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Maison RM, Pierce CF, Ragan IK, Brown VR, Bodenchuk MJ, Bowen RA, Bosco-Lauth AM. Potential Use for Serosurveillance of Feral Swine to Map Risk for Anthrax Exposure, Texas, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27:3103-3110. [PMID: 34808089 PMCID: PMC8632180 DOI: 10.3201/eid2712.211482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is a disease of concern in many mammals, including humans. Management primarily consists of prevention through vaccination and tracking clinical-level observations because environmental isolation is laborious and bacterial distribution across large geographic areas difficult to confirm. Feral swine (Sus scrofa) are an invasive species with an extensive range in the southern United States that rarely succumbs to anthrax. We present evidence that feral swine might serve as biosentinels based on comparative seroprevalence in swine from historically defined anthrax-endemic and non–anthrax-endemic regions of Texas. Overall seropositivity was 43.7% (n = 478), and logistic regression revealed county endemicity status, age-class, sex, latitude, and longitude were informative for predicting antibody status. However, of these covariates, only latitude was statistically significant (β = –0.153, p = 0.047). These results suggests anthrax exposure in swine, when paired with continuous location data, could serve as a proxy for bacterial presence in specific areas.
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Dupke S, Schubert G, Beudjé F, Barduhn A, Pauly M, Couacy-Hymann E, Grunow R, Akoua-Koffi C, Leendertz FH, Klee SR. Serological evidence for human exposure to Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis in the villages around Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008292. [PMID: 32407387 PMCID: PMC7224451 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis (Bcbva) is an untypical anthrax-causing pathogen responsible for high wildlife mortality in Taï National Park (TNP), Côte d’Ivoire. However, nothing is known about its effect on the rural population living in the region bordering TNP. Contact to bushmeat is a known risk factor for exposure to a variety of zoonotic pathogens, but no human infections with Bcbva were noted so far. Therefore, we performed a retrospective seroprevalence analysis with sera from 1,386 study volunteers. We used assays which detect antibodies against the protective antigen PA, which is synthesized by both Bcbva and classic B. anthracis, and against the recently described antigen pXO2-60, a 35-kDa protein only produced by Bcbva. We found a high seroprevalence (22.37%) of antibodies against PA, and approximately half of those sera (10.46%) were also positive for the Bcbva-specific antigen pXO2-60. All sera negative for PA were also negative for antibodies against pXO2-60, confirming specificity and suitability of the PA/pXO2-60 combined serological assay. The fact that a large fraction of sera was positive for PA but negative for pXO2-60 can most likely be explained by lower immunogenicity of pXO2-60, but exposure to classic B. anthracis cannot be excluded. As only Bcbva has been detected in the TNP area so far, exposure to Bcbva can be suspected from the presence of antibodies against PA alone. In a questionnaire, most study participants reported contact to bushmeat and livestock carcasses. Unfortunately, risk factor analysis indicated that neither animal contacts, sex, age, nor country of origin were significant predictors of Bcbva seroprevalence. Nevertheless, our study added to an assessment of the distribution of Bcbva and its impact on the human population, and our data can serve to raise awareness of anthrax in the affected regions. Anthrax is a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans and normally caused by B. anthracis mainly in savanna regions. However, untypical bacteria named Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis (Bcbva) were detected in a variety of wild animals in the rain forest region of the Taï National Park (TNP) in Côte d’Ivoire. No anthrax infections in humans living in the region around TNP were reported until now. Therefore, we assessed exposure to the pathogen by analysis of sera from human volunteers for the presence of antibodies against the protective antigen (PA), which is produced by B. anthracis and Bcbva, and against the Bcbva-specific protein pXO2-60. We found antibodies against PA in more than 20% of sera from humans living in the TNP region, and around 10% possessed also antibodies against pXO2-60, confirming exposure to Bcbva. As only Bcbva, but not classic B. anthracis was found in TNP, we assume that the majority of humans had contact with Bcbva and that pXO2-60 is less immunogenic than PA. Although most people reported animal contacts, there was no statistically significant correlation with the presence of antibodies against Bcbva. Nevertheless, our study confirmed that Bcbva represents a danger for humans living in the affected area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Dupke
- Robert Koch Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS 2: Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Berlin, Germany
| | - Grit Schubert
- Robert Koch Institute, P3: Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Berlin, Germany
| | - Félicité Beudjé
- Laboratoire National d’Appui au Développement Agricole/Laboratoire central de Pathologie Animale, Bingerville, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Anne Barduhn
- Robert Koch Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS 2: Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maude Pauly
