Structural study of a highly O-acetylated core of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 lipopolysaccharide

Lipopolysaccharide of Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 1 Facilitates Interaction with Host Cells

Legionella pneumophila is the primary causative agent of Legionnaires' disease. The mutant-type strain interrupted in the ORF7 gene region responsible for the lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis of the L. pneumophila strain Heysham-1, lacking the O-acetyl groups attached to the rhamnose of the core part, showed a higher surface polarity compared with the wild-type strain. The measurement of excitation energy transfer between fluorophores located on the surface of bacteria and eukaryotic cells showed that, at an early stage of interaction with host cells, the mutant exhibited weaker interactions with Acanthamoeba castellanii cells and THP-1-derived macrophages. The mutant displayed reduced adherence to macrophages but enhanced adherence to A. castellanii, suggesting that the O-acetyl group of the LPS core region plays a crucial role in facilitating interaction with macrophages. The lack of core rhamnose O-acetyl groups made it easier for the bacteria to multiply in amoebae and macrophages. The mutant induced TNF-α production more strongly compared with the wild-type strain. The mutant synthesized twice as many ceramides Cer(t34:0) and Cer(t38:0) than the wild-type strain. The study showed that the internal sugars of the LPS core region of L. pneumophila sg 1 can interact with eukaryotic cell surface receptors and mediate in contacting and attaching bacteria to host cells as well as modulating the immune response to infection.

The Role of Lipids in Legionella-Host Interaction

Legionella are Gram-stain-negative rods associated with water environments: either natural or man-made systems. The inhalation of aerosols containing Legionella bacteria leads to the development of a severe pneumonia termed Legionnaires' disease. To establish an infection, these bacteria adapt to growth in the hostile environment of the host through the unusual structures of macromolecules that build the cell surface. The outer membrane of the cell envelope is a lipid bilayer with an asymmetric composition mostly of phospholipids in the inner leaflet and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the outer leaflet. The major membrane-forming phospholipid of Legionella spp. is phosphatidylcholine (PC)-a typical eukaryotic glycerophospholipid. PC synthesis in Legionella cells occurs via two independent pathways: the N-methylation (Pmt) pathway and the Pcs pathway. The utilisation of exogenous choline by Legionella spp. leads to changes in the composition of lipids and proteins, which influences the physicochemical properties of the cell surface. This phenotypic plasticity of the Legionella cell envelope determines the mode of interaction with the macrophages, which results in a decrease in the production of proinflammatory cytokines and modulates the interaction with antimicrobial peptides and proteins. The surface-exposed O-chain of Legionella pneumophila sg1 LPS consisting of a homopolymer of 5-acetamidino-7-acetamido-8-O-acetyl-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-l-glycero-d-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid is probably the first component in contact with the host cell that anchors the bacteria in the host membrane. Unusual in terms of the structure and function of individual LPS regions, it makes an important contribution to the antigenicity and pathogenicity of Legionella bacteria.

ADP-heptose: a bacterial PAMP detected by the host sensor ALPK1

The innate immune response constitutes the first line of defense against pathogens. It involves the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs), the production of inflammatory cytokines and the recruitment of immune cells to infection sites. Recently, ADP-heptose, a soluble intermediate of the lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic pathway in Gram-negative bacteria, has been identified by several research groups as a PAMP. Here, we recapitulate the evidence that led to this identification and discuss the controversy over the immunogenic properties of heptose 1,7-bisphosphate (HBP), another bacterial heptose previously defined as an activator of innate immunity. Then, we describe the mechanism of ADP-heptose sensing by alpha-protein kinase 1 (ALPK1) and its downstream signaling pathway that involves the proteins TIFA and TRAF6 and induces the activation of NF-κB and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Finally, we discuss possible delivery mechanisms of ADP-heptose in cells during infection, and propose new lines of thinking to further explore the roles of the ADP-heptose/ALPK1/TIFA axis in infections and its potential implication in the control of intestinal homeostasis.

