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Hoonakker M, Zariri A, de Brouwer L, David D, Borgman A, Sloots A. An in vitro assay for toxicity testing of Clostridium perfringens type C β-toxin. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1373411. [PMID: 38646535 PMCID: PMC11026656 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1373411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Veterinary vaccines against Clostridium perfringens type C need to be tested for absence of toxicity, as mandated by pharmacopoeias worldwide. This toxicity testing is required at multiple manufacturing steps and relies on outdated mouse tests that involve severe animal suffering. Clostridium perfringens type C produces several toxins of which the β-toxin is the primary component responsible for causing disease. Here, we describe the successful development of a new cell-based in vitro assay that can address the specific toxicity of the β-toxin. Methods Development of the cell-based assay followed the principle of in vitro testing developed for Cl. septicum vaccines, which is based on Vero cells. We screened four cell lines and selected the THP-1 cell line, which was shown to be the most specific and sensitive for β-toxin activity, in combination with a commercially available method to determine cell viability (MTS assay) as a readout. Results The current animal test is estimated to detect 100 - 1000-fold dilutions of the Cl. perfringens type C non-inactivated antigen. When tested with an active Cl. perfringens type C antigen preparation, derived from a commercial vaccine manufacturing process, our THP-1 cell-based assay was able to detect toxin activity from undiluted to over 10000-fold dilution, showing a linear range between approximately 1000- and 10000-fold dilutions. Assay specificity for the β-toxin was confirmed with neutralizing antibodies and lack of reaction to Cl. perfringens culture medium. In addition, assay parameters demonstrated good repeatability. Conclusions Here, we have shown proof of concept for a THP-1 cell-based assay for toxicity testing of veterinary Cl. perfringens type C vaccines that is suitable for all vaccine production steps. This result represents a significant step towards the replacement of animal-based toxicity testing of this veterinary clostridial antigen. As a next step, assessment of the assay's sensitivity and repeatability and validation of the method will have to be performed in a commercial manufacturing context in order to formally implement the assay in vaccine quality control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Arjen Sloots
- Department of Product Characterization and Formulation, Intravacc B.V., Bilthoven, Netherlands
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2
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Zhang S, Wang D, Ding Y, Song F, Li Y, Zeng J, Wang Y. Injury of Macrophages Induced by Clostridium perfringens Type C Exotoxins. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3718. [PMID: 38612529 PMCID: PMC11011396 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a kind of anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium that widely exists in the intestinal tissue of humans and animals. And the main virulence factor in Clostridium perfringens is its exotoxins. Clostridium perfringens type C is the main strain of livestock disease, its exotoxins can induce necrotizing enteritis and enterotoxemia, which lead to the reduction in feed conversion, and a serious impact on breeding production performance. Our study found that treatment with exotoxins reduced cell viability and triggered intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human mononuclear leukemia cells (THP-1) cells. Through transcriptome sequencing analysis, we found that the levels of related proteins such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and ferroptosis signaling pathway increased significantly after treatment with exotoxins. To investigate whether ferroptosis occurred after exotoxin treatment in macrophages, we confirmed that the protein expression levels of antioxidant factors glutathione peroxidase 4/ferroptosis-suppressor-protein 1/the cystine/glutamate antiporter solute carrier family 7 member 11 (GPX4/FSP1/xCT), ferroptosis-related protein nuclear receptor coactivator 4/transferrin/transferrin receptor (NCOA4/TF/TFR)/ferritin and the level of lipid peroxidation were significantly changed. Based on the above results, our study suggested that Clostridium perfringens type C exotoxins can induce macrophage injury through oxidative stress and ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jin Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Re-Sources in the Western China, College of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China; (S.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.D.); (F.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yujiong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Re-Sources in the Western China, College of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China; (S.Z.); (D.W.); (Y.D.); (F.S.); (Y.L.)
