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Barbosa MS, Sampaio BA, Spergser J, Rosengarten R, Marques LM, Chopra-Dewasthaly R. Mycoplasma agalactiae Vaccines: Current Status, Hurdles, and Opportunities Due to Advances in Pathogenicity Studies. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:156. [PMID: 38400139 PMCID: PMC10892753 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020156] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Contagious agalactia (CA) is a serious multietiological disease whose classic etiological agent is Mycoplasma agalactiae and which causes high morbidity and mortality rates in infected herds. CA is classified as a notifiable disease by the World Organization for Animal Health due to its significant worldwide economic impact on livestock, primarily involving goat and sheep farms. The emergence of atypical symptoms and strains of M. agalactiae in wildlife ungulates reestablishes its highly plastic genome and is also of great epidemiological significance. Antimicrobial therapy is the main form of control, although several factors, such as intrinsic antibiotic resistance and the selection of resistant strains, must be considered. Available vaccines are few and mostly inefficient. The virulence and pathogenicity mechanisms of M. agalactiae mainly rely on surface molecules that have direct contact with the host. Because of this, they are essential for the development of vaccines. This review highlights the currently available vaccines and their limitations and the development of new vaccine possibilities, especially considering the challenge of antigenic variation and dynamic genome in this microorganism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysa Santos Barbosa
- Department of Biointeraction, Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitoria da Conquista 45029-094, Brazil; (M.S.B.)
| | | | - Joachim Spergser
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Wien, Austria
| | - Renate Rosengarten
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Wien, Austria
| | - Lucas Miranda Marques
- Department of Biointeraction, Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitoria da Conquista 45029-094, Brazil; (M.S.B.)
- Department of Microbiology, State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilheus 45662-900, Brazil
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Rohini Chopra-Dewasthaly
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Wien, Austria
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Barbosa MS, Marques LM, Timenetsky J, Rosengarten R, Spergser J, Chopra-Dewasthaly R. Host cell interactions of novel antigenic membrane proteins of Mycoplasma agalactiae. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:93. [PMID: 35395771 PMCID: PMC8991494 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02512-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mycoplasma agalactiae is the main etiological agent of Contagious Agalactia syndrome of small ruminants notifiable to the World Organization for Animal Health. Despite serious economic losses, successful vaccines are unavailable, largely because its colonization and invasion factors are not well understood. This study evaluates the role of two recently identified antigenic proteins (MAG_1560, MAG_6130) and the cytadhesin P40 in pathogenicity related phenotypes. Results Adhesion to HeLa and sheep primary mammary stromal cells (MSC) was evaluated using ELISA, as well as in vitro adhesion assays on monolayer cell cultures. The results demonstrated MAG_6130 as a novel adhesin of M. agalactiae whose capacity to adhere to eukaryotic cells was significantly reduced by specific antiserum. Additionally, these proteins exhibited significant binding to plasminogen and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins like lactoferrin, fibrinogen and fibronectin, a feature that could potentially support the pathogen in host colonization, tissue migration and immune evasion. Furthermore, these proteins played a detrimental role on the host cell proliferation and viability and were observed to activate pro-apoptotic genes indicating their involvement in cell death when eukaryotic cells were infected with M. agalactiae. Conclusions To summarize, the hypothetical protein corresponding to MAG_6130 has not only been assigned novel adhesion functions but together with P40 it is demonstrated for the first time to bind to lactoferrin and ECM proteins thereby playing important roles in host colonization and pathogenicity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-022-02512-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysa Santos Barbosa
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, A-1210, Austria.,Present Address: Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Miranda Marques
- Present Address: Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil.
| | - Jorge Timenetsky
- Present Address: Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renate Rosengarten
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, A-1210, Austria
| | - Joachim Spergser
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, A-1210, Austria
| | - Rohini Chopra-Dewasthaly
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, A-1210, Austria.
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Identification of conserved Mycoplasma agalactiae surface antigens by immunoproteomics. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2021; 236:110239. [PMID: 33845295 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2021.110239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Contagious agalactia represents one of the most relevant infectious diseases of dairy sheep, with Mycoplasma agalactiae being the primary etiological agent. The early, sensitive, and specific identification of infected animals, as well as the development of efficient prophylactic tools, remain challenging. Here, we present a comprehensive characterization of M. agalactiae antigens focusing on those shared among different isolates. Leveraging on previous proteomic data obtained on individual strains, we adopted a strategy entailing sample pooling to optimize the identification of conserved proteins that induce an immune response. The liposoluble proteins from previously characterized field isolates and the type strain PG2T were enriched by Triton X-114 fractionation, pooled, analysed by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis, and subjected to western immunoblotting against sheep sera collected during natural infection with M. agalactiae. Immunodominant antigens were identified by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Time-Of-Flight-Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). This combined immunoproteomic approach confirmed the role of several known immunogens, including P80, P48, and P40, and most variable surface proteins (Vpmas), and unveiled novel immunodominant, conserved antigens, including MAG_1000, MAG_2220, MAG_1980, phnD, MAG_4740, and MAG_2430. Genomic context, functional prediction, subcellular localization, and invariable expression of these proteins in all isolates suggest their possible involvement in bacterial pathogenicity and metabolism. Moreover, most of the identified antigens elicit a host humoral response since the early stages of infection, persisting for at least 270 days. The immunodominant, conserved antigen panel identified in this work supports the development of effective vaccines and diagnostic tools with higher sensitivity and specificity in all the natural infection stages.
