, Doi Y, Evans S, Kristie Johnson J, Ernst RK. Comparison of three rapid diagnostic tests for bloodstream infections using Benefit-risk Evaluation Framework (BED-FRAME). J Clin Microbiol 2024; 62:e0109623. [PMID: 38054730 PMCID: PMC10793330 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01096-23] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for bloodstream infections have the potential to reduce time to appropriate antimicrobial therapy and improve patient outcomes. Previously, an in-house, lipid-based, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) method, Fast Lipid Analysis Technique (FLAT MS), has shown promise as a rapid pathogen identification method. In this study, FLAT MS for direct from blood culture identification was evaluated and compared to FDA-cleared identification methods using the Benefit-risk Evaluation Framework (BED-FRAME) analysis. FLAT MS was evaluated and compared to Bruker Sepsityper and bioMérieux BioFire FilmArray BCID2 using results from a previous study. For this study, 301 positive blood cultures were collected from the University of Maryland Medical Center. The RDTs were compared by their sensitivities, time-to-results, hands-on time, and BED-FRAME analysis. The overall sensitivity of all platforms compared to culture results from monomicrobial-positive blood cultures was 88.3%. However, the three RDTs differed in their accuracy for identifying Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and yeast. Time-to-results for FLAT MS, Sepsityper, and BioFire BCID2 were all approximately one hour. Hands-on times for FLAT MS, Sepsityper, and BioFire BCID2 were 10 (±1.3), 40 (±2.8), and 5 (±0.25) minutes, respectively. BED-FRAME demonstrated that each RDT had utility at different pathogen prevalence and relative importance. BED-FRAME is a useful tool that can used to determine which RDT is best for a healthcare center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D. Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Min Zhan
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Biostatistics Center and the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Surbhi Leekha
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anthony Harris
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yohei Doi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Scott Evans
- Biostatistics Center and the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - J. Kristie Johnson
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Scott AJ, Smith AA, Heeren RMA, Pal U, Ernst RK. Characterization of spatial lipidomic signatures in tick-bitten guinea pig skin as a model for host-vector-pathogen interaction profiling. mSystems 2023; 8:e0092723. [PMID: 37874165 PMCID: PMC10734475 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00927-23] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Here, we demonstrate the adaptability of spatial "omics" methods to identify interphylum processes regulated at the vector-host interface of ticks during a mammalian blood meal. This approach enables a better understanding of complex bipartite or tripartite molecular interactions between hosts, arthropod vectors and transmitted pathogens, and contributes toward the development of spatially aware therapeutic target discovery and description.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison J. Scott
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging (M4i) Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, the Netherlands
| | - Alexis A. Smith
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Ron M. A. Heeren
- Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging (M4i) Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, the Netherlands
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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9
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Mikhael A, Hardie D, Smith D, Pětrošová H, Ernst RK, Goodlett DR. Structural Elucidation of Intact Rough-type Lipopolysaccharides Using Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry and Kendrick Mass Defect Plots. Anal Chem 2023; 95:16796-16800. [PMID: 37943784 PMCID: PMC10666081 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02947] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are a hallmark virulence factor of Gram-negative bacteria. They are complex, structurally heterogeneous mixtures due to variations in number, type, and position of their simplest units: fatty acids and monosaccharides. Thus, LPS structural characterization by traditional mass spectrometry (MS) methods is challenging. Here, we describe the benefits of field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) for analysis of an intact R-type lipopolysaccharide complex mixture (lipooligosaccharide; LOS). Structural characterization was performed using Escherichia coli J5 (Rc mutant) LOS, a TLR4 agonist widely used in glycoconjugate vaccine research. FAIMS gas-phase fractionation improved the (S/N) ratio and number of detected LOS species. Additionally, FAIMS allowed the separation of overlapping isobars facilitating their tandem MS characterization and unequivocal structural assignments. In addition to FAIMS gas-phase fractionation benefits, extra sorting of the structurally related LOS molecules was further accomplished using Kendrick mass defect (KMD) plots. Notably, a custom KMD base unit of [Na-H] created a highly organized KMD plot that allowed identification of interesting and novel structural differences across the different LOS ion families, i.e., ions with different acylation degrees, oligosaccharides composition, and chemical modifications. Defining the composition of a single LOS ion by tandem MS along with the organized KMD plot structural network was sufficient to deduce the composition of 181 LOS species out of 321 species present in the mixture. The combination of FAIMS and KMD plots allowed in-depth characterization of the complex LOS mixture and uncovered a wealth of novel information about its structural variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abanoub Mikhael
- Department
of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University
of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
- University
of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Darryl Hardie
- University
of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Derek Smith
- University
of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Helena Pětrošová
- Department
of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University
of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
- University
of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department
of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of
Maryland—Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - David R. Goodlett
- Department
of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University
of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
- University
of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
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10
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O'Meara TR, Nanishi E, McGrath ME, Barman S, Dong D, Dillen C, Menon M, Seo HS, Dhe-Paganon S, Ernst RK, Levy O, Frieman MB, Dowling DJ. Reduced SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine immunogenicity and protection in mice with diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 152:1107-1120.e6. [PMID: 37595760 PMCID: PMC10841117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.06.031] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are associated with an increased risk of severe outcomes from infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019. These conditions are also associated with distinct responses to immunization, including an impaired response to widely used severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccines. OBJECTIVE We sought to establish a connection between reduced immunization efficacy via modeling the effects of metabolic diseases on vaccine immunogenicity that is essential for the development of more effective vaccines for this distinct vulnerable population. METHODS A murine model of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance was used to model the effects of comorbid T2DM and obesity on vaccine immunogenicity and protection. RESULTS Mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) developed obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and glucose intolerance. Relative to mice fed a normal diet, HFD mice vaccinated with a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine exhibited significantly lower anti-spike IgG titers, predominantly in the IgG2c subclass, associated with a lower type 1 response, along with a 3.83-fold decrease in neutralizing titers. Furthermore, enhanced vaccine-induced spike-specific CD8+ T-cell activation and protection from lung infection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge were seen only in mice fed a normal diet but not in HFD mice. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated impaired immunity following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA immunization in a murine model of comorbid T2DM and obesity, supporting the need for further research into the basis for impaired anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity in T2DM and investigation of novel approaches to enhance vaccine immunogenicity among those with metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R O'Meara
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Etsuro Nanishi
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Marisa E McGrath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Soumik Barman
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Danica Dong
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Carly Dillen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Manisha Menon
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Hyuk-Soo Seo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Sirano Dhe-Paganon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, Md
| | - Ofer Levy
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Mass
| | - Matthew B Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - David J Dowling
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
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11
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Tomlinson KL, Chen YT, Junker A, Urso A, Wong Fok Lung T, Ahn D, Hofstaedter CE, Baskota SU, Ernst RK, Prince A, Riquelme SA. Ketogenesis promotes tolerance to Pseudomonas aeruginosa pulmonary infection. Cell Metab 2023; 35:1767-1781.e6. [PMID: 37793346 PMCID: PMC10558090 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.09.001] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of pulmonary infection. As a Gram-negative pathogen, it can initiate a brisk and highly destructive inflammatory response; however, most hosts become tolerant to the bacterial burden, developing chronic infection. Using a murine model of pneumonia, we demonstrate that this shift from inflammation to disease tolerance is promoted by ketogenesis. In response to pulmonary infection, ketone bodies are generated in the liver and circulate to the lungs where they impose selection for P. aeruginosa strains unable to display surface lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Such keto-adapted LPS strains fail to activate glycolysis and tissue-damaging cytokines and, instead, facilitate mitochondrial catabolism of fats and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which maintains airway homeostasis. Within the lung, P. aeruginosa exploits the host immunometabolite itaconate to further stimulate ketogenesis. This environment enables host-P. aeruginosa coexistence, supporting both pathoadaptive changes in the bacteria and the maintenance of respiratory integrity via OXPHOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira L Tomlinson
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ying-Tsun Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alex Junker
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - AndreaCarola Urso
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Danielle Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Casey E Hofstaedter
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Swikrity U Baskota
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Alice Prince
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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12
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Smith RD, Johnson JK, Ernst RK. Comparison of 3 diagnostic platforms for identification of bacteria and yeast from positive blood culture bottles. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 107:116018. [PMID: 37478505 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.116018] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Managing bloodstream infections requires fast and accurate diagnostics. Culture-based diagnostic methods for identification from positive blood culture require 24-hour subculture, potentially delaying time to appropriate therapy. Positive blood cultures were collected (n = 301) from September 2021 to August 2022 at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Platforms compared were BioFire® BCID2, Sepsityper®, and short-term culture. For monomicrobial cultures, FilmArray® BCID2 identified 88.3% (241/273) of pathogens. Rapid Sepsityper® identified 76.9% (210/273) of pathogens. Sepsityper® extraction identified 82.4% (225/273) of pathogens. Short-term culture identified 83.5% (228/273) of pathogens. For polymicrobial cultures, Sepsityper®, short-term culture, and BioFire® BCID2 had complete identifications at 10.7% (3/28), 0%, and 92.9% (26/28), respectively. Time-to-results for Rapid Sepsityper®, Sepsityper® extraction, BioFire® BCID2, and Short-term culture were 35, 52, 65, and 306 minutes, respectively. Performance of these platforms can reduce time-to-results and may help effectively treat bloodstream infections faster. Accuracy, time-to-result, and hands-on time are important factors when evaluation diagnostic platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Smith
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - J Kristie Johnson
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
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13