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3
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Xie K, Yan Z, Wang W, Luo R, Gao X, Wang P, Yang Q, Huang X, Zhang J, Yang J, Gun S. ssc-microRNA-132 targets DACH1 to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in Clostridium perfringens beta2 toxin-treated porcine intestinal epithelial cells. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 127:104270. [PMID: 34582881 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) type C (CPC) is one of the chief pathogens that causes diarrhea in piglets, and C. perfringens beta2 (CPB2) toxin is the main virulence factor of CPC. Our previous research demonstrated that ssc-microR-132 was differentially expressed in ileal tissues of CPC-mediated diarrheic piglets and healthy piglets, which implied a potential role of ssc-microR-132 in this process. Here, we found that ssc-microR-132 was notably down-regulated in CPB2-exposed intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2), which was consistent with the ileal tissue expression. Moreover, ssc-microR-132 upregulation alleviated CPB2-induced inflammatory damage and apoptosis in IPEC-J2, whereas ssc-microR-132 knockdown presented the opposite effects. Furthermore, the dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that ssc-microR-132 directly targeted Dachshund homolog 1 (DACH1). Moreover, DACH1 overexpression intensified CPB2-induced inflammatory injury and apoptosis in IPEC-J2. Remarkably, the introduction of DACH1 weakened the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of ssc-microR-132 in CPB2-exposed IPEC-J2. Overall, the results reveal that ssc-microR-132 targeted DACH1 to alleviate CPB2-mediated inflammation and apoptosis in IPEC-J2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihui Xie
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China
| | - Zunqiang Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China
| | - Ruirui Luo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China
| | - Xiaoli Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China
| | - Qiaoli Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China
| | - Xiaoyu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China
| | - Juanli Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China
| | - Jiaojiao Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China
| | - Shuangbao Gun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China; Gansu Research Center for Swine Production Engineering and Technology, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China.
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4
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Benz R, Piselli C, Hoxha C, Koy C, Glocker MO, Popoff MR. Clostridium perfringens Beta2 toxin forms highly cation-selective channels in lipid bilayers. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL 2022; 51:15-27. [PMID: 34854958 PMCID: PMC8827211 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-021-01577-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a potent producer of a variety of toxins. Well studied from these are five toxins (alpha, Beta (CPB), epsilon, iota and CPE) that are produced by seven toxinotype strains (A–G) of C. perfringens. Besides these toxins, C. perfringens produces also another toxin that causes necrotizing enterocolitis in piglets. This toxin termed consensus Beta2 toxin (cCPB2) has a molecular mass of 27,620 Da and shows only little homology to CPB and no one to the other toxins of C. perfringens. Its primary action on cells remained unknown to date. cCPB2 was heterogeneously expressed as fusion protein with GST in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Although cCPB2 does not exhibit the typical structure of beta-stranded pore-forming proteins and contains no indication for the presence of amphipathic alpha-helices we could demonstrate that cCPB2 is a pore-forming component with an extremely high activity in lipid bilayers. The channels have a single-channel conductance of about 700 pS in 1 M KCl and are highly cation-selective as judged from selectivity measurements in the presence of salt gradients. The high cation selectivity is caused by the presence of net negative charges in or near the channel that allowed an estimate of the channel size being about 1.4 nm wide. Our measurements suggest that the primary effect of cCPB2 is the formation of cation-selective channels followed by necrotic enteritis in humans and animals. We searched in databases for homologs of cCPB2 and constructed a cladogram representing the phylogenetic relationship to the next relatives of cCPB2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Benz
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Claudio Piselli
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
| | - Cezarela Hoxha
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University, Campus Ring 1, 28759, Bremen, Germany
- Bacterial Toxins, Institut Pasteur, 28 Rue du Dr Roux, Paris, France
| | - Cornelia Koy
- Proteome Center Rostock, University Medicine Rostock, 18059, Rostock, Germany
| | - Michael O Glocker
- Proteome Center Rostock, University Medicine Rostock, 18059, Rostock, Germany
| | - Michel R Popoff
- Bacterial Toxins, Institut Pasteur, 28 Rue du Dr Roux, Paris, France
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Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (CD31) Is Essential for Clostridium perfringens Beta-Toxin Mediated Cytotoxicity in Human Endothelial and Monocytic Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13120893. [PMID: 34941730 PMCID: PMC8703487 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta toxin (CPB) is a small hemolysin beta pore-forming toxin (β-PFT) produced by Clostridium perfringens type C. It plays a central role in the pathogenesis of necro-hemorrhagic enteritis in young animals and humans via targeting intestinal endothelial cells. We recently identified the membrane protein CD31 (PECAM-1) as the receptor for CPB on mouse endothelial cells. We now assess the role of CD31 in CPB cytotoxicity against human endothelial and monocytic cells using a CRISPR/Cas9 gene knockout and an antibody blocking approach. CD31 knockout human endothelial and monocytic cells were resistant to CPB and CPB oligomers only formed in CD31-expressing cells. CD31 knockout endothelial and monocytic cells could be selectively enriched out of a polyclonal cell population by exposing them to CPB. Moreover, antibody mediated blocking of the extracellular Ig6 domain of CD31 abolished CPB cytotoxicity and oligomer formation in endothelial and monocytic cells. In conclusion, this study confirms the role of CD31 as a receptor of CPB on human endothelial and monocytic cells. Specific interaction with the CD31 molecule can thus explain the cell type specificity of CPB observed in vitro and corresponds to in vivo observations in naturally diseased animals.