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Barbosa MS, Alves RPDS, Rezende IDS, Pereira SS, Campos GB, Freitas LM, Chopra-Dewasthaly R, Ferreira LCDS, Guimarães AMDS, Marques LM, Timenetsky J. Novel antigenic proteins of Mycoplasma agalactiae as potential vaccine and serodiagnostic candidates. Vet Microbiol 2020; 251:108866. [PMID: 33099078 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Contagious agalactia (CA) is a serious disease notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) causing severe economic losses to sheep and goat producers worldwide. Mycoplasma agalactiae, considered as its main etiological agent, inflicts a variety of symptoms in infected animals, including keratoconjunctivitis, mastitis, arthritis, ankylosis, abortions, stillbirths and granular vulvovaginitis. Despite its significance, developing a successful vaccine remains elusive, mostly due to the lack of knowledge about M. agalactiae's pathogenicity factors and pathogenic mechanisms, including its "core" antigens. The aim of this study was to identify, characterize and express antigenic proteins of M. agalactiae as potential vaccine candidates. Predicted proteins of type strain PG2 were analyzed using bioinformatic algorithms to assess their cellular localization and to identify their linear and conformational epitopes for B cells. Out of a total of 156 predicted membrane proteins, three were shortlisted as potential antigenic surface proteins, namely [MAG_1560 (WP_011949336.1), MAG_6130 (WP_011949770.1) and P40 (WP_011949418.1)]. These proteins were expressed in recombinant Escherichia coli strains. Purified proteins were evaluated for their antigenicity using Western blot and ELISA using sera of M. agalactiae-naturally infected and non-infected sheep and goats. All 3 proteins were specifically recognized by the tested sera of M. agalactiae-infected animals. Also, specific rabbit antisera raised against each of these 3 proteins confirm their membrane localization using TritonX-114 phase partioning, Western and colony immunoblotting. In conclusion, our study successfully identified P40 (as proof of concept and validation) and two novel antigenic M. agalactiae proteins as potential candidates for developing effective CA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysa Santos Barbosa
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rubens Prince Dos Santos Alves
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Izadora de Souza Rezende
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samuel Santos Pereira
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Barreto Campos
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, Brazil; Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Universidade Federal da Bahia, St. Rio de Contas, 58, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Leandro Martins Freitas
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Universidade Federal da Bahia, St. Rio de Contas, 58, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Rohini Chopra-Dewasthaly
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luís Carlos de Souza Ferreira
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Marcia de Sá Guimarães
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Miranda Marques
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, Brazil; Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Universidade Federal da Bahia, St. Rio de Contas, 58, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil.