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Scott AJ, Ellis SR, Hofstaedter CE, Heeren RM, Ernst RK. Spatial lipidomics reveals biased phospholipid remodeling in acute Pseudomonas lung infection. iScience 2023; 26:107700. [PMID: 37680478 PMCID: PMC10480615 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107700] [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: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is a pathogen causing chronic pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Manipulation of lipids is an important feature of Pa infection and on a tissue-level scale is poorly understood. Using a mouse model of acute Pa pulmonary infection, we explored the whole-lung phospholipid response using mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and spatial lipidomics. Using a histology-driven analysis, we isolated airways and parenchyma from both mock- and Pa-infected lungs and used systems biology tools to identify enriched metabolic pathways from the differential phospholipid identities. Infection was associated with a set of 26 ions, with 11 unique to parenchyma and 6 unique to airways. Acyl remodeling was differentially enriched in infected parenchyma as the predominant biological function. These functions correlated with markers of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell influx, a defining feature of the lung response to Pa infection, implicating enzymes active in phospholipid remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison J. Scott
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging (M4i) Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Shane R. Ellis
- Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging (M4i) Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Casey E. Hofstaedter
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Ron M.A. Heeren
- Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging (M4i) Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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14
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Lu T, Das S, Howlader DR, Jain A, Hu G, Dietz ZK, Zheng Q, Ratnakaram SSK, Whittier SK, Varisco DJ, Ernst RK, Picking WD, Picking WL. Impact of the TLR4 agonist BECC438 on a novel vaccine formulation against Shigella spp. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1194912. [PMID: 37744341 PMCID: PMC10512073 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1194912] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Shigellosis (bacillary dysentery) is a severe gastrointestinal infection with a global incidence of 90 million cases annually. Despite the severity of this disease, there is currently no licensed vaccine against shigellosis. Shigella's primary virulence factor is its type III secretion system (T3SS), which is a specialized nanomachine used to manipulate host cells. A fusion of T3SS injectisome needle tip protein IpaD and translocator protein IpaB, termed DBF, when admixed with the mucosal adjuvant double-mutant labile toxin (dmLT) from enterotoxigenic E. coli was protective using a murine pulmonary model. To facilitate the production of this platform, a recombinant protein that consisted of LTA-1, the active moiety of dmLT, and DBF were genetically fused, resulting in L-DBF, which showed improved protection against Shigella challenge. To extrapolate this protection from mice to humans, we modified the formulation to provide for a multivalent presentation with the addition of an adjuvant approved for use in human vaccines. Here, we show that L-DBF formulated (admix) with a newly developed TLR4 agonist called BECC438 (a detoxified lipid A analog identified as Bacterial Enzymatic Combinatorial Chemistry candidate #438), formulated as an oil-in-water emulsion, has a very high protective efficacy at low antigen doses against lethal Shigella challenge in our mouse model. Optimal protection was observed when this formulation was introduced at a mucosal site (intranasally). When the formulation was then evaluated for the immune response it elicits, protection appeared to correlate with high IFN-γ and IL-17 secretion from mucosal site lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ti Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Sayan Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Debaki R. Howlader
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Akshay Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Gang Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Zackary K. Dietz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Qi Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | | | - Sean K. Whittier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - David J. Varisco
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - William D. Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Wendy L. Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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15
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Chandler CE, Hofstaedter CE, Hazen TH, Rasko DA, Ernst RK. Genomic and Functional Characterization of Longitudinal Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Young Patients with Cystic Fibrosis. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0155623. [PMID: 37358436 PMCID: PMC10433850 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01556-23] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) suffer from frequent and recurring microbial airway infections. The Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common organisms isolated from CF patient airways. P. aeruginosa establishes chronic infections that persist throughout a patient's lifetime and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Throughout the course of infection, P. aeruginosa must evolve and adapt from an initial state of early, transient colonization to chronic colonization of the airways. Here, we examined isolates of P. aeruginosa from children under the age of 3 years old with CF to determine genetic adaptations the bacterium undergoes during this early stage of colonization and infection. These isolates were collected when early aggressive antimicrobial therapy was not the standard of care and therefore highlight strain evolution under limited antibiotic pressure. Examination of specific phenotypic adaptations, such as lipid A palmitoylation, antibiotic resistance, and loss of quorum sensing, did not reveal a clear genetic basis for such changes. Additionally, we demonstrate that the geography of patient origin, within the United States or among other countries, does not appear to significantly influence genetic adaptation. In summary, our results support the long-standing model that patients acquire individual isolates of P. aeruginosa that subsequently become hyperadapted to the patient-specific airway environment. This study provides a multipatient genomic analysis of isolates from young CF patients in the United States and contributes data regarding early colonization and adaptation to the growing body of research about P. aeruginosa evolution in the context of CF airway disease. IMPORTANCE Chronic lung infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is of major concern for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). During infection, P. aeruginosa undergoes genomic and functional adaptation to the hyperinflammatory CF airway, resulting in worsening lung function and pulmonary decline. All studies that describe these adaptations use P. aeruginosa obtained from older children or adults during late chronic lung infection; however, children with CF can be infected with P. aeruginosa as early as 3 months of age. Therefore, it is unclear when these genomic and functional adaptations occur over the course of CF lung infection, as access to P. aeruginosa isolates in children during early infection is limited. Here, we present a unique cohort of CF patients who were identified as being infected with P. aeruginosa at an early age prior to aggressive antibiotic therapy. Furthermore, we performed genomic and functional characterization of these isolates to address whether chronic CF P. aeruginosa phenotypes are present during early infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney E. Chandler
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland—Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Casey E. Hofstaedter
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland—Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tracy H. Hazen
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland—Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David A. Rasko
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland—Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland—Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland—Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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16
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Lee KS, Rader NA, Miller-Stump OA, Cooper M, Wong TY, Shahrier Amin M, Barbier M, Bevere JR, Ernst RK, Heath Damron F. Intranasal VLP-RBD vaccine adjuvanted with BECC470 confers immunity against Delta SARS-CoV-2 challenge in K18-hACE2-mice. Vaccine 2023; 41:5003-5017. [PMID: 37407405 PMCID: PMC10300285 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.06.080] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic transitions into endemicity, seasonal boosters are a plausible reality across the globe. We hypothesize that intranasal vaccines can provide better protection against asymptomatic infections and more transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2. To formulate a protective intranasal vaccine, we utilized a VLP-based platform. Hepatitis B surface antigen-based virus like particles (VLP) linked with receptor binding domain (RBD) antigen were paired with the TLR4-based agonist adjuvant, BECC 470. K18-hACE2 mice were primed and boosted at four-week intervals with either VLP-RBD-BECC or mRNA-1273. Both VLP-RBD-BECC and mRNA-1273 vaccination resulted in production of RBD-specific IgA antibodies in serum. RBD-specific IgA was also detected in the nasal wash and lung supernatants and were highest in VLP-RBD-BECC vaccinated mice. Interestingly, VLP-RBD-BECC vaccinated mice showed slightly lower levels of pre-challenge IgG responses, decreased RBD-ACE2 binding inhibition, and lower neutralizing activity in vitro than mRNA-1273 vaccinated mice. Both VLP-RBD-BECC and mRNA-1273 vaccinated mice were protected against challenge with a lethal dose of Delta variant SARS-CoV-2. Both vaccines limited viral replication and viral RNA burden in the lungs of mice. CXCL10 is a biomarker of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and we observed both vaccines limited expression of serum and lung CXCL10. Strikingly, VLP-RBD-BECC when administered intranasally, limited lung inflammation at early timepoints that mRNA-1273 vaccination did not. VLP-RBD-BECC immunization elicited antibodies that do recognize SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. However, VLP-RBD-BECC immunized mice were protected from Omicron challenge with low viral burden. Conversely, mRNA-1273 immunized mice had low to no detectable virus in the lungs at day 2. Together, these data suggest that VLP-based vaccines paired with BECC adjuvant can be used to induce protective mucosal and systemic responses against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Nathaniel A Rader
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Olivia A Miller-Stump
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Melissa Cooper
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ting Y Wong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Md Shahrier Amin
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Laboratory Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mariette Barbier
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Justin R Bevere
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - F Heath Damron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA.
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17
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Yang H, Verhoeve VI, Chandler CE, Nallar S, Snyder GA, Ernst RK, Gillespie JJ. Structural determination of Rickettsia lipid A without chemical extraction confirms shorter acyl chains in later-evolving Spotted Fever Group pathogens. bioRxiv 2023:2023.07.06.547954. [PMID: 37461656 PMCID: PMC10350050 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.06.547954] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Rickettsiae are Gram-negative obligate intracellular parasites of numerous eukaryotes. Human pathogens of the Transitional Group (TRG), Typhus Group (TG), and Spotted Fever Group (SFG) rickettsiae infect blood-feeding arthropods, have dissimilar clinical manifestations, and possess unique genomic and morphological attributes. Lacking glycolysis, rickettsiae pilfer numerous metabolites from host cytosol to synthesize peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). For LPS, O-antigen immunogenicity varies between SFG and TG pathogens; however, lipid A proinflammatory potential is unknown. We previously demonstrated that R. akari (TRG), R. typhi (TG), and R. montanensis (SFG) produce lipid A with long 2' secondary acyl chains (C16 or C18) compared to short 2' secondary acyl chains (C12) in R. rickettsii (SFG) lipid A. To further probe this structural heterogeneity and estimate a time point when shorter 2' secondary acyl chains originated, we generated lipid A structures for two additional SFG rickettsiae ( R. rhipicephali and R. parkeri ) utilizing Fast Lipid Analysis Technique adopted for use with tandem mass spectrometry (FLAT n ). FLAT n allowed analysis of lipid A structure directly from host cell-purified bacteria, providing substantial improvement over lipid A chemical extraction. FLAT n -derived structures indicate SFG rickettsiae diverging after R. rhipicephali evolved shorter 2' secondary acyl chains. Bioinformatics analysis of Rickettsia LpxL late acyltransferases revealed discrete active sites and hydrocarbon rulers for long versus short 2' secondary acyl chain addition. While the significance of different lipid A structures for diverse Rickettsia pathogens is unknown, our success using FLAT n will facilitate determining how structural heterogeneity impacts interactions with host lipid A receptors and overall inflammatory potential. IMPORTANCE Deforestation, urbanization, and homelessness lead to spikes in Rickettsioses. Vector-borne human pathogens of Transitional Group (TRG), Typhus Group (TG), and Spotted Fever Group (SFG) rickettsiae differ by clinical manifestations, immunopathology, genome composition, and morphology. We previously showed that lipid A (or endotoxin), the membrane anchor of Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), structurally differs in R. rickettsii (later-evolving SFG) relative to R. montanensis (basal SFG), R. typhi (TG), and R. akari (TRG). As lipid A structure influences recognition potential in vertebrate LPS sensors, further assessment of Rickettsia lipid A structural heterogeneity is needed. Here, we sidestepped the difficulty of ex vivo lipid A chemical extraction by utilizing FLAT n , a new procedure for generating lipid A structures directly from host cell-purified bacteria. These data confirm later-evolving SFG pathogens synthesize structurally distinct lipid A. Our findings impact interpreting immune responses to different Rickettsia pathogens and utilizing lipid A adjuvant or anti-inflammatory properties in vaccinology.