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Ding G, Bai J, Feng B, Wang L, Qiao X, Zhou H, Jiang Y, Cui W, Tang L, Li Y, Xu Y. An EGFP-marked recombinant lactobacillus oral tetravalent vaccine constitutively expressing α, ε, β1, and β2 toxoids for Clostridium perfringens elicits effective anti-toxins protective immunity. Virulence 2020; 10:754-767. [PMID: 31429624 PMCID: PMC6735629 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1653720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a common opportunistic pathogen endangering livestock and poultry breeds. Here, using enhanced green fluorescent protein as screening marker, a recombinant lactobacillus tetravalent vaccine constitutively expressing α, ϵ, β1, and β2 toxoids of C. perfringens was developed, and its immunogenicity in mice was investigated via oral administration. This probiotic vaccine could effectively induce antigen-specific secretory IgA (sIgA)-based mucosal and IgG-based humoral immune responses, and significantly high levels (p< 0.05) of cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, and IFN-γ were produced in immunized mice. Moreover, lymphoproliferation and percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells significantly increased in mice of the probiotic vaccine group. Challenge experiments were performed in mice with C. perfringens toxinotypes A, C, and D crude toxins to evaluate protection efficiency of the probiotic vaccine, using a commercial inactivated C. perfringens vaccine made by C. perfringens toxinotypes A, C, and D as vaccine control. We observed 80% protection rate in the probiotic vaccine group, which was higher than commercial vaccine group, whereas all mice in control groups died and obvious histopathological changes were observed in liver, spleen, kidney, and intestines of mice. Significantly, we compared the immunogenicity and protection efficiency of lactobacillus constitutive expression system and lactobacillus inducible expression system, and results showed that lactobacillus constitutive expression system has obvious advantages. Our study clearly demonstrated that the probiotics vaccine could effectively induce mucosal, humoral, and cellular immunity, and provide effective protection against C. perfringens toxins, suggesting a promising strategy for the development of oral vaccine against C. perfringens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guojie Ding
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China
| | - Jing Bai
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China
| | - Baohua Feng
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China
| | - Li Wang
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China
| | - Xinyuan Qiao
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China
| | - Han Zhou
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China
| | - Yanping Jiang
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China
| | - Wen Cui
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China
| | - Lijie Tang
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China.,Northeast Science Inspection Station, Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogen Biology of Ministry of Agriculture of China, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China
| | - Yijing Li
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China.,Northeast Science Inspection Station, Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogen Biology of Ministry of Agriculture of China, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China
| | - Yigang Xu
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China.,Northeast Science Inspection Station, Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogen Biology of Ministry of Agriculture of China, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin , P.R. China
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7
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Bruggisser J, Tarek B, Wyder M, Müller P, von Ballmoos C, Witz G, Enzmann G, Deutsch U, Engelhardt B, Posthaus H. CD31 (PECAM-1) Serves as the Endothelial Cell-Specific Receptor of Clostridium perfringens β-Toxin. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 28:69-78.e6. [PMID: 32497498 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens β-toxin (CPB) is a highly active β-pore-forming toxin (β-PFT) and the essential virulence factor for fatal, necro-hemorrhagic enteritis in animals and humans. The molecular mechanisms involved in CPB's action on its target, the endothelium of small intestinal vessels, are poorly understood. Here, we identify platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31 or PECAM-1) as the specific membrane receptor for CPB on endothelial cells. CD31 expression corresponds with the cell-type specificity of CPB, and it is essential for toxicity in cultured cells and mice. Ectopic CD31 expression renders resistant cells and liposomes susceptible to CPB-induced membrane damage. Moreover, the extracellular Ig6 domain of mouse, human, and porcine CD31 is essential for the interaction with CPB. Hence, our results explain the cell-type specificity of CPB in vitro and in the natural disease caused by C. perfringens type C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Bruggisser
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Basma Tarek
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marianne Wyder
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Müller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christoph von Ballmoos
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Guillaume Witz
- Microscopy Imaging Center (MIC) University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Science IT Support (ScITS), Mathematical Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gaby Enzmann