- Robert Koch Institute, P3: Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Berlin, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Couacy-Hymann
- Laboratoire National d’Appui au Développement Agricole/Laboratoire central de Pathologie Animale, Bingerville, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Roland Grunow
- Robert Koch Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS 2: Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chantal Akoua-Koffi
- Centre de Recherche pour le Développement, Université Alassane Ouattara, Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Fabian H. Leendertz
- Robert Koch Institute, P3: Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Silke R. Klee
- Robert Koch Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS 2: Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Dupke S, Barduhn A, Franz T, Leendertz FH, Couacy-Hymann E, Grunow R, Klee SR. Analysis of a newly discovered antigen of Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis for its suitability in specific serological antibody testing. J Appl Microbiol 2018; 126:311-323. [PMID: 30253024 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this work was to identify a protein which can be used for specific detection of antibodies against Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis (Bcbva), an anthrax-causing pathogen that so far has been described in African rainforest areas. METHODS AND RESULTS Culture supernatants of Bcbva and classic Bacillus anthracis (Ba) were analysed by gel electrophoresis, and a 35-kDa protein secreted only by Bcbva and not Ba was detected. The protein was identified as pXO2-60 by mass spectrometry. Sequence analysis showed that Ba is unable to secrete this protein due to a premature stop codon in the sequence for the signal peptide. Immunization of five outbred mice with sterile bacterial culture supernatants of Bcbva revealed an immune response in ELISA against pXO2-60 (three mice positive, one borderline) and the protective antigen (PA; four mice). When supernatants of classic Ba were injected into mice or human sera from anthrax patients were analysed, only antibodies against PA were detected. CONCLUSIONS In combination with PA, the pXO2-60 protein can be used for the detection of antibodies specific against Bcbva and discriminating from Ba. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY After further validation, serological assays based on pXO2-60 can be used to perform seroprevalence studies to determine the epidemiology of B. cereus bv anthracis in affected countries and assess its impact on the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dupke
- Robert Koch-Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Berlin, Germany
| | - A Barduhn
- Robert Koch-Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Berlin, Germany
| | - T Franz
- Robert Koch-Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Berlin, Germany
| | - F H Leendertz
- Robert Koch-Institute, Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (P3), Berlin, Germany
| | - E Couacy-Hymann
- Laboratoire National d'Appui au Développement Agricole (LANADA), Laboratoire Central Vétérinaire de Bingerville (LCVB), Bingerville, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - R Grunow
- Robert Koch-Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Berlin, Germany
| | - S R Klee
- Robert Koch-Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS2), Berlin, Germany
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4
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Zimmermann F, Köhler SM, Nowak K, Dupke S, Barduhn A, Düx A, Lang A, De Nys HM, Gogarten JF, Grunow R, Couacy-Hymann E, Wittig RM, Klee SR, Leendertz FH. Low antibody prevalence against Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, indicates high rate of lethal infections in wildlife. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005960. [PMID: 28934219 PMCID: PMC5626515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis (Bcbva) is a member of the B. cereus group which carries both B. anthracis virulence plasmids, causes anthrax-like disease in various wildlife species and was described in several sub-Saharan African rainforests. Long-term monitoring of carcasses in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, revealed continuous wildlife mortality due to Bcbva in a broad range of mammalian species. While non-lethal anthrax infections in wildlife have been described for B. anthracis, nothing is known about the odds of survival following an anthrax infection caused by Bcbva. To address this gap, we present the results of a serological study of anthrax in five wildlife species known to succumb to Bcbva in this ecosystem. Specific antibodies were only detected in two out of 15 wild red colobus monkeys (Procolobus badius) and one out of 10 black-and-white colobus monkeys (Colobus polykomos), but in none of 16 sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys), 9 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) and 9 Maxwell's duikers (Cephalophus maxwellii). The combination of high mortality and low antibody detection rates indicates high virulence of this disease across these different mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fee Zimmermann
- Robert Koch Institute, P3: “Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms", Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
- Robert Koch Institute, ZBS 2: Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne M. Köhler
- Robert Koch Institute, P3: “Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms", Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathrin Nowak
