Auto-transporter A protein of Neisseria meningitidis: a potent CD4+ T-cell and B-cell stimulating antigen detected by expression cloning

Neisseria gonorrhoeae NGO2105 Is an Autotransporter Protein Involved in Adhesion to Human Cervical Epithelial Cells and in vivo Colonization

Autotransporters are important virulence factors in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. Although several autotransporters have been identified in Neisseria meningitidis, only IgA1 protease has been identified in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A sequence analysis showed a marked difference in the distribution of autotransporters between the two strains. It has been speculated that only two autotransporters, the IgA1 protease and the NGO2105 protein, might be encoded by N. gonorrhoeae. Here, we describe the identification of NGO2105, a new autotransporter in N. gonorrhoeae. A sequence alignment showed that NGO2105 is highly similar to the adhesion and penetration protein (App) in N. meningitidis. We found that NGO2105 is exported to the outer membrane, cleaved and released into the culture supernatant by endogenous serine protease activity in N. gonorrhoeae and E. coli. The site-directed mutagenesis of S267A in the predicted enzyme catalytic triad abolished autoproteolytic cleavage to allow secretion. The NGO2105 β-barrel shows the ability to translocate the heterologous Hbp passenger domain. NGO2105 is involved in gonococcal adherence to and invasion into human cervical epithelial cells. Furthermore, antibodies raised against NGO2105 are able to block gonococcal adherence to human cervical epithelial cells. The Δngo2105 mutant and anti-NGO2105 antiserum significantly attenuated the colonization of N. gonorrhoeae in mice. Collectively, our results suggest that the newly identified serine protease autotransporter NGO2105 represents a novel virulence factor of gonococcus and a potential vaccine target.

Deletion of D-Lactate Dehydrogenase A in Neisseria meningitidis Promotes Biofilm Formation Through Increased Autolysis and Extracellular DNA Release

Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative bacterium that asymptomatically colonizes the human nasopharyngeal mucosa. Pilus-mediated initial adherence of N. meningitidis to the epithelial mucosa is followed by the formation of three-dimensional aggregates, called microcolonies. Dispersal from microcolonies contributes to the transmission of N. meningitidis across the epithelial mucosa. We have recently discovered that environmental concentrations of host cell-derived lactate influences N. meningitidis microcolony dispersal. Here, we examined the ability of N. meningitidis mutants deficient in lactate metabolism to form biofilms. A lactate dehydrogenease A (ldhA) mutant had an increased level of biofilm formation. Deletion of ldhA increased the N. meningitidis cell surface hydrophobicity and aggregation. In this study, we used FAM20, which belongs to clonal complex ST-11 that forms biofilms independently of extracellular DNA (eDNA). However, treatment with DNase I abolished the increased biofilm formation and aggregation of the ldhA-deficient mutant, suggesting a critical role for eDNA. Compared to wild-type, the ldhA-deficient mutant exhibited an increased autolytic rate, with significant increases in the eDNA concentrations in the culture supernatants and in biofilms. Within the ldhA mutant biofilm, the transcription levels of the capsule, pilus, and bacterial lysis genes were downregulated, while norB, which is associated with anaerobic respiration, was upregulated. These findings suggest that the absence of ldhA in N. meningitidis promotes biofilm formation and aggregation through autolysis-mediated DNA release.

Novel approaches to Neisseria meningitidis vaccine design

A range of vaccines is available for preventing life-threatening diseases caused by infection with Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus, Men). Capsule polysaccharide (CPS)-conjugate vaccines are successful prophylactics for serogroup MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY infections, and outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccines have been used successfully for controlling clonal serogroup MenB infections. MenB vaccines based on recombinant proteins identified by reverse vaccinology (Bexsero™) and proteomics (Trumenba™) approaches have recently been licensed and Bexsero™ has been introduced into the UK infant immunisation programme. In this review, we chart the development of these licensed vaccines. In addition, we discuss the plethora of novel vaccinology approaches that have been applied to the meningococcus with varying success in pre-clinical studies, but which provide technological platforms for application to other pathogens. These strategies include modifying CPS, lipooligosaccharide and OMV; the use of recombinant proteins; structural vaccinology approaches of designing synthetic peptide/mimetope vaccines, DNA vaccines and engineered proteins; epitope presentation on biological and synthetic particles; through vaccination with live-attenuated pathogen(s), or with heterologous bacteria expressing vaccine antigens, or to competitive occupation of the nasopharyngeal niche by commensal bacterial spp. After close to a century of vaccine research, it is possible that meningococcal disease may be added, shortly, to the list of diseases to have been eradicated worldwide by rigorous vaccination campaigns.