The Role of Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 1 Lipopolysaccharide in Host-Pathogen Interaction

The Legionella pneumophila TF3/1 mutant of the Corby strain, which possesses a point mutation in the active site of the O-acetyltransferase, synthesized the polysaccharide chain with a reduced degree of substitution with O-acetyl groups. The mutant did not produce a high-molecular-weight lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fraction above 12 kDa. The disturbances in LPS synthesis have an effect on the composition of other macromolecules (lipids and proteins), as indicated by differences in the infrared absorption spectra between the L. pneumophila Corby strain and its TF3/1 mutant. The wild-type strain contained less N⁺-CH₃ and C-N groups as well as more CH₃ groups than the mutant. The fatty acid composition showed that the wild type strain synthesized more branched acyl residues (a15:0, i16:0, and a17:0), a less unsaturated acid (16:1), and a straight-chain acid (18:0) than the mutant. The mutant synthesized approximately twice more a long-chain fatty acid (20:0) than the wild type. The main differences in the phospholipids between both strains were found in the classes of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylglycerols (PG). Substantial differences in the cell surface topography of these bacteria and their nanomechanical properties were shown by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The wild type strain had no undulated surface and produced numerous vesicles. In the case of the mutant type, the vesicles were not numerous, but there were grooves on the cell surface. The average roughness of the cell surface of the mutant was approximately twofold higher than in the wild-type strain. In turn, the wild-type strain exhibited much better adhesive properties than the mutant. The kinetic study of the interaction between the L. pneumophila strains and Acanthamoeba castellanii monitored by Förster resonance energy transfer revealed a pronounced difference, i.e., almost instantaneous and highly efficient binding of the L. pneumophila Corby strain to the amoeba surface, followed by penetration into the amoeba cells. This process was clearly not as efficient in the case of the mutant. The results point to LPS and, in particular, to the length of the polysaccharide fraction as an important L. pneumophila determinant involved in the process of adhesion to the host cell.

Electrophoretic mobility of Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 to 14

Legionella pneumophila (Lp) is ubiquitous in the aquatic environment and can persist within drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) enabling these systems to serve as a potential source of human infections. Bacterial surface charge, deduced from electrophoretic mobility (EPM), is a well-recognized contributor to microorganism mobility, adherence and interactions with their surrounding environment. In this study, the EPM of 32 Lp strains representing serogroup (sg) 1 to 14 were measured, in 9.15 mM KH2PO4 at pH 8, to understand cell surface properties that may influence their occurrence within DWDS. EPM measurements indicated the charge of Lp varied widely between serogroups with five distinct clusters, from least to most negatively charged: (i) sg1 to 3, 5, and 12; (ii) sg6, 8, and 10; (iii) sg9 and 13; (iv) sg7, 11, and 14; and (v) sg4. The EPM of sg1 and 4 strains were pH dependent; however, values were constant between pH 6 and 9, a range typical of drinking water, suggesting that EPM differences between Lp serogroups could impact their survival within DWDS. Understanding the ecological importance of Lp surface properties (e.g. in mobility, colonization, resistance to disinfectants, etc.) within DWDS would aid in mitigation of health risks associated with this water-based pathogen.

Biosynthesis and genetics of ADP-heptose

Glycero- manno-heptose is a common component in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of many Gram-negative bacteria. Mutants deficient in the synthesis of glycero- manno-heptose are highly sensitive to hydrophobic compounds, and display reduced virulence, making these genes and their products potential targets for developing novel antimicrobials. To date, the biosynthesis of the heptosyl precursors for the inner core oligosaccharide of the LPS molecule is not completely characterized. In this work, the genes and enzyme functions involved in the various steps of the biosynthesis of ADP-L- glycero-D- manno-heptose are discussed, especially those involved in the intermediate steps.

