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Xu J, Chen L, Pang S, Zhang Q, Deng S, Zhu J, Chen X, Langford PR, Huang Q, Zhou R, Li L. HylS', a fragment of truncated hyaluronidase of Streptococcus suis, contributes to immune evasion by interaction with host complement factor C3b. Virulence 2024; 15:2306691. [PMID: 38251716 PMCID: PMC10854370 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2306691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria have evolved many strategies to evade surveillance and attack by complements. Streptococcus suis is an important zoonotic pathogen that infects humans and pigs. Hyaluronidase (HylA) has been reported to be a potential virulence factor of S. suis. However, in this study, it was discovered that the genomic region encoding HylA of the virulent S. suis strain SC19 and other ST1 strains was truncated into four fragments when aligned with a strain containing intact HylA and possessing hyaluronidase activity. As a result, SC19 had no hyaluronidase activity, but one truncated HylA fragment, designated as HylS,' directly interacted with complement C3b, as confirmed by western ligand blotting, pull-down, and ELISA assays. The deposition of C3b and membrane attack complex (MAC) formation on the surface of a HylS'-deleted mutant (ΔhylS') was significantly increased compared to wild-type SC19. In human sera and whole blood, ΔhylS' survival was significantly reduced compared to that in SC19. The resistance of ΔhylS' to macrophages and human polymorphonuclear neutrophil PMNs also decreased. In a mouse infection model, ΔhylS' showed reduced lethality and lower bacterial load in the organs compared to that of SC19. We conclude that the truncated hyaluronidase HylS' fragment contributes to complement evasion and the pathogenesis of S. suis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Long Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Siqi Pang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiuhong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Simin Deng
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiabing Chen
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Wuhan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Paul R Langford
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, UK
| | - Qi Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lu Li
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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2
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Odo CM, Vega LA, Mukherjee P, DebRoy S, Flores AR, Shelburne SA. Emergent emm4 group A Streptococcus evidences a survival strategy during interaction with immune effector cells. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0015224. [PMID: 38888310 PMCID: PMC11238559 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00152-24] [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: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The major gram-positive pathogen group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a model organism for studying microbial epidemics as it causes waves of infections. Since 1980, several GAS epidemics have been ascribed to the emergence of clones producing increased amounts of key virulence factors such as streptolysin O (SLO). Herein, we sought to identify mechanisms underlying our recently identified temporal clonal emergence among emm4 GAS, given that emergent strains did not produce augmented levels of virulence factors relative to historic isolates. By creating and analyzing isoallelic strains, we determined that a conserved mutation in a previously undescribed gene encoding a putative carbonic anhydrase was responsible for the defective in vitro growth observed in the emergent strains. We also identified that the emergent strains survived better inside macrophages and killed macrophages at lower rates than the historic strains. Via the creation of isogenic mutant strains, we linked the emergent strain "survival" phenotype to the downregulation of the SLO encoding gene and upregulation of the msrAB operon which encodes proteins involved in defense against extracellular oxidative stress. Our findings are in accord with recent surveillance studies which found a high ratio of mucosal (i.e., pharyngeal) relative to invasive infections among emm4 GAS. Since ever-increasing virulence is unlikely to be evolutionarily advantageous for a microbial pathogen, our data further understanding of the well-described oscillating patterns of virulent GAS infections by demonstrating mechanisms by which emergent strains adapt a "survival" strategy to outcompete previously circulating isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chioma M. Odo
- Microbiology and Infectious Disease, MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Luis A. Vega
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Piyali Mukherjee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sruti DebRoy
- Department of Infectious Disease, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anthony R. Flores
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Genomics, University of Texas Health Sciences Center Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Samuel A. Shelburne
- Department of Infectious Disease, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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3
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Kolesiński P, McGowan M, Botteaux A, Smeesters PR, Ghosh P. Conservation of C4BP-binding sequence patterns in Streptococcus pyogenes M and Enn proteins. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107478. [PMID: 38879009 PMCID: PMC11292367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107478] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Antigenically sequence variable M proteins of the major bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) are responsible for recruiting human C4b-binding protein (C4BP) to the bacterial surface, which enables Strep A to evade destruction by the immune system. The most sequence divergent portion of M proteins, the hypervariable region (HVR), is responsible for binding C4BP. Structural evidence points to the conservation of two C4BP-binding sequence patterns (M2 and M22) in the HVR of numerous M proteins, with this conservation applicable to vaccine immunogen design. These two patterns, however, only partially explain C4BP binding by Strep A. Here, we identified several M proteins that lack these patterns but still bind C4BP and determined the structures of two, M68 and M87 HVRs, in complex with a C4BP fragment. Mutagenesis of these M proteins led to the identification of amino acids that are crucial for C4BP binding, enabling formulation of new C4BP-binding patterns. Mutagenesis was also carried out on M2 and M22 proteins to refine or generate experimentally grounded C4BP-binding patterns. The M22 pattern was the most prevalent among M proteins, followed by the M87 and M2 patterns, while the M68 pattern was rare. These patterns, except for M68, were also evident in numerous M-like Enn proteins. Binding of C4BP via these patterns to Enn proteins was verified. We conclude that C4BP-binding patterns occur frequently in Strep A strains of differing M types, being present in their M or Enn proteins, or frequently both, providing further impetus for their use as vaccine immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Kolesiński
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Matthew McGowan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Anne Botteaux
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, ULB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre R Smeesters
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, ULB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Paediatrics, Brussels University Hospital, Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Partho Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, California, USA.
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Torres-Sangiao E, Happonen L, Heusel M, Palm F, Gueto-Tettay C, Malmström L, Shannon O, Malmström J. Quantification of Adaptive Immune Responses Against Protein-Binding Interfaces in the Streptococcal M1 Protein. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100753. [PMID: 38527648 PMCID: PMC11059317 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial or viral antigens can contain subdominant protein regions that elicit weak antibody responses upon vaccination or infection although there is accumulating evidence that antibody responses against subdominant regions can enhance the protective immune response. One proposed mechanism for subdominant protein regions is the binding of host proteins that prevent antibody production against epitopes hidden within the protein binding interfaces. Here, we used affinity purification combined with quantitative mass spectrometry (AP-MS) to examine the level of competition between antigen-specific antibodies and host-pathogen protein interaction networks using the M1 protein from Streptococcus pyogenes as a model system. As most humans have circulating antibodies against the M1 protein, we first used AP-MS to show that the M1 protein interspecies protein network formed with human plasma proteins is largely conserved in naïve mice. Immunizing mice with the M1 protein generated a time-dependent increase of anti-M1 antibodies. AP-MS analysis comparing the composition of the M1-plasma protein network from naïve and immunized mice showed significant enrichment of 292 IgG peptides associated with 56 IgG chains in the immune mice. Despite the significant increase of bound IgGs, the levels of interacting plasma proteins were not significantly reduced in the immune mice. The results indicate that the antigen-specific polyclonal IgG against the M1 protein primarily targets epitopes outside the other plasma protein binding interfaces. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that AP-MS is a promising strategy to determine the relationship between antigen-specific antibodies and host-pathogen interaction networks that could be used to define subdominant protein regions of relevance for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Torres-Sangiao
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Escherichia coli Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Clinical Microbiology Lab, University Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Lotta Happonen
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Morizt Heusel
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Evosep ApS, Odense, Denmark
| | - Frida Palm
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Carlos Gueto-Tettay
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lars Malmström
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Onna Shannon
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Faculty of Odontology, Section for Oral Biology and Pathology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Johan Malmström
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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5
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Carlsson F, Råberg L. The germ theory revisited: A noncentric view on infection outcome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319605121. [PMID: 38578984 PMCID: PMC11047106 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319605121] [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] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The germ theory states that pathogenic microorganisms are responsible for causing infectious diseases. The theory is inherently microbe-centric and does not account for variability in disease severity among individuals and asymptomatic carriership-two phenomena indicating an important role for host variability in infection outcome. The basic tenet of the germ theory was recently challenged, and a radically host-centric paradigm referred to as the "full-blown host theory" was proposed. According to this view, the pathogen is reduced to a passive environmental trigger, and the development of disease is instead due to pre-existing immunodeficiencies of the host. Here, we consider the factors that determine disease severity using established knowledge concerning evolutionary biology, microbial pathogenesis, and host-pathogen interactions. We note that the available data support a noncentric view that recognizes key roles for both the causative microbe and the host in dictating infection outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lars Råberg
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund223 62, Sweden
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6
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Kolesiński P, McGowan M, Botteaux A, Smeesters PR, Ghosh P. Conservation of C4BP-binding Sequence Patterns in Streptococcus pyogenes M and Enn Proteins. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.22.590534. [PMID: 38712057 PMCID: PMC11071373 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.590534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Antigenically sequence variable M proteins of the major bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) are responsible for recruiting human C4b-binding protein (C4BP) to the bacterial surface, which enables Strep A to evade destruction by the immune system. The most sequence divergent portion of M proteins, the hypervariable region (HVR), is responsible for binding C4BP. Structural evidence points to the conservation of two C4BP-binding sequence patterns (M2 and M22) in the HVR of numerous M proteins, with this conservation applicable to vaccine immunogen design. These two patterns, however, only partially explain C4BP-binding by Strep A. Here, we identified several M proteins that lack these patterns but still bind C4BP, and determined the structures of two, M68 and M87 HVRs, in complex with a C4BP fragment. Mutagenesis of these M proteins led to identification of amino acids that are crucial for C4BP-binding, enabling formulation of new C4BP-binding patterns. Mutagenesis was also carried out on M2 and M22 proteins to refine or generate experimentally grounded C4BP-binding patterns. The M22 pattern was the most populated among M proteins, followed by the M87 and M2 patterns, while the M68 pattern was rare. These patterns, except for M68, were also evident in numerous M-like Enn proteins. Binding of C4BP via these patterns to Enn proteins was verified. We conclude that C4BP-binding patterns occur frequently in Strep A strains of differing M types, being present in their M or Enn proteins, or frequently both, providing further impetus for their use as vaccine immunogens.