- Theodor Kocher Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Urban Deutsch
- Theodor Kocher Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Britta Engelhardt
- Theodor Kocher Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Horst Posthaus
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; COMPATH, Vetsuisse-Faculty & Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Protection Efficacy of Oral Bait Probiotic Vaccine Constitutively Expressing Tetravalent Toxoids against Clostridium perfringens Exotoxins in Livestock (Rabbits). Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010017. [PMID: 31936328 PMCID: PMC7157649 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is an opportunistic pathogen. Its main virulence factors are exotoxins, which are the etiological agents of enteritis necroticans and enterotoxemia caused in livestock (cattle, sheep, and rabbits). Here, we demonstrated effective immune protection for rabbits against α, β, and ε exotoxins of C. perfringens provided by an oral tetravalent bait probiotic vaccine delivering α, ε, β1, and β2 toxoids of C. perfringens. Results showed that the recombinant probiotic had good segregational stability and good colonization ability in the rabbit intestinal tract. Oral administration of the probiotic vaccine can effectively elicit significant levels of antigen-specific mucosa sIgA and sera IgG antibodies with exotoxin-neutralizing activity. Additionally, oral immunization with the probiotic vaccine effectively promoted lymphoproliferation and Th1/Th2-associated cytokine production. The protection rate of immunized rabbits with the probiotic vaccine was 80% after challenging rabbits with a combination of C. perfringens (toxinotypes A, C, and D) and exotoxin mixture, which was better than the 60% provided by a commercial inactivated C. perfringens A, C, and D trivalent vaccine. Moreover, obvious histopathological changes were observed in the intestinal tissues of rabbits in the commercial vaccine and PBS groups. The bait probiotic vaccine can provide effective protection against C. perfringens exotoxins, suggesting a promising C. perfringens vaccination strategy.
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Shi H, Huang X, Yan Z, Yang Q, Wang P, Li S, Sun W, Gun S. Effect of Clostridium perfringens type C on TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in piglet small intestines. Microb Pathog 2019; 135:103567. [PMID: 31163250 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), a Gram-positive bacterium, is one of the main causing piglet diarrhea, which leads serious economic loss in the world swine industries. Generally, the innate immune response plays a critical role in host defense against pathogen invasion. TLR4, a member of the TLR (Toll-like receptor) family, has been considered to implicate in the host immune responses and induce secretion of inflammatory cytokines during bacterial infection. However, little is clear about the effects of TLR4 and key signaling genes in the process of piglet inflammatory and immune responses after C. perfringens infection. This study aims to explore the effect of C. perfringens type C infection on the key mRNAs of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways during the process of piglet diarrhea. In this study, the expressions of TLR4 and other key mRNAs in the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways were quantified in piglet ileum and jejunum tissues among IR (intestinal resistance), IS (intestinal susceptibility) and IC (intestinal control) groups by qPCR and Western blot methods, the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in intestinal tissues and serum immunoglobulins were also tested by ELISA kits. Results showed that compared to IC group, expressions of ileum TLR4 and TNF-α was significantly increased in the IS and IR groups, specially TBK1 gene; the expressions of ileum TLR2, TRAF6, MyD88 and IL-8 mRNAs was significantly up-regulated in the IS group, the expressions of TLR9, NF-κB, IL-6, IFN-γ and MAPK1 genes were not significant differences among the IR, IS and IC groups. Meanwhile, the protein levels of TLR4, HMGB1 and NF-κB were higher in the IS and IR groups. The levels of jejunum IFN-γ and IL-6, ileum IL-6 and IL-12 were risen in the IR group. Serum immunoglobulin IgA and IgG in the IR and IS groups reached a peak on the 72 h and 48 h post infection, respectively. These findings suggest that C. perfringens type C infection induces host immune responses involving in the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways in ileum than in jejunum, which may provide valuable information for innate immune mechanisms involved in regulation of piglet diarrhea caused by C. perfringens type C infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairen Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, PR China; Tibet Autonomous Region Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Tibet, PR China.
| | - Xiaoyu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, PR China; Gansu Research Center for Swine Production Engineering and Technology, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - Zunqiang Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - Qiaoli Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, PR China; Gansu Research Center for Swine Production Engineering and Technology, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - Pengfei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - Shenggui Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - Wenyang Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - Shuangbao Gun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, PR China; Gansu Research Center for Swine Production Engineering and Technology, Lanzhou, PR China.