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Mikhael A, Hardie D, Smith D, Pětrošová H, Ernst RK, Goodlett DR. Structural Elucidation of Intact Rough-Type Lipopolysaccharides using Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry and Kendrick Mass Defect Plots. bioRxiv 2023:2023.06.21.545950. [PMID: 37461651 PMCID: PMC10349945 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.21.545950] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a hallmark virulence factor of Gram-negative bacteria. It is a complex, structurally heterogeneous mixture due to variations in number, type, and position of its simplest units: fatty acids and monosaccharides. Thus, LPS structural characterization by traditional mass spectrometry (MS) methods is challenging. Here, we describe the benefits of field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) for analysis of intact R-type lipopolysaccharide complex mixture (lipooligosaccharide; LOS). Structural characterization was performed using Escherichia coli J5 (Rc mutant) LOS, a TLR4 agonist widely used in glycoconjugate vaccine research. FAIMS gas phase fractionation improved the (S/N) ratio and number of detected LOS species. Additionally, FAIMS allowed the separation of overlapping isobars facilitating their tandem MS characterization and unequivocal structural assignments. In addition to FAIMS gas phase fractionation benefits, extra sorting of the structurally related LOS molecules was further accomplished using Kendrick mass defect (KMD) plots. Notably, a custom KMD base unit of [NaH] created a highly organized KMD plot that allowed identification of interesting and novel structural differences across the different LOS ion families; i.e., ions with different acylation degrees, oligosaccharides composition, and chemical modifications. Defining the composition of a single LOS ion by tandem MS along with the organized KMD plot structural network was sufficient to deduce the composition of 179 LOS species out of 321 species present in the mixture. The combination of FAIMS and KMD plots allowed in-depth characterization of the complex LOS mixture and uncovered a wealth of novel information about its structural variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abanoub Mikhael
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
- University of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Darryl Hardie
- University of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Derek Smith
- University of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Helena Pětrošová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
- University of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland - Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201 USA
| | - David R Goodlett
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
- University of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
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Hu G, Varisco DJ, Das S, Middaugh CR, Gardner F, Ernst RK, Picking WL, Picking WD. Physicochemical characterization of biological and synthetic forms of two lipid A-based TLR4 agonists. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18119. [PMID: 37483830 PMCID: PMC10362264 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18119] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are recognized as potential immune-enhancing adjuvants and are included in several licensed vaccines. Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL®, GlaxoSmithKline) is one such TLR4 agonist that has been approved for use in human vaccines, such as Cervarix and Shingrix. Due to the heterogeneous nature of biologically derived MPL and the need for safer and more potent adjuvants, our groups have developed the novel TLR4 agonist candidates, BECC438 and BECC470 using the Bacterial Enzymatic Combinatorial Chemistry (BECC) platform. BECC438 and BECC470 have been included in studies to test their adjuvant potential and found to be effective in vaccines against both viral and bacterial disease agents. Here, we report detailed biophysical characterization of BECC438 and BECC470 purified from a biological source (BECC438b and BECC470b, respectively) and synthesized chemically (BECC438s and BECC470s, respectively). Both BECC438s and BECC470s have identical acyl chain configurations, BECC438s is bis-phosphorylated and BECC470s is mono-phosphorylated with the removal of the 4' phosphate moiety. We determined the phase transition temperatures for the acyl chains of BECC438b and BECC470b and found them to be different from those exhibited by their synthetic counterparts. Furthermore, the phosphate groups of BECC438b and BECC470b are more highly hydrated than are those of BECC438s and BECC470s. In addition to exploring the BECC molecules' biophysical features in aqueous solution, we explored potential formulation of BECC438 and BECC470 with the aluminum-based adjuvant Alhydrogel and as part of an oil-in-water emulsion (Medimmune Emulsion or ME). All of the lipid A analogues could be fully absorbed to Alhydrogel or incorporated onto ME. Surprisingly, the BECC470s molecule, unlike the others, displayed a nearly baseline signal when monitored using a Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) endotoxin detection system. Despite this, it was shown to behave as an agonist for human and mouse TLR4 when tested using multiple cell-based systems. This work paves the way for further formulation optimization of two chemically defined TLR4 agonists that are showing great promise as vaccine adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - David J. Varisco
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Sayan Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - C. Russell Middaugh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Francesca Gardner
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Wendy L. Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - William D. Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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20
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Das S, Howlader DR, Lu T, Whittier SK, Hu G, Sharma S, Dietz ZK, Ratnakaram SSK, Varisco DJ, Ernst RK, Picking WD, Picking WL. Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of nanoparticle formulations of L-SseB against Salmonella infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1208848. [PMID: 37457702 PMCID: PMC10347375 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1208848] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica, a Gram-negative pathogen, has over 2500 serovars that infect a wide range of hosts. In humans, S. enterica causes typhoid or gastroenteritis and is a major public health concern. In this study, SseB (the tip protein of the Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 type III secretion system) was fused with the LTA1 subunit of labile-toxin from enterotoxigenic E. coli to make the self-adjuvanting antigen L-SseB. Two unique nanoparticle formulations were developed to allow multimeric presentation of L-SseB. Mice were vaccinated with these formulations and protective efficacy determined via challenging the mice with S. enterica serovars. The polysaccharide (chitosan) formulation was found to elicit better protection when compared to the squalene nanoemulsion. When the polysaccharide formulation was used to vaccinate rabbits, protection from S. enterica challenge was elicited. In summary, L-SseB in a particulate polysaccharide formulation appears to be an attractive candidate vaccine capable of broad protection against S. enterica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Das
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Debaki R. Howlader
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Ti Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Sean K. Whittier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Gang Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Simran Sharma
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and Bond Life Science Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Zackary K. Dietz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Siva S. K. Ratnakaram
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - David J. Varisco
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - William D. Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Wendy L. Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
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21
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Yang H, Sherman ME, Koo CJ, Treaster LM, Smith JP, Gallaher SG, Goodlett DR, Sweet CR, Ernst RK. Structure Determination of Lipid A with Multiple Glycosylation Sites by Tandem MS of Lithium-Adducted Negative Ions. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 2023; 34:1047-1055. [PMID: 37184080 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00014] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
FLATn is a tandem mass spectrometric technique that can be used to rapidly generate spectral information applicable for structural elucidation of lipids like lipid A from Gram-negative bacterial species from a single bacterial colony. In this study, we extend the scope and capability of FLATn by tandem MS fragmentation of lithium-adducted molecular lipid A anions and fragments (FLATn-Li) that provides additional structural and diagnostic data from FLATn samples allowing for the discrimination of terminal phosphate modifications in a variety of pathogenic and environmental species. Using FLATn-Li, we elucidated the lipid A structure from several bacterial species, including novel structures from arctic bacterioplankton of the Duganella and Massilia genera that favor 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinopyranose (Ara4N) modification at the 1-phosphate position and that demonstrate double glycosylation with Ara4N at the 1 and 4' phosphate positions simultaneously. The structures characterized in this work demonstrate that some environmental psychrophilic species make extensive use of this structural lipid A modification previously characterized as a pathogenic adaptation and the structural basis of resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides. This observation extends the role of phosphate modification(s) in environmental species adaptation and suggests that Ara4N modification can functionally replace the positive charge of the phosphoethanolamine modification that is more typically found attached to the 1-phosphate position of modified lipid A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojik Yang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States of America
| | - Matthew E Sherman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States of America
| | - Caitlyn J Koo
- Chemistry Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, United States of America
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States of America
| | - Logan M Treaster
- Chemistry Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, United States of America
- School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, United States of America
| | - Joseph P Smith
- Oceanography Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, United States of America
| | - Shawn G Gallaher
- Oceanography Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, United States of America
| | - David R Goodlett
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
- Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7Z8, Canada
| | - Charles R Sweet
- Chemistry Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, United States of America
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States of America
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22
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Pětrošová H, Mikhael A, Culos S, Giraud-Gatineau A, Gomez AM, Sherman ME, Ernst RK, Cameron CE, Picardeau M, Goodlett DR. Lipid A structural diversity among members of the genus Leptospira. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1181034. [PMID: 37303810 PMCID: PMC10248169 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1181034] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid A is the hydrophobic component of bacterial lipopolysaccharide and an activator of the host immune system. Bacteria modify their lipid A structure to adapt to the surrounding environment and, in some cases, to evade recognition by host immune cells. In this study, lipid A structural diversity within the Leptospira genus was explored. The individual Leptospira species have dramatically different pathogenic potential that ranges from non-infectious to life-threatening disease (leptospirosis). Ten distinct lipid A profiles, denoted L1-L10, were discovered across 31 Leptospira reference species, laying a foundation for lipid A-based molecular typing. Tandem MS analysis revealed structural features of Leptospira membrane lipids that might alter recognition of its lipid A by the host innate immune receptors. Results of this study will aid development of strategies to improve diagnosis and surveillance of leptospirosis, as well as guide functional studies on Leptospira lipid A activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Pětrošová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- University of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Center, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Abanoub Mikhael
- University of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Center, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Sophie Culos
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | | | - Alloysius M. Gomez
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Matthew E. Sherman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Caroline E. Cameron
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Mathieu Picardeau
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Biology of Spirochetes Unit, Paris, France
| | - David R. Goodlett
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- University of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Center, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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23
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Howlader DR, Das S, Lu T, Mandal RS, Hu G, Varisco DJ, Dietz ZK, Ratnakaram SSK, Ernst RK, Picking WD, Picking WL. A protein subunit vaccine elicits a balanced immune response that protects against Pseudomonas pulmonary infection. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:37. [PMID: 36918600 PMCID: PMC10012293 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00618-w] [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: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) causes severe nosocomial infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals and the elderly. Increasing drug resistance, the absence of a licensed vaccine and increased hospitalizations due to SARS-CoV-2 have made Pa a major healthcare risk. To address this, we formulated a candidate subunit vaccine against Pa (L-PaF), by fusing the type III secretion system tip and translocator proteins with LTA1 in an oil-in-water emulsion (ME). This was mixed with the TLR4 agonist (BECC438b). Lung mRNA sequencing showed that the formulation activates genes from multiple immunological pathways eliciting a protective Th1-Th17 response following IN immunization. Following infection, however, the immunized mice showed an adaptive response while the PBS-vaccinated mice experienced rapid onset of an inflammatory response. The latter displayed a hypoxic lung environment with high bacterial burden. Finally, the importance of IL-17 and immunoglobulins were demonstrated using knockout mice. These findings suggest a need for a balanced humoral and cellular response to prevent the onset of Pa infection and that our formulation could elicit such a response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debaki R Howlader
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Sayan Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Ti Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Rahul Shubhra Mandal
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Gang Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
| | - David J Varisco
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Zackary K Dietz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | | | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - William D Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Wendy L Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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Marrujo SA, Hubble VB, Yang J, Wang M, Nemeth AM, Barlock SL, Juarez D, Smith RD, Melander RJ, Ernst RK, Chang M, Melander C. Dimeric 2-aminoimidazoles are highly active adjuvants for gram-positive selective antibiotics against Acinetobacter baumannii. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 253:115329. [PMID: 37023677 PMCID: PMC10158791 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115329] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that hospital acquired infections have increased by 65% since 2019. One of the main contributors is the gram-negative bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii. Previously, we reported aryl 2-aminoimidazole (2-AI) adjuvants that potentiate macrolide antibiotics against A. baumannii. Macrolide antibiotics are typically used to treat infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, but are ineffective against most gram-negative bacteria. We describe a new class of dimeric 2-AIs that are highly active macrolide adjuvants, with lead compounds lowering minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to or below the gram-positive breakpoint level against A. baumannii. The parent dimer lowers the clarithromycin (CLR) MIC against A. baumannii 5075 from 32 μg/mL to 1 μg/mL at 7.5 μM (3.4 μg/mL), and a subsequent structure activity relationship (SAR) study identified several compounds with increased activity. The lead compound lowers the CLR MIC to 2 μg/mL at 1.5 μM (0.72 μg/mL), far exceeding the activity of both the parent dimer and the previous lead aryl 2-AI. Furthermore, these dimeric 2-AIs exhibit considerably reduced mammalian cell toxicity compared to aryl-2AI adjuvants, with IC50s of the two lead compounds against HepG2 cells of >200 μg/mL, giving therapeutic indices of >250.
