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Troese MJ, Burlet E, Cunningham MW, Alvarez K, Bentley R, Thomas N, Carwell S, Morefield GL. Group A Streptococcus Vaccine Targeting the Erythrogenic Toxins SpeA and SpeB Is Safe and Immunogenic in Rabbits and Does Not Induce Antibodies Associated with Autoimmunity. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1504. [PMID: 37766180 PMCID: PMC10534881 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a global pathogen associated with significant morbidity and mortality for which there is currently no licensed vaccine. Vaccine development has been slow, mostly due to safety concerns regarding streptococcal antigens associated with autoimmunity and related complications. For a GAS vaccine to be safe, it must be ensured that the antigens used in the vaccine do not elicit an antibody response that can cross-react with host tissues. In this study, we evaluated the safety of our GAS vaccine candidate called VaxiStrep in New Zealand White rabbits. VaxiStrep is a recombinant fusion protein comprised of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A (SpeA) and exotoxin B (SpeB), also known as erythrogenic toxins, adsorbed to an aluminum adjuvant. The vaccine elicited a robust immune response against the two toxins in the rabbits without any adverse events or toxicity. No signs of autoimmune pathology were detected in the rabbits' brains, hearts, and kidneys via immunohistochemistry, and serum antibodies did not cross-react with cardiac or neuronal tissue proteins associated with rheumatic heart disease or Sydenham chorea (SC). This study further confirms that VaxiStrep does not elicit autoantibodies and is safe to be tested in a first-in-human trial.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Madeleine W. Cunningham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Kathy Alvarez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Rebecca Bentley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Pan H, Huo L, Shen W, Dai Z, Bao Y, Ji C, Zhang J. Study on the protective effect of berberine treatment on sepsis based on gut microbiota and metabolomic analysis. Front Nutr 2022; 9:1049106. [PMID: 36601077 PMCID: PMC9806126 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1049106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sepsis, an infection with multiorgan dysfunction, is a serious burden on human health. Berberine (BBR), a bioactive component, has a protective effect on sepsis and the effect may be related to gut microbiota. However, studies on the role of BBR with gut microbiota in sepsis are lacking. Therefore, this study investigated the ameliorative effects and the underlying mechanisms of BBR on cecal ligature and puncture (CLP) rats. Methods This study has observed the effect of BBR on pathological injury, Inflammation, intestinal barrier function, gut microbiota, and metabolite change in CLP rats by Hematoxylin-eosin staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, flow cytometry, 16S rDNA, and metabolomics analyses. Results The inhibition effects of BBR treatment on the histological damage of the lung, kidney, and ileum, the interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-17A, and monocyte chemokine-1 levels in serum in CLP rats were proved. Also, the BBR inhibited the diamine-oxidase and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 40 levels, suggesting it can improve intestinal barrier function disorders. The cluster of differentiation (CD) 4+, CD8+, and CD25+ Forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3) + T lymphocytes in splenocytes were up-regulated by BBR, while the IL-17A+CD4+ cell level was decreased. The abundance of gut microbiota in CLP rats was significantly different from that of the sham and BBR treatment rats. The significantly changed metabolites in the serum mainly included carbohydrates, phenols, benzoic acids, alcohols, vitamins et al. Additionally, this study predicted that the biological mechanism of BBR to ameliorate sepsis involves glycolysis-, nucleotide-, and amino acid-related metabolic pathways. Discussion This study proved the strong correlation between the improvement effect of BBR on sepsis and gut microbiota and analyzed by metabolomics that gut microbiota may improve CLP rats through metabolites, providing a scientific basis for BBR to improve sepsis and a new direction for the study of the biological mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huibin Pan
- Emergency Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, The First People's Hospital of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lixia Huo
- Huzhou Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, The First People's Hospital of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weiyun Shen
- Huzhou Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, The First People's Hospital of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhuquan Dai
- Emergency Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, The First People's Hospital of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Bao
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, The First People's Hospital of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chaohui Ji
- Emergency Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, The First People's Hospital of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China,*Correspondence: Jie Zhang
| | - Jie Zhang
- Emergency Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, The First People's Hospital of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China,Chaohui Ji
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Li J, Jin J, Li S, Zhong Y, Jin Y, Zhang X, Xia B, Zhu Y, Guo R, Sun X, Guo J, Hu F, Xiao W, Huang F, Ye H, Li R, Zhou Y, Xiang X, Yao H, Yan Q, Su L, Wu L, Luo T, Liu Y, Guo X, Qin J, Qi H, He J, Wang J, Li Z. Tonsillar Microbiome-Derived Lantibiotics Induce Structural Changes of IL-6 and IL-21 Receptors and Modulate Host Immunity. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2202706. [PMID: 36031409 PMCID: PMC9596850 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202202706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence emphasizes the functional impacts of host microbiome on the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there are limited mechanistic insights into the contribution of microbial biomolecules especially microbial peptides toward modulating immune homeostasis. Here, by mining the metagenomics data of tonsillar microbiome, a deficiency of the encoding genes of lantibiotic peptides salivaricins in RA patients is identified, which shows strong correlation with circulating immune cells. Evidence is provided that the salivaricins exert immunomodulatory effects in inhibiting T follicular helper (Tfh) cell differentiation and interleukin-21 (IL-21) production. Mechanically, salivaricins directly bind to and induce conformational changes of IL-6 and IL-21 receptors, thereby inhibiting the bindings of IL-6 and IL-21 to their receptors and suppressing the downstream signaling pathway. Finally, salivaricin administration exerts both prophylactic and therapeutic effects against experimental arthritis in a murine model of RA. Together, these results provide a mechanism link of microbial peptides-mediated immunomodulation.