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Application of an Endothelial Cell Culture Assay for the Detection of Neutralizing Anti-Clostridium Perfringens Beta-Toxin Antibodies in a Porcine Vaccination Trial. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11040225. [PMID: 30991691 PMCID: PMC6520926 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11040225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beta-toxin (CPB) is the major virulence factor of Clostridium perfringens type C, causing hemorrhagic enteritis in newborn pigs but also other animals and humans. Vaccines containing inactivated CPB are known to induce protective antibody titers in sow colostrum and neutralization of the CPB activity is thought to be essential for protective immunity in newborn piglets. However, no method is available to quantify the neutralizing effect of vaccine-induced antibody titers in pigs. (2) Methods: We developed a novel assay for the quantification of neutralizing anti-CPB antibodies. Sera and colostrum of sows immunized with a commercial C. perfringens type A and C vaccine was used to determine neutralizing effects on CPB induced cytotoxicity in endothelial cells. Antibody titers of sows and their piglets were determined and compared to results obtained by an ELISA. (3) Results: Vaccinated sows developed neutralizing antibodies against CPB in serum and colostrum. Multiparous sows developed higher serum and colostrum antibody titers after booster vaccinations than uniparous sows. The antibody titers of sows and those of their piglets correlated highly. Piglets from vaccinated sows were protected against intraperitoneal challenge with C. perfringens type C supernatant. (4) Conclusions: The test based on primary porcine endothelial cells quantifies neutralizing antibody activity in serum and colostrum of vaccinated sows and could be used to reduce and refine animal experimentation during vaccine development.
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Huang XY, Sun WY, Yan ZQ, Shi HR, Yang QL, Wang PF, Li SG, Liu LX, Zhao SG, Gun SB. Novel Insights reveal Anti-microbial Gene Regulation of Piglet Intestine Immune in response to Clostridium perfringens Infection. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1963. [PMID: 30760749 PMCID: PMC6374412 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37898-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
LncRNA play important roles in regulation of host immune and inflammation responses in defending bacterial infection. Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) type C is one of primary bacteria leading to piglet diarrhea and other intestinal inflammatory diseases. For the differences of host immune capacity, individuals usually show resistance and susceptibility to bacterial infection. However, whether and how lncRNAs involved in modulating host immune resistance have not been reported. We have investigated the expression patterns of ileum lncRNAs of 7-day-old piglets infected by C. perfringens type C through RNA sequencing. A total of 16 lncRNAs and 126 mRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in resistance (IR) and susceptibility (IS) groups. Many lncRNAs and mRNAs were identified to regulate resistance and susceptibility of piglets through immune related pathways. Five lncRNAs may have potential function on regulating the expressions of cytokines, these lncRNAs and cytokines work together to co-regulated piglet immune response to C. perfringens, affecting host resistance and susceptibility. These results provide valuable information for understanding the functions of lncRNA and mRNA in affecting piglet diarrhea resistance of defensing to C. perfringens type C, these lncRNAs and mRNAs may be used as the important biomarkers for decreasing C. perfringens spread and diseases in human and piglets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Wen Yang Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Zun Qiang Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Hai Ren Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Qiao Li Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Peng Fei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Sheng Gui Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Li Xia Liu
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Sheng Guo Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Shuang Bao Gun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
- Gansu Research Center for Swine Production Engineering and Technology, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
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12
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Effect of Clostridium perfringens β-Toxin on Platelets. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9100336. [PMID: 29064418 PMCID: PMC5666382 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9100336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringensβ-toxin (CPB) is the major virulence factor of C.perfringens type C causing a hemorrhagic enteritis in animals and humans. In experimentally infected pigs, endothelial binding of CPB was shown to be associated with early vascular lesions and hemorrhage but without obvious thrombosis of affected vessels, suggesting altered hemostasis in the early phase of the disease. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of CPB on platelets, with respect to primary hemostasis. Our results demonstrate that CPB binds to porcine and human platelets and forms oligomers resulting in a time- and dose-dependent cell death. Platelets showed rapid ultrastructural changes, significantly decreased aggregation and could no longer be activated by thrombin. This indicates that CPB affects the physiological function of platelets and counteracts primary hemostasis. Our results add platelets to the list of target cells of CPB and extend the current hypothesis of its role in the pathogenesis of C. perfringens type C enteritis.