Expansion of a urethritis-associated Neisseria meningitidis clade in the United States with concurrent acquisition of N. gonorrhoeae alleles

BACKGROUND

Increased reports of Neisseria meningitidis urethritis in multiple U.S. cities during 2015 have been attributed to the emergence of a novel clade of nongroupable N. meningitidis within the ST-11 clonal complex, the "U.S. NmNG urethritis clade". Genetic recombination with N. gonorrhoeae has been proposed to enable efficient sexual transmission by this clade. To understand the evolutionary origin and diversification of the U.S. NmNG urethritis clade, whole-genome phylogenetic analysis was performed to identify its members among the N. meningitidis strain collection from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including 209 urogenital and rectal N. meningitidis isolates submitted by U.S. public health departments in eleven states starting in 2015.

RESULTS

The earliest representatives of the U.S. NmNG urethritis clade were identified from cases of invasive disease that occurred in 2013. Among 209 urogenital and rectal isolates submitted from January 2015 to September 2016, the clade accounted for 189/198 male urogenital isolates, 3/4 female urogenital isolates, and 1/7 rectal isolates. In total, members of the clade were isolated in thirteen states between 2013 and 2016, which evolved from a common ancestor that likely existed during 2011. The ancestor contained N. gonorrhoeae-like alleles in three regions of its genome, two of which may facilitate nitrite-dependent anaerobic growth during colonization of urogenital sites. Additional gonococcal-like alleles were acquired as the clade diversified. Notably, one isolate contained a sequence associated with azithromycin resistance in N. gonorrhoeae, but no other gonococcal antimicrobial resistance determinants were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Interspecies genetic recombination contributed to the early evolution and subsequent diversification of the U.S. NmNG urethritis clade. Ongoing acquisition of N. gonorrhoeae alleles by the U.S. NmNG urethritis clade may facilitate the expansion of its ecological niche while also increasing the frequency with which it causes urethritis.

Identification of the Autochaperone Domain in the Type Va Secretion System (T5aSS): Prevalent Feature of Autotransporters with a β-Helical Passenger

Autotransporters (ATs) belong to a family of modular proteins secreted by the Type V, subtype a, secretion system (T5aSS) and considered as an important source of virulence factors in lipopolysaccharidic diderm bacteria (archetypical Gram-negative bacteria). While exported by the Sec pathway, the ATs are further secreted across the outer membrane via their own C-terminal translocator forming a β-barrel, through which the rest of the protein, namely the passenger, can pass. In several ATs, an autochaperone domain (AC) present at the C-terminal region of the passenger and upstream of the translocator was demonstrated as strictly required for proper secretion and folding. However, considering it was functionally characterised and identified only in a handful of ATs, wariness recently fells on the commonality and conservation of this structural element in the T5aSS. To circumvent the issue of sequence divergence and taking advantage of the resolved three-dimensional structure of some ACs, identification of this domain was performed following structural alignment among all AT passengers experimentally resolved by crystallography before searching in a dataset of 1523 ATs. While demonstrating that the AC is indeed a conserved structure found in numerous ATs, phylogenetic analysis further revealed a distribution into deeply rooted branches, from which emerge 20 main clusters. Sequence analysis revealed that an AC could be identified in the large majority of SAATs (self-associating ATs) but not in any LEATs (lipase/esterase ATs) nor in some PATs (protease autotransporters) and PHATs (phosphatase/hydrolase ATs). Structural analysis indicated that an AC was present in passengers exhibiting single-stranded right-handed parallel β-helix, whatever the type of β-solenoid, but not with α-helical globular fold. From this investigation, the AC of type 1 appears as a prevalent and conserved structural element exclusively associated to β-helical AT passenger and should promote further studies about the protein secretion and folding via the T5aSS, especially toward α-helical AT passengers.