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7
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Odo CM, Vega LA, Mukherjee P, DebRoy S, Flores AR, Shelburne SA. Emergent emm4 group A Streptococcus evidences a survival strategy during interaction with immune effector cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.09.588776. [PMID: 38645060 PMCID: PMC11030381 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.09.588776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The major gram-positive pathogen group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a model organism for studying microbial epidemics as it causes waves of infections. Since 1980, several GAS epidemics have been ascribed to the emergence of clones producing increased amounts of key virulence factors such as streptolysin O (SLO). Herein, we sought to identify mechanisms underlying our recently identified temporal clonal emergence amongst emm4 GAS, given that emergent strains did not produce augmented levels of virulence factors relative to historic isolates. Through the creation and analysis of isoallelic strains, we determined that a conserved mutation in a previously undescribed gene encoding a putative carbonic anhydrase was responsible for the defective in vitro growth observed in the emergent strains. We also identified that the emergent strains survived better inside macrophages and killed macrophages at lower rates relative to the historic strains. Via creation of isogenic mutant strains, we linked the emergent strain "survival" phenotype to the downregulation of the SLO encoding gene and upregulation of the msrAB operon which encodes proteins involved in defense against extracellular oxidative stress. Our findings are in accord with recent surveillance studies which found high ratio of mucosal (i.e., pharyngeal) relative to invasive infections amongst emm4 GAS. Inasmuch as ever-increasing virulence is unlikely to be evolutionary advantageous for a microbial pathogen, our data furthers understanding of the well described oscillating patterns of virulent GAS infections by demonstrating mechanisms by which emergent strains adapt a "survival" strategy to outcompete previously circulating isolates.
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8
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Su YC, Wang CC, Chen YW, Wang ST, Shu CY, Tsai PJ, Ko WC, Chen CS, Chen PL. Haemolysin Ahh1 secreted from Aeromonas dhakensis activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and mediates severe soft tissue infection. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 128:111478. [PMID: 38183913 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Severe soft tissue infections caused by Aeromonas dhakensis, such as necrotizing fasciitis or cellulitis, are prevalent in southern Taiwan and around the world. However, the mechanism by which A. dhakensis causes tissue damage remains unclear. Here, we found that the haemolysin Ahh1, which is the major virulence factor of A. dhakensis, causes cellular damage and activates the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signalling pathway. Deletion of ahh1 significantly downregulated caspase-1, the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and gasdermin D (GSDMD) and further decreased the damage caused by A. dhakensis in THP-1 cells. In addition, we found that knockdown of the NLRP3 inflammasome confers resistance to A. dhakensis infection in both THP-1 NLRP3-/- cells and C57BL/6 NLRP3-/- mice. In addition, we demonstrated that severe soft-tissue infections treated with antibiotics combined with a neutralizing antibody targeting IL-1β significantly increased the survival rate and alleviated the degree of tissue damage in model mice compared control mice. These findings show that antibiotics combined with therapies targeting IL-1β are potential strategies to treat severe tissue infections caused by toxin-producing bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Cheng Su
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chun Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wei Chen
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, United States
| | - Sin-Tian Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Cing-Ying Shu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jane Tsai
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chien Ko
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Shi Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Po-Lin Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
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Werner LM, Criss AK. Diverse Functions of C4b-Binding Protein in Health and Disease. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1443-1449. [PMID: 37931209 PMCID: PMC10629839 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is a fluid-phase complement inhibitor that prevents uncontrolled activation of the classical and lectin complement pathways. As a complement inhibitor, C4BP also promotes apoptotic cell death and is hijacked by microbes and tumors for complement evasion. Although initially characterized for its role in complement inhibition, there is an emerging recognition that C4BP functions in a complement-independent manner to promote cell survival, protect against autoimmune damage, and modulate the virulence of microbial pathogens. In this Brief Review, we summarize the structure and functions of human C4BP, with a special focus on activities that extend beyond the canonical role of C4BP in complement inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lacie M. Werner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Alison K. Criss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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10
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Frick IM, Happonen L, Wrighton S, Nordenfelt P, Björck L. IdeS, a secreted proteinase of Streptococcus pyogenes, is bound to a nuclease at the bacterial surface where it inactivates opsonizing IgG antibodies. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105345. [PMID: 37838172 PMCID: PMC10654033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The important bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes secretes IdeS (immunoglobulin G-degrading enzyme of S. pyogenes), a proteinase that cleaves human immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the hinge region resulting in Fc (fragment crystallizable) and F(ab')2 (fragment antigen-binding) fragments and protects the bacteria against phagocytic killing. Experiments with radiolabeled IdeS and flow cytometry demonstrated that IdeS binds to the surface of S. pyogenes, and the interaction was most prominent in conditions resembling those in the pharynx (acidic pH and low salt), the habitat for S. pyogenes. SpnA (S. pyogenes nuclease A) is a cell wall-anchored DNase. A dose-dependent interaction between purified SpnA and IdeS was demonstrated in slot binding and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy experiments. Gel filtration showed that IdeS forms proteolytically active complexes with SpnA in solution, and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy revealed the presence of SpnA-IdeS complexes at the surface of S. pyogenes. Finally, specific IgG antibodies binding to S. pyogenes surface antigens were efficiently cleaved by surface-associated IdeS. IdeS is secreted by all S. pyogenes isolates and cleaves IgG antibodies with a unique degree of specificity and efficiency. These properties and the finding here that the proteinase is present and fully active at the bacterial surface in complex with SpnA implicate an important role for IdeS in S. pyogenes biology and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga-Maria Frick
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Lotta Happonen
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Wrighton
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Pontus Nordenfelt
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lars Björck
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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Emami S, Rojas Converso T, Persson JJ, Johansson-Lindbom B. Insertion of an immunodominant T helper cell epitope within the Group A Streptococcus M protein promotes an IFN-γ-dependent shift from a non-protective to a protective immune response. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1241485. [PMID: 37654501 PMCID: PMC10465795 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1241485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The common pathogen Group A Streptococcus (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes) is an extracellular bacterium that is associated with a multitude of infectious syndromes spanning a wide range of severity. The surface-exposed M protein is a major GAS virulence factor that is also target for protective antibody responses. In this study, we use a murine immunization model to investigate aspects of the cellular and molecular foundation for protective adaptive immune responses generated against GAS. We show that a wild type M1 GAS strain induces a non-protective antibody response, while an isogenic strain carrying the immunodominant 2W T helper cell epitope within the M protein elicits an immune response that is protective against the parental non-recombinant M1 GAS strain. Although the two strains induce total anti-GAS IgG levels of similar magnitude, only the 2W-carrying strain promotes elevated titers of the complement-fixing IgG2c subclass. Protection is dependent on IFN-γ, and IFN-γ-deficient mice show a specific reduction in IgG2c levels. Our findings suggest that inclusion of the 2W T cell epitope in the M protein confers essential qualitative alterations in the adaptive immune response against GAS, and that sparsity in IFN-γ-promoting Th cell epitopes in the M protein may constitute an immune evasion mechanism, evolved to allow the pathogen to avoid attack by complement-fixing antibodies.
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12
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Wang KC, Kuliyev E, Nizet V, Ghosh P. A conserved 3D pattern in a Streptococcus pyogenes M protein immunogen elicits M-type crossreactivity. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104980. [PMID: 37390991 PMCID: PMC10400905 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104980] [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: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Coiled coil-forming M proteins of the widespread and potentially deadly bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (strep A) are immunodominant targets of opsonizing antibodies. However, antigenic sequence variability of M proteins into >220 M types, as defined by their hypervariable regions (HVRs), is considered to limit M proteins as vaccine immunogens because of type specificity in the antibody response. Surprisingly, a multi-HVR immunogen in clinical vaccine trials was shown to elicit M-type crossreactivity. The basis for this crossreactivity is unknown but may be due in part to antibody recognition of a 3D pattern conserved in many M protein HVRs that confers binding to human complement C4b-binding protein (C4BP). To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether a single M protein immunogen carrying the 3D pattern would elicit crossreactivity against other M types carrying the 3D pattern. We found that a 34-amino acid sequence of S. pyogenes M2 protein bearing the 3D pattern retained full C4BP-binding capacity when fused to a coiled coil-stabilizing sequence from the protein GCN4. We show that this immunogen, called M2G, elicited cross-reactive antibodies against a number of M types that carry the 3D pattern but not against those that lack the 3D pattern. We further show that the M2G antiserum-recognized M proteins displayed natively on the strep A surface and promoted the opsonophagocytic killing of strep A strains expressing these M proteins. As C4BP binding is a conserved virulence trait of strep A, we propose that targeting the 3D pattern may prove advantageous in vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuei-Chen Wang
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Eziz Kuliyev
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Victor Nizet
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Partho Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, California, USA.