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Ferreira MRA, Moreira GMSG, Cunha CEPD, Mendonça M, Salvarani FM, Moreira ÂN, Conceição FR. Recombinant Alpha, Beta, and Epsilon Toxins of Clostridium perfringens: Production Strategies and Applications as Veterinary Vaccines. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:E340. [PMID: 27879630 PMCID: PMC5127136 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8110340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a spore-forming, commensal, ubiquitous bacterium that is present in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy humans and animals. This bacterium produces up to 18 toxins. The species is classified into five toxinotypes (A-E) according to the toxins that the bacterium produces: alpha, beta, epsilon, or iota. Each of these toxinotypes is associated with myriad different, frequently fatal, illnesses that affect a range of farm animals and humans. Alpha, beta, and epsilon toxins are the main causes of disease. Vaccinations that generate neutralizing antibodies are the most common prophylactic measures that are currently in use. These vaccines consist of toxoids that are obtained from C. perfringens cultures. Recombinant vaccines offer several advantages over conventional toxoids, especially in terms of the production process. As such, they are steadily gaining ground as a promising vaccination solution. This review discusses the main strategies that are currently used to produce recombinant vaccines containing alpha, beta, and epsilon toxins of C. perfringens, as well as the potential application of these molecules as vaccines for mammalian livestock animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Roberto A Ferreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96160-000, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Marçal S G Moreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96160-000, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Eduardo P da Cunha
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96160-000, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Mendonça
- Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Unidade Acadêmica de Garanhuns, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Garanhuns CEP 55292-270, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Felipe M Salvarani
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal CEP 68740-970, Pará, Brazil.
| | - Ângela N Moreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96160-000, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96010-610, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Fabricio R Conceição
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96160-000, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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Seike S, Takehara M, Kobayashi K, Nagahama M. Role of pannexin 1 in Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin-caused cell death. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:3150-3156. [PMID: 27720686 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beta-toxin produced by Clostridium perfringens is a key virulence factor of fatal hemorrhagic enterocolitis and enterotoxemia. This toxin belongs to a family of β-pore-forming toxins (PFTs). We reported recently that the ATP-gated P2X7 receptor interacts with beta-toxin. The ATP-release channel pannexin 1 (Panx1) is an important contributor to P2X7 receptor signaling. Hence, we investigated the involvement of Panx1 in beta-toxin-caused cell death. METHODS We examined the effect of Panx1 in beta-toxin-induced cell death utilizing selective antagonists, knockdown of Panx1, and binding using dot-blot analysis. Localization of Panx1 and the P2X7 receptor after toxin treatment was determined by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS Selective Panx1 antagonists (carbenoxolone [CBX], probenecid, and Panx1 inhibitory peptide) prevented beta-toxin-caused cell death in THP-1 cells. CBX did not block the binding of the toxin to cells. Small interfering knockdown of Panx1 blocked beta-toxin-mediated cell death through inhibiting the oligomer formation of the toxin. Beta-toxin triggered a transient ATP release from THP-1 cells, but this early ATP release was blocked by CBX. ATP scavengers (apyrase and hexokinase) inhibited beta-toxin-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, co-administration of ATP with beta-toxin enhanced the binding and cytotoxicity of the toxin. CONCLUSIONS Based on our results, Panx1 activation is achieved through the interaction of beta-toxin with the P2X7 receptor. Then, ATP released by the Panx1 channel opening promotes oligomer formation of the toxin, leading to cell death. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Pannexin 1 is a novel candidate therapeutic target for beta-toxin-mediated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soshi Seike
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 180, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 180, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Keiko Kobayashi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 180, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 180, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan.
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15
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Nagahama M, Seike S, Shirai H, Takagishi T, Kobayashi K, Takehara M, Sakurai J. Role of P2X7 receptor in Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin-mediated cellular injury. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2015; 1850:2159-67. [PMID: 26299247 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2015.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin is a pore-forming toxin (PFT) and an important agent of necrotic enteritis and enterotoxemia. We recently reported that beta-toxin strongly induced cell death in THP-1 cells via the formation of oligomers. We here describe that the P2X(7) receptor, which is an ATP receptor, interacts with beta-toxin. METHODS We tested the role of P2X(7) receptor in beta-toxin-induced toxicity using specific inhibitors, knockdown of receptor, expression of the receptor and interaction by dot-blot assay. The potency of P2X(7) receptor was further determined using an in vivo mouse model. RESULTS Selective P2X(7) receptor antagonists (oxidized ATP (o-ATP), oxidized ADP, and Brilliant Blue G (BBG)) inhibited beta-toxin-induced cytotoxicity in THP-1 cells. o-ATP also blocked the binding of beta-toxin to cells. The P2X(7) receptor and beta-toxin oligomer were localized in the lipid rafts of THP-1 cells. siRNA for the P2X(7) receptor inhibited toxin-induced cytotoxicity and binding of the toxin. In contrast, the siRNA knockdown of P2Y(2) or P2Y(6) had no effect on beta-toxin-induced cytotoxicity. The addition of beta-toxin to P2X(7)-transfected HEK-293 cells resulted in binding of beta-toxin oligomer. Moreover, beta-toxin specifically bound to immobilized P2X(7) receptors in vitro and colocalized with the P2X(7) receptor on the THP-1 cell surface. Furthermore, beta-toxin-induced lethality in mice was blocked by the preadministration of BBG. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that the P2X(7) receptor plays a role in beta-toxin-mediated cellular injury. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE P2X(7) receptor is a potential target for the treatment of C. perfringens type C infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan.