- Robert Koch Institute, P3: “Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms", Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susann Dupke
- Robert Koch Institute, ZBS 2: Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Barduhn
- Robert Koch Institute, ZBS 2: Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ariane Düx
- Robert Koch Institute, P3: “Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms", Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Lang
- Robert Koch Institute, P3: “Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms", Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hélène M. De Nys
- Robert Koch Institute, P3: “Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms", Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan F. Gogarten
- Robert Koch Institute, P3: “Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms", Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Primatology Department, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roland Grunow
- Robert Koch Institute, ZBS 2: Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Roman M. Wittig
- Primatology Department, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, Germany
- Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Silke R. Klee
- Robert Koch Institute, ZBS 2: Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian H. Leendertz
- Robert Koch Institute, P3: “Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms", Seestraße 10, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
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5
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Pavan ME, Pavan EE, Cairó FM, Pettinari MJ. Expression and refolding of the protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis: A model for high-throughput screening of antigenic recombinant protein refolding. Rev Argent Microbiol 2016; 48:5-14. [PMID: 26777581 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) is a well known and relevant immunogenic protein that is the basis for both anthrax vaccines and diagnostic methods. Properly folded antigenic PA is necessary for these applications. In this study a high level of PA was obtained in recombinant Escherichia coli. The protein was initially accumulated in inclusion bodies, which facilitated its efficient purification by simple washing steps; however, it could not be recognized by specific antibodies. Refolding conditions were subsequently analyzed in a high-throughput manner that enabled nearly a hundred different conditions to be tested simultaneously. The recovery of the ability of PA to be recognized by antibodies was screened by dot blot using a coefficient that provided a measure of properly refolded protein levels with a high degree of discrimination. The best refolding conditions resulted in a tenfold increase in the intensity of the dot blot compared to the control. The only refolding additive that consistently yielded good results was L-arginine. The statistical analysis identified both cooperative and negative interactions between the different refolding additives. The high-throughput approach described in this study that enabled overproduction, purification and refolding of PA in a simple and straightforward manner, can be potentially useful for the rapid screening of adequate refolding conditions for other overexpressed antigenic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Elisa Pavan
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Biochemiq S.A., Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Esteban Enrique Pavan
- Laboratorio di Tecnologie Biomediche, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
| | - Fabián Martín Cairó
- Biochemiq S.A., Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UBA, Argentina
| | - María Julia Pettinari
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; IQUIBICEN, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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6
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Global metabolomic analysis of a mammalian host infected with Bacillus anthracis. Infect Immun 2015; 83:4811-25. [PMID: 26438791 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00947-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Whereas DNA provides the information to design life and proteins provide the materials to construct it, the metabolome can be viewed as the physiology that powers it. As such, metabolomics, the field charged with the study of the dynamic small-molecule fluctuations that occur in response to changing biology, is now being used to study the basis of disease. Here, we describe a comprehensive metabolomic analysis of a systemic bacterial infection using Bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax disease, as the model pathogen. An organ and blood analysis identified approximately 400 metabolites, including several key classes of lipids involved in inflammation, as being suppressed by B. anthracis. Metabolite changes were detected as early as 1 day postinfection, well before the onset of disease or the spread of bacteria to organs, which testifies to the sensitivity of this methodology. Functional studies using pharmacologic inhibition of host phospholipases support the idea of a role of these key enzymes and lipid mediators in host survival during anthrax disease. Finally, the results are integrated to provide a comprehensive picture of how B. anthracis alters host physiology. Collectively, the results of this study provide a blueprint for using metabolomics as a platform to identify and study novel host-pathogen interactions that shape the outcome of an infection.