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13
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Catton EA, Bonsor DA, Herrera C, Stålhammar-Carlemalm M, Lyndin M, Turner CE, Soden J, van Strijp JAG, Singer BB, van Sorge NM, Lindahl G, McCarthy AJ. Human CEACAM1 is targeted by a Streptococcus pyogenes adhesin implicated in puerperal sepsis pathogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2275. [PMID: 37080973 PMCID: PMC10119177 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37732-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Life-threatening bacterial infections in women after childbirth, known as puerperal sepsis, resulted in classical epidemics and remain a global health problem. While outbreaks of puerperal sepsis have been ascribed to Streptococcus pyogenes, little is known about disease mechanisms. Here, we show that the bacterial R28 protein, which is epidemiologically associated with outbreaks of puerperal sepsis, specifically targets the human receptor CEACAM1. This interaction triggers events that would favor the development of puerperal sepsis, including adhesion to cervical cells, suppression of epithelial wound repair and subversion of innate immune responses. High-resolution structural analysis showed that an R28 domain with IgI3-like fold binds to the N-terminal domain of CEACAM1. Together, these findings demonstrate that a single adhesin-receptor interaction can drive the pathogenesis of bacterial sepsis and provide molecular insights into the pathogenesis of one of the most important infectious diseases in medical history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A Catton
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Section of Molecular Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Daniel A Bonsor
- University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Carolina Herrera
- Section of Immunology of Infection, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, W2 1NY, UK
| | | | - Mykola Lyndin
- Sumy State University, Sumy, 40000, Ukraine
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Claire E Turner
- The School of Biosciences, The Florey Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Jo Soden
- Retrogenix, Chinley, High Peak, SK23 6FJ, Chinley, UK
| | - Jos A G van Strijp
- Department of Medical Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584 CX, The Netherlands
| | - Bernhard B Singer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Nina M van Sorge
- Department of Medical Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584 CX, The Netherlands.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands.
- Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands.
| | - Gunnar Lindahl
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Medical Microbiology, Lund University, Lund, 223 62, Sweden.
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Applied Microbiology, Lund University, Lund, 221 00, Sweden.
| | - Alex J McCarthy
- Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Section of Molecular Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584 CX, The Netherlands.
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14
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Mateos-Maroto A, Gai M, Brückner M, da Costa Marques R, Harley I, Simon J, Mailänder V, Morsbach S, Landfester K. Systematic modulation of the lipid composition enables the tuning of liposome cellular uptake. Acta Biomater 2023; 158:463-474. [PMID: 36599401 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.12.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
As liposomes have been widely explored as drug delivery carriers over the past decades, they are one of the most promising platforms due to their biocompatibility and versatility for surface functionalization. However, to improve the specific design of liposomes for future biomedical applications such as nanovaccines, it is necessary to understand how these systems interact with cell membranes, as most of their potential applications require them to be internalized by cells. Even though several investigations on the cellular uptake of liposomes were conducted, the effect of the liposome membrane properties on internalization in different cell lines remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate how the cellular uptake behavior of liposomes can be driven towards preferential interaction with dendritic cells (DC2.4) as compared to macrophages (RAW264.7) by tuning the lipid composition with varied molar ratios of the lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE). Cellular internalization efficiency was analyzed by flow cytometry, as well as liposome-cell membrane co-localization by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The corresponding proteomic analysis of the protein corona was performed in order to unravel the possible effect on the internalization. The obtained results of this work reveal that it is possible to modulate the cellular uptake towards enhanced internalization by dendritic cells just by modifying the applied lipids and, thus, mainly the physico-chemical properties of the liposomes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In the field of nanomedicine, it is of key importance to develop new specific and efficient drug carriers. In this sense, liposomes are one of the most widely known carrier types and used in clinics with good results. However, the exact interaction mechanisms of liposomes with cells remain unclear, which is of great importance for the design of new drug delivery platforms. Therefore, in this work we demonstrate that cellular uptake depends on the lipid composition. We are able to enhance the uptake in a specific cell type just by tuning the content of a lipid in the liposome membrane. This finding could be a step towards the selective design of liposomes to be internalized by specific cells with promising applications in biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Mateos-Maroto
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Meiyu Gai
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Maximilian Brückner
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Richard da Costa Marques
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Iain Harley
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Johanna Simon
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Volker Mailänder
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Svenja Morsbach
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Katharina Landfester
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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15
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de Neergaard T, Bläckberg A, Ivarsson H, Thomasson S, Kumra Ahnlide V, Chowdhury S, Khakzad H, Bahnan W, Malmström J, Rasmussen M, Nordenfelt P. Invasive Streptococcal Infection Can Lead to the Generation of Cross-Strain Opsonic Antibodies. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0248622. [PMID: 36314947 PMCID: PMC9769875 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02486-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes causes substantial morbidity and mortality. It is unclear if antibodies developed after infections with this pathogen are opsonic and if they are strain specific or more broadly protective. Here, we quantified the opsonic-antibody response following invasive S. pyogenes infection. Four patients with S. pyogenes bacteremia between 2018 and 2020 at Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, were prospectively enrolled. Acute- and convalescent-phase sera were obtained, and the S. pyogenes isolates were genome sequenced (emm118, emm85, and two emm1 isolates). Quantitative antibody binding and phagocytosis assays were used to evaluate isolate-dependent opsonic antibody function in response to infection. Antibody binding increased modestly against the infecting isolate and across emm types in convalescent- compared to acute-phase sera for all patients. For two patients, phagocytosis increased in convalescent-phase serum both for the infecting isolate and across types. The increase was only across types for one patient, and one had no improvement. No correlation to the clinical outcomes was observed. Invasive S. pyogenes infections result in a modestly increased antibody binding with differential opsonic capacity, both nonfunctional binding and broadly opsonic binding across types. These findings question the dogma that an invasive infection should lead to a strong type-specific antibody increase rather than a more modest but broadly reactive response, as seen in these patients. Furthermore, our results indicate that an increase in antibody titers might not be indicative of an opsonic response and highlight the importance of evaluating antibody function in S. pyogenes infections. IMPORTANCE The bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes is a common cause of both mild and severe human diseases resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality each year. No vaccines are available, and our understanding of the antibody response to this human pathogen is still incomplete. Here, we carefully analyzed the opsonic antibody response following invasive infection in four patients. Unexpectedly, the patients did not always generate opsonic antibodies against the specific infecting strain. Instead, we found that some patients could generate cross-opsonic antibodies, leading to phagocytosis of bacteria across strains. The emergence of cross-opsonic antibodies is likely important for long-term immunity against S. pyogenes. Our findings question the dogma that mostly strain-specific immunity is developed after infection and add to our overall understanding of how immunity to S. pyogenes can evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Therese de Neergaard
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Bläckberg
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Skåne University Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hanna Ivarsson
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sofia Thomasson
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Vibha Kumra Ahnlide
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sounak Chowdhury
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hamed Khakzad
- Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering, STI, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Wael Bahnan
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johan Malmström
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Magnus Rasmussen
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Skåne University Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, Lund, Sweden
| | - Pontus Nordenfelt
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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16
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Bahnan W, Happonen L, Khakzad H, Kumra Ahnlide V, de Neergaard T, Wrighton S, André O, Bratanis E, Tang D, Hellmark T, Björck L, Shannon O, Malmström L, Malmström J, Nordenfelt P. A human monoclonal antibody bivalently binding two different epitopes in streptococcal M protein mediates immune function. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 15:e16208. [PMID: 36507602 PMCID: PMC9906385 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202216208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A streptococci have evolved multiple strategies to evade human antibodies, making it challenging to create effective vaccines or antibody treatments. Here, we have generated antibodies derived from the memory B cells of an individual who had successfully cleared a group A streptococcal infection. The antibodies bind with high affinity in the central region of the surface-bound M protein. Such antibodies are typically non-opsonic. However, one antibody could effectively promote vital immune functions, including phagocytosis and in vivo protection. Remarkably, this antibody primarily interacts through a bivalent dual-Fab cis mode, where the Fabs bind to two distinct epitopes in the M protein. The dual-Fab cis-binding phenomenon is conserved across different groups of M types. In contrast, other antibodies binding with normal single-Fab mode to the same region cannot bypass the M protein's virulent effects. A broadly binding, protective monoclonal antibody could be a candidate for anti-streptococcal therapy. Our findings highlight the concept of dual-Fab cis binding as a means to access conserved, and normally non-opsonic regions, regions for protective antibody targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael Bahnan
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Lotta Happonen
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Hamed Khakzad
- Equipe Signalisation Calcique et Infections MicrobiennesÉcole Normale Supérieure Paris‐SaclayGif‐sur‐YvetteFrance,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1282Gif‐sur‐YvetteFrance,Present address:
Université de Lorraine, Inria, LORIANancyFrance
| | - Vibha Kumra Ahnlide
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Therese de Neergaard
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Sebastian Wrighton
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Oscar André
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Eleni Bratanis
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Di Tang
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Thomas Hellmark
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Division of NephrologyLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Lars Björck
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Oonagh Shannon
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Lars Malmström
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Johan Malmström
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Pontus Nordenfelt
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
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17
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Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is known to cause both mucosal and systemic infections in humans. In this study, we used a combination of quantitative and structural mass spectrometry techniques to determine the composition and structure of the interaction network formed between human plasma proteins and the surfaces of different S. pyogenes serotypes. Quantitative network analysis revealed that S. pyogenes forms serotype-specific interaction networks that are highly dependent on the domain arrangement of the surface-attached M protein. Subsequent structural mass spectrometry analysis and computational modeling of one of the M proteins, M28, revealed that the network structure changes across different host microenvironments. We report that M28 binds secretory IgA via two separate binding sites with high affinity in saliva. During vascular leakage mimicked by increasing plasma concentrations in saliva, the binding of secretory IgA was replaced by the binding of monomeric IgA and C4b-binding protein (C4BP). This indicates that an upsurge of C4BP in the local microenvironment due to damage to the mucosal membrane drives the binding of C4BP and monomeric IgA to M28. These results suggest that S. pyogenes has evolved to form microenvironment-dependent host-pathogen protein complexes to combat human immune surveillance during both mucosal and systemic infections. IMPORTANCEStreptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus [GAS]), is a human-specific Gram-positive bacterium. Each year, the bacterium affects 700 million people globally, leading to 160,000 deaths. The clinical manifestations of S. pyogenes are diverse, ranging from mild and common infections like tonsillitis and impetigo to life-threatening systemic conditions such as sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis. S. pyogenes expresses multiple virulence factors on its surface to localize and initiate infections in humans. Among all these expressed virulence factors, the M protein is the most important antigen. In this study, we perform an in-depth characterization of the human protein interactions formed around one of the foremost human pathogens. This strategy allowed us to decipher the protein interaction networks around different S. pyogenes strains on a global scale and to compare and visualize how such interactions are mediated by M proteins.