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25
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Li H, Mattingly AE, Smith RD, Melander RJ, Ernst RK, Melander C. 6-Bromoindirubin-3'-oxime derivatives are highly active colistin adjuvants against Klebsiella pneumoniae. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:247-252. [PMID: 36846374 PMCID: PMC9945867 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00370h] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have become increasingly common, leading clinicians to rely on last-resort antibiotics such as colistin. However, the utility of colistin is becoming increasingly compromised as a result of increasing polymyxin resistance. Recently we discovered that derivatives of the eukaryotic kinase inhibitor meridianin D abrogate colistin resistance in several Gram-negative species. A subsequent screen of three commercial kinase inhibitor libraries led to the identification of several scaffolds that potentiate colistin activity, including 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime, which potently suppresses colistin resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Herein we report the activity of a library of 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime analogs and identify four derivatives that show equal or increased colistin potentiation activity compared to the parent compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoting Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame Indiana 46556 USA
| | - Anne E Mattingly
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame Indiana 46556 USA
| | - Richard D Smith
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Roberta J Melander
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame Indiana 46556 USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Christian Melander
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame Indiana 46556 USA
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Nanishi E, Borriello F, Seo HS, O’Meara TR, McGrath ME, Saito Y, Chen J, Diray-Arce J, Song K, Xu AZ, Barman S, Menon M, Dong D, Caradonna TM, Feldman J, Hauser BM, Schmidt AG, Baden LR, Ernst RK, Dillen C, Yu J, Chang A, Hilgers L, Platenburg PP, Dhe-Paganon S, Barouch DH, Ozonoff A, Zanoni I, Frieman MB, Dowling DJ, Levy O. Carbohydrate fatty acid monosulphate: oil-in-water adjuvant enhances SARS-CoV-2 RBD nanoparticle-induced immunogenicity and protection in mice. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:18. [PMID: 36788219 PMCID: PMC9927065 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00610-4] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines that protect vulnerable populations is a public health priority. Here, we took a systematic and iterative approach by testing several adjuvants and SARS-CoV-2 antigens to identify a combination that elicits antibodies and protection in young and aged mice. While demonstrating superior immunogenicity to soluble receptor-binding domain (RBD), RBD displayed as a protein nanoparticle (RBD-NP) generated limited antibody responses. Comparison of multiple adjuvants including AddaVax, AddaS03, and AS01B in young and aged mice demonstrated that an oil-in-water emulsion containing carbohydrate fatty acid monosulphate derivative (CMS:O/W) most effectively enhanced RBD-NP-induced cross-neutralizing antibodies and protection across age groups. CMS:O/W enhanced antigen retention in the draining lymph node, induced injection site, and lymph node cytokines, with CMS inducing MyD88-dependent Th1 cytokine polarization. Furthermore, CMS and O/W synergistically induced chemokine production from human PBMCs. Overall, CMS:O/W adjuvant may enhance immunogenicity and protection of vulnerable populations against SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etsuro Nanishi
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Francesco Borriello
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA ,Present Address: Generate Biomedicines, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Hyuk-Soo Seo
- grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Timothy R. O’Meara
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Marisa E. McGrath
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Yoshine Saito
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Jing Chen
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Research Computing Group, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Joann Diray-Arce
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Kijun Song
- grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA
| | - Andrew Z. Xu
- grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA
| | - Soumik Barman
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Manisha Menon
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Danica Dong
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Timothy M. Caradonna
- grid.461656.60000 0004 0489 3491Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Jared Feldman
- grid.461656.60000 0004 0489 3491Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Blake M. Hauser
- grid.461656.60000 0004 0489 3491Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Aaron G. Schmidt
- grid.461656.60000 0004 0489 3491Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Lindsey R. Baden
- grid.62560.370000 0004 0378 8294Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Carly Dillen
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Jingyou Yu
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XCenter for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Aiquan Chang
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XCenter for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | | | | | - Sirano Dhe-Paganon
- grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Dan H. Barouch
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XCenter for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Al Ozonoff
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.66859.340000 0004 0546 1623Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Ivan Zanoni
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Matthew B. Frieman
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - David J. Dowling
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Ofer Levy
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Onyedibe KI, Nemeth AM, Dayal N, Smith RD, Lamptey J, Ernst RK, Melander RJ, Melander C, Sintim HO. Re-sensitization of Multidrug-Resistant and Colistin-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria to Colistin by Povarov/Doebner-Derived Compounds. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:283-295. [PMID: 36651182 PMCID: PMC10547215 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00417] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Colistin, typically viewed as the antibiotic of last resort to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, had fallen out of favor due to toxicity issues. The recent increase in clinical usage of colistin has resulted in colistin-resistant isolates becoming more common. To counter this threat, we have investigated previously reported compounds, HSD07 and HSD17, and developed 13 compounds with more desirable drug-like properties for colistin sensitization against 16 colistin-resistant bacterial strains, three of which harbor the plasmid-borne mobile colistin resistance (mcr-1). Lead compound HSD1624, which has a lower LogDpH7.4 (2.46) compared to HSD07 (>5.58), reduces the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of colistin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain TRPA161 to 0.03 μg/mL from 1024 μg/mL (34,000-fold reduction). Checkerboard assays revealed that HSD1624 and analogues are also synergistic with colistin against colistin-resistant strains of Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Preliminary mechanism of action studies indicate that HSD1624 exerts its action differently depending on the bacterial species. Time-kill studies suggested that HSD1624 in combination with 0.5 μg/mL colistin was bactericidal to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli, as well as to E. coli harboring mcr-1, while against P. aeruginosa TRPA161, the combination was bacteriostatic. Mechanistically, HSD1624 increased membrane permeability in K. pneumoniae harboring a plasmid containing the mcr-1 gene but did not increase radical oxygen species (ROS), while a combination of 15 μM HSD1624 and 0.5 μg/mL colistin significantly increased ROS in P. aeruginosa TRPA161. HSD1624 was not toxic to mammalian red blood cells (up to 226 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth I Onyedibe
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana47907, United States
- Center for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana47906, United States
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, West Lafayette, Indiana47906, United States
| | - Ansley M Nemeth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana46556, United States
| | - Neetu Dayal
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana47907, United States
- Center for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana47906, United States
| | - Richard D Smith
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland21201, United States
| | - Jones Lamptey
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana47907, United States
- Center for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana47906, United States
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland21201, United States
| | - Roberta J Melander
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana46556, United States
| | - Christian Melander
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana46556, United States
| | - Herman O Sintim
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana47907, United States
- Center for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana47906, United States
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, West Lafayette, Indiana47906, United States
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Haupt R, Baracco L, Harberts EM, Loganathan M, Kerstetter LJ, Krammer F, Coughlan L, Ernst RK, Frieman MB. Enhancing the protection of influenza virus vaccines with BECC TLR4 adjuvant in aged mice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:715. [PMID: 36639569 PMCID: PMC9838488 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27965-x] [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: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) is a leading cause of respiratory disease worldwide often resulting in severe morbidity and mortality. We have previously shown that the Bacterial Enzymatic Combinatorial Chemistry (BECC) adjuvants, BECC438 and BECC470, formulated with an influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) protein vaccine, offer greater protection from influenza virus challenge in mouse respiratory models using adult mice than standard HA:adjuvant combinations. In this study, we determined that immunization with HA + BECC adjuvants also significantly broadened the epitopes targeted on HA as compared with other adjuvants, resulting in increased titers of antibodies directed against the highly conserved HA stalk domain. Importantly, we demonstrate that BECC470 combined with an influenza virus HA protein antigen in a prime-only immunization regimen was able to achieve complete protection from challenge in a ~ 12-month-old mouse aged model. Together, this demonstrates the heightened protection provided by the BECC470 adjuvant in an influenza virus vaccine model and shows the enhanced immune response, as compared to other adjuvants elicited by the formulation of HA with BECC470.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Haupt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Therapeutic Discovery Branch, Molecular Biology Division, USAMRIID, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Lauren Baracco
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Erin M Harberts
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Lucas J Kerstetter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VARPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lynda Coughlan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew B Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Center for Pathogen Research, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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29
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Yang H, Smith RD, Sumner KP, Goodlett DR, Johnson JK, Ernst RK. A Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Direct-from-Urine-Specimen Diagnostic for Gram-Negative Pathogens. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0373022. [PMID: 36255333 PMCID: PMC9769899 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03730-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) pose a major public health burden. The vast majority of UTIs are caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Current culture-based pathogen identification methods may require up to 24 to 48 h of incubation. In this study, we developed and evaluated a method for Gram-negative pathogen identification direct from urine, without culture, via matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in approximately 1 h. Urine samples were collected (n = 137) from the University of Maryland Medical Center clinical microbiology laboratory. To identify bacteria direct from urine, two methods were evaluated. First, 1 μL of urine was directly spotted onto the MALDI target plate, and second, 1 mL of urine was centrifuged at 8,000 rpm for 5 min before processing using the fast lipid analysis technique (FLAT). Mass spectra were acquired on the Bruker MALDI Biotyper sirius system in the negative-ion mode. Results were compared to those of standard culture methods. When 1 μL of urine was directly spotted, positive agreement was 81.5% (101/124) and, after centrifugation, 94.4% (117/124) relative to that of standard culture methods. Negative agreement for both methods was 100% (13/13). The time to results for both of the specimen preparation methods using the FLAT extraction protocol was approximately 1 h, with minimal hands-on time required (<5 min). The ability to rapidly identify pathogens directly from urine, without the need for culture, allows for faster turnaround times and, potentially, improved patient outcomes. Overall, the FLAT extraction protocol, in combination with lipid A identification, provides a reproducible and accurate method to rapidly identify urinary pathogens. IMPORTANCE This study describes and evaluates a direct-from-urine extraction method that allows identification of Gram-negative bacteria via MALDI-TOF MS within 1 h. Currently, identification of urinary pathogens requires 24 h of culture prior to identification. While this method may not replace culture, we demonstrate its utility in screening for common urinary pathogens. By providing identifications in under 1 h, clinicians can potentially treat patients sooner with more-targeted antimicrobial therapy. In turn, earlier treatment can improve patient outcome and antimicrobial stewardship. Furthermore, MADLI-TOF MS is a readily available, easy-to-use diagnostic tool in clinical laboratories, making implementation of this method possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojik Yang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard D. Smith