In vitro biosynthesis and chemical identification of UDP-N-acetyl-d-quinovosamine (UDP-d-QuiNAc)

N-acetyl-d-quinovosamine (2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-d-glucose, QuiNAc) occurs in the polysaccharide structures of many Gram-negative bacteria. In the biosynthesis of QuiNAc-containing polysaccharides, UDP-QuiNAc is the hypothetical donor of the QuiNAc residue. Biosynthesis of UDP-QuiNAc has been proposed to occur by 4,6-dehydration of UDP-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) to UDP-2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-d-xylo-4-hexulose followed by reduction of this 4-keto intermediate to UDP-QuiNAc. Several specific dehydratases are known to catalyze the first proposed step. A specific reductase for the last step has not been demonstrated in vitro, but previous mutant analysis suggested that Rhizobium etli gene wreQ might encode this reductase. Therefore, this gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the resulting His6-tagged WreQ protein was purified. It was tested for 4-reductase activity by adding it and NAD(P)H to reaction mixtures in which 4,6-dehydratase WbpM had acted on the precursor substrate UDP-GlcNAc. Thin layer chromatography of the nucleotide sugars in the mixture at various stages of the reaction showed that WbpM converted UDP-GlcNAc completely to what was shown to be its 4-keto-6-deoxy derivative by NMR and that addition of WreQ and NADH led to formation of a third compound. Combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of acid hydrolysates of the final reaction mixture showed that a quinovosamine moiety had been synthesized after WreQ addition. The two-step reaction progress also was monitored in real time by NMR. The final UDP-sugar product after WreQ addition was purified and determined to be UDP-d-QuiNAc by one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR experiments. These results confirmed that WreQ has UDP-2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-d-xylo-4-hexulose 4-reductase activity, completing a pathway for UDP-d-QuiNAc synthesis in vitro.

Virulence properties of the legionella pneumophila cell envelope

The bacterial envelope plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the structure and molecular composition of the Legionella pneumophila cell envelope. We describe lipopolysaccharides biosynthesis and the biological activities of membrane and periplasmic proteins and discuss their decisive functions during the pathogen–host interaction. In addition to adherence, invasion, and intracellular survival of L. pneumophila, special emphasis is laid on iron acquisition, detoxification, key elicitors of the immune response and the diverse functions of outer membrane vesicles. The critical analysis of the literature reveals that the dynamics and phenotypic plasticity of the Legionella cell surface during the different metabolic stages require more attention in the future.

Paradoxically high resistance of natural killer T (NKT) cell-deficient mice to Legionella pneumophila: another aspect of NKT cells for modulation of host responses

In the present study, we examined the roles of natural killer T (NKT) cells in host defence against Legionella pneumophila in a mouse model. The survival rate of NKT cell-deficient Jalpha281 knock-out (KO) mice was significantly higher than that of wild-type mice. There was no bacterial overgrowth in the lungs, but Jalpha281 KO mice showed enhanced pulmonary clearance at a later stage of infection, compared with their wild-type counterparts. The severity of lung injury in L. pneumophila-infected Jalpha281 KO mice was less, as indicated by lung permeability measurements, such as lung weight and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid albumin concentration. Recruitment of inflammatory cells in the lungs was approximately twofold greater in Jalpha281 KO mice on day 3. Interestingly, higher values of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18, and increased caspase-1 activity were noted in the lungs of Jalpha281 KO mice from an early time point (6 h). Exogenous alpha-galactosylceramide, a ligand of NKT cells, induced IL-12 and gamma interferon at 6 h, but suppressed IL-1beta at later time points in wild-type, whereas no effects were evident in Jalpha281 KO mice, as expected. Systemic administration of heat-killed L. pneumophila, but not Escherichia coli LPS, reproduced exaggerated production of IL-1beta in the lungs of Jalpha281 KO mice. These results demonstrate that NKT cells play a role in host defence against L. pneumophila, which is characterized by enhanced lung injury and decreased accumulation of inflammatory cells in the lungs. The regulation of IL-1beta, IL-18 and caspase-1 may be associated with the modulating effect of host responses by NKT cells.