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18
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Aranha MP, Penfound TA, Salehi S, Botteaux A, Smeesters P, Dale JB, Smith JC. Design of Broadly Cross-Reactive M Protein-Based Group A Streptococcal Vaccines. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 207:1138-1149. [PMID: 34341168 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Group A streptococcal infections are a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality. A leading vaccine candidate is the surface M protein, a major virulence determinant and protective Ag. One obstacle to the development of M protein-based vaccines is the >200 different M types defined by the N-terminal sequences that contain protective epitopes. Despite sequence variability, M proteins share coiled-coil structural motifs that bind host proteins required for virulence. In this study, we exploit this potential Achilles heel of conserved structure to predict cross-reactive M peptides that could serve as broadly protective vaccine Ags. Combining sequences with structural predictions, six heterologous M peptides in a sequence-related cluster were predicted to elicit cross-reactive Abs with the remaining five nonvaccine M types in the cluster. The six-valent vaccine elicited Abs in rabbits that reacted with all 11 M peptides in the cluster and functional opsonic Abs against vaccine and nonvaccine M types in the cluster. We next immunized mice with four sequence-unrelated M peptides predicted to contain different coiled-coil propensities and tested the antisera for cross-reactivity against 41 heterologous M peptides. Based on these results, we developed an improved algorithm to select cross-reactive peptide pairs using additional parameters of coiled-coil length and propensity. The revised algorithm accurately predicted cross-reactive Ab binding, improving the Matthews correlation coefficient from 0.42 to 0.74. These results form the basis for selecting the minimum number of N-terminal M peptides to include in potentially broadly efficacious multivalent vaccines that could impact the overall global burden of group A streptococcal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle P Aranha
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN; .,Center for Molecular Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN
| | - Thomas A Penfound
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Sanaz Salehi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Anne Botteaux
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Smeesters
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.,Academic Children's Hospital Queen Fabiola, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium; and.,Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - James B Dale
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN;
| | - Jeremy C Smith
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN; .,Center for Molecular Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN
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19
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Abstract
M and M-like proteins are major virulence factors of the widespread and potentially deadly bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. These proteins confer resistance against innate and adaptive immune responses by recruiting specific human proteins to the streptococcal surface. Nonimmune recruitment of immunoglobulins G (IgG) and A (IgA) through their fragment crystallizable (Fc) domains by M and M-like proteins was described almost 40 years ago, but its impact on virulence remains unresolved. These interactions have been suggested to be consequential under immune conditions at mucosal surfaces and in secretions but not in plasma, while other evidence suggests importance in evading phagocytic killing in nonimmune blood. Recently, an indirect effect of Fc-binding through ligand-induced stabilization of an M-like protein was shown to increase virulence. Nonimmune recruitment has also been seen to contribute to tissue damage in animal models of autoimmune diseases triggered by S. pyogenes infection. The damage was treatable by targeting Fc-binding. This and other potential therapeutic applications warrant renewed attention to Fc-binding by M and M-like proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jori O. Mills
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Partho Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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20
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Subdominance in Antibody Responses: Implications for Vaccine Development. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2020; 85:85/1/e00078-20. [PMID: 33239435 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00078-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines work primarily by eliciting antibodies, even when recovery from natural infection depends on cellular immunity. Large efforts have therefore been made to identify microbial antigens that elicit protective antibodies, but these endeavors have encountered major difficulties, as witnessed by the lack of vaccines against many pathogens. This review summarizes accumulating evidence that subdominant protein regions, i.e., surface-exposed regions that elicit relatively weak antibody responses, are of particular interest for vaccine development. This concept may seem counterintuitive, but subdominance may represent an immune evasion mechanism, implying that the corresponding region potentially is a key target for protective immunity. Following a presentation of the concepts of immunodominance and subdominance, the review will present work on subdominant regions in several major human pathogens: the protozoan Plasmodium falciparum, two species of pathogenic streptococci, and the dengue and influenza viruses. Later sections are devoted to the molecular basis of subdominance, its potential role in immune evasion, and general implications for vaccine development. Special emphasis will be placed on the fact that a whole surface-exposed protein domain can be subdominant, as demonstrated for all of the pathogens described here. Overall, the available data indicate that subdominant protein regions are of much interest for vaccine development, not least in bacterial and protozoal systems, for which antibody subdominance remains largely unexplored.
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21
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Novel diverse sequences of the Streptococcus canis M-like protein (SCM) gene and their prevalence in diseased companion animals: Association of their alleles with sequence types. J Infect Chemother 2020; 26:908-915. [PMID: 32354600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine novel alleles and their prevalence in Streptococcus canis M-like protein (SCM) and to elucidate association of their alleles with sequence types (STs)/clonal complexes (CCs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes/genotypes. METHODS We amplified and sequenced scm, by using primers reported by Pinho recently, for 40 isolates in 2015 and 2017, in which the sequences could not be determined with conventional primers. Isolates, for which SCM alleles, STs, and AMR phenotypes/genotypes were previously determined, were included as controls. A phylogenetic tree of SCM amino acid sequences was constructed. Alleles, based on the tree positions with their prevalence, as well as STs/CCs and AMR phenotypes/genotypes were characterized. RESULTS Although one isolate possessed SCM allele type 1, 39 isolates had novel allele types 10-15, based on cluster analysis. The 11 and 12 allele types were firstly found in this study. We designated novel allele types as group II and non-novel allele types as group I. Prevalence of group II alleles was 29.9% and 16.2% in 2015 and 2017. Prevalent group II types were allele 10 (10.3%), allele 11 (2.7%), and allele 15 (3.3%) through both periods. There was a significant difference in distribution of STs/CCs between groups I/II SCM populations. We found significant differences in distribution of macrolide/lincosamide AMR genotype (7.7% vs. 26.8%) and AMR rates of fluoroquinolone (0% vs. 12.5%) between the two populations. CONCLUSION Our study presents group II scm sequences and their prevalence among diseased companion animals in Japan, with association of their alleles with STs.
