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| 2. |
- Avican, Ummehan, et al.
(författare)
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The Tat substrate SufI is critical for the ability of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis to cause systemic infection
- 2017
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Ingår i: Infection and Immunity. - 0019-9567 .- 1098-5522. ; 85:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The twin arginine translocation (Tat) system targets folded proteins across the inner membrane and is crucial for virulence in many important humanpathogenic bacteria. Tat has been shown to be required for the virulence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, and we recently showed that the system is critical for different virulence-related stress responses as well as for iron uptake. In this study, we wanted to address the role of the Tat substrates in in vivo virulence. Therefore, 22 genes encoding potential Tat substrates were mutated, and each mutant was evaluated in a competitive oral infection of mice. Interestingly, a.sufI mutant was essentially as attenuated for virulence as the Tat-deficient strain. We also verified that SufI was Tat dependent for membrane/periplasmic localization in Y. pseudotuberculosis. In vivo bioluminescent imaging of orally infected mice revealed that both the.sufI and Delta tatC mutants were able to colonize the cecum and Peyer's patches (PPs) and could spread to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). Importantly, at this point, neither the Delta tatC mutant nor the Delta sufI mutant was able to spread systemically, and they were gradually cleared. Immunostaining of MLNs revealed that both the Delta tatC and Delta sufI mutants were unable to spread from the initial infection foci and appeared to be contained by neutrophils, while wild-type bacteria readily spread to establish multiple foci from day 3 postinfection. Our results show that SufI alone is required for the establishment of systemic infection and is the major cause of the attenuation of the Delta tatC mutant.
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| 3. |
- Bamyaci, Sarp, et al.
(författare)
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YopN Is Required for Efficient Effector Translocation and Virulence in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
- 2018
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Ingår i: Infection and Immunity. - : AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY. - 0019-9567 .- 1098-5522. ; 86:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are used by various Gram-negative pathogens to subvert the host defense by a host cell contact-dependent mechanism to secrete and translocate virulence effectors. While the effectors differ between pathogens and determine the pathogenic life style, the overall mechanism of secretion and translocation is conserved. T3SSs are regulated at multiple levels, and some secreted substrates have also been shown to function in regulation. In Yersinia, one of the substrates, YopN, has long been known to function in the host cell contact-dependent regulation of the T3SS. Prior to contact, through its interaction with TyeA, YopN blocks secretion. Upon cell contact, TyeA dissociates from YopN, which is secreted by the T3SS, resulting in the induction of the system. YopN has also been shown to be translocated into target cells by a T3SS-dependent mechanism. However, no intracellular function has yet been assigned to YopN. The regulatory role of YopN involves the N-terminal and C-terminal parts, while less is known about the role of the central region of YopN. Here, we constructed different in-frame deletion mutants within the central region. The deletion of amino acids 76 to 181 resulted in an unaltered regulation of Yop expression and secretion but triggered reduced YopE and YopH translocation within the first 30 min after infection. As a consequence, this deletion mutant lost its ability to block phagocytosis by macrophages. In conclusion, we were able to differentiate the function of YopN in translocation and virulence from its function in regulation.
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| 5. |
- Bergmann, Berglind, et al.
(författare)
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Antibiotics with Interleukin-15 inhibition reduces joint inflammation and bone erosions but not cartilage destruction in Staphylococcus aureus-induced arthritis.
- 2018
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Ingår i: Infection and immunity. - 1098-5522. ; 86:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background:Staphylococcus aureus-induced arthritis causes rapid joint destruction, often leading to disabling joint damage despite antibiotics. We have previously shown that IL-15 inhibition without antibiotics is beneficial in S. aureus-induced arthritis. We therefore hypothesized that inhibition of IL-15, in combination with antibiotics, might represent a useful therapy that would both reduce inflammation and joint destruction, but preserve the host's ability to clear the infection.Methods: Female wildtype C57BL/6 mice were intravenously inoculated with the TSST-1-producing LS-1 strain of S. aureus with 0.8x108S. aureus LS-1/mouse. Three days later the treatment was started consisting of cloxacillin followed by flucloxacillin, together with either anti-IL-15 antibodies (aIL-15ab) or control antibodies. Outcomes included survival, weight change, bacterial clearance, and joint damage.Results: The addition of aIL-15ab to antibiotics in S. aureus-induced arthritis reduced synovitis and bone erosions compared to controls. The number of bone-resorbing osteoclasts in the joints was reduced, whereas cartilage destruction was not significantly altered. Importantly, the combination therapy did not adversely affect the clinical outcome of S. aureus-induced arthritis, such as survival, weight change or compromise the host's ability to clear the infection.Conclusions: As the clinical outcome of S. aureus-induced arthritis was not affected, the addition of aIL-15ab to antibiotics ought to be safe. Taken together, the combination of aIL-15ab and antibiotics is a beneficial, but not optimal, treatment of S. aureus-induced arthritis as it reduces synovitis and bone erosions but has a limited effect on cartilage destruction.