Characterization and Distribution of the autB Gene in Neisseria meningitidis

We aimed to investigate and understand the characterization and distribution of the autB gene in Neisseria meningitidis in China. autB is flanked by two conservative genes, smpB and glcD, and it can be present in the majority of meningococcal isolates, but not in 053442 of clonal complex 4821 (CC4821) which contains a 968 bp sequence. In this study, we sequenced the intervenient region between smpB and glcD in 178 Chinese N. meningitidis strains isolated from both patients and carriers. There were 110 serogroupable strains, other 68 were non-groupable (NG). Ninety nine of the 178 strains were clustered into 13 CCs, the remaining 79 were unassigned (UA). CC4821 is one of the dominant CCs in China. Forty of the 42 CC4821 strains and 26 of the 79 UA strains were autB-null, while the remaining 12 CCs were autB-positive. According to the N-terminal sequence, most (97/112) of the autB-positive strains were clustered into AutB1 and the remaining 15 were AutB2. The autB gene and its flanking intergenic sequences was superseded by a perfectly conservative sequence of an identical 968 bp in all of the autB-null N. meningitidis strains which had no identity with the relatively conservative intergenic sequences that flanked the autB gene in autB-positive strains. There was a 10 bp DNA uptake sequence (DUS) at the beginning of the interval 968 bp sequence in the autB-null strains while there was a 9 bp Haemophilus-specific uptake sequence (hUS) at the beginning of the partial holB gene and at the end of the partial tmk gene in autB-positive strains, holB and tmk gene were flanking the autB gene in Haemophilus. In conclusion, not all pathogenic N. meningitidis strains especially CC4821 possess the autB gene in China and the corresponding spacer region of the autB-null strains was not homologous to that found in autB-positive strains. There's a hypothesis that the DUS and hUS are likely to play a key part in the mechanism of uptake or loss of the autB gene.

Biological Functions of the Secretome of Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that normally resides as a commensal in the human nasopharynx but occasionally causes disease with high mortality and morbidity. To interact with its environment, it transports many proteins across the outer membrane to the bacterial cell surface and into the extracellular medium for which it deploys the common and well-characterized autotransporter, two-partner and type I secretion mechanisms, as well as a recently discovered pathway for the surface exposure of lipoproteins. The surface-exposed and secreted proteins serve roles in host-pathogen interactions, including adhesion to host cells and extracellular matrix proteins, evasion of nutritional immunity imposed by iron-binding proteins of the host, prevention of complement activation, neutralization of antimicrobial peptides, degradation of immunoglobulins, and permeabilization of epithelial layers. Furthermore, they have roles in interbacterial interactions, including the formation and dispersal of biofilms and the suppression of the growth of bacteria competing for the same niche. Here, we will review the protein secretion systems of N. meningitidis and focus on the functions of the secreted proteins.

Expression of the Gene for Autotransporter AutB of Neisseria meningitidis Affects Biofilm Formation and Epithelial Transmigration

Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative bacterium that resides as a commensal in the upper respiratory tract of humans, but occasionally, it invades the host and causes sepsis and/or meningitis. The bacterium can produce eight autotransporters, seven of which have been studied to some detail. The remaining one, AutB, has not been characterized yet. Here, we show that the autB gene is broadly distributed among pathogenic Neisseria spp. The gene is intact in most meningococcal strains. However, its expression is prone to phase variation due to slipped-strand mispairing at AAGC repeats located within the DNA encoding the signal sequence and is switched off in the vast majority of these strains. Moreover, various genetic disruptions prevent autB expression in most of the strains in which the gene is in phase indicating a strong selection against AutB synthesis. We observed that autB is expressed in two of the strains examined and that AutB is secreted and exposed at the cell surface. Functionality assays revealed that AutB synthesis promotes biofilm formation and delays the passage of epithelial cell layers in vitro. We hypothesize that this autotransporter is produced during the colonization process only in specific niches to facilitate microcolony formation, but its synthesis is switched off probably to evade the immune system and facilitate human tissue invasion.

Nuclear trafficking, histone cleavage and induction of apoptosis by the meningococcal App and MspA autotransporters

Neisseria meningitidis, a major cause of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia, secretes multiple virulence factors, including the adhesion and penetration protein (App) and meningococcal serine protease A (MspA). Both are conserved, immunogenic, type Va autotransporters harbouring S6‐family serine endopeptidase domains. Previous work suggested that both could mediate adherence to human cells, but their precise contribution to meningococcal pathogenesis was unclear. Here, we confirm that App and MspA are in vivo virulence factors since human CD46‐expressing transgenic mice infected with meningococcal mutants lacking App, MspA or both had improved survival rates compared with mice infected with wild type. Confocal imaging showed that App and MspA were internalized by human cells and trafficked to the nucleus. Cross‐linking and enzyme‐linked immuno assay (ELISA) confirmed that mannose receptor (MR), transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) and histones interact with MspA and App. Dendritic cell (DC) uptake could be blocked using mannan and transferrin, the specific physiological ligands for MR and TfR1, whereas in vitro clipping assays confirmed the ability of both proteins to proteolytically cleave the core histone H3. Finally, we show that App and MspA induce a dose‐dependent increase in DC death via caspase‐dependent apoptosis. Our data provide novel insights into the roles of App and MspA in meningococcal infection.