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22
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Ermert D, Laabei M, Weckel A, Mörgelin M, Lundqvist M, Björck L, Ram S, Linse S, Blom AM. The Molecular Basis of Human IgG-Mediated Enhancement of C4b-Binding Protein Recruitment to Group A Streptococcus. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1230. [PMID: 31214187 PMCID: PMC6557989 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes infects over 700 million people worldwide annually. Immune evasion strategies employed by the bacteria include binding of the complement inhibitors, C4b-binding protein (C4BP) and Factor H in a human-specific manner. We recently showed that human IgG increased C4BP binding to the bacterial surface, which promoted streptococcal immune evasion and increased mortality in mice. We sought to identify how IgG promotes C4BP binding to Protein H, a member of the M protein family. Dimerization of Protein H is pivotal for enhanced binding to human C4BP. First, we illustrated that Protein H, IgG, and C4BP formed a tripartite complex. Second, surface plasmon resonance revealed that Protein H binds IgG solely through Fc, but not Fab domains, and with high affinity (IgG-Protein H: KD = 0.4 nM; IgG-Fc-Protein H: KD ≤ 1.6 nM). Each IgG binds two Protein H molecules, while up to six molecules of Protein H bind one C4BP molecule. Third, interrupting Protein H dimerization either by raising temperature to 41°C or with a synthetic peptide prevented IgG-Protein H interactions. IgG-Fc fragments or monoclonal human IgG permitted maximal C4BP binding when used at concentrations from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml. In contrast, pooled human IgG enhanced C4BP binding at concentrations up to 1 mg/ml; decreased C4BP binding at 10 mg/ml occurred probably because of Fab-streptococcal interactions at these high IgG concentrations. Taken together, our data show how S. pyogenes exploits human IgG to evade complement and enhance its virulence. Elucidation of this mechanism could aid design of new therapeutics against S. pyogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ermert
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Maisem Laabei
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Antonin Weckel
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Martin Lundqvist
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lars Björck
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sara Linse
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna M Blom
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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23
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The Pneumococcal Surface Proteins PspA and PspC Sequester Host C4-Binding Protein To Inactivate Complement C4b on the Bacterial Surface. Infect Immun 2018; 87:IAI.00742-18. [PMID: 30323030 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00742-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement is a critical component of antimicrobial immunity. Various complement regulatory proteins prevent host cells from being attacked. Many pathogens have acquired the ability to sequester complement regulators from host plasma to evade complement attack. We describe here how Streptococcus pneumoniae adopts a strategy to prevent the formation of the C3 convertase C4bC2a by the rapid conversion of surface bound C4b and iC4b into C4dg, which remains bound to the bacterial surface but no longer forms a convertase complex. Noncapsular virulence factors on the pneumococcus are thought to facilitate this process by sequestering C4b-binding protein (C4BP) from host plasma. When S. pneumoniae D39 was opsonized with human serum, the larger C4 activation products C4b and iC4b were undetectable, but the bacteria were liberally decorated with C4dg and C4BP. With targeted deletions of either PspA or PspC, C4BP deposition was markedly reduced, and there was a corresponding reduction in C4dg and an increase in the deposition of C4b and iC4b. The effect was greatest when PspA and PspC were both knocked out. Infection experiments in mice indicated that the deletion of PspA and/or PspC resulted in the loss of bacterial pathogenicity. Recombinant PspA and PspC both bound serum C4BP, and both led to increased C4b and reduced C4dg deposition on S. pneumoniae D39. We conclude that PspA and PspC help the pneumococcus to evade complement attack by binding C4BP and so inactivating C4b.
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24
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Pato C, Melo-Cristino J, Ramirez M, Friães A. Streptococcus pyogenes Causing Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Are Enriched in the Recently Emerged emm89 Clade 3 and Are Not Associated With Abrogation of CovRS. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2372. [PMID: 30356787 PMCID: PMC6189468 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Although skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are the most common focal infections associated with invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Lancefield Group A streptococci - GAS), there is scarce information on the characteristics of isolates recovered from SSTI in temperate-climate regions. In this study, 320 GAS isolated from SSTI in Portugal were characterized by multiple typing methods and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and SpeB activity. The covRS and ropB genes of isolates with no detectable SpeB activity were sequenced. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile was similar to that of previously characterized isolates from invasive infections (iGAS), presenting a decreasing trend in macrolide resistance. However, the clonal composition of SSTI between 2005 and 2009 was significantly different from that of contemporary iGAS. Overall, iGAS were associated with emm1 and emm3, while SSTI were associated with emm89, the dominant emm type among SSTI (19%). Within emm89, SSTI were only significantly associated with isolates lacking the hasABC locus, suggesting that the recently emerged emm89 clade 3 may have an increased potential to cause SSTI. Reflecting these associations between emm type and disease presentation, there were also differences in the distribution of emm clusters, sequence types, and superantigen gene profiles between SSTI and iGAS. According to the predicted ability of each emm cluster to interact with host proteins, iGAS were associated with the ability to bind fibrinogen and albumin, whereas SSTI isolates were associated with the ability to bind C4BP, IgA, and IgG. SpeB activity was absent in 79 isolates (25%), in line with the proportion previously observed among iGAS. Null covS and ropB alleles (predicted to eliminate protein function) were detected in 10 (3%) and 12 (4%) isolates, corresponding to an underrepresentation of mutations impairing CovRS function in SSTI relative to iGAS. Overall, these results indicate that the isolates responsible for SSTI are genetically distinct from those recovered from normally sterile sites, supporting a role for mutations impairing CovRS activity specifically in invasive infection and suggesting that this role relies on a differential regulation of other virulence factors besides SpeB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Pato
- Author Affiliations: Centro Hospitalar do Barlavento Algarvio; Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga; Centro Hospitalar de Leiria; Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho; Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave; Centro Hospitalar do Porto; Centro Hospitalar da Póvoa do Varzim/Vila do Conde; Hospital Central do Funchal; Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central; Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte; Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental; Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga; Hospital de Vila Real; Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra; Hospital de Cascais; Hospital de São João, Porto; Hospital de Braga; Hospital de Santa Luzia, Elvas; Hospital dos SAMS, Lisboa; Hospital Dr. Fernando da Fonseca, Amadora/Sintra; Hospital do Espírito Santo, Évora; Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada; Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos; Unidade Local de Saúde do Baixo Alentejo, Beja.,Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Microbiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José Melo-Cristino
- Author Affiliations: Centro Hospitalar do Barlavento Algarvio; Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga; Centro Hospitalar de Leiria; Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho; Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave; Centro Hospitalar do Porto; Centro Hospitalar da Póvoa do Varzim/Vila do Conde; Hospital Central do Funchal; Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central; Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte; Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental; Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga; Hospital de Vila Real; Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra; Hospital de Cascais; Hospital de São João, Porto; Hospital de Braga; Hospital de Santa Luzia, Elvas; Hospital dos SAMS, Lisboa; Hospital Dr. Fernando da Fonseca, Amadora/Sintra; Hospital do Espírito Santo, Évora; Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada; Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos; Unidade Local de Saúde do Baixo Alentejo, Beja.,Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Microbiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mario Ramirez
- Author Affiliations: Centro Hospitalar do Barlavento Algarvio; Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga; Centro Hospitalar de Leiria; Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho; Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave; Centro Hospitalar do Porto; Centro Hospitalar da Póvoa do Varzim/Vila do Conde; Hospital Central do Funchal; Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central; Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte; Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental; Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga; Hospital de Vila Real; Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra; Hospital de Cascais; Hospital de São João, Porto; Hospital de Braga; Hospital de Santa Luzia, Elvas; Hospital dos SAMS, Lisboa; Hospital Dr. Fernando da Fonseca, Amadora/Sintra; Hospital do Espírito Santo, Évora; Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada; Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos; Unidade Local de Saúde do Baixo Alentejo, Beja.,Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Microbiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Friães
- Author Affiliations: Centro Hospitalar do Barlavento Algarvio; Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga; Centro Hospitalar de Leiria; Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho; Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave; Centro Hospitalar do Porto; Centro Hospitalar da Póvoa do Varzim/Vila do Conde; Hospital Central do Funchal; Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central; Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte; Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental; Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga; Hospital de Vila Real; Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra; Hospital de Cascais; Hospital de São João, Porto; Hospital de Braga; Hospital de Santa Luzia, Elvas; Hospital dos SAMS, Lisboa; Hospital Dr. Fernando da Fonseca, Amadora/Sintra; Hospital do Espírito Santo, Évora; Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada; Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos; Unidade Local de Saúde do Baixo Alentejo, Beja.,Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Microbiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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25
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Laabei M, Ermert D. Catch Me if You Can: Streptococcus pyogenes Complement Evasion Strategies. J Innate Immun 2018; 11:3-12. [PMID: 30269134 DOI: 10.1159/000492944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The human host has evolved elaborate protection mechanisms to prevent infection from the billions of microorganisms to which it host is exposed and is home. One of these systems, complement, is an evolutionary ancient arm of innate immunity essential for combatting bacterial infection. Complement permits the efficient labelling of bacteria with opsonins, supports phagocytosis, and facilitates phagocyte recruitment to the site of infection through the production of chemoattractants. However, it is by no means perfect, and certain organisms engage in an evolutionary arms race with the host where complement has become a major target to promote immune evasion. Streptococcus pyogenes is a major human pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality globally. S. pyogenes is also a member of an elite group of bacterial pathogens possessing a sophisticated arsenal of virulence determinants capable of interfering with complement. In this review, we focus on these complement evasins, their mechanism of action, and their importance in disease progression. Finally, we highlight new therapeutic options for fighting S. pyogenes, by interfering with one of its main mechanisms of complement evasion.