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kylie P. Sumner
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David R. Goodlett
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - J. Kristie Johnson
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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30
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Sherman ME, Smith RD, Gardner FM, Goodlett DR, Ernst RK. A Sensitive GC-MS Method for Quantitation of Lipid A Backbone Components and Terminal Phosphate Modifications. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 2022; 33:2301-2309. [PMID: 36326685 PMCID: PMC9933694 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.2c00266] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Lipid A, the hydrophobic anchor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) present in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, serves as a target for cationic antimicrobial peptides, such as polymyxins. Membrane stress from polymyxins results in activation of two-component regulatory systems that produce lipid A modifying enzymes. These enzymes add neutral moieties, such as aminoarabinose (AraN) and ethanolamine (EtN) to lipid A terminal phosphates that mask the phosphate's negative charge and inhibit electrostatic interaction with the cationic polymyxins. Currently, these modifications may be detected by MALDI-TOF MS; however, this analysis is only semiquantitative. Herein we describe a GC-MS method to quantitate lipid A backbone components, glucosamine (GlcN) and inorganic phosphate (Pi), along with terminal phosphate modifications AraN and EtN. In this assay, lipid A is isolated from Gram-negative bacterial samples, hydrolyzed into its individual moieties, and derivatized via methoximation followed by silylation prior to analysis via GC-MS. Changes in AraN and EtN quantity were characterized using a variety of regulatory mutants of Salmonella, revealing differences that were not detected using MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Additionally, an increase in the abundance of AraN and EtN modifications were observed when resistant Enterobacter and Escherichia coli strains were grown in the presence of colistin (polymyxin E). Lastly, increased levels of Pi were found in bisphosphorylated lipid A compared to monophosphorylated lipid A samples. Because lipid A modifications serve as indicators of polymyxin resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, this method provides the capacity to monitor polymyxin resistance by quantification of lipid A modification using GC-MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Sherman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland─Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Richard D Smith
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland─Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Francesca M Gardner
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland─Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - David R Goodlett
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
- University of Gdansk, International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, Gdansk, 80-210, Poland
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland─Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
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31
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O’Meara TR, Nanishi E, McGrath ME, Barman S, Dong D, Dillen C, Menon M, Seo HS, Dhe-Paganon S, Ernst RK, Levy O, Frieman MB, Dowling DJ. Reduced SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine immunogenicity and protection in mice with diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. bioRxiv 2022:2022.12.07.519460. [PMID: 36523401 PMCID: PMC9753785 DOI: 10.1101/2022.12.07.519460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are associated with an increased risk of severe outcomes from infectious diseases, including COVID-19. These conditions are also associated with distinct responses to immunization, including an impaired response to widely used SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines. Objective To establish a connection between reduced immunization efficacy via modeling the effects of metabolic diseases on vaccine immunogenicity that is essential for the development of more effective vaccines for this distinct vulnerable population. Methods We utilized a murine model of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance to model the effects of comorbid T2DM and obesity on vaccine immunogenicity and protection. Results Mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) developed obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and glucose intolerance. Relative to mice fed a normal diet (ND), HFD mice vaccinated with a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine exhibited significantly lower anti-spike IgG titers, predominantly in the IgG2c subclass, associated with a lower type 1 response, along with a 3.83-fold decrease in neutralizing titers. Furthermore, enhanced vaccine-induced spike-specific CD8 + T cell activation and protection from lung infection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge were seen only in ND mice but not in HFD mice. Conclusion We demonstrate impaired immunity following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA immunization in a murine model of comorbid T2DM and obesity, supporting the need for further research into the basis for impaired anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity in T2DM and investigation of novel approaches to enhance vaccine immunogenicity among those with metabolic diseases. Capsule summary Obesity and type 2 diabetes impair SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine efficacy in a murine model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R. O’Meara
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Etsuro Nanishi
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Marisa E. McGrath
- Center for Pathogen Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Soumik Barman
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Danica Dong
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Carly Dillen
- Center for Pathogen Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Manisha Menon
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Hyuk-Soo Seo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Sirano Dhe-Paganon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Ofer Levy
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
| | - Matthew B. Frieman
- Center for Pathogen Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - David J. Dowling
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
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32
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Blackwood CB, Mateu-Borrás M, Sen-Kilic E, Pyles GM, Miller SJ, Weaver KL, Witt WT, Huckaby AB, Kang J, Chandler CE, Ernst RK, Heath Damron F, Barbier M. Bordetella pertussis whole cell immunization protects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:143. [PMID: 36357402 PMCID: PMC9649022 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00562-1] [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: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole cell vaccines are complex mixtures of antigens, immunogens, and sometimes adjuvants that can trigger potent and protective immune responses. In some instances, such as whole cell Bordetella pertussis vaccination, the immune response to vaccination extends beyond the pathogen the vaccine was intended for and contributes to protection against other clinically significant pathogens. In this study, we describe how B. pertussis whole cell vaccination protects mice against acute pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using ELISA and western blot, we identified that B. pertussis whole cell vaccination induces production of antibodies that bind to lab-adapted and clinical strains of P. aeruginosa, regardless of immunization route or adjuvant used. The cross-reactive antigens were identified using immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and subsequent immunoblotting. We determined that B. pertussis GroEL and OmpA present in the B. pertussis whole cell vaccine led to production of antibodies against P. aeruginosa GroEL and OprF, respectively. Finally, we showed that recombinant B. pertussis OmpA was sufficient to induce protection against P. aeruginosa acute murine pneumonia. This study highlights the potential for use of B. pertussis OmpA as a vaccine antigen for prevention of P. aeruginosa infection, and the potential of broadly protective antigens for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine B. Blackwood
- grid.268154.c0000 0001 2156 6140West Virginia University Vaccine Development Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 USA
| | - Margalida Mateu-Borrás
- grid.268154.c0000 0001 2156 6140West Virginia University Vaccine Development Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 USA
| | - Emel Sen-Kilic
- grid.268154.c0000 0001 2156 6140West Virginia University Vaccine Development Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 USA
| | - Gage M. Pyles
- grid.268154.c0000 0001 2156 6140West Virginia University Vaccine Development Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 USA
| | - Sarah Jo Miller
- grid.268154.c0000 0001 2156 6140West Virginia University Vaccine Development Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 USA
| | - Kelly L. Weaver
- grid.268154.c0000 0001 2156 6140West Virginia University Vaccine Development Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 USA
| | - William T. Witt
- grid.268154.c0000 0001 2156 6140West Virginia University Vaccine Development Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 USA
| | - Annalisa B. Huckaby
- grid.268154.c0000 0001 2156 6140West Virginia University Vaccine Development Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 USA
| | - Jason Kang
- grid.268154.c0000 0001 2156 6140West Virginia University Vaccine Development Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 USA
| | - Courtney E. Chandler
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264University of Maryland, Baltimore Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, 650 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264University of Maryland, Baltimore Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, 650 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - F. Heath Damron
- grid.268154.c0000 0001 2156 6140West Virginia University Vaccine Development Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 USA
| | - Mariette Barbier
- West Virginia University Vaccine Development Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
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33
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Postolache TT, Upadhyaya SK, Spector AM, Mohyuddin I, Constantine N, Ernst RK, Wadhawan A, Dutra SVO, Dagdag A, Makkar H, Lowry CA, Akram F, Fuchs D, Brenner LA, Groer MW, Reynolds MA. Decreasing Tryptophan and Increasing Neopterin Plasma Levels During Pregnancy are Associated with High First Trimester Porphyromonas gingivalis K-Serotype IgG Serointensity in a Cohort of Hispanic Women. Curr Top Med Chem 2022; 22:2126-2144. [PMID: 35379151 DOI: 10.2174/1568026622666220404115543] [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: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune activation or high levels of stress may lead to increased metabolism of tryptophan during pregnancy. Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), the "keystone" periodontal pathogen, induces immune and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activation. Thus, we hypothesized that larger gestational decreases in tryptophan and elevations in neopterin and kynurenine would occur in pregnant women with elevated IgG antibodies to Pg capsular (K) serotypes. METHODS Venous blood of 52 Hispanic pregnant women with a mean age (SD) of 31.8 (5.9) years was sampled once per trimester of pregnancy (V1, V2, V3), and plasma was obtained and stored. ELISAs were used to measure Pg capsular (K) serotype IgG serointensity (V1 only) and neopterin levels (V1-V3). Tryptophan and kynurenine (V1-V3) were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. The participants having IgG serointensity for any of the seven Pg K serotypes in the highest quartile were defined as the "High PgK_IgG" group and those having IgG serointensity for all K serotypes in the lowest three quartiles were defined as the "Low PgK_IgG" group. Statistics included multivariable linear and nonparametric methods. RESULTS Significant decreases in plasma tryptophan levels and increases in neopterin during gestation were found in "High PgK_IgG" women but not in "Low PgK_IgG" women. Kynurenine changes were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION If replicated in larger studies and further characterized clinically, radiologically, and microbiologically, our results may potentially lead to novel interventional targets, as well as the development of more complete prognostic and predictive interactive biomarkers for adverse obstetrical outcomes and peripartum depression, and their prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodor T Postolache
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Aurora, CO, USA.,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO, USA.,VISN 5 Capitol Health Care Network Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sanjaya K Upadhyaya
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anna M Spector
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Saint Elizabeths Hospital, Washington DC, USA
| | - Iqra Mohyuddin
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Niel Constantine
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Abhishek Wadhawan
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Saint Elizabeths Hospital, Washington DC, USA
| | - Samia Valeria Ozorio Dutra
- College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.,College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Aline Dagdag
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hina Makkar
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Saint Elizabeths Hospital, Washington DC, USA
| | - Christopher A Lowry
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Aurora, CO, USA.,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Integrative Physiology, Center for Neuroscience, and Center for Microbial Exploration, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Faisal Akram
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Saint Elizabeths Hospital, Washington DC, USA
| | - Dietmar Fuchs
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck A-6020, Austria
| | - Lisa A Brenner