| | - Jorge Timenetsky
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, Brazil
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Fthenakis GC, Arsenos G, Brozos C, Fragkou IA, Giadinis ND, Giannenas I, Mavrogianni VS, Papadopoulos E, Valasi I. Health management of ewes during pregnancy. Anim Reprod Sci 2012; 130:198-212. [PMID: 22356932 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of health management of ewes during pregnancy are as follows: (i) successful completion of pregnancy at term, (ii) birth of healthy and viable lambs, with optimal birth and potential weaning bodyweight, (iii) optimum milk production during the subsequent lactation and (iv) improved management in relation to drug residues in animal products. Knowledge of the physiological background of pregnancy in ewes: changes, mechanisms and interactions, during pregnancy is important for the overall health management of ewes during pregnancy. Health management of pregnant ewes includes diagnosis of pregnancy and evaluation of the number of foetuses borne, which will support strategies for subsequent management of the flock. Nutritional management of ewes depends upon the stage of lactation and specifically aims to (i) prevention of pregnancy toxaemia and other metabolic diseases during the peri-partum period, (ii) formation of colostrum in appropriate quantity and quality, (iii) production of lambs with normal future birth bodyweight and (iv) support of increased milk yield during the subsequent lactation. At the end of lactation, udder management of pregnant ewes includes its clinical examination, culling of ewes considered unsuitable for lactation and, possibly, the intramammary administration of antibiotics; objectives of that procedure are (i) to cure infections which have occurred during the previous lactation and (ii) to prevent development of new mammary infection during the dry period. Management of abortions includes the correct and timely diagnosis of the causative agent of the disorder, as well as the strategic administrations of chemotherapeutic agents, aiming to prevent abortions in flocks with confirmed infection with an abortifacient agent, especially if no appropriate vaccinations had been carried out before the mating season. During the final stage of pregnancy, health management of ewes includes administration of appropriate anthelmintic drugs, aiming to eliminate gastrointestinal helminthes (thus, increasing production output of ewes) and preventing the built-up of parasitic burdens in the environment (thus, reducing infection of lambs during their neonatal period). Vaccinations of pregnant ewes aim to protect these animals, as well as their offspring, especially against diseases which are a frequent cause of neonatal mortality (e.g., clostridial infections). Health management also aims to prevent the main metabolic disorders of pregnant ewes (i.e., pregnancy toxaemia and hypocalcaemia), as well as to monitor flocks for development of these disorders. Health management of pregnant ewes is completed with application of husbandry practices before the start of the lambing season. Finally, in some cases, health management may include induction and synchronisation of lambings, which is a management or therapeutic procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- G C Fthenakis
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece.
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Ingolotti M, Kawalekar O, Shedlock DJ, Muthumani K, Weiner DB. DNA vaccines for targeting bacterial infections. Expert Rev Vaccines 2010; 9:747-63. [PMID: 20624048 DOI: 10.1586/erv.10.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
DNA vaccination has been of great interest since its discovery in the 1990s due to its ability to elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses. DNA vaccines consist of a DNA plasmid containing a transgene that encodes the sequence of a target protein from a pathogen under the control of a eukaryotic promoter. This revolutionary technology has proven to be effective in animal models and four DNA vaccine products have recently been approved for veterinary use. Although few DNA vaccines against bacterial infections have been tested, the results are encouraging. Because of their versatility, safety and simplicity a wider range of organisms can be targeted by these vaccines, which shows their potential advantages to public health. This article describes the mechanism of action of DNA vaccines and their potential use for targeting bacterial infections. In addition, it provides an updated summary of the methods used to enhance immunogenicity from codon optimization and adjuvants to delivery techniques including electroporation and use of nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Ingolotti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Cacciotto C, Addis MF, Pagnozzi D, Chessa B, Coradduzza E, Carcangiu L, Uzzau S, Alberti A, Pittau M. The liposoluble proteome of Mycoplasma agalactiae: an insight into the minimal protein complement of a bacterial membrane. BMC Microbiol 2010; 10:225. [PMID: 20738845 PMCID: PMC2941501 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-10-225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Accepted: 08/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mycoplasmas are the simplest bacteria capable of autonomous replication. Their evolution proceeded from gram-positive bacteria, with the loss of many biosynthetic pathways and of the cell wall. In this work, the liposoluble protein complement of Mycoplasma agalactiae, a minimal bacterial pathogen causing mastitis, polyarthritis, keratoconjunctivitis, and abortion in small ruminants, was subjected to systematic characterization in order to gain insights into its membrane proteome composition. RESULTS The selective enrichment for M. agalactiae PG2T liposoluble proteins was accomplished by means of Triton X-114 fractionation. Liposoluble proteins were subjected to 2-D PAGE-MS, leading to the identification of 40 unique proteins and to the generation of a reference 2D map of the M. agalactiae liposoluble proteome. Liposoluble proteins from the type strain PG2 and two field isolates were then compared by means of 2D DIGE, revealing reproducible differences in protein expression among isolates. An in-depth analysis was then performed by GeLC-MS/MS in order to achieve a higher coverage of the liposoluble proteome. Using this approach, a total of 194 unique proteins were identified, corresponding to 26% of all M. agalactiae PG2T genes. A gene ontology analysis and classification for localization and function was also carried out on all protein identifications. Interestingly, the 11.5% of expressed membrane proteins derived from putative horizontal gene transfer events. CONCLUSIONS This study led to the in-depth systematic characterization of the M. agalactiae liposoluble protein component, providing useful insights into its membrane organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Cacciotto
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Filippa Addis
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Porto Conte Ricerche Srl, Tramariglio, Alghero (SS), Italy
| | | | - Bernardo Chessa
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Coradduzza
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Laura Carcangiu
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Sergio Uzzau
- Porto Conte Ricerche Srl, Tramariglio, Alghero (SS), Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Alberto Alberti
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Marco Pittau
- Dipartimento di Patologia e Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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