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26
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Deng S, Xu T, Fang Q, Yu L, Zhu J, Chen L, Liu J, Zhou R. The Surface-Exposed Protein SntA Contributes to Complement Evasion in Zoonotic Streptococcus suis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1063. [PMID: 29868022 PMCID: PMC5964162 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis is an emerging zoonotic pathogen causing streptococcal toxic shock like syndrome (STSLS), meningitis, septicemia, and even sudden death in human and pigs. Serious septicemia indicates this bacterium can evade the host complement surveillance. In our previous study, a functionally unknown protein SntA of S. suis has been identified as a heme-binding protein, and contributes to virulence in pigs. SntA can interact with the host antioxidant protein AOP2 and consequently inhibit its antioxidant activity. In the present study, SntA is identified as a cell wall anchored protein that functions as an important player in S. suis complement evasion. The C3 deposition and membrane attack complex (MAC) formation on the surface of sntA-deleted mutant strain ΔsntA are demonstrated to be significantly higher than the parental strain SC-19 and the complementary strain CΔsntA. The abilities of anti-phagocytosis, survival in blood, and in vivo colonization of ΔsntA are obviously reduced. SntA can interact with C1q and inhibit hemolytic activity via the classical pathway. Complement activation assays reveal that SntA can also directly activate classical and lectin pathways, resulting in complement consumption. These two complement evasion strategies may be crucial for the pathogenesis of this zoonotic pathogen. Concerning that SntA is a bifunctional 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 2′-phosphodiesterase/3′-nucleotidase in many species of Gram-positive bacteria, these complement evasion strategies may have common biological significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tong Xu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiong Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Long Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiahui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Cooperative Innovation Center of Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China.,International Research Center for Animal Diseases (MOST), Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
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27
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Karlsson CAQ, Järnum S, Winstedt L, Kjellman C, Björck L, Linder A, Malmström JA. Streptococcus pyogenes Infection and the Human Proteome with a Special Focus on the Immunoglobulin G-cleaving Enzyme IdeS. Mol Cell Proteomics 2018; 17:1097-1111. [PMID: 29511047 PMCID: PMC5986240 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra117.000525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases are characterized by a complex interplay between host and pathogen, but how these interactions impact the host proteome is unclear. Here we applied a combined mass spectrometry-based proteomics strategy to investigate how the human proteome is transiently modified by the pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes, with a particular focus on bacterial cleavage of IgG in vivo. In invasive diseases, S. pyogenes evokes a massive host response in blood, whereas superficial diseases are characterized by a local leakage of several blood plasma proteins at the site of infection including IgG. S. pyogenes produces IdeS, a protease cleaving IgG in the lower hinge region and we find highly effective IdeS-cleavage of IgG in samples from local IgG poor microenvironments. The results show that IdeS contributes to the adaptation of S. pyogenes to its normal ecological niches. Additionally, the work identifies novel clinical opportunities for in vivo pathogen detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christofer A Q Karlsson
- From the ‡Lund University, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Solvegatan 19, BMC, Lund, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Sofia Järnum
- §Hansa Medical AB, Scheelevägen 22, 223 63 Lund, Sweden
| | - Lena Winstedt
- §Hansa Medical AB, Scheelevägen 22, 223 63 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Lars Björck
- From the ‡Lund University, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Solvegatan 19, BMC, Lund, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Adam Linder
- From the ‡Lund University, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Solvegatan 19, BMC, Lund, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Johan A Malmström
- From the ‡Lund University, Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Solvegatan 19, BMC, Lund, 221 84 Lund, Sweden;
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28
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Raynes JM, Young PG, Proft T, Williamson DA, Baker EN, Moreland NJ. Protein adhesins as vaccine antigens for Group A Streptococcus. Pathog Dis 2018; 76:4919728. [DOI: 10.1093/femspd/fty016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J M Raynes
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - P G Young
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 5 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - T Proft
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - D A Williamson
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - E N Baker
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 5 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - N J Moreland
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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29
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Blom AM, Magda M, Kohl L, Shaughnessy J, Lambris JD, Ram S, Ermert D. Factor H-IgG Chimeric Proteins as a Therapeutic Approach against the Gram-Positive Bacterial Pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2017; 199:3828-3839. [PMID: 29084837 PMCID: PMC5698128 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria can cause life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or sepsis. Antibiotic therapy is a mainstay of treatment, although antimicrobial resistance has drastically increased over the years. Unfortunately, safe and effective vaccines against most pathogens have not yet been approved, and thus developing alternative treatments is important. We analyzed the efficiency of factor H (FH)6-7/Fc, a novel antibacterial immunotherapeutic protein against the Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes This protein is composed of two domains of complement inhibitor human FH (FH complement control protein modules 6 and 7) that bind to S. pyogenes, linked to the Fc region of IgG (FH6-7/Fc). FH6-7/Fc has previously been shown to enhance complement-dependent killing of, and facilitate bacterial clearance in, animal models of the Gram-negative pathogens Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis We hypothesized that activation of complement by FH6-7/Fc on the surface of Gram-positive bacteria such as S. pyogenes will enable professional phagocytes to eliminate the pathogen. We found that FH6-7/Fc alleviated S. pyogenes-induced sepsis in a transgenic mouse model expressing human FH (S. pyogenes binds FH in a human-specific manner). Furthermore, FH6-7/Fc, which binds to protein H and selected M proteins, displaced FH from the bacterial surface, enhanced alternative pathway activation, and reduced bacterial blood burden by opsonophagocytosis in a C3-dependent manner in an ex vivo human whole-blood model. In conclusion, FH-Fc chimeric proteins could serve as adjunctive treatments against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Blom
- Department of Translational Medicine, Medical Protein Chemistry, Lund University, Skåne County Council, Malmö 20502, Sweden
| | - Michal Magda
- Department of Translational Medicine, Medical Protein Chemistry, Lund University, Skåne County Council, Malmö 20502, Sweden
| | - Lisa Kohl
- Department of Translational Medicine, Medical Protein Chemistry, Lund University, Skåne County Council, Malmö 20502, Sweden
| | - Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605; and
| | - John D Lambris
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605; and
| | - David Ermert
- Department of Translational Medicine, Medical Protein Chemistry, Lund University, Skåne County Council, Malmö 20502, Sweden;
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605; and
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30
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Incremental Contributions of FbaA and Other Impetigo-Associated Surface Proteins to Fitness and Virulence of a Classical Group A Streptococcal Skin Strain. Infect Immun 2017; 85:IAI.00374-17. [PMID: 28808160 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00374-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A streptococci (GAS) are highly prevalent human pathogens whose primary ecological niche is the superficial epithelial layers of the throat and/or skin. Many GAS strains with a strong tendency to cause pharyngitis are distinct from strains that tend to cause impetigo; thus, genetic differences between them may confer host tissue-specific virulence. In this study, the FbaA surface protein gene was found to be present in most skin specialist strains but largely absent from a genetically related subset of pharyngitis isolates. In an ΔfbaA mutant constructed in the impetigo strain Alab49, loss of FbaA resulted in a slight but significant decrease in GAS fitness in a humanized mouse model of impetigo; the ΔfbaA mutant also exhibited decreased survival in whole human blood due to phagocytosis. In assays with highly sensitive outcome measures, Alab49ΔfbaA was compared to other isogenic mutants lacking virulence genes known to be disproportionately associated with classical skin strains. FbaA and PAM (i.e., the M53 protein) had additive effects in promoting GAS survival in whole blood. The pilus adhesin tip protein Cpa promoted Alab49 survival in whole blood and appears to fully account for the antiphagocytic effect attributable to pili. The finding that numerous skin strain-associated virulence factors make slight but significant contributions to virulence underscores the incremental contributions to fitness of individual surface protein genes and the multifactorial nature of GAS-host interactions.