| | - Soshi Seike
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Hidenori Shirai
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Teruhisa Takagishi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Keiko Kobayashi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Jun Sakurai
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
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16
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Roos S, Wyder M, Candi A, Regenscheit N, Nathues C, van Immerseel F, Posthaus H. Binding studies on isolated porcine small intestinal mucosa and in vitro toxicity studies reveal lack of effect of C. perfringens beta-toxin on the porcine intestinal epithelium. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:1235-52. [PMID: 25860161 PMCID: PMC4417965 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7041235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta-toxin (CPB) is the essential virulence factor of C. perfringens type C causing necrotizing enteritis (NE) in different hosts. Using a pig infection model, we showed that CPB targets small intestinal endothelial cells. Its effect on the porcine intestinal epithelium, however, could not be adequately investigated by this approach. Using porcine neonatal jejunal explants and cryosections, we performed in situ binding studies with CPB. We confirmed binding of CPB to endothelial but could not detect binding to epithelial cells. In contrast, the intact epithelial layer inhibited CPB penetration into deeper intestinal layers. CPB failed to induce cytopathic effects in cultured polarized porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) and primary jejunal epithelial cells. C. perfringens type C culture supernatants were toxic for cell cultures. This, however, was not inhibited by CPB neutralization. Our results show that, in the porcine small intestine, CPB primarily targets endothelial cells and does not bind to epithelial cells. An intact intestinal epithelial layer prevents CPB diffusion into underlying tissue and CPB alone does not cause direct damage to intestinal epithelial cells. Additional factors might be involved in the early epithelial damage which is needed for CPB diffusion towards its endothelial targets in the small intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Roos
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland.
| | - Marianne Wyder
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland.
| | - Ahmet Candi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland.
| | - Nadine Regenscheit
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland.
| | - Christina Nathues
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland.
| | - Filip van Immerseel
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
| | - Horst Posthaus
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland.
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Nagahama M, Ochi S, Oda M, Miyamoto K, Takehara M, Kobayashi K. Recent insights into Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:396-406. [PMID: 25654787 PMCID: PMC4344631 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7020396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin is a key mediator of necrotizing enterocolitis and enterotoxemia. It is a pore-forming toxin (PFT) that exerts cytotoxic effect. Experimental investigation using piglet and rabbit intestinal loop models and a mouse infection model apparently showed that beta-toxin is the important pathogenic factor of the organisms. The toxin caused the swelling and disruption of HL-60 cells and formed a functional pore in the lipid raft microdomains of sensitive cells. These findings represent significant progress in the characterization of the toxin with knowledge on its biological features, mechanism of action and structure-function having been accumulated. Our aims here are to review the current progresses in our comprehension of the virulence of C. perfringens type C and the character, biological feature and structure-function of beta-toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 770-8514, Tokushima, Japan.
| | - Sadayuki Ochi
- Department of Microbiology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake 470-1192, Aichi, Japan.
| | - Masataka Oda
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Gakkocho-dori, Chuo-ku 951-8514, Niigata, Japan.
| | - Kazuaki Miyamoto
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 770-8514, Tokushima, Japan.
| | - Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 770-8514, Tokushima, Japan.
| | - Keiko Kobayashi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 770-8514, Tokushima, Japan.