Role of Toll-like receptor 2 in recognition of Legionella pneumophila in a murine pneumonia model

Legionella pneumophila is an intracellular organism and the major aetiological agent of Legionnaires' disease. Although recent progress has identified Toll-like receptors (TLRs) as receptors for recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns in a variety of micro-organisms, understanding the contribution of TLRs to the host response in L. pneumophila infection is still limited. This study examined the roles of TLR2 and TLR4 in murine L. pneumophila pneumonia and an in vitro infection model using bone-marrow-derived macrophages. TLR2-deficient mice, but not TLR4-deficient mice, demonstrated higher lethal sensitivity to pulmonary challenge with L. pneumophila than wild-type mice (P<0.05). Although no differences in pulmonary bacterial burden were observed among the mouse strains examined, lower values of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), keratinocyte-derived cytokine and interleukin (IL)-6 and higher IL-12 levels were noted in lung homogenates of TLR2-deficient mice compared with the wild-type control and TLR4-deficient mice. Recruitment of inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils, was severely disturbed in the lungs of TLR2-deficient mice. Reduced MIP-2 production was demonstrated in bone-marrow-derived macrophages from TLR2-deficient mice in response to live L. pneumophila and purified LPS of this strain, but not Escherichia coli LPS. These data highlight the involvement and importance of TLR2 in the pathogenesis of L. pneumophila pneumonia in mice. The results showed that TLR2-mediated recognition of Legionella LPS and subsequent chemokine-dependent cellular recruitment may be a crucial host innate response in L. pneumophila pneumonia.

The structure of the O-polysaccharide from the lipopolysaccharide of Providencia alcalifaciens O36 containing 3-deoxy-d-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid

An oligosaccharide that corresponds to the repeating unit of the O-polysaccharide was obtained by mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide of Providencia alcalifaciens O36. Structural studies of the oligosaccharide and O-deacylated lipopolysaccharide were performed using sugar and methylation analyses along with (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, including 2D (1)H,(1)H COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, and H-detected (1)H,(13)C HSQC and HMBC experiments. It was found that the O-polysaccharide is built up of linear trisaccharide repeating units containing 2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucose, 6-deoxy-l-talose (l-6dTal), and 3-deoxy-d-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) and has the following structure. [structure: see text]

Epitope mapping of the O-chain polysaccharide of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 lipopolysaccharide by saturation-transfer-difference NMR spectroscopy

Two modifications of 5-acetimidoylamino-7-acetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid (5-N-acetimidoyl-7-N-acetyllegionaminic acid) in the O-chain polysaccharide (OPS) of the Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concern N-methylation of the 5-N-acetimidoyl group in legionaminic acid. Both N-methylated substituents, the (N,N-dimethylacetimidoyl) amino and acetimidoyl(N-methyl)amino group, could be allocated to one single legionaminic acid residue in the long- and middle-chain OPS, respectively. Using mutants devoid of N-methylated legionaminic acid derivatives, it could be shown that N-methylation of legionaminic acid correlated with the expression of the mAb 2625 epitope. In the present study we investigated the binding of the LPS-specific monoclonal antibody mAb 2625 to isolated OPS with surface-plasmon-resonance biomolecular interaction analysis and saturation-transfer-difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy in order to map the mAb 2625 epitope on a molecular level. It could be demonstrated that the binding affinity of the N-methylated legionaminic acid derivatives was independent from the size of the isolated OPS molecular species. In addition, STD NMR spectroscopic studies with polysaccharide ligands with an average molecular mass of up to 14 kDa revealed that binding was mainly mediated via the N-methylated acetimidoylamino group and via the closely located 7-N-acetyl group of the respective legionaminic acid residue, thus indicating these derivatives to represent the major epitope of mAb 2625.