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31
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Yuan Y, Zajicek J, Qiu C, Chandrahas V, Lee SW, Ploplis VA, Castellino FJ. Conformationally organized lysine isosteres in Streptococcus pyogenes M protein mediate direct high-affinity binding to human plasminogen. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:15016-15027. [PMID: 28724633 PMCID: PMC5592677 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.794198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The binding of human plasminogen (hPg) to the surface of the human pathogen group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) and subsequent hPg activation to the protease plasmin generate a proteolytic surface that GAS employs to circumvent host innate immunity. Direct high-affinity binding of hPg/plasmin to pattern D GAS is fully recapitulated by the hPg kringle 2 domain (K2hPg) and a short internal peptide region (a1a2) of a specific subtype of bacterial surface M protein, present in all GAS pattern D strains. To better understand the nature of this binding, critical to the virulence of many GAS skin-tropic strains, we used high-resolution NMR to define the interaction of recombinant K2hPg with recombinant a1a2 (VKK38) of the M protein from GAS isolate NS455. We found a 2:1 (m/m) binding stoichiometry of K2hPg/VKK38, with the lysine-binding sites of two K2hPg domains anchored to two regions of monomeric VKK38. The K2hPg/VKK38 binding altered the VKK38 secondary structure from a helical apo-peptide with a flexible center to an end-to-end K2hPg-bound α-helix. The K2hPg residues occupied opposite faces of this helix, an arrangement that minimized steric clashing of K2hPg We conclude that VKK38 provides two conformational lysine isosteres that each interact with the lysine-binding sites in K2hPg Further, the adoption of an α-helix by VKK38 upon binding to K2hPg sterically optimizes the side chains of VKK38 for maximal binding to K2hPg and minimizes steric overlap between the K2hPg domains. The mechanism for hPg/M protein binding uncovered here may facilitate targeting of GAS virulence factors for disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yuan
- From the W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and
| | | | - Cunjia Qiu
- From the W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and
| | - Vishwanatha Chandrahas
- From the W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and
| | - Shaun W Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - Victoria A Ploplis
- From the W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and
| | - Francis J Castellino
- From the W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research,
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and
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32
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Ghosh P. Variation, Indispensability, and Masking in the M protein. Trends Microbiol 2017; 26:132-144. [PMID: 28867148 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The M protein is the major surface-associated virulence factor of group A Streptococcus (GAS) and an antigenically variable target of host immunity. How selection pressures to escape immune recognition, maintain indispensable functions, and mask vulnerabilities have shaped the sequences of the >220M protein types is unclear. Recent experiments have shed light on this question by showing that, hidden within the antigenic variability of many M protein types, are sequence patterns conserved for recruiting human C4b-binding protein (C4BP). Other host factors may be recruited in a similar manner by conserved but hidden sequence patterns in the M protein. The identification of such patterns may be applicable to the development of a GAS vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partho Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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33
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Swe PM, Christian LD, Lu HC, Sriprakash KS, Fischer K. Complement inhibition by Sarcoptes scabiei protects Streptococcus pyogenes - An in vitro study to unravel the molecular mechanisms behind the poorly understood predilection of S. pyogenes to infect mite-induced skin lesions. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005437. [PMID: 28278252 PMCID: PMC5360341 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background On a global scale scabies is one of the most common dermatological conditions, imposing a considerable economic burden on individuals, communities and health systems. There is substantial epidemiological evidence that in tropical regions scabies is often causing pyoderma and subsequently serious illness due to invasion by opportunistic bacteria. The health burden due to complicated scabies causing cellulitis, bacteraemia and sepsis, heart and kidney diseases in resource-poor communities is extreme. Co-infections of group A streptococcus (GAS) and scabies mites is a common phenomenon in the tropics. Both pathogens produce multiple complement inhibitors to overcome the host innate defence. We investigated the relative role of classical (CP), lectin (LP) and alternative pathways (AP) towards a pyodermic GAS isolate 88/30 in the presence of a scabies mite complement inhibitor, SMSB4. Methodology/Principal findings Opsonophagocytosis assays in fresh blood showed baseline immunity towards GAS. The role of innate immunity was investigated by deposition of the first complement components of each pathway, specifically C1q, FB and MBL from normal human serum on GAS. C1q deposition was the highest followed by FB deposition while MBL deposition was undetectable, suggesting that CP and AP may be mainly activated by GAS. We confirmed this result using sera depleted of either C1q or FB, and serum deficient in MBL. Recombinant SMSB4 was produced and purified from Pichia pastoris. SMSB4 reduced the baseline immunity against GAS by decreasing the formation of CP- and AP-C3 convertases, subsequently affecting opsonisation and the release of anaphylatoxin. Conclusions/Significance Our results indicate that the complement-inhibitory function of SMSB4 promotes the survival of GAS in vitro and inferably in the microenvironment of the mite-infested skin. Understanding the tripartite interactions between host, parasite and microbial pathogens at a molecular level may serve as a basis to develop improved intervention strategies targeting scabies and associated bacterial infections. The molecular mechanisms that underpin the link between scabies and bacterial pathogens were unknown. We proposed that scabies mites play a role in the establishment, proliferation and transmission of opportunistic pathogens. We investigated here the synergy between mites and one of the most recognised mite associated pathogens, Streptococcus pyogenes. As part of the innate immune response mammals have a pre-programmed ability to recognise and immediately act against substances derived from fungal and bacterial microorganisms. This is mediated through a sequential biochemical cascade involving over 30 different proteins (complement system) which as a result of signal amplification triggers a rapid killing response. The complement cascade produces peptides that attract immune cells, increases vascular permeability, coats (opsonises) the surfaces of a pathogen, marking it for destruction, and directly disrupts foreign plasma membranes. To prevent complement mediated damage of their gut cells, scabies mites secrete several classes of complement inhibiting proteins into the mite gut and excrete them into the epidermal mite burrows. Furthermore, these inhibitors also provide protection for S. pyogenes. We verified here specifically the impact of the mite complement inhibitor SMSB4, to identify the molecular mechanisms behind the long recognised tendency of S. pyogenes to infect mite-induced skin lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pearl M. Swe
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Department, Herston, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lindsay D. Christian
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Department, Herston, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Hieng C. Lu
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Department, Herston, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kadaba S. Sriprakash
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Department, Herston, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Katja Fischer
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Department, Herston, Brisbane, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Karlsson C, Teleman J, Malmström J. Analysis of Bacterial Surface Interactions with Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1535:17-24. [PMID: 27914070 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6673-8_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Host-pathogen protein-protein interaction networks are highly complex and dynamic. In this experimental protocol we describe a method to isolate host proteins attached to the bacterial surface followed by quantitative mass spectrometry based proteomics analysis. This technique provides an overview of the host-pathogen interaction network, which can be used to guide directed perturbations of the system, and to select target of specific interest for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christofer Karlsson
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Biomedical Center D13, Lund 22184, Sweden
| | - Johan Teleman
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Biomedical Center D13, Lund 22184, Sweden
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Medicon Village 406, Lund 22381, Sweden
| | - Johan Malmström
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Biomedical Center D13, Lund 22184, Sweden.
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Caine JA, Coburn J. Multifunctional and Redundant Roles of Borrelia burgdorferi Outer Surface Proteins in Tissue Adhesion, Colonization, and Complement Evasion. Front Immunol 2016; 7:442. [PMID: 27818662 PMCID: PMC5073149 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease in the U.S., with at least 25,000 cases reported to the CDC each year. B. burgdorferi is thought to enter and exit the bloodstream to achieve rapid dissemination to distal tissue sites during infection. Travel through the bloodstream requires evasion of immune surveillance and pathogen clearance in the host, a process at which B. burgdorferi is adept. B. burgdorferi encodes greater than 19 adhesive outer surface proteins many of which have been found to bind to host cells or components of the extracellular matrix. Several others bind to host complement regulatory factors, in vitro. Production of many of these adhesive proteins is tightly regulated by environmental cues, and some have been shown to aid in vascular interactions and tissue colonization, as well as survival in the blood, in vivo. Recent work has described multifaceted and redundant roles of B. burgdorferi outer surface proteins in complement component interactions and tissue targeted adhesion and colonization, distinct from their previously identified in vitro binding capabilities. Recent insights into the multifunctional roles of previously well-characterized outer surface proteins such as BBK32, DbpA, CspA, and OspC have changed the way we think about the surface proteome of these organisms during the tick-mammal life cycle. With the combination of new and old in vivo models and in vitro techniques, the field has identified distinct ligand binding domains on BBK32 and DbpA that afford tissue colonization or blood survival to B. burgdorferi. In this review, we describe the multifunctional and redundant roles of many adhesive outer surface proteins of B. burgdorferi in tissue adhesion, colonization, and bloodstream survival that, together, promote the survival of Borrelia spp. throughout maintenance in their multi-host lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Caine
- Division of Infectious Disease, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Jenifer Coburn
- Division of Infectious Disease, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Conserved patterns hidden within group A Streptococcus M protein hypervariability recognize human C4b-binding protein. Nat Microbiol 2016; 1:16155. [PMID: 27595425 PMCID: PMC5014329 DOI: 10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
No vaccine exists against group A Streptococcus (GAS), a leading cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. A severe hurdle is the hypervariability of its major antigen, the M protein, with >200 different M types known. Neutralizing antibodies typically recognize M protein hypervariable regions (HVRs) and confer narrow protection. In stark contrast, human C4b-binding protein (C4BP), which is recruited to the GAS surface to block phagocytic killing, interacts with a remarkably large number of M protein HVRs (apparently ∼90%). Such broad recognition is rare, and we discovered a unique mechanism for this through the structure determination of four sequence-diverse M proteins in complexes with C4BP. The structures revealed a uniform and tolerant 'reading head' in C4BP, which detected conserved sequence patterns hidden within hypervariability. Our results open up possibilities for rational therapies that target the M-C4BP interaction, and also inform a path towards vaccine design.