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| 6. |
- Binesse, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species-Degrading Enzymes of Francisella tularensis SCHU S4
- 2015
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Ingår i: Infection and Immunity. - 0019-9567 .- 1098-5522. ; 83:6, s. 2255-2263
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular bacterium utilizing macrophages as its primary intracellular habitat and is therefore highly capable of resisting the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), potent mediators of the bactericidal activity of macrophages. We investigated the roles of enzymes presumed to be important for protection against ROS. Four mutants of the highly virulent SCHU S4 strain with deletions of the genes encoding catalase (katG), glutathione peroxidase (gpx), a DyP-type peroxidase (FTT0086), or double deletion of FTT0086 and katG showed much increased susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and slightly increased susceptibility to paraquat but not to peroxynitrite (ONOO-) and displayed intact intramacrophage replication. Nevertheless, mice infected with the double deletion mutant showed significantly longer survival than SCHU S4-infected mice. Unlike the aforementioned mutants, deletion of the gene coding for alkyl-hydroperoxide reductase subunit C (ahpC) generated a mutant much more susceptible to paraquat and ONOO- but not to H2O2. It showed intact replication in J774 cells but impaired replication in bone marrow-derived macrophages and in internal organs of mice. The live vaccine strain, LVS, is more susceptible than virulent strains to ROS-mediated killing and possesses a truncated form of FTT0086. Expression of the SCHU S4 FTT0086 gene rendered LVS more resistant to H2O2, which demonstrates that the SCHU S4 strain possesses additional detoxifying mechanisms. Collectively, the results demonstrate that SCHU S4 ROS-detoxifying enzymes have overlapping functions, and therefore, deletion of one or the other does not critically impair the intracellular replication or virulence, although AhpC appears to have a unique function.
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| 7. |
- Boesze-Battaglia, Kathleen, et al.
(författare)
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The Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Cytolethal Distending Toxin Active Subunit CdtB Contains a Cholesterol Recognition Sequence Required for Toxin Binding and Subunit Internalization
- 2015
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Ingår i: Infection and Immunity. - : AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY. - 0019-9567 .- 1098-5522. ; 83:10, s. 4042-4055
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Induction of cell cycle arrest in lymphocytes following exposure to the Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt) is dependent upon the integrity of lipid membrane microdomains. Moreover, we have previously demonstrated that the association of Cdt with target cells involves the CdtC subunit which binds to cholesterol via a cholesterol recognition amino acid consensus sequence (CRAC site). In this study, we demonstrate that the active Cdt subunit, CdtB, also is capable of binding to large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) containing cholesterol. Furthermore, CdtB binding to cholesterol involves a similar CRAC site as that demonstrated for CdtC. Mutation of the CRAC site reduces binding to model membranes as well as toxin binding and CdtB internalization in both Jurkat cells and human macrophages. A concomitant reduction in Cdt-induced toxicity was also noted, indicated by reduced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in Jurkat cells and a reduction in the proinflammatory response in macrophages (interleukin 1 beta [IL-1 beta] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha] release). Collectively, these observations indicate that membrane cholesterol serves as an essential ligand for both CdtC and CdtB and, further, that this binding is necessary for both internalization of CdtB and subsequent molecular events leading to intoxication of cells.