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18
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Clostridial pore-forming toxins: Powerful virulence factors. Anaerobe 2014; 30:220-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2014.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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The p38 MAPK and JNK pathways protect host cells against Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin. Infect Immun 2013; 81:3703-8. [PMID: 23876806 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00579-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin is an important agent of necrotic enteritis and enterotoxemia. Beta-toxin is a pore-forming toxin (PFT) that causes cytotoxicity. Two mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK]-like) provide cellular defense against various stresses. To investigate the role of the MAPK pathways in the toxic effect of beta-toxin, we examined cytotoxicity in five cell lines. Beta-toxin induced cytotoxicity in cells in the following order: THP-1 = U937 > HL-60 > BALL-1 = MOLT-4. In THP-1 cells, beta-toxin formed oligomers on lipid rafts in membranes and induced the efflux of K(+) from THP-1 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK occurred in response to an attack by beta-toxin. p38 MAPK (SB203580) and JNK (SP600125) inhibitors enhanced toxin-induced cell death. Incubation in K(+)-free medium intensified p38 MAPK activation and cell death induced by the toxin, while incubation in K(+)-high medium prevented those effects. While streptolysin O (SLO) reportedly activates p38 MAPK via reactive oxygen species (ROS), we showed that this pathway did not play a major role in p38 phosphorylation in beta-toxin-treated cells. Therefore, we propose that beta-toxin induces activation of the MAPK pathway to promote host cell survival.
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20
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Autheman D, Wyder M, Popoff M, D’Herde K, Christen S, Posthaus H. Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin induces necrostatin-inhibitable, calpain-dependent necrosis in primary porcine endothelial cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64644. [PMID: 23734212 PMCID: PMC3667183 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens β-toxin (CPB) is a β-barrel pore-forming toxin and an essential virulence factor of C. perfringens type C strains, which cause fatal hemorrhagic enteritis in animals and humans. We have previously shown that CPB is bound to endothelial cells within the intestine of affected pigs and humans, and that CPB is highly toxic to primary porcine endothelial cells (pEC) in vitro. The objective of the present study was to investigate the type of cell death induced by CPB in these cells, and to study potential host cell mechanisms involved in this process. CPB rapidly induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, propidium iodide uptake, ATP depletion, potassium efflux, a marked rise in intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i, release of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), and caused ultrastructural changes characteristic of necrotic cell death. Despite a certain level of caspase-3 activation, no appreciable DNA fragmentation was detected. CPB-induced LDH release and propidium iodide uptake were inhibited by necrostatin-1 and the two dissimilar calpain inhibitors PD150606 and calpeptin. Likewise, inhibition of potassium efflux, chelation of intracellular calcium and treatment of pEC with cyclosporin A also significantly inhibited CPB-induced LDH release. Our results demonstrate that rCPB primarily induces necrotic cell death in pEC, and that necrotic cell death is not merely a passive event caused by toxin-induced membrane disruption, but is propagated by host cell-dependent biochemical pathways activated by the rise in intracellular calcium and inhibitable by necrostatin-1, consistent with the emerging concept of programmed necrosis (“necroptosis”).
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Autheman
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marianne Wyder
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Katharina D’Herde
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stephan Christen
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Horst Posthaus
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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21
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Garcia JP, Beingesser J, Fisher DJ, Sayeed S, McClane BA, Posthaus H, Uzal FA. The effect of Clostridium perfringens type C strain CN3685 and its isogenic beta toxin null mutant in goats. Vet Microbiol 2012; 157:412-9. [PMID: 22296994 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2011] [Revised: 12/31/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens type C is an important cause of enteritis and/or enterocolitis in several animal species, including pigs, sheep, goats, horses and humans. The disease is a classic enterotoxemia and the enteric lesions and associated systemic effects are thought to be caused primarily by beta toxin (CPB), one of two typing toxins produced by C. perfringens type C. This has been demonstrated recently by fulfilling molecular Koch's postulates in rabbits and mice. We present here an experimental study to fulfill these postulates in goats, a natural host of C. perfringens type C disease. Nine healthy male or female Anglo Nubian goat kids were inoculated with the virulent C. perfringens type C wild-type strain CN3685, an isogenic CPB null mutant or a strain where the cpb null mutation had been reversed. Three goats inoculated with the wild-type strain presented abdominal pain, hemorrhagic diarrhea, necrotizing enterocolitis, pulmonary edema, hydropericardium and death within 24h of inoculation. Two goats inoculated with the CPB null mutant and two goats inoculated with sterile culture media (negative controls) remained clinically healthy during 24h after inoculation and no gross or histological abnormalities were observed in the tissues of any of them. Reversal of the null mutation to partially restore CPB production also increased virulence; 2 goats inoculated with this reversed mutant presented clinical and pathological changes similar to those observed in goats inoculated with the wild-type strain, except that spontaneous death was not observed. These results indicate that CPB is required for C. perfringens type C to induce disease in goats, supporting a key role for this toxin in natural C. perfringens type C disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Garcia
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, San Bernardino Branch, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, San Bernardino, CA 92408, USA
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