The meningococcal autotransporter AutA is implicated in autoaggregation and biofilm formation

Autotransporters (ATs) are proteins secreted by Gram-negative bacteria that often play a role in virulence. Eight different ATs have been identified in Neisseria meningitidis, but only six of them have been characterized. AutA is one of the remaining ATs. Its expression remains controversial. Here, we show that the autA gene is present in many neisserial species, but its expression is often disrupted by various genetic features; however, it is expressed in certain strains of N. meningitidis. By sequencing the autA gene in large panels of disease isolates and Western blot analysis, we demonstrated that AutA expression is prone to phase variation at AAGC nucleotide repeats located within the DNA encoding the signal sequence. AutA is not secreted into the extracellular medium, but remains associated with the bacterial cell surface. We further demonstrate that AutA expression induces autoaggregation in a process that, dependent on the particular strain, may require extracellular DNA (eDNA). This property influences the organization of bacterial communities like lattices and biofilms. In vitro assays evidenced that AutA is a self-associating AT that binds DNA. We suggest that AutA-mediated autoaggregation might be particularly important for colonization and persistence of the pathogen in the nasopharynx of the host.

Prevalence and phase variable expression status of two autotransporters, NalP and MspA, in carriage and disease isolates of Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria meningitidis is a human nasopharyngeal commensal capable of causing life-threatening septicemia and meningitis. Many meningococcal surface structures, including the autotransporter proteins NalP and MspA, are subject to phase variation (PV) due to the presence of homopolymeric tracts within their coding sequences. The functions of MspA are unknown. NalP proteolytically cleaves several surface-located virulence factors including the 4CMenB antigen NhbA. Therefore, NalP is a phase-variable regulator of the meningococcal outer membrane and secretome whose expression may reduce isolate susceptibility to 4CMenB-induced immune responses. To improve our understanding of the contributions of MspA and NalP to meningococcal-host interactions, their distribution and phase-variable expression status was studied in epidemiologically relevant samples, including 127 carriage and 514 invasive isolates representative of multiple clonal complexes and serogroups. Prevalence estimates of >98% and >88% were obtained for mspA and nalP, respectively, with no significant differences in their frequencies in disease versus carriage isolates. 16% of serogroup B (MenB) invasive isolates, predominately from clonal complexes ST-269 and ST-461, lacked nalP. Deletion of nalP often resulted from recombination events between flanking repetitive elements. PolyC tract lengths ranged from 6–15 bp in nalP and 6–14 bp in mspA. In an examination of PV status, 58.8% of carriage, and 40.1% of invasive nalP-positive MenB isolates were nalP phase ON. The frequency of this phenotype was not significantly different in serogroup Y (MenY) carriage strains, but was significantly higher in invasive MenY strains (86.3%; p<0.0001). Approximately 90% of MenB carriage and invasive isolates were mspA phase ON; significantly more than MenY carriage (32.7%) or invasive (13.7%) isolates. This differential expression resulted from different mode mspA tract lengths between the serogroups. Our data indicates a differential requirement for NalP and MspA expression in MenB and MenY strains and is a step towards understanding the contributions of phase-variable loci to meningococcal biology.

Towards a meningitis free world--can we eliminate meningococcal meningitis?: contribution of the meningitis patient groups

Patient groups play a critical part in the fight against meningitis in all its forms. The UK has the world's three largest meningitis patient groups, which over the past 3 decades have worked tirelessly in the fight against meningitis. Within the UK, where the patient groups work to prevent or alleviate the suffering caused by meningitis and septicaemia, their work is in three areas: continued research; demonstrating burden; and awareness-raising and advocacy. The research relates to developing and improving vaccines, and to improving outcomes for forms of meningitis that are not vaccine preventable. Demonstrating burden - showing the real impact of meningitis from a human perspective - highlights the need for vaccines to prevent the disease. Lives are saved by raising awareness of signs and symptoms and of the need for fast action, whilst advocacy can bring about change to improve the quality of life of those affected by meningitis. Awareness raising and advocacy also have the wider benefit of creating a climate in which people recognise the need for vaccines to prevent this dreadful disease. In addition, the patient groups seek to influence the early introduction and uptake of vaccines as they are licensed and approved by the expert bodies, the UK body being the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Each area of activity is explored, and examples given from each of the patient groups of work they have done or are doing in that area.