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7
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Tournier JN, Ulrich RG, Quesnel-Hellmann A, Mohamadzadeh M, Stiles BG. Anthrax, toxins and vaccines: a 125-year journey targetingBacillus anthracis. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2014; 7:219-36. [DOI: 10.1586/14787210.7.2.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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8
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Bouzianas DG. Potential biological targets ofBacillus anthracisin anti-infective approaches against the threat of bioterrorism. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2014; 5:665-84. [PMID: 17678429 DOI: 10.1586/14787210.5.4.665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The terrorist attacks of 2001 involving anthrax underscore the imperative that safe and effective medical countermeasures should be readily available. Vaccination appears to be the most effective form of mass protection against a biological attack, but the current vaccines have drawbacks that justify the enormous amount of effort currently being put into developing more effective vaccines and other treatment modalities. After providing a comprehensive overview of the organism Bacillus anthracis as a biological weapon and its pathogenicity, this review briefly summarizes the current knowledge vital to the management of anthrax disease. This knowledge has been acquired since 2001 as a result of the progress on anthrax research and focuses on the possible development of improved human anti-infective strategies targeting B. anthracis spore components, as well as strategies based on host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios G Bouzianas
- Department of Medical Laboratories, Faculty of Health and Care Professions, University-level Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece.
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9
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Validation and long term performance characteristics of a quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human anti-PA IgG. J Immunol Methods 2012; 376:97-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2011.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2011] [Revised: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 12/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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10
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B. anthracis in a wool-processing factory: seroprevalence and occupational risk. Epidemiol Infect 2011; 140:879-86. [PMID: 21835070 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268811001488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In a Belgian wool-processing factory, living anthrax spores were found in raw goat hair and air dust, but confirmed anthrax cases had never been reported. Anthrax vaccines are not licensed nor recommended in Belgium. We conducted a B. anthracis seroprevalence study to investigate risk factors associated with positive serology and advise on protective measures. Overall 12·1% (8/66) employees were seropositive; 30% of persons processing raw goat hair and 20% of persons sorting raw goat hair were seropositive compared to 3% in less exposed jobs [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 44·4, P=0·001; aPR 14·5, P=0·016, respectively). The number of masks used per day was protective (aPR 0·3, P=0·015). Results suggest a dose-response association for those processing raw goat hair. Host-related factors probably played a role as antibody response varied from person to person within an exposure group. Workers exposed to raw goat hair should be offered higher protection against anthrax and have access to anthrax vaccines.
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11
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Choi JS, Kim SG, Lahousse M, Park HY, Park HC, Jeong B, Kim J, Kim SK, Yoon MY. Screening and characterization of high-affinity ssDNA aptamers against anthrax protective antigen. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 16:266-71. [PMID: 21245470 DOI: 10.1177/1087057110391787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis is a secreted protein that functions as a critical virulence factor. Protective antigen has been selected as a biomarker in detecting bacterial infection. The in vitro selection method, systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), was used to find single-stranded DNAs that were tightly bound to PA. After 8 rounds of the SELEX process with PA, 4 different oligonucleotides (referred to as aptamers) that contain a 30-residue ssDNA sequence were identified. Dissociation constant (K(d)) values with Cy3-attached aptamers were determined via fluorophotometry to be within a nanomolar range. The authors attempted to visualize the detection of PA using an aptamer-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, which has proven to be successful within a nanomolar K(d) value range. Furthermore, 2 of the 4 aptamers exhibited specificity to PA against bovine serum albumin and bovine serum. The results of this study demonstrate the analytical potential of an oligonucleotide-based biosensor for a wide variety of applications, particularly in diagnosing disease through specific protein biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Sun Choi
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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12
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Passive vaccination with a human monoclonal antibody: generation of antibodies and studies for efficacy in Bacillus anthracis infections. Immunobiology 2010; 216:847-53. [PMID: 21397977 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2010.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2010] [Accepted: 12/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A major difficulty in creating human monoclonal antibodies is the lack of a suitable myeloma cell line to be used for fusion experiments. In order to create fully human monoclonal antibodies for passive immunization, the human mouse heteromyeloma cell line CB-F7 was evaluated. Using this cell line, we generated human monoclonal antibodies against Bacillus anthracis toxin components. Antibodies against protective antigen (PA) and against lethal factor (LF) were obtained using peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from persons vaccinated with the UK anthrax vaccine. PBL were fused with the cell line CB-F7. We obtained several clones producing PA specific Ig and one clone (hLF1-SAN) producing a monoclonal antibody (hLF1) directed against LF. The LF binding antibody was able to neutralize Anthrax toxin activity in an in vitro neutralization assay, and preliminary in vivo studies in mice also indicated a trend towards protection. We mapped the epitope of the antibody binding to LF by dot blot analysis and ELIFA using 80 synthetic LF peptides of 20 amino acid lengths with an overlapping range of 10 amino acids. Our results suggest the binding of the monoclonal antibody to the peptide regions 121-150 or 451-470 of LF. The Fab-fragment of the antibody hLF1 was cloned in Escherichia coli and could be useful as part of a fully human monoclonal antibody for the treatment of Anthrax infections. In general, our studies show the applicability of the CB-F7 line to create fully human monoclonal antibodies for vaccination.