N-Methylation in polylegionaminic acid is associated with the phase-variable epitope of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 lipopolysaccharide. Identification of 5-(N,N-dimethylacetimidoyl)amino and 5-acetimidoyl(N-methyl)amino-7-acetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxynon-2-ulosonic acid in the O-chain polysaccharide

Previously, a phase-variable epitope was detected in the virulent wild-type strain RC1 of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 subgroup OLDA using a lipopolysaccharide-specific monoclonal antibody, mAb 2625 [Lüneberg, E., Zähringer, U., Knirel, Y. A., Steinmann, D., Hartmann, M., Steinmetz, I., Rohde, M., Kohl, J. & Frosch, M. (1998) J.Exp. Med. 188, 49-60]. In the present study, an isogenic mutant strain, termed 5215, was constructed by deletion of genes involved in the biosynthesis of the mAb 2625 epitope. Mutant 5215 was as virulent as the parental wild-type RC1 but did not bind mAb 2625. The two strains showed no difference in the core oligosaccharide and lipid A but in the O-chain polysaccharide structure, which is a homopolymer of 5-acetimidoylamino-7-acetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-d-glycero-d-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid (a derivative of legionaminic acid). NMR spectroscopic studies revealed a hitherto unknown modification of bacterial polysaccharides in the wild-type strain, namely N-methylation of the 5-acetimidoylamino group on a single legionaminic acid residue that is located, most likely, proximal to the core oligosaccharide. Two major N-methylated substituents, the (N,N-dimethylacetimidoyl)amino and acetimidoyl(N-methyl) amino groups, could be allocated to the long- and middle-chain O-polysaccharide species, respectively. N-Methylation of legionaminic acid that was absent from the isogenic mutant 5215 and from the spontaneous phase variant 811, correlated with the presence of the mAb 2625 epitope.

Complex O-acetylation in Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 lipopolysaccharide. Evidence for two genes involved in 8-O-acetylation of legionaminic acid

A putative gene encoding an O-acetyl transferase, lag-1, is involved in biosynthesis of the O-polysaccharide (polylegionaminic acid) in some Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 strains. To study the effect of the presence and absence of the gene on the O-polysaccharide O-acetylation, lag-1 from strain Philadelphia 1 was expressed in trans in the naturally lag-1-negative OLDA strain RC1, and immunoblot analysis revealed that the lag-1-encoded O-acetyl transferase is active. O-Polysaccharides of different size were prepared from the lipopolysaccharides of wild-type and transformant strains by mild acid degradation followed by gel-permeation chromatography. Using NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, it was found that O-acetylation of the first three legionaminic acid residues next to the core occurs in the short-chain O-polysaccharide (<10 sugars) from both strains. Hence, there is another O-acetyl transferase encoded by a gene different from lag-1. In the longer-chain O-polysaccharide, a legionaminic acid residue proximal to the core is N-methylated and could be further 8-O-acetylated in the lag-1-dependent manner. Only strains expressing a functional lag-1 gene were recognized in Western blot analysis by monoclonal antibody 3/1 requiring 8-O-acetylated polylegionaminic acid for binding. The highly O-acetylated outer core region of the lipopolysaccharide is involved in the epitope of another serogroup 1-specific monoclonal antibody termed LPS-1. The O-acetylation pattern of the L. pneumophila serogroup 1 core oligosaccharide was revised using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. lag-1-independent O-acetylation of the core and short-chain O-polysaccharide was found to be a common feature of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 strains. The biological importance of conserved lag-1-independent and variable lag-1-dependent O-acetylation is discussed.

Chromosomal insertion and excision of a 30 kb unstable genetic element is responsible for phase variation of lipopolysaccharide and other virulence determinants in Legionella pneumophila

We recently described the phase-variable expression of a virulence-associated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) epitope in Legionella pneumophila. In this study, the molecular mechanism for phase variation was investigated. We identified a 30 kb unstable genetic element as the molecular origin for LPS phase variation. Thirty putative genes were encoded on the 30 kb sequence, organized in two putative opposite transcription units. Some of the open reading frames (ORFs) shared homologies with bacteriophage genes, suggesting that the 30 kb element was of phage origin. In the virulent wild-type strain, the 30 kb element was located on the chromosome, whereas excision from the chromosome and replication as a high-copy plasmid resulted in the mutant phenotype, which is characterized by alteration of an LPS epitope and loss of virulence. Mapping and sequencing of the insertion site in the genome revealed that the chromosomal attachment site was located in an intergenic region flanked by genes of unknown function. As phage release could not be induced by mitomycin C, it is conceivable that the 30 kb element is a non-functional phage remnant. The protein encoded by ORF T on the 30 kb plasmid could be isolated by an outer membrane preparation, indicating that the genes encoded on the 30 kb element are expressed in the mutant phenotype. Therefore, it is conceivable that the phenotypic alterations seen in the mutant depend on high-copy replication of the 30 kb element and expression of the encoded genes. Excision of the 30 kb element from the chromosome was found to occur in a RecA-independent pathway, presumably by the involvement of RecE, RecT and RusA homologues that are encoded on the 30 kb element.

3-Deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) transferase of Legionella pneumophila transfers two kdo residues to a structurally different lipid A precursor of Escherichia coli

The 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) transferase gene of Legionella pneumophila was cloned and sequenced. Despite remarkable structural differences in lipid A, the gene complemented a corresponding Escherichia coli mutant and was shown to encode a bifunctional enzyme which transferred 2 Kdo residues to a lipid A acceptor of E. coli.

Cloning and functional characterization of a 30 kb gene locus required for lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Legionella pneumophila

The spontaneous Legionella pneumophila lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mutant 137, which did not bind the LPS-specific mAb 2625, was complemented with a genomic library from the parental wild-type strain. Transformants were screened for reconstitution of the wild-type LPS phenotype, able to bind mAb 2625. By this strategy, a 32,661 bp region comprising 30 open reading frames (Orfs) was identified. Orfs with significant homologies to genes encoding enzymes required for LPS or capsule biosynthesis of Gram-negative bacteria were located on the gene locus. The mutation of strain 137 could be assigned to a deletion of a cytosine residue in Orf 8. The protein encoded by Orf 8 exhibited homology to bacterial methyl-transferases. The L. pneumophila LPS gene locus included genes with deduced products likely to be involved in LPS core oligosaccharide biosynthesis (rmlA-D, rhamnosyl-transferases, acetyl-transferase) as well as LPS O-chain biosynthesis and translocation (mnaA, neuB, neuA, wecA, wzt, wzm). The neuA (Orf 25) and neuB (Orf 24) gene products were functionally characterized by complementation of the capsule negative E. coli K1 mutants EV5 and EV24, respectively. By introduction of the L. pneumophila neuA gene into E. coli EV5 and the neuB gene into EV24, expression of the K1 polysialic acid capsule could be restored. We, therefore, conclude that the biosynthesis pathway of legionaminic acid, the structural unit of the L. pneumophila Sg1 O-antigen, might be similar to the biosynthesis of sialic acid. Southern blot analysis indicated the entire gene locus to be present in L. pneumophila serogroup (Sg)1 strains, whereas only parts of the DNA stretch hybridized to DNA from Sg2 to Sg14 strains.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a locus responsible for O acetylation of the O polysaccharide of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 lipopolysaccharide

Complementation experiments, Tn5 mutagenesis, and DNA sequencing were used to identify a locus (lag-1) that participates in acetylation of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 lipopolysaccharide. Nuclear magnetic resonance analyses of lipopolysaccharides from mutant and complemented strains suggest that lag-1 is responsible for O acetylation of serogroup 1 O polysaccharide.

Low endotoxic potential of Legionella pneumophila lipopolysaccharide due to failure of interaction with the monocyte lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14

Legionella pneumophila, a gram-negative bacterium causing Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever, was shown to be highly reactive in in vitro gelation of Limulus lysate but not able to induce fever and the local Shwartzman reaction in rabbits and mice. We analyzed the capacity of purified L. pneumophila lipopolysaccharide (LPS-Lp) to induce activation of the human monocytic cell line Mono Mac 6, as revealed by secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and desensitization to subsequent LPS stimulation. We showed that despite normal reactivity of LPS-Lp in the Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay, induction of cytokine secretion in Mono Mac 6 cells and desensitization to an endotoxin challenge required LPS-Lp concentrations 1,000 times higher than for LPS of Salmonella enterica serovar Minnesota. Therefore, we examined the interaction of LPS-Lp with the LPS receptor CD14. We demonstrated that LPS-Lp did not bind to membrane-bound CD14 expressed on transfected CHO cells, nor did it react with soluble CD14. Our results suggest that the low endotoxic potential of LPS-Lp is due to a failure of interaction with the LPS receptor CD14.

Phase-variable expression of lipopolysaccharide contributes to the virulence of legionella pneumophila

With the aid of monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2625, raised against the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, subgroup OLDA, we isolated mutant 811 from the virulent wild-type strain RC1. This mutant was not reactive with mAb 2625 and exhibited an unstable phenotype, since we observed an in vitro and in vivo switch of mutant 811 to the mAb 2625-positive phenotype, thus restoring the wild-type LPS. Bactericidal assays revealed that mutant 811 was lysed by serum complement components, whereas the parental strain RC1 was almost serum resistant. Moreover, mutant 811 was not able to replicate intracellularly in macrophage-like cell line HL-60. In the guinea pig animal model, mutant 811 exhibited significantly reduced ability to replicate. Among recovered bacteria, mAb 2625-positive revertants were increased by fourfold. The relevance of LPS phase switch for pathogenesis of Legionella infection was further corroborated by the observation that 5% of the bacteria recovered from the lungs of guinea pigs infected with the wild-type strain RC1 were negative for mAb 2625 binding. These findings strongly indicate that under in vivo conditions switching between two LPS phenotypes occurs and may promote adaptation and replication of L. pneumophila. This is the first description of phase-variable expression of Legionella LPS.

Structural studies on the lipopolysaccharide from a rough strain of Ochrobactrum anthropi containing a 2,3-diamino-2,3-dideoxy-D-glucose disaccharide lipid A backbone

A degradation protocol using de-O-acylation and subsequent alkaline de-N-acylation was applied to the lipopolysaccharide of Ochrobactrum anthropi rough strain LMG 3301. Three main oligosaccharide bisphosphates containing core-lipid A backbone structures were obtained after fractionation by anion-exchange HPLC. Using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including two-dimensional COSY, TOCSY, and NOE spectroscopy (ROESY and NOESY), the following structures were established: [formula: see text] where Kdo is 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid, D-GlcN3N is 2,3-diamino-2,3-dideoxy-D- glucose and R is H or alpha-D-GalpA or 4-deoxy-beta-L-threo-hex-4-enopyranuronic acid, the latter sugar being derived from alpha-D-GalpA by beta-elimination of a substituent attached to 0-4. This is the first report on the isolation from a lipopolysaccharide of an oligosaccharide containing GlcN3N in the lipid A backbone [beta-D-GlcpN3N4P-(1-->6)-alpha-D-GlcpN3N1 P]. Sugar and methylation analysis confirmed the presence of the GalA-->Kdo disaccharide and non-stoichiometric substitution of GalA. It is suggested that Glc is the substituent at 0-4 in GalA and that in the non-degraded lipopolysaccharide the amino group of GlcN is not acylated.

Identification of an alpha-D-Manp-(1-->8)-Kdo disaccharide in the inner core region and the structure of the complete core region of the Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 lipopolysaccharide

A disaccharide alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->8)-3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid [alpha-D-Manp-(1-->8)-Kdo] was released by mild acid degradation of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (strain Philadelphia 1) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and identified using NMR spectroscopy and GLC-MS of derived products. These data, together with methylation analysis of the native LPS and previously reported data [Y.A. Knirel, H. Moll, and U. Zähringer, Carbohydr. Res., 293 (1996) 223-234], allowed elucidation of the complete core region of the LPS as having the following nonasaccharide structure: [Sequence: see text]