Transcriptome analysis of Neisseria meningitidis in human whole blood and mutagenesis studies identify virulence factors involved in blood survival

During infection Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) encounters multiple environments within the host, which makes rapid adaptation a crucial factor for meningococcal survival. Despite the importance of invasion into the bloodstream in the meningococcal disease process, little is known about how Nm adapts to permit survival and growth in blood. To address this, we performed a time-course transcriptome analysis using an ex vivo model of human whole blood infection. We observed that Nm alters the expression of ≈30% of ORFs of the genome and major dynamic changes were observed in the expression of transcriptional regulators, transport and binding proteins, energy metabolism, and surface-exposed virulence factors. In particular, we found that the gene encoding the regulator Fur, as well as all genes encoding iron uptake systems, were significantly up-regulated. Analysis of regulated genes encoding for surface-exposed proteins involved in Nm pathogenesis allowed us to better understand mechanisms used to circumvent host defenses. During blood infection, Nm activates genes encoding for the factor H binding proteins, fHbp and NspA, genes encoding for detoxifying enzymes such as SodC, Kat and AniA, as well as several less characterized surface-exposed proteins that might have a role in blood survival. Through mutagenesis studies of a subset of up-regulated genes we were able to identify new proteins important for survival in human blood and also to identify additional roles of previously known virulence factors in aiding survival in blood. Nm mutant strains lacking the genes encoding the hypothetical protein NMB1483 and the surface-exposed proteins NalP, Mip and NspA, the Fur regulator, the transferrin binding protein TbpB, and the L-lactate permease LctP were sensitive to killing by human blood. This increased knowledge of how Nm responds to adaptation in blood could also be helpful to develop diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to control the devastating disease cause by this microorganism.

Secreted proteins of Neisseria meningitidis protect mice against infection

We addressed the hypothesis that meningococcal secreted proteins (MSPs) can elicit protective immunity against meningococcal disease. Endotoxin-depleted MSP preparations were used to immunise a group of 15 six-week-old BALB/c mice (25microg MSPs/dose mixed with Freund's complete adjuvant) on days 0, 14 and 21. Mice were challenged 2 weeks later with 10(7) colony forming units of live Neisseria meningitidis strain MC58 (serogroup B, ET-5). Negative and positive control groups of 15 mice each were injected with adjuvant only, or a live attenuated strain of MC58, respectively. Seven out of 15 mice (47%) from the negative control group died after 72h of challenge, whereas none of test or positive control group died. Protection afforded by the anti-MSP immune response can be at least partly attributed to complement-mediated bacterial lysis, detectable in vitro using the serum of immunised mice. Murine anti-MC58 MSP sera were bactericidal against homologous and five unrelated ET-5 serogroup B strains. However, failed to kill strains from other hypervirulent clonal lineages belonging to the same or different serogroups, despite the presence of cross-reactive antibodies detectable by immunoblotting. Similar sera raised against MSPs from an isolate belonging to the ET-37 electropherotype lineage were bactericidal against all tested isolates of this lineage and, in addition, against some but not all isolates belonging to the ET-5 lineage. FACS analysis of intact bacteria treated with anti-MSPs confirmed surface-binding of antibodies.

A functional two-partner secretion system contributes to adhesion of Neisseria meningitidis to epithelial cells

Neisseria meningitidis is a frequent commensal of the human nasopharynx causing severe invasive infections in rare cases. A functional two-partner secretion (TPS) system in N. meningitidis, composed of the secreted effector protein HrpA and its cognate transporter HrpB, is identified and characterized in this study. Although all meningococcal strains harbor at least one TPS system, the hrpA genes display significant C-terminal sequence variation. Meningococcal genes encoding the TPS effector proteins and their transporters are closely associated and transcribed into a single mRNA. HrpA proteins are translocated across the meningococcal outer membrane by their cognate transporters HrpB and mainly released into the environment. During this process, HrpA is proteolytically processed to a mature 180-kDa form. In contrast to other known TPS systems, immature HrpA proteins are stable in the absence of HrpB and accumulate within the bacterial cell. A small percentage of mature HrpA remains associated with the bacteria and contributes to the interaction of meningococci with epithelial cells.

Characterization of MspA, an immunogenic autotransporter protein that mediates adhesion to epithelial and endothelial cells in Neisseria meningitidis