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13
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Crowe SR, Ash LL, Engler RJM, Ballard JD, Harley JB, Farris AD, James JA. Select human anthrax protective antigen epitope-specific antibodies provide protection from lethal toxin challenge. J Infect Dis 2010; 202:251-60. [PMID: 20533877 DOI: 10.1086/653495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis remains a serious bioterrorism concern, and the currently licensed vaccine remains an incomplete solution for population protection from inhalation anthrax and has been associated with concerns regarding efficacy and safety. Thus, understanding how to generate long-lasting protective immunity with reduced immunizations or provide protection through postexposure immunotherapeutics are long-sought goals. Through evaluation of a large military cohort, we characterized the levels of antibodies against protective antigen and found that over half of anthrax vaccinees had low serum levels of in vitro toxin neutralization capacity. Using solid-phase epitope mapping and confirmatory assays, we identified several neutralization-associated humoral epitopes and demonstrated that select antipeptide responses mediated protection in vitro. Finally, passively transferred antibodies specific for select epitopes provided protection in an in vivo lethal toxin mouse model. Identification of these antigenic regions has important implications for vaccine design and the development of directed immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherry R Crowe
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
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14
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Bouzianas DG. Current and future medical approaches to combat the anthrax threat. J Med Chem 2010; 53:4305-31. [PMID: 20102155 DOI: 10.1021/jm901024b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios G Bouzianas
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, AHEPA University Hospital, 1 S. Kyriakidi Street, P.C. 54636, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
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15
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Wattiau P, Govaerts M, Frangoulidis D, Fretin D, Kissling E, Van Hessche M, China B, Poncin M, Pirenne Y, Hanquet G. Immunologic response of unvaccinated workers exposed to anthrax, Belgium. Emerg Infect Dis 2010; 15:1637-40. [PMID: 19861061 PMCID: PMC2866386 DOI: 10.3201/eid1510.081717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To determine immunologic reactivity to Bacillus anthrax antigens, we conducted serologic testing of workers in a factory that performed scouring of wool and goat hair. Of 66 workers, ≈10% had circulating antibodies or T lymphocytes that reacted with anthrax protective antigen. Individual immunity varied from undetectable to high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Wattiau
- Veterinary and Agro-chemical Research Centre, Department of Bacterial Diseases, Brussels, Belgium.