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| 8. |
- Cherian, Reeja Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Recombinant Mucin-Type Fusion Proteins with a Gal alpha 1,3Gal Substitution as Clostridium difficile Toxin A Inhibitors
- 2016
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Ingår i: Infection and Immunity. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0019-9567 .- 1098-5522. ; 84:10, s. 2842-2852
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The capability of a recombinant mucin-like fusion protein, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1/mouse IgG2b (PSGL-1/mIgG2b), carrying Gal alpha 1,3Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc determinants to bind and inhibit Clostridium difficile toxin A (TcdA) was investigated. The fusion protein, produced by a glyco-engineered stable CHO-K1 cell line and designated C-PGC2, was purified by affinity and gel filtration chromatography from large-scale cultures. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to characterize O-glycans released by reductive beta-elimination, and new diagnostic ions to distinguish Gal alpha 1,3Gal- from Gal alpha 1,4Gal-terminated O-glycans were identified. The C-PGC2 cell line, which was 20-fold more sensitive to TcdA than the wild-type CHO-K1, is proposed as a novel cell-based model for TcdA cytotoxicity and neutralization assays. The C-PGC2-produced fusion protein could competitively inhibit TcdA binding to rabbit erythrocytes, making it a high-efficiency inhibitor of the hemagglutination property of TcdA. The fusion protein also exhibited a moderate capability for neutralization of TcdA cytotoxicity in both C-PGC2 and CHO-K1 cells, the former with and the latter without cell surface Gal alpha 1,3Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc sequences. Future studies in animal models of C. difficile infection will reveal its TcdA-inhibitory effect and therapeutic potential in C. difficile-associated diseases.
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| 9. |
- Cherian, Reeja Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Recombinant Mucin-Type Fusion Proteins with a Galα1,3Gal Substitution as Clostridium difficile Toxin A Inhibitors.
- 2016
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Ingår i: Infection and immunity. - 1098-5522. ; 84:10, s. 2842-52
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The capability of a recombinant mucin-like fusion protein, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1/mouse IgG2b (PSGL-1/mIgG2b), carrying Galα1,3Galβ1,4GlcNAc determinants to bind and inhibit Clostridium difficile toxin A (TcdA) was investigated. The fusion protein, produced by a glyco-engineered stable CHO-K1 cell line and designated C-PGC2, was purified by affinity and gel filtration chromatography from large-scale cultures. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to characterize O-glycans released by reductive β-elimination, and new diagnostic ions to distinguish Galα1,3Gal- from Galα1,4Gal-terminated O-glycans were identified. The C-PGC2 cell line, which was 20-fold more sensitive to TcdA than the wild-type CHO-K1, is proposed as a novel cell-based model for TcdA cytotoxicity and neutralization assays. The C-PGC2-produced fusion protein could competitively inhibit TcdA binding to rabbit erythrocytes, making it a high-efficiency inhibitor of the hemagglutination property of TcdA. The fusion protein also exhibited a moderate capability for neutralization of TcdA cytotoxicity in both C-PGC2 and CHO-K1 cells, the former with and the latter without cell surface Galα1,3Galβ1,4GlcNAc sequences. Future studies in animal models of C. difficile infection will reveal its TcdA-inhibitory effect and therapeutic potential in C. difficile-associated diseases.
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| 10. |
- Davids, Barbara J., et al.
(författare)
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Identification of Conserved Candidate Vaccine Antigens in the Surface Proteome of Giardia lamblia
- 2019
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Ingår i: Infection and Immunity. - : AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY. - 0019-9567 .- 1098-5522. ; 87:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Giardia lamblia, one of the most common protozoal infections of the human intestine, is an important worldwide cause of diarrheal disease, malabsorption, malnutrition, delayed cognitive development in children, and protracted postinfectious syndromes. Despite its medical importance, no human vaccine is available against giardiasis. A crude veterinary vaccine has been developed, and experimental vaccines based on expression of multiple variant-specific surface proteins have been reported, but poorly defined vaccine components and excessive antigen variability are problematic for pharmaceutical vaccine production. To expand the repertoire of antigen candidates for vaccines, we reasoned that surface proteins may provide an enriched source of such antigens since key host effectors, such as secretory IgA, can directly bind to such antigens in the intestinal lumen and interfere with epithelial attachment. Here, we have applied a proteomics approach to identify 23 novel surface antigens of G. lamblia that show >90% amino acid sequence identity between the two human-pathogenic genetic assemblages (A and B) of the parasite. Surface localization of a representative subset of these proteins was confirmed by immunostaining. Four selected proteins, uridine phosphorylase-like protein-1, protein 21.1 (GL50803_ 27925), alpha 1-giardin, and alpha 11-giardin, were subsequently produced in recombinant form and shown to be immunogenic in mice and G. lamblia-infected humans and confer protection against G. lamblia infection upon intranasal immunization in rodent models of giardiasis. These results demonstrate that identification of conserved surface antigens provides a powerful approach for overcoming a key rate-limiting step in the design and construction of an effective vaccine against giardiasis.
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