A novel putative autotransporter protein (NMB1998) was identified in the available genomic sequence of meningococcal strain MC58 (ET-5; ST-32). The mspA gene is absent from the genomic sequences of meningococcal strain Z2491 (ET-IV; ST-4) and the gonococcal strain FA1090. An orthologue is present in the meningococcal strain FAM18 (ET-37; ST-11), but the sequence contains a premature stop codon, suggesting that the protein may not be expressed in this strain. MspA is predicted to be a 157-kDa protein with low cysteine content, and it exhibits 36 and 33% identity to the meningococcal autotransporter proteins immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) protease and App, respectively. Search of the Pfam database predicts the presence of IgA1 protease and autotransporter beta-barrel domains. MspA was cloned, and a recombinant protein of the expected size was expressed and after being affinity purified was used to raise rabbit polyclonal monospecific antiserum. Immunoblot studies showed that ca. 125- and 95-kDa fragments of MspA are secreted in meningococcal strain MC58, which are absent from the isogenic mutant. Secretion of MspA was shown to be modified in an AspA isogenic mutant. A strain survey showed that MspA is expressed by all ST-32 and ST-41/44 (lineage 3) strains, but none of the ST-8 (A4) strains examined. Sera from patients convalescing from meningococcal disease were shown to contain MspA-specific antibodies. In bactericidal assays, anti-MspA serum was shown to kill the homologous strain (MC58) and another ST-32 strain. Escherichia coli-expressing recombinant MspA was shown to adhere to both human bronchial epithelial cells and brain microvascular endothelial cells.

Proteomic analysis of Neisseria lactamica and N eisseria meningitidis outer membrane vesicle vaccine antigens

Vaccines to prevent meningococcal disease have been developed from the outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of Neisseria meningitidis and the related commensal organism Neisseria lactamica. In addition to lipopolysaccharide and the major porins, these vaccines contain a large number of proteins that are incompletely characterised. Here we describe comparative proteomic analyses of the N. lactamica OMV vaccine and OMVs from a serogroup B strain of N. meningitidis. Tandem mass-spectrometry data for trypsinised N. lactamica OMV vaccine were matched to an incompletely assembled genome sequence from the same strain to give 65 robust protein identifications and a further 122 single- or two-peptide matches. Fifty-seven N. meningitidis K454 proteins were identified robustly (and a further 68 from single- or two-peptide matches) by inference from the N. meningitidis MC58 genome. The results suggest that OMVs have a hitherto unappreciated complexity and pinpoint novel candidate antigens for further characterisation.

Unusual genetic organization of a functional type I protein secretion system in Neisseria meningitidis

Proteins secreted by Neisseria meningitidis are thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis of meningococcal disease. These proteins include the iron-repressible repeat-in-toxin (RTX) exoprotein FrpC. Related proteins in other pathogens are secreted via a type I secretion system (TOSS), but such a system has not been demonstrated in N. meningitidis. An in silico search of the group B meningococcal genome suggested the presence of a uniquely organized TOSS. Genes encoding homologs of the Escherichia coli HlyB (ATP-binding), HlyD (membrane fusion), and TolC (outer membrane channel) proteins were identified. In contrast to the cistronic organization of the secretion genes in most other rtx operons, the hlyD and tolC genes were adjacent but unlinked to hlyB; neither locus was part of an operon containing genes encoding putative TOSS substrates. Both loci were flanked by genes normally associated with mobile genetic elements. The three genes were shown to be expressed independently. Mutation at either locus resulted in an inability to secrete FrpC and a related protein, here called FrpC2. Successful complementation of these mutations at an ectopic site confirmed the observed phenotypes were caused by loss of function of the putative TOSS genes. We show that genes scattered in the meningococcal genome encode a functional TOSS required for secretion of the meningococcal RTX proteins.

Protein secretion through autotransporter and two-partner pathways

Two distinct protein secretion pathways, the autotransporter (AT) and the two-partner secretion (TPS) pathways are characterized by their apparent simplicity. Both are devoted to the translocation across the outer membrane of mostly large proteins or protein domains. As implied by their name, AT proteins contain their own transporter domain, covalently attached to the C-terminal extremity of the secreted passenger domain, while TPS systems are composed of two separate proteins, with TpsA being the secreted protein and TpsB its specific transporter. In both pathways, the secreted proteins are exported in a Sec-dependent manner across the inner membrane, after which they cross the outer membrane with the help of their cognate transporters. The AT translocator domains and the TpsB proteins constitute distinct families of protein-translocating, outer membrane porins of Gram-negative bacteria. Both types of transporters insert into the outer membrane as beta-barrel proteins possibly forming oligomeric pores in the case of AT and serve as conduits for their cognate secreted proteins or domains across the outer membrane. Translocation appears to be folding-sensitive in both pathways, indicating that AT passenger domains and TpsA proteins cross the periplasm and the outer membrane in non-native conformations and fold progressively at the cell surface. A major difference between AT and TPS pathways arises from the manner by which specificity is established between the secreted protein and its transporter. In AT, the covalent link between the passenger and the translocator domains ensures the translocation of the former without the need for a specific molecular recognition between the two modules. In contrast, the TPS pathway has solved the question of specific recognition between the TpsA proteins and their transporters by the addition to the TpsA proteins of an N-proximal module, the conserved TPS domain, which represents a hallmark of the TPS pathway.