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Brouwer S, Barnett TC, Rivera-Hernandez T, Rohde M, Walker MJ. Streptococcus pyogenes adhesion and colonization. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:3739-3757. [PMID: 27312939 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus, GAS) is a human-adapted pathogen responsible for a wide spectrum of disease. GAS can cause relatively mild illnesses, such as strep throat or impetigo, and less frequent but severe life-threatening diseases such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. GAS is an important public health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The main route of GAS transmission between humans is through close or direct physical contact, and particularly via respiratory droplets. The upper respiratory tract and skin are major reservoirs for GAS infections. The ability of GAS to establish an infection in the new host at these anatomical sites primarily results from two distinct physiological processes, namely bacterial adhesion and colonization. These fundamental aspects of pathogenesis rely upon a variety of GAS virulence factors, which are usually under strict transcriptional regulation. Considerable progress has been made in better understanding these initial infection steps. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of GAS adhesion and colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Brouwer
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Timothy C Barnett
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Tania Rivera-Hernandez
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Centre For Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mark J Walker
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
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Virdi V, Juarez P, Boudolf V, Depicker A. Recombinant IgA production for mucosal passive immunization, advancing beyond the hurdles. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:535-45. [PMID: 26511868 PMCID: PMC11108522 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2074-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 09/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Vaccination is a successful strategy to proactively develop immunity to a certain pathogen, but most vaccines fail to trigger a specific immune response at the mucosal surfaces, which are the first port of entry for infectious agents. At the mucosal surfaces, the predominant immunoglobulin is secretory IgA (SIgA) that specifically neutralizes viruses and prevents bacterial colonization. Mucosal passive immunization, i.e. the application of pathogen-specific SIgAs at the mucosae, can be an effective alternative to achieve mucosal protection. However, this approach is not straightforward, mainly because SIgAs are difficult to obtain from convalescent sources, while recombinant SIgA production is challenging due to its complex structure. This review provides an overview of manufacturing difficulties presented by the unique structural diversity of SIgAs, and the innovative solutions being explored for SIgA production in mammalian and plant expression systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Virdi
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Paloma Juarez
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Veronique Boudolf
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ann Depicker
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
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Ermert D, Blom AM. C4b-binding protein: The good, the bad and the deadly. Novel functions of an old friend. Immunol Lett 2015; 169:82-92. [PMID: 26658464 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2015.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is best known as a potent soluble inhibitor of the classical and lectin pathways of the complement system. This large 500 kDa multimeric plasma glycoprotein is expressed mainly in the liver but also in lung and pancreas. It consists of several identical 75 kDa α-chains and often also one 40 kDa β-chain, both of which are mainly composed of complement control protein (CCP) domains. Structure-function studies revealed that one crucial binding site responsible for inhibition of complement is located to CCP1-3 of the α-chain. Binding of anticoagulant protein S to the CCP1 of the β-chain provides C4BP with the ability to strongly bind apoptotic and necrotic cells in order to prevent inflammation arising from activation of complement by these cells. Further, C4BP interacts strongly with various types of amyloid and enhances fibrillation of islet amyloid polypeptide secreted from pancreatic beta cells, which may attenuate pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of this amyloid. Full deficiency of C4BP has not been identified but non-synonymous alterations in its sequence have been found in haemolytic uremic syndrome and recurrent pregnancy loss. Furthermore, C4BP is bound by several bacterial pathogens, notably Streptococcus pyogenes, which due to inhibition of complement and enhancement of bacterial adhesion to endothelial cells provides these bacteria with a survival advantage in the host. Thus, depending on the context, C4BP has a protective or detrimental role in the organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ermert
- Lund University, Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Inga Marie Nilssons Street 53, Malmö, 20502, Sweden.
| | - Anna M Blom
- Lund University, Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Inga Marie Nilssons Street 53, Malmö, 20502, Sweden.
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Villarino Romero R, Osicka R, Sebo P. Filamentous hemagglutinin of Bordetella pertussis: a key adhesin with immunomodulatory properties? Future Microbiol 2015; 9:1339-60. [PMID: 25517899 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.14.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The filamentous hemagglutinin of pathogenic Bordetellae is a prototype of a large two-partner-system-secreted and β-structure-rich bacterial adhesin. It exhibits several binding activities that may facilitate bacterial adherence to airway mucosa and host phagocytes in the initial phases of infection. Despite three decades of research on filamentous hemagglutinin, there remain many questions on its structure-function relationships, integrin interactions and possible immunomodulatory signaling capacity. Here we review the state of knowledge on this important virulence factor and acellular pertussis vaccine component. Specific emphasis is placed on outstanding questions that are yet to be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Villarino Romero
- Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
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Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS), is an important human bacterial pathogen that can cause invasive infections. Once it colonizes its exclusively human host, GAS needs to surmount numerous innate immune defense mechanisms, including opsonization by complement and consequent phagocytosis. Several strains of GAS bind to human-specific complement inhibitors, C4b-binding protein (C4BP) and/or Factor H (FH), to curtail complement C3 (a critical opsonin) deposition. This results in diminished activation of phagocytes and clearance of GAS that may lead to the host being unable to limit the infection. Herein we describe the course of GAS infection in three human complement inhibitor transgenic (tg) mouse models that examined each inhibitor (human C4BP or FH) alone, or the two inhibitors together (C4BPxFH or 'double' tg). GAS infection with strains that bound C4BP and FH resulted in enhanced mortality in each of the three transgenic mouse models compared to infection in wild type mice. In addition, GAS manifested increased virulence in C4BPxFH mice: higher organism burdens and greater elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and they died earlier than single transgenic or wt controls. The effects of hu-C4BP and hu-FH were specific for GAS strains that bound these inhibitors because strains that did not bind the inhibitors showed reduced virulence in the 'double' tg mice compared to strains that did bind; mortality was also similar in wild-type and C4BPxFH mice infected by non-binding GAS. Our findings emphasize the importance of binding of complement inhibitors to GAS that results in impaired opsonization and phagocytic killing, which translates to enhanced virulence in a humanized whole animal model. This novel hu-C4BPxFH tg model may prove invaluable in studies of GAS pathogenesis and for developing vaccines and therapeutics that rely on human complement activation for efficacy.
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Henningham A, Yamaguchi M, Aziz RK, Kuipers K, Buffalo CZ, Dahesh S, Choudhury B, Van Vleet J, Yamaguchi Y, Seymour LM, Ben Zakour NL, He L, Smith HV, Grimwood K, Beatson SA, Ghosh P, Walker MJ, Nizet V, Cole JN. Mutual exclusivity of hyaluronan and hyaluronidase in invasive group A Streptococcus. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:32303-32315. [PMID: 25266727 PMCID: PMC4231703 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.602847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent analysis of group A Streptococcus (GAS) invasive infections in Australia has shown a predominance of M4 GAS, a serotype recently reported to lack the antiphagocytic hyaluronic acid (HA) capsule. Here, we use molecular genetics and bioinformatics techniques to characterize 17 clinical M4 isolates associated with invasive disease in children during this recent epidemiology. All M4 isolates lacked HA capsule, and whole genome sequence analysis of two isolates revealed the complete absence of the hasABC capsule biosynthesis operon. Conversely, M4 isolates possess a functional HA-degrading hyaluronate lyase (HylA) enzyme that is rendered nonfunctional in other GAS through a point mutation. Transformation with a plasmid expressing hasABC restored partial encapsulation in wild-type (WT) M4 GAS, and full encapsulation in an isogenic M4 mutant lacking HylA. However, partial encapsulation reduced binding to human complement regulatory protein C4BP, did not enhance survival in whole human blood, and did not increase virulence of WT M4 GAS in a mouse model of systemic infection. Bioinformatics analysis found no hasABC homologs in closely related species, suggesting that this operon was a recent acquisition. These data showcase a mutually exclusive interaction of HA capsule and active HylA among strains of this leading human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Henningham
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Masaya Yamaguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Department of Oral and Molecular Microbiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Ramy K Aziz
- Systems Biology Research Group, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Kirsten Kuipers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6500 HC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cosmo Z Buffalo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Samira Dahesh
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Biswa Choudhury
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Jeremy Van Vleet
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Yuka Yamaguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Lisa M Seymour
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nouri L Ben Zakour
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Lingjun He
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182
| | - Helen V Smith
- Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Coopers Plains, Queensland 4108, Australia
| | - Keith Grimwood
- Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia, and
| | - Scott A Beatson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Partho Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Mark J Walker
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California 92123
| | - Jason N Cole
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia,.
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Herwald H, Egesten A. A farewell to arms: streptococcal strategies to cope with innate immunity. J Innate Immun 2014; 6:561-2. [PMID: 24970016 DOI: 10.1159/000363749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Schmitt R, Ståhl AL, Olin AI, Kristoffersson AC, Rebetz J, Novak J, Lindahl G, Karpman D. The combined role of galactose-deficient IgA1 and streptococcal IgA-binding M Protein in inducing IL-6 and C3 secretion from human mesangial cells: implications for IgA nephropathy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:317-26. [PMID: 24850720 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1302249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by mesangial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix expansion associated with immune deposits consisting of galactose-deficient polymeric IgA1 and C3. We have previously shown that IgA-binding regions of streptococcal M proteins colocalize with IgA in mesangial immune deposits in patients with IgAN. In the present study, the IgA-binding M4 protein from group A Streptococcus was found to bind to galactose-deficient polymeric IgA1 with higher affinity than to other forms of IgA1, as shown by surface plasmon resonance and solid-phase immunoassay. The M4 protein was demonstrated to bind to mesangial cells not via the IgA-binding region but rather via the C-terminal region, as demonstrated by flow cytometry. IgA1 enhanced binding of M4 to mesangial cells, but not vice versa. Costimulation of human mesangial cells with M4 and galactose-deficient polymeric IgA1 resulted in a significant increase in IL-6 secretion compared with each stimulant alone. Galactose-deficient polymeric IgA1 alone, but not M4, induced C3 secretion from the cells, and costimulation enhanced this effect. Additionally, costimulation enhanced mesangial cell proliferation compared with each stimulant alone. These results indicate that IgