Characterization of a nonfimbrial mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin (MSH) produced by Salmonella enterica serovar enteritidis

Isolation and characterization of a native avirulent strain of Streptococcus suis serotype 2: a perspective for vaccine development

Streptococcus suis, an emerging infectious pathogen, is the cause of two large-scale outbreaks of human streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in China, and has attracted much attention from the scientific community. The genetic basis of its pathogenesis remains enigmatic, and no effective prevention measures have been established. To better understand the virulence differentiation of S. suis and develop a promising vaccine, we isolated and sequenced a native avirulent S. suis strain (05HAS68). Animal experiments revealed that 05HAS68 is an avirulent strain and could protect piglets from the attack of virulent strains. Comparative genomics analyses demonstrated the genetic basis for the lack of virulence in 05HAS68, which is characterized by the absence of some important virulence-associated factors and the intact 89K pathogenicity island. Lack of virulence was also illustrated by reduced survival of 05HAS68 compared to a virulent strain in pig whole blood. Further investigations revealed a large-scale genomic rearrangement in 05HAS68, which was proposed to be mediated by transposase genes and/or prophages. This genomic rearrangement may have caused the genomic diversity of S. suis, and resulted in biological discrepancies between 05HAS68 and highly virulent S. suis strains.

A hemagglutinin from northeast red beans with immunomodulatory activity and anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities toward tumor cells

A 64-kDa hemagglutinin from a Phaseolus vulgaris cultivar, the northeast red bean, was purified by a protocol composed of three chromatographic steps involving affinity chromatography on Affi-gel blue gel, cation exchange chromatography on SP-Sepharose and FPLC-gel filtration on Superdex 75. The purified hemagglutinin appeared as a single 32-kDa band in SDS-PAGE indicating its dimeric nature. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the hemagglutinin resembled the sequences of lectins and hemagglutinins from a number of Phaseolus species. The hemagglutinin manifested moderate thermostability and pH stability. It retained full activity up to 65 °C and in the pH range 2-12. It did not interact with simple sugars such as glucose, mannose and galactose. The hemagglutinin exerted immunostimulatory effects by upregulating the expression of cytokines like interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α. It also exhibited antiproliferative activity on a number of tumor cells including MCF7 (breast cancer), HepG2 (liver cancer), CNE1 and CNE2 (nasopharyngeal cancer) cells, with stronger activity toward MCF7 and CNE1 cells. The hemagglutinin induced phophatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial depolarization and DNA condensation in MCF7 cells, indicating initiation of apoptosis. However, at high hemagglutinin concentrations, severe damage to the MCF7 cells was detected.

Effects of leachate from crumb rubber and zinc in green roofs on the survival, growth, and resistance characteristics of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium

The use of green roofs is a growing practice worldwide, particularly in densely populated areas. In an attempt to find new methods for recycling crumb rubber, incorporation of crumb rubber into artificial medium for plant growth in green roofs and similar engineered environments has become an attractive option for the recycling of waste tires. Though this approach decreases waste in landfills, there are concerns about the leaching of zinc and other heavy metals, as well as nutrient and organic compounds, into the environment. The present study analyzed the impact of leachate from crumb rubber and zinc on the growth and viability of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium. Zinc was chosen for further studies since it has been previously implicated with other biological functions, including biofilm formation, motility, and possible cross-resistance to antimicrobial agents. The study showed that Salmonella can colonize crumb rubber and that crumb rubber extract may provide nutrients that are usable by this bacterium. Salmonella strains with reduced susceptibility (SRS) to zinc were obtained after subculturing in increasing concentrations of zinc. The SRS exhibited differences in gene expression of flux pump genes zntA and znuA compared to that of the parent when exposed to 20 mM added zinc. In biofilm formation studies, the SRS formed less biofilm but was more motile than the parental strain.