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Aurora, CO, USA.,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Maureen W Groer
- College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Mark A Reynolds
- Department of Advanced Oral Sciences and Therapeutics, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Nanishi E, McGrath ME, O'Meara TR, Barman S, Yu J, Wan H, Dillen CA, Menon M, Seo HS, Song K, Xu AZ, Sebastian L, Brook B, Bosco AN, Borriello F, Ernst RK, Barouch DH, Dhe-Paganon S, Levy O, Frieman MB, Dowling DJ. mRNA booster vaccination protects aged mice against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Commun Biol 2022; 5:790. [PMID: 35933439 PMCID: PMC9357006 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03765-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [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: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant evades vaccine-induced immunity. While a booster dose of ancestral mRNA vaccines effectively elicits neutralizing antibodies against variants, its efficacy against Omicron in older adults, who are at the greatest risk of severe disease, is not fully elucidated. Here, we evaluate multiple longitudinal immunization regimens of mRNA BNT162b2 to assess the effects of a booster dose provided >8 months after the primary immunization series across the murine lifespan, including in aged 21-month-old mice. Boosting dramatically enhances humoral and cell-mediated responses with evidence of Omicron cross-recognition. Furthermore, while younger mice are protected without a booster dose, boosting provides sterilizing immunity against Omicron-induced lung infection in aged 21-month-old mice. Correlational analyses reveal that neutralizing activity against Omicron is strongly associated with protection. Overall, our findings indicate age-dependent vaccine efficacy and demonstrate the potential benefit of mRNA booster immunization to protect vulnerable older populations against SARS-CoV-2 variants. A longitudinal study in mice reveals that a booster dose of mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 enhances humoral and cell-mediated responses and provides sterilizing immunity against Omicron-induced lung infection in aged animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etsuro Nanishi
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marisa E McGrath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Timothy R O'Meara
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soumik Barman
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jingyou Yu
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Huahua Wan
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carly A Dillen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Manisha Menon
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hyuk-Soo Seo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kijun Song
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew Z Xu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Luke Sebastian
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Byron Brook
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna-Nicole Bosco
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesco Borriello
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Generate Biomedicines, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dan H Barouch
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sirano Dhe-Paganon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ofer Levy
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew B Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David J Dowling
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Abstract
We describe an innovative use for the recently reported fast lipid analysis technique (FLAT) that allows for the generation of MALDI tandem mass spectrometry data suitable for lipid A structure analysis directly from a single Gram-negative bacterial colony. We refer to this tandem MS version of FLAT as FLATn. Neither technique requires sophisticated sample preparation beyond the selection of a single bacterial colony, which significantly reduces overall analysis time (∼1 h), as compared to conventional methods. Moreover, the tandem mass spectra generated by FLATn provides comprehensive information on fragments of lipid A, for example, ester bonded acyl chain dissociations, cross-ring cleavages, and glycosidic bond dissociations, all of which allow the facile determination of novel lipid A structures or confirmation of expected structures. In addition to generating tandem mass spectra directly from single colonies, we also show that FLATn can be used to analyze lipid A structures taken directly from a complex biological clinical sample without the need for ex vivo growth. From a urine sample from a patient with an E. coli infection, FLATn identified the organism and demonstrated that this clinical isolate carried the mobile colistin resistance-1 gene (mcr-1) that results in the addition of a phosphoethanolamine moiety and subsequently resistance to the antimicrobial, colistin (polymyxin E). Moreover, FLATn allowed for the determination of the existence of a structural isomer in E. coli lipid A that had either a 1- or 4'-phosphate group modification by phosphoethanolamine generated by a change of bacterial culture conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojik Yang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Richard D. Smith
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Courtney E. Chandler
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - J. Kristie Johnson
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Shelley N. Jackson
- Translational Analytical Core, NIDA IRP, NIH, Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Suite 200, Room 01B216, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Amina S. Woods
- Structural Biology Core, NIDA IRP, NIH, 333 Cassell Drive, Room 1120, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Alison J. Scott
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
- Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging (M4I) Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229 ER, Netherlands
| | - David R. Goodlett
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road. Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdańsk, ul. Kładki 24 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
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36
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Nordstrom HR, Evans DR, Finney AG, Westbrook KJ, Zamora PF, Hofstaedter CE, Yassin MH, Pradhan A, Iovleva A, Ernst RK, Bomberger JM, Shields RK, Doi Y, Van Tyne D. Genomic characterization of lytic bacteriophages targeting genetically diverse Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. iScience 2022; 25:104372. [PMID: 35620437 PMCID: PMC9127202 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections can be difficult to treat and new therapeutics are needed. Bacteriophage therapy is a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics, but large numbers of isolated and characterized phages are lacking. We collected 23 diverse P. aeruginosa isolates from people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and clinical infections, and used them to screen and isolate over a dozen P. aeruginosa-targeting phages from hospital wastewater. Phages were characterized with genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and lytic activity screening against all 23 bacterial host isolates. We evolved bacterial mutants that were resistant to phage infection for four different phages, and used genome sequencing and functional analysis to study them further. We also tested phages for their ability to kill P. aeruginosa grown in biofilms in vitro and ex vivo on CF airway epithelial cells. Overall, this study demonstrates how systematic genomic and phenotypic characterization can be deployed to develop bacteriophages as precision antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley R. Nordstrom
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Daniel R. Evans
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Amanda G. Finney
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Kevin J. Westbrook
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Paula F. Zamora
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Casey E. Hofstaedter
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - Mohamed H. Yassin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Akansha Pradhan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Alina Iovleva
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Bomberger
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Ryan K. Shields
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Yohei Doi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Daria Van Tyne
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
- Corresponding author
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37
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Wong Fok Lung T, Charytonowicz D, Beaumont KG, Shah SS, Sridhar SH, Gorrie CL, Mu A, Hofstaedter CE, Varisco D, McConville TH, Drikic M, Fowler B, Urso A, Shi W, Fucich D, Annavajhala MK, Khan IN, Oussenko I, Francoeur N, Smith ML, Stockwell BR, Lewis IA, Hachani A, Upadhyay Baskota S, Uhlemann AC, Ahn D, Ernst RK, Howden BP, Sebra R, Prince A. Klebsiella pneumoniae induces host metabolic stress that promotes tolerance to pulmonary infection. Cell Metab 2022; 34:761-774.e9. [PMID: 35413274 PMCID: PMC9081115 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
K. pneumoniae sequence type 258 (Kp ST258) is a major cause of healthcare-associated pneumonia. However, it remains unclear how it causes protracted courses of infection in spite of its expression of immunostimulatory lipopolysaccharide, which should activate a brisk inflammatory response and bacterial clearance. We predicted that the metabolic stress induced by the bacteria in the host cells shapes an immune response that tolerates infection. We combined in situ metabolic imaging and transcriptional analyses to demonstrate that Kp ST258 activates host glutaminolysis and fatty acid oxidation. This response creates an oxidant-rich microenvironment conducive to the accumulation of anti-inflammatory myeloid cells. In this setting, metabolically active Kp ST258 elicits a disease-tolerant immune response. The bacteria, in turn, adapt to airway oxidants by upregulating the type VI secretion system, which is highly conserved across ST258 strains worldwide. Thus, much of the global success of Kp ST258 in hospital settings can be explained by the metabolic activity provoked in the host that promotes disease tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Charytonowicz
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kristin G Beaumont
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Shivang S Shah
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Shwetha H Sridhar
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Claire L Gorrie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Andre Mu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Casey E Hofstaedter
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - David Varisco
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | | | - Marija Drikic
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Brandon Fowler
- Microbiome & Pathogen Genomics Collaborative Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Andreacarola Urso
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Wei Shi
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Dario Fucich
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Medini K Annavajhala
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Microbiome & Pathogen Genomics Collaborative Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ibrahim N Khan
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Irina Oussenko
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Nancy Francoeur
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Melissa L Smith
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Brent R Stockwell
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Ian A Lewis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Abderrahman Hachani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | | | - Anne-Catrin Uhlemann
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Microbiome & Pathogen Genomics Collaborative Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Danielle Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Benjamin P Howden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Robert Sebra
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA; Sema4: A Mount Sinai Venture, Stamford, CT 06902, USA
| | - Alice Prince
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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38
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Bray AS, Smith RD, Hudson AW, Hernandez GE, Young TM, George HE, Ernst RK, Zafar MA. MgrB-Dependent Colistin Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae Is Associated with an Increase in Host-to-Host Transmission. mBio 2022; 13:e0359521. [PMID: 35311534 PMCID: PMC9040857 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03595-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to its high transmissibility, Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. Here, we studied the biological cost of colistin resistance, an antibiotic of last resort, in this opportunistic pathogen using a murine model of gut colonization and transmission. Colistin resistance in K. pneumoniae is commonly the result of the inactivation of the small regulatory protein MgrB. Without a functional MgrB, the two-component system PhoPQ is constitutively active, leading to an increase in lipid A modifications and subsequent colistin resistance. Using an isogenic mgrB deletion mutant (MgrB-), we demonstrate that the mutant's colistin resistance is not associated with a fitness defect under in vitro growth conditions. However, in our murine model of K. pneumoniae gastrointestinal (GI) colonization, the MgrB- colonizes the gut poorly, allowing us to identify a fitness cost. Moreover, the MgrB- mutant has higher survival outside the host compared with the parental strain. We attribute this enhanced survivability to dysregulation of the PhoPQ two-component system and accumulation of the master stress regulator RpoS. The enhanced survival of MgrB- may be critical for its rapid host-to-host transmission observed in our model. Together, our data using multiple clinical isolates demonstrate that MgrB-dependent colistin resistance in K. pneumoniae comes with a biological cost in gut colonization. However, this cost is mitigated by enhanced survival outside the host and consequently increases its host-to-host transmission. Additionally, it underscores the importance of considering the entire life cycle of a pathogen to determine the actual biological cost associated with antibiotic resistance. IMPORTANCE The biological cost associated with colistin resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae was examined using a murine model of K. pneumoniae gut colonization and fecal-oral transmission. A common mutation resulting in colistin resistance in K. pneumoniae is a loss-of-function mutation of the small regulatory protein MgrB that regulates the two-component system PhoPQ. Even though colistin resistance in K. pneumoniae comes with a fitness defect in gut colonization, it increases bacterial survival outside the host enabling it to transmit more effectively to a new host. The enhanced survival is dependent upon the accumulation of RpoS and dysregulation of the PhoPQ. Hence, our study expands our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism contributing to the transmission of colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Bray