Secreted proteins from Neisseria meningitidis mediate differential human gene expression and immune activation

Meningococcal secreted proteins (MSPs) have been poorly characterized. We hypothesized that MSPs play essential roles in host--bacterial interactions and in the pathogenesis of disease. In order to test this, we examined differential host gene expression in human meningeal-derived cells, in response to endotoxin-depleted MSPs compared to live bacteria. Using expression arrays, upregulated expression of several pro-inflammatory and apoptosis-related genes was found to be induced by MSPs. The transcription and translation of representative genes was confirmed by using various methods. Increased interleukin 8 (IL-8) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) gene transcription was confirmed using real-time PCR. Upregulated IL-8, IL-6, ICAM-1 and COX-2 protein expression were confirmed by ELISA, flow cytometry or Western immunoblots. Furthermore, exposure of cells to MSPs or live meningococci induced a small significant resistance effect to staurosporine-induced apoptosis. Secreted meningococcal virulence factors are therefore important in inducing host inflammatory responses and resistance to apoptosis, and they are worthy of extensive investigation.

Type V protein secretion pathway: the autotransporter story

Gram-negative bacteria possess an outer membrane layer which constrains uptake and secretion of solutes and polypeptides. To overcome this barrier, bacteria have developed several systems for protein secretion. The type V secretion pathway encompasses the autotransporter proteins, the two-partner secretion system, and the recently described type Vc or AT-2 family of proteins. Since its discovery in the late 1980s, this family of secreted proteins has expanded continuously, due largely to the advent of the genomic age, to become the largest group of secreted proteins in gram-negative bacteria. Several of these proteins play essential roles in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections and have been characterized in detail, demonstrating a diverse array of function including the ability to condense host cell actin and to modulate apoptosis. However, most of the autotransporter proteins remain to be characterized. In light of new discoveries and controversies in this research field, this review considers the autotransporter secretion process in the context of the more general field of bacterial protein translocation and exoprotein function.

A Neisserial autotransporter NalP modulating the processing of other autotransporters

Autotransporters constitute a relatively simple secretion system in Gram-negative bacteria, depending for their translocation across the outer membrane only on a C-terminal translocator domain. We have studied a novel autotransporter serine protease, designated NalP, from Neisseria meningitidis strain H44/76, featuring a lipoprotein motif at the signal sequence cleavage site. Indeed, lipidation of NalP could be demonstrated, but the secreted 70 kDa domain of NalP lacked the lipid-moiety as a result of additional N-terminal processing. A nalP mutant showed a drastically altered profile of secreted proteins. Mass-spectrometric analysis of tryptic fragments identified the autotransporters IgA protease and App, a homologue of the adhesin Hap of Haemophilus influenzae, as the major secreted proteins. Two forms of both of these proteins were found in the culture supernatant of the wild-type strain, whereas only the lower molecular-weight forms predominated in the culture supernatant of the nalP mutant. The serine-protease active site of NalP was required for the modulation of the processing of these autotransporters. We propose that, apart from the autoproteolytic processing, NalP can process App and IgA protease and hypothesize that this function of NalP could contribute to the virulence of the organism.

Calciphylaxis, proteases, and purpura: an alternative hypothesis for the severe shock, rash, and hypocalcemia associated with meningococcal septicemia

The hallmarks of severe meningococcal sepsis include the rapid onset of shock, purpuric rash, and metabolic derangement, in particular, hypocalcemia. The severe ecchymoses and purpura associated with meningococcal sepsis are usually attributed to acute thrombotic episodes, attributable to the associated procoagulation disorder. An alternative explanation for the rash is a sudden extravasation of calcium from the intravascular space into the tissues. We will argue that in meningococcal sepsis, cleavage of albumin into fragments by protease(s) occurs and these fragments, along with calcium, cross the endothelium into the interstitium. The fragmentation of albumin and its loss through the endothelium would also provide a more rational explanation for the rapidity of the shock and the hypocalcemia that is so characteristic of the disease.