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16
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Anthrax is a bacterial zoonosis that occasionally causes human disease and is potentially fatal. Anthrax vaccines include a live-attenuated vaccine, an alum-precipitated cell-free filtrate vaccine, and a recombinant protein vaccine. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness, immunogenicity, and safety of vaccines for preventing anthrax. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the following databases (November 2008): Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register; CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 4); MEDLINE; EMBASE; LILACS; and mRCT. We also searched reference lists. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of individuals and cluster-RCTs comparing anthrax vaccine with placebo, other (non-anthrax) vaccines, or no intervention; or comparing administration routes or treatment regimens of anthrax vaccine. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently considered trial eligibility, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. We presented cases of anthrax and seroconversion rates using risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We summarized immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations using geometric means. We carried out a sensitivity analysis to investigate the effect of clustering on the results from one cluster-RCT. No meta-analysis was undertaken. MAIN RESULTS One cluster-RCT (with 157,259 participants) and four RCTs of individuals (1917 participants) met the inclusion criteria. The cluster-RCT from the former USSR showed that, compared with no vaccine, a live-attenuated vaccine (called STI) protected against clinical anthrax whether given by a needleless device (RR 0.16; 102,737 participants, 154 clusters) or the scarification method (RR 0.25; 104,496 participants, 151 clusters). Confidence intervals were statistically significant in unadjusted calculations, but when a small amount of association within clusters was assumed, the differences were not statistically significant. The four RCTs (of individuals) of inactivated vaccines (anthrax vaccine absorbed and recombinant protective antigen) showed a dose response relationship for the anti-protective antigen IgG antibody titre. Intramuscular administration was associated with fewer injection site reactions than subcutaneous injection, and injection site reaction rates were lower when the dosage interval was longer. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS One cluster-RCT provides limited evidence that a live-attenuated vaccine is effective in preventing cutaneous anthrax. Vaccines based on anthrax antigens are immunogenic in most vaccinees with few adverse events or reactions. Ongoing randomized controlled trials are investigating the immunogenicity and safety of anthrax vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Donegan
- International Health Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK, L3 5QA.
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The anthrax vaccine adsorbed vaccine generates protective antigen (PA)-Specific CD4+ T cells with a phenotype distinct from that of naive PA T cells. Infect Immun 2008; 76:4538-45. [PMID: 18678674 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00324-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular immune responses against protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis in subjects that received the anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA) vaccine were examined. Multiple CD4(+) T-cell epitopes within PA were identified by using tetramer-guided epitope mapping. PA-reactive CD4(+) T cells with a CD45RA(-) phenotype were also detected by direct ex vivo staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with PA-specific tetramers. Surprisingly, PA-specific T cells were also detected in PBMC of nonvaccinees after a single cycle of in vitro PA stimulation. However, PA-reactive CD4(+) T cells in nonvaccinees occurred at lower frequencies than those in vaccinees. The majority of PA-reactive T cells from nonvaccinees were CD45RA(+) and exhibited a Th0/Th1 cytokine profile. In contrast, phenotyping and cytokine profile analyses of PA-reactive CD4(+) T cells from vaccinees indicated that vaccination leads to commitment of PA-reactive T cells to a Th2 lineage, including generation of PA-specific, pre-Th2 central memory T cells. These results demonstrate that the current AVA vaccine is effective in skewing the development of PA CD4(+) T cells to the Th2 lineage. The data also demonstrated the feasibility of using class II tetramers to analyze CD4(+) cell responses and lineage development after vaccination.
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Functional Expression of Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen in E. coli. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2008; 157:554-61. [DOI: 10.1007/s12010-008-8309-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2008] [Accepted: 06/27/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Anthrax vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4160-3611-1.50012-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
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De BP, Hackett NR, Crystal RG, Boyer JL. Rapid/Sustained Anti-anthrax Passive Immunity Mediated by Co-administration of Ad/AAV. Mol Ther 2008; 16:203-9. [DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Hepburn MJ, Hugh Dyson E, Simpson AJH, Brenneman KE, Bailey N, Wilkinson L, Hornby R, Mateczun AJ, Bell MG, Baillie LWJ. Immune response to two different dosing schedules of the anthrax vaccine precipitated (AVP) vaccine. Vaccine 2007; 25:6089-97. [PMID: 17604880 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2007] [Revised: 05/09/2007] [Accepted: 05/12/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A pilot study compared the immune response of regular (0, 3, 6, 32 weeks) and extended (0, 10, 13, 32 weeks) schedules of the UK anthrax vaccine (anthrax vaccine precipitated, AVP). Concentrations of antibodies to protective antigen (PA) were higher (p<0.05) among recipients of the extended (n=7) versus regular schedule (n=6) at week 32, and 2 weeks after the second and third vaccinations. Toxin neutralisation assay levels and anti-lethal factor antibodies followed patterns similar to anti-PA antibodies. Extending the interval between the first two AVP vaccinations may produce a stronger immune response, but persistence of this effect needs further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Hepburn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.
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