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Jui E, Singampalli KL, Shani K, Ning Y, Connell JP, Birla RK, Bollyky PL, Caldarone CA, Keswani SG, Grande-Allen KJ. The Immune and Inflammatory Basis of Acquired Pediatric Cardiac Disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:701224. [PMID: 34386532 PMCID: PMC8353076 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.701224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Children with acquired heart disease face significant health challenges, including a lifetime of strict medical management, multiple cardiac surgeries, and a high mortality risk. Though the presentation of these conditions is diverse, a unifying factor is the role of immune and inflammatory responses in their development and/or progression. For example, infectious agents have been linked to pediatric cardiovascular disease, leading to a large health burden that disproportionately affects low-income areas. Other implicated mechanisms include antibody targeting of cardiac proteins, infection of cardiac cells, and inflammation-mediated damage to cardiac structures. These changes can alter blood flow patterns, change extracellular matrix composition, and induce cardiac remodeling. Therefore, understanding the relationship between the immune system and cardiovascular disease can inform targeted diagnostic and treatment approaches. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of pediatric immune-associated cardiac diseases, challenges in the field, and areas of research with potential for clinical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elysa Jui
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kavya L. Singampalli
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kevin Shani
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Yao Ning
- Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Ravi K. Birla
- Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Paul L. Bollyky
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Christopher A. Caldarone
- Division of Congenital Heart Surgery, Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sundeep G. Keswani
- Laboratory for Regenerative Tissue Repair, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
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Streptococcal infection in childhood Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a 5-year retrospective study from a single tertiary medical center in China, 2015-2019. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2021; 19:79. [PMID: 34078391 PMCID: PMC8173722 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-021-00569-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study focuses on the associations of streptococcal infection with the clinical phenotypes, relapse/recurrence and renal involvement in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) children. METHODS Two thousand seventy-four Chinese children with HSP were recruited from January 2015 to December 2019. Patients' histories associated with HSP onset were obtained by interviews and questionnaires. Laboratory data of urine tests, blood sample and infectious agents were collected. Renal biopsy was performed by the percutaneous technique. RESULTS (1) Streptococcal infection was identified in 393 (18.9%) HSP patients, and served as the most frequent infectious trigger. (2) Among the 393 cases with streptococcal infection, 43.0% of them had arthritis/arthralgia, 32.1% had abdominal pain and 29.3% had renal involvement. (3) 26.1% of HSP patients relapsed or recurred more than 1 time within a 5-year observational period, and the relapse/recurrence rate in streptococcal infectious group was subjected to a 0.4-fold decrease as compared with the non-infectious group. (4) No significant differences in renal pathological damage were identified among the streptococcal infectious group, the other infectious group and the non-infectious group. CONCLUSIONS Streptococcal infection is the most frequent trigger for childhood HSP and does not aggravate renal pathological damage; the possible elimination of streptococcal infection helps relieve the relapse/recurrence of HSP.