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Richard D. Smith
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew W. Hudson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Giovanna E. Hernandez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Taylor M. Young
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - M. Ammar Zafar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
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39
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Sukharev S, Cetuk H, Rosetto J, Najem J, Scott AJ, Cotten ML, Ernst RK. Teasing half-bilayers: LPS versus phospholipid monolayers, mechanics, asymmetry and implications for drug permeation. Biophys J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.11.2676] [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: 11/17/2022] Open
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40
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Nanishi E, Borriello F, O’Meara TR, McGrath ME, Saito Y, Haupt RE, Seo HS, van Haren SD, Cavazzoni CB, Brook B, Barman S, Chen J, Diray-Arce J, Doss-Gollin S, De Leon M, Prevost-Reilly A, Chew K, Menon M, Song K, Xu AZ, Caradonna TM, Feldman J, Hauser BM, Schmidt AG, Sherman AC, Baden LR, Ernst RK, Dillen C, Weston SM, Johnson RM, Hammond HL, Mayer R, Burke A, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ, Strych U, Chang A, Yu J, Sage PT, Barouch DH, Dhe-Paganon S, Zanoni I, Ozonoff A, Frieman MB, Levy O, Dowling DJ. An aluminum hydroxide:CpG adjuvant enhances protection elicited by a SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain vaccine in aged mice. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabj5305. [PMID: 34783582 PMCID: PMC10176044 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj5305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Global deployment of vaccines that can provide protection across several age groups is still urgently needed to end the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Although vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 based on mRNA and adenoviral vector technologies have been rapidly developed, additional practical and scalable SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are required to meet global demand. Protein subunit vaccines formulated with appropriate adjuvants represent an approach to address this urgent need. The receptor binding domain (RBD) is a key target of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies but is poorly immunogenic. We therefore compared pattern recognition receptor (PRR) agonists alone or formulated with aluminum hydroxide (AH) and benchmarked them against AS01B and AS03-like emulsion-based adjuvants for their potential to enhance RBD immunogenicity in young and aged mice. We found that an AH and CpG adjuvant formulation (AH:CpG) produced an 80-fold increase in anti-RBD neutralizing antibody titers in both age groups relative to AH alone and protected aged mice from the SARS-CoV-2 challenge. The AH:CpG-adjuvanted RBD vaccine elicited neutralizing antibodies against both wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the B.1.351 (beta) variant at serum concentrations comparable to those induced by the licensed Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. AH:CpG induced similar cytokine and chemokine gene enrichment patterns in the draining lymph nodes of both young adult and aged mice and enhanced cytokine and chemokine production in human mononuclear cells of younger and older adults. These data support further development of AH:CpG-adjuvanted RBD as an affordable vaccine that may be effective across multiple age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etsuro Nanishi
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Francesco Borriello
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Present address: Generate Biomedicines, Cambridge, MA, USA 02139
| | - Timothy R. O’Meara
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Marisa E. McGrath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Yoshine Saito
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Robert E. Haupt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Hyuk-Soo Seo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Simon D. van Haren
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Cecilia B. Cavazzoni
- Transplantation Research Center, Renal Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Byron Brook
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Soumik Barman
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Jing Chen
- Research Computing Group, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Joann Diray-Arce
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Simon Doss-Gollin
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Maria De Leon
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Alejandra Prevost-Reilly
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Katherine Chew
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Manisha Menon
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Kijun Song
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Andrew Z. Xu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | | | - Jared Feldman
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 02139
| | - Blake M. Hauser
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 02139
| | - Aaron G. Schmidt
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 02139
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Amy C. Sherman
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Lindsey R. Baden
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Carly Dillen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Stuart M. Weston
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Robert M. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Holly L. Hammond
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Romana Mayer
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Allen Burke
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Maria E. Bottazzi
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA 77030
- National School of Tropical Medicine and Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA 77030
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA 77030
- National School of Tropical Medicine and Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA 77030
| | - Ulrich Strych
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA 77030
- National School of Tropical Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA 77030
| | - Aiquan Chang
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Jingyou Yu
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Peter T. Sage
- Transplantation Research Center, Renal Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Dan H. Barouch
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Sirano Dhe-Paganon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Ivan Zanoni
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Al Ozonoff
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Matthew B. Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA 21201
| | - Ofer Levy
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
| | - David J. Dowling
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
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Smith RD, Izac JR, Ha M, Yang H, Johnson JK, Ernst RK. Rapid identification of mcr-1-positive Escherichia coli from patient urine using a novel lipid-based MALDI-TOF-MS assay. Access Microbiol 2022; 3:000309. [PMID: 35024564 PMCID: PMC8749148 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000309] [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: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mobilized colistin resistance (mcr) genes confer resistance to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. In this case report, we describe a novel lipid-based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) diagnostic used to rapidly identify an mcr-1-positive Escherichia coli directly from a patient with a urinary tract infection without the need for ex vivo growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Smith
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jerilyn R Izac
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Present address: National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Maryland, Gaithersburg, USA
| | - Michael Ha
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hyojik Yang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Li H, Mattingly AE, Jania LA, Smith R, Melander RJ, Ernst RK, Koller BH, Melander C. Benzimidazole Isosteres of Salicylanilides Are Highly Active Colistin Adjuvants. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:3303-3313. [PMID: 34752055 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00463] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections have become a global threat. We recently disclosed that the known IKK-β inhibitor IMD-0354 and subsequent analogues abrogate colistin resistance in several Gram-negative strains. Herein, we report the activity of a second-generation library of IMD-0354 analogues incorporating a benzimidazole moiety as an amide isostere. We identified several analogues that show increased colistin potentiation activity against Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoting Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Anne E. Mattingly
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Leigh A. Jania
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Richard Smith
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Roberta J. Melander
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Beverley H. Koller
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Christian Melander
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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43
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Yeung WY, Tordik PA, Martinho FC, Ernst RK. Positively Charged Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane: A Potential Alternative for Absorbent Paper Points in Endodontics. J Endod 2021; 48:263-268. [PMID: 34813795 DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2021.11.006] [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: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study compared the absorbency capacity of paper points (PPs) with positively charged and noncharged polyvinylidene fluoride membranes (PVDFMs) and investigated the ability of PPs and PVDFMs to bind and remove endotoxin. METHODS Three commercially available PPs were compared with PVDFM (Millipore Sigma, Burlington, MA) prototype points. We recorded the initial dry weight for each PP and PVDFM using a digital balance to ±0.0001 precision for absorbency. PPs and PVDFMs were then immersed in deionized water and weighed to obtain the wet weight. The absorbency was calculated with the following formula: percent increase = ([wet weight - dry weight]/dry weight) × 100. For endotoxin removal, we first quantified endotoxin remaining in wells after immersing PPs and PVDFMs in a 24-well plate containing 10 endotoxin units/mL Escherichia coli O55:B5 (Lonza, Walkersville, MD). We then extracted and quantified endotoxin from PPs and PVDFMs. Endotoxin was quantified using the Kinetic-QCL test (Lonza). RESULTS The absorbencies for the positively charged and noncharged PVDFMs were higher than the PPs (P < .05), with no difference between them (P > .05). The positively charged PVDFMs removed more endotoxin than the noncharged PVDFMs and the PPs (P < .05). Moreover, the noncharged PVDFMs bound and removed more endotoxin than any PPs (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS PVDFM prototype points are more absorbent than PPs. Moreover, the positively charged PVDFM points are more effective in binding and removing endotoxin than noncharged PVDFMs and PPs. This study suggests that positively charged PVDFMs with a 0.22-μm pore size could potentially replace PPs used in endodontics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing-Yee Yeung
- Division of Endodontics, Department of Advanced Oral Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Patricia A Tordik
- Division of Endodontics, Department of Advanced Oral Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Frederico C Martinho
- Division of Endodontics, Department of Advanced Oral Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
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44
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Harberts E, Liang T, Yoon SH, Opene BN, McFarland MA, Goodlett DR, Ernst RK. Correction to "Toll-like Receptor 4-Independent Effects of Lipopolysaccharide Identified Using Longitudinal Serum Proteomics". J Proteome Res 2021; 21:297. [PMID: 34793171 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Harberts
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Tao Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Sung Hwan Yoon
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Belita N Opene
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Melinda A McFarland
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - David R Goodlett
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States.,University of Gdansk, International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland, EU
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
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45