Autotransported serine protease A of Neisseria meningitidis: an immunogenic, surface-exposed outer membrane, and secreted protein

Several autotransporter proteins have previously been identified in Neisseria meningitidis. Using molecular features common to most members of the autotransporter family of proteins, we have identified an additional novel ca. 112-kDa autotransporter protein in the meningococcal genomic sequence data. This protein, designated autotransported serine protease A (AspA), has significant N-terminal homology to the secreted serine proteases (subtilases) from several organisms and contains a serine protease catalytic triad. The amino acid sequence of AspA is well-conserved in serogroup A, B, and C meningococci. In Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the AspA homologue appears to be a pseudogene. The gene encoding AspA was cloned and expressed from meningococcal strain MC58 (B15:P1.16b). Anti-AspA antibodies were detected in patients' convalescent-phase sera, suggesting that AspA is expressed in vivo during infection and is immunogenic and cross-reactive. Rabbit polyclonal monospecific anti-AspA serum was used to probe whole-cell proteins from a panel of wild-type meningococcal strains and two AspA mutant strains. Expression of the ca. 112-kDa precursor polypeptide was detected in 12 of 20 wild-type meningococcal strains examined, suggesting that AspA expression is phase variable. Immunogold electron microscopy and cellular fractionation studies showed that the AspA precursor is transported to the outer membrane and remains surface exposed. Western blot experiments confirmed that smaller, ca. 68- or 70-kDa components of AspA (AspA68 and AspA70, respectively) are then secreted into the meningococcal culture supernatant. Site-directed mutagenesis of S426 abolished secretion of both rAspA68 and rAspA70 in Escherichia coli, confirming that AspA is an autocleaved autotransporter protein. In conclusion, we characterized a novel, surface-exposed and secreted, immunogenic, meningococcal autotransporter protein.

Neisserial immunoglobulin A1 protease induces specific T-cell responses in humans

We have previously shown that immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) protease, an exoenzyme of pathogenic neisseriae, can trigger the release of proinflammatory cytokines from human monocytic subpopulations. Here, we demonstrate a dose-dependent T-cell response to recombinant gonococcal IgA1 protease (strain MS11) in healthy human blood donors. This response was delayed in comparison to the immune response against tetanus toxoid. Stimulation with IgA1 protease led to the activation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, as well as CD19(+) B cells and CD56(+) NK cells, indicated by de novo expression of CD69. Only CD4(+) T cells proliferated and stained positive for intracellular gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). Both proliferation and IFN-gamma production were dependent on antigen presentation via major histocompatibility complex class II. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with IgA1 protease produce IFN-gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha but no, or very low amounts of, interleukin-10 (IL-10) or IL-4, indicating a Th1-based proinflammatory immune response. These findings support the significance of IgA1 protease as a virulence determinant of bacterial meningitis and its function as a dominant proinflammatory T-cell antigen.

In vivo expression of Neisseria meningitidis proteins homologous to the Haemophilus influenzae Hap and Hia autotransporters

The genome sequences of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B strain MC58 and serogroup A strain Z2491 were systematically searched for open reading frames (ORFs) encoding autotransporters. Eight ORFs were identified, six of which were present in both genomes, whereas two were specific for MC58. Among the identified ORFs was the gene encoding the known autotransporter IgA1 protease. The deduced amino acid sequences of the other identified ORFs were homologous to known autotransporters and found to contain an N-terminal signal sequence and a C-terminal domain that could constitute a beta-barrel in the outer membrane. The ORFs NMB1985 and NMB0992, encoding homologs of the Hap (for Haemophilus adhesion and penetration protein) and Hia (for Haemophilus influenzae adherence protein) autotransporters of H. influenzae, were cloned from serogroup B strain H44/76 and expressed in Escherichia coli. Western blots revealed that all sera of patients (n=14) and healthy carriers (n=3) tested contained antibodies against at least one of the recombinant proteins. These results indicate that both genes are widely distributed among N. meningitidis isolates and expressed during colonization and infection.

Identification and characterization of App: an immunogenic autotransporter protein of Neisseria meningitidis

In a search for immunogenic virulence factors in Neisseria meningitidis, we have identified a gene encoding a predicted 160 kDa protein with homology to the autotransporter family of proteins. Members of this family are secreted or surface exposed and are often associated with virulence in Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. We named the gene adhesion and penetration protein (app), because of its extensive homology to the hap gene of Haemophilus influenzae. We reconstructed the gene with reference to genomic sequence data and cloned and expressed the protein in Escherichia coli. Rabbit antiserum raised against recombinant App reacted with proteins in all meningococcal isolates examined, which represented clonal groups responsible for the majority of meningococcal invasive disease. Antibodies to the protein were detected in the sera of patients convalescing from meningococcal infection. Purified App had strong stimulating activity for T cells isolated from a number of healthy donors and from one convalescent patient. We confirmed that App is surface localized, cleaved and secreted by N. meningitidis. Importantly, the rabbit anti-App serum killed the organism in the presence of complement. Thus, App is conserved among meningococci, immunogenic in humans and potentially involved in virulence. It therefore merits further investigation as a component of a future multivalent vaccine.