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Rafeek RAM, Lobbe CM, Wilkinson EC, Hamlin AS, Andronicos NM, McMillan DJ, Sriprakash KS, Ketheesan N. Group A streptococcal antigen exposed rat model to investigate neurobehavioral and cardiac complications associated with post-streptococcal autoimmune sequelae. Animal Model Exp Med 2021; 4:151-161. [PMID: 34179722 PMCID: PMC8212825 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The neuropsychiatric disorders due to post-streptococcal autoimmune complications such as Sydenham's chorea (SC) are associated with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (ARF/RHD). An animal model that exhibits characteristics of both cardiac and neurobehavioral defects in ARF/RHD would be an important adjunct for future studies. Since age, gender, strain differences, and genotypes impact on the development of autoimmunity, we investigated the behavior of male and female Wistar and Lewis rat strains in two age cohorts (<6 weeks and >12 weeks) under normal husbandry conditions and following exposure to group A streptococcus (GAS). Methods Standard behavioral assessments were performed to determine the impairments in fine motor control (food manipulation test), gait and balance (beam walking test), and obsessive-compulsive behavior (grooming and marble burying tests). Furthermore, electrocardiography, histology, and behavioral assessments were performed on male and female Lewis rats injected with GAS antigens. Results For control Lewis rats there were no significant age and gender dependent differences in marble burying, food manipulation, beam walking and grooming behaviors. In contrast significant age-dependent differences were observed in Wistar rats in all the behavioral tests except for food manipulation. Therefore, Lewis rats were selected for further experiments to determine the effect of GAS. After exposure to GAS, Lewis rats demonstrated neurobehavioral abnormalities and cardiac pathology akin to SC and ARF/RHD, respectively. Conclusion We have characterised a new model that provides longitudinal stability of age-dependent behavior, to simultaneously investigate both neurobehavioral and cardiac abnormalities associated with post-streptococcal complications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine M. Lobbe
- School of Science & TechnologyUniversity of New EnglandArmidaleNSWAustralia
| | - Ethan C. Wilkinson
- School of Science & TechnologyUniversity of New EnglandArmidaleNSWAustralia
| | - Adam S. Hamlin
- School of Science & TechnologyUniversity of New EnglandArmidaleNSWAustralia
| | | | - David J. McMillan
- School of Science & TechnologyUniversity of New EnglandArmidaleNSWAustralia
- School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastMaroochydore DCQLDAustralia
| | - Kadaba S. Sriprakash
- School of Science & TechnologyUniversity of New EnglandArmidaleNSWAustralia
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteHerstonQLDAustralia
| | - Natkunam Ketheesan
- School of Science & TechnologyUniversity of New EnglandArmidaleNSWAustralia
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McMillan DJ, Rafeek RAM, Norton RE, Good MF, Sriprakash KS, Ketheesan N. In Search of the Holy Grail: A Specific Diagnostic Test for Rheumatic Fever. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:674805. [PMID: 34055941 PMCID: PMC8160110 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.674805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Current diagnosis of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease (ARF/RHD) relies on a battery of clinical observations aided by technologically advanced diagnostic tools and non-specific laboratory tests. The laboratory-based assays fall into two categories: those that (1) detect "evidence of preceding streptococcal infections" (ASOT, anti-DNAse B, isolation of the Group A Streptococcus from a throat swab) and (2) those that detect an ongoing inflammatory process (ESR and CRP). These laboratory tests are positive during any streptococcal infection and are non-specific for the diagnosis of ARF/RHD. Over the last few decades, we have accumulated considerable knowledge about streptococcal biology and the immunopathological mechanisms that contribute to the development, progression and exacerbation of ARF/RHD. Although our knowledge is incomplete and many more years will be devoted to understanding the exact molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the spectrum of clinical manifestations of ARF/RHD, in this commentary we contend that there is sufficient understanding of the disease process that using currently available technologies it is possible to identify pathogen associated peptides and develop a specific test for ARF/RHD. It is our view that with collaboration and sharing of well-characterised serial blood samples from patients with ARF/RHD from different regions, antibody array technology and/or T-cell tetramers could be used to identify streptococcal peptides specific to ARF/RHD. The availability of an appropriate animal model for this uniquely human disease can further facilitate the determination as to whether these peptides are pathognomonic. Identification of such peptides will also facilitate testing of potential anti-streptococcal vaccines for safety and avoid potential candidates that may pre-dispose potential vaccine recipients to adverse outcomes. Such peptides can also be readily incorporated into a universally affordable point of care device for both primary and tertiary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. McMillan
- School of Science and Technology, Engineering and Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Rukshan A. M. Rafeek
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert E. Norton
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
- Pathology Queensland, Townsville University Hospital, Douglas, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael F. Good
- Laboratory of Vaccines for the Developing World, Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Kadaba S. Sriprakash
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Natkunam Ketheesan
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
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