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Howlader DR, Das S, Lu T, Hu G, Varisco DJ, Dietz ZK, Walton SP, Ratnakaram SSK, Gardner FM, Ernst RK, Picking WD, Picking WL. Effect of Two Unique Nanoparticle Formulations on the Efficacy of a Broadly Protective Vaccine Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:706157. [PMID: 34483911 PMCID: PMC8416447 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.706157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a wide range of infections in humans. In addition to its innate antibiotic resistance, P. aeruginosa is very effective in acquiring resistance resulting in the emergence of multi-drug resistance strains and a licensed vaccine is not yet available. We have previously demonstrated the protective efficacy of a novel antigen PaF (Pa Fusion), a fusion of the type III secretion system (T3SS) needle tip protein, PcrV, and the first of two translocator proteins, PopB. PaF was modified to provide a self-adjuvanting activity by fusing the A1 subunit of the heat-labile enterotoxin from Enterotoxigenic E. coli to its N-terminus to give L-PaF. In addition to providing protection against 04 and 06 serotypes of P. aeruginosa, L-PaF elicited opsonophagocytic killing and stimulated IL-17A secretion, which have been predicted to be required for a successful vaccine. While monomeric recombinant subunit vaccines can be protective in mice, this protection often does not transfer to humans where multimeric formulations perform better. Here, we use two unique formulations, an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion and a chitosan particle, as well as the addition of a unique TLR4 agonist, BECC438 (a detoxified lipid A analogue designated Bacterial Enzymatic Combinatorial Chemistry 438), as an initial step in optimizing L-PaF for use in humans. The o/w emulsion together with BECC438 provided the best protective efficacy, which correlated with high levels of opsonophagocytic killing and IL-17A secretion, thereby reducing the lung burden among all the vaccinated groups tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debaki R Howlader
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Sayan Das
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Ti Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Gang Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - David J Varisco
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Zackary K Dietz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Sierra P Walton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | | | - Francesca M Gardner
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - William D Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Wendy L Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
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46
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Chattagul S, Khan MM, Scott AJ, Nita-Lazar A, Ernst RK, Goodlett DR, Sermswan RW. Transcriptomics Analysis Uncovers Transient Ceftazidime Tolerance in Burkholderia Biofilms. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:2324-2336. [PMID: 34138549 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00003] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei is an etiological agent of melioidosis, a severe community-acquired infectious disease. B. pseudomallei strain K96243 is sensitive to the drug ceftazidime (CAZ), but has been shown to exhibit transient CAZ tolerance when in a biofilm form. To investigate an observed shift in gene expression profile during CAZ tolerance condition and to better understand the mechanistic aspects of this transient tolerance, RNA-sequencing was performed on B. pseudomallei K96243 from the following three states: planktonic, biofilm, and planktonic shedding. Results indicated that the expression of 651 genes (10.97%) were significantly changed in both biofilm (resistant) and planktonic shedding (sensitive) cells in comparison to the planktonic state. The top four highly expressed genes identified in both states are associated with nitrosative stress response (BPSL2368), Fe-S homeostasis (BPSL2369), and nitrate respiration (BPSS1154 and BPSS1158). Additionally, five orthologous genes, BPSL2370-BPSL2374, implicated in Fe-S cluster biogenesis, and another gene, BPSL2863, involved in DNA-binding of the stress protein ferritin, were shown to increase expression by RT-qPCR. The shift in gene expression was especially prominent at the late stages of biofilm growth (72 and 96 h), specifically in the biofilm-challenged CAZ survivor cells. This suggested that in response to stress in a biofilm, differential expression of these genes may support development of the CAZ tolerance in Burkholderia. The application of iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) to the biofilm caused a significant reduction in biofilm formation and associated CAZ tolerance. Therefore, the shift in Fe-S metabolism when B. pseudomallei is in a biofilm may help stabilize the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby limiting tolerance to CAZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supaksorn Chattagul
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Melioidosis Research Center, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Mohd M. Khan
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
- Laboratory of Immune System Biology (LISB), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Alison J. Scott
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry,Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Aleksandra Nita-Lazar
- Laboratory of Immune System Biology (LISB), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry,Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - David R. Goodlett
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry,Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Rasana W. Sermswan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Melioidosis Research Center, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
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47
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Haupt RE, Harberts EM, Kitz RJ, Strohmeier S, Krammer F, Ernst RK, Frieman MB. Novel TLR4 adjuvant elicits protection against homologous and heterologous Influenza A infection. Vaccine 2021; 39:5205-5213. [PMID: 34362603 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.06.085] [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: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) is a leading cause of respiratory disease worldwide often resulting in hospitalization or death. In this study, TLR4 immunostimulatory molecules, Bacterial Enzymatic Combinatorial Chemistry (BECC) 438 and BECC470 were found to be superior IAV vaccine adjuvants when compared to the classic adjuvant alhydrogel (alum) and Phosphorylated Hexa-Acyl Disaccharide (PHAD), a synthetic TLR4 agonist. BECC molecules allow for antigen sparing of a recombinant HA (rHA) protein, elicit a more balanced IgG1/IgG2a response, and were protective in a prime only dosing schedule. Importantly, BECC molecules afford protection from a heterologous IAV strain demonstrating that a cross-protective influenza vaccine is possible when the antigen is effectively adjuvanted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Haupt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Erin M Harberts
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert J Kitz
- Department of Pathology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shirin Strohmeier
- Department of Pathology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Matthew B Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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48
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Ahn D, Bhushan G, McConville TH, Annavajhala MK, Soni RK, Wong Fok Lung T, Hofstaedter CE, Shah SS, Chong AM, Castano VG, Ernst RK, Uhlemann AC, Prince A. An acquired acyltransferase promotes Klebsiella pneumoniae ST258 respiratory infection. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109196. [PMID: 34077733 PMCID: PMC8283688 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae ST258 is a human pathogen associated with poor outcomes worldwide. We identify a member of the acyltransferase superfamily 3 (atf3), enriched within the ST258 clade, that provides a major competitive advantage for the proliferation of these organisms in vivo. Comparison of a wild-type ST258 strain (KP35) and a Δatf3 isogenic mutant generated by CRISPR-Cas9 targeting reveals greater NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase transcription and ATP generation, fueled by increased glycolysis. The acquisition of atf3 induces changes in the bacterial acetylome, promoting lysine acetylation of multiple proteins involved in central metabolism, specifically Zwf (glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase). The atf3-mediated metabolic boost leads to greater consumption of glucose in the host airway and increased bacterial burden in the lung, independent of cytokine levels and immune cell recruitment. Acquisition of this acyltransferase enhances fitness of a K. pneumoniae ST258 isolate and may contribute to the success of this clonal complex as a healthcare-associated pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Gitanjali Bhushan
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Thomas H McConville
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Medini K Annavajhala
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Rajesh Kumar Soni
- Proteomics and Macromolecular Crystallography Shared Resource, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tania Wong Fok Lung
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Casey E Hofstaedter
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Shivang S Shah
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alexander M Chong
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Victor G Castano
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Anne-Catrin Uhlemann
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alice Prince
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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49
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Nanishi E, Borriello F, O'Meara TR, McGrath ME, Saito Y, Haupt RE, Seo HS, van Haren SD, Brook B, Chen J, Diray-Arce J, Doss-Gollin S, Leon MD, Chew K, Menon M, Song K, Xu AZ, Caradonna TM, Feldman J, Hauser BM, Schmidt AG, Sherman AC, Baden LR, Ernst RK, Dillen C, Weston SM, Johnson RM, Hammond HL, Mayer R, Burke A, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ, Strych U, Chang A, Yu J, Barouch DH, Dhe-Paganon S, Zanoni I, Ozonoff A, Frieman MB, Levy O, Dowling DJ. Alum:CpG adjuvant enables SARS-CoV-2 RBD-induced protection in aged mice and synergistic activation of human elder type 1 immunity. bioRxiv 2021. [PMID: 34031655 DOI: 10.1101/2021.05.20.444848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Global deployment of vaccines that can provide protection across several age groups is still urgently needed to end the COVID-19 pandemic especially for low- and middle-income countries. While vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 based on mRNA and adenoviral-vector technologies have been rapidly developed, additional practical and scalable SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are needed to meet global demand. In this context, protein subunit vaccines formulated with appropriate adjuvants represent a promising approach to address this urgent need. Receptor-binding domain (RBD) is a key target of neutralizing antibodies (Abs) but is poorly immunogenic. We therefore compared pattern recognition receptor (PRR) agonists, including those activating STING, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR9, alone or formulated with aluminum hydroxide (AH), and benchmarked them to AS01B and AS03-like emulsion-based adjuvants for their potential to enhance RBD immunogenicity in young and aged mice. We found that the AH and CpG adjuvant formulation (AH:CpG) demonstrated the highest enhancement of anti-RBD neutralizing Ab titers in both age groups (∼80-fold over AH), and protected aged mice from the SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Notably, AH:CpG-adjuvanted RBD vaccine elicited neutralizing Abs against both wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and B.1.351 variant at serum concentrations comparable to those induced by the authorized mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. AH:CpG induced similar cytokine and chemokine gene enrichment patterns in the draining lymph nodes of both young adult and aged mice and synergistically enhanced cytokine and chemokine production in human young adult and elderly mononuclear cells. These data support further development of AH:CpG-adjuvanted RBD as an affordable vaccine that may be effective across multiple age groups. One Sentence Summary Alum and CpG enhance SARS-CoV-2 RBD protective immunity, variant neutralization in aged mice and Th1-polarizing cytokine production by human elder leukocytes.
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50
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Harberts EM, Varisco DJ, Fields JK, Izac JR, Gardner FM, Sundberg EJ, Snyder GA, Ernst RK. Lipid A mimetics BECC438 and BECC470 potentiate durable and balanced immune responses using an ovalbumin murine vaccine model. The Journal of Immunology 2021. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.206.supp.59.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The need for effective infectious disease vaccines has become an inescapable topic over the past year. Continued development of next-generation vaccines that provide robust protective immunity is imperative. Such vaccines will likely include an adjuvant that avoids excessive adverse reactions and allows for dose and antigen sparing. Bacterial lipid A mimetics BECC438 and BECC470 have recently emerged as lead adjuvant candidates across several experimental models of infectious disease including Yersinia pestis (plague), human papilloma virus (HPV), and influenza-A (flu). To further define BECC438 and BECC470 as immuno-adjuvants, even without antigen from an infectious pathogen, studies presented here use ovalbumin (Ova) as a model antigen in a murine prime-boost vaccine model. Higher magnitude and more balanced production of antibody isotypes IgG1 and IgG2 are observed when BECC adjuvants are compared to classic adjuvants alum and PHAD. This optimal antibody response is durable and maintained for at least 12 weeks post-vaccination. Initial experiments use C57BL6 mice and are expanded to include BALBc and CD-1 (outbred) mice. Observed immune metrics maintained similar trends across male and females, and genetic backgrounds tested. Biacore immunogenicity analysis of C57BL6 serum found an increased half-life of Ova-specific antibodies in BECC438-adjuvanted animals potentially indicative of a higher antigen binding affinity. Toxicity studies conducted in New Zealand White rabbits report that BECC438 was well tolerated with no significant reactogenicity after 50μg and 100μg intra-muscular adjuvant injection. These studies provide continued evidence supporting development of BECC adjuvants in vaccines for human use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Harberts
- 1Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore
| | - David J Varisco
- 1Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore
| | - James K Fields
- 2Program in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- 3Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore
- 4Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jerilyn R Izac
- 1Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore
| | - Francesca M Gardner
- 1Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore
| | - Eric J Sundberg
- 5Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta
| | - Greg A Snyder
- 3Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore
- 4Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Robert K Ernst
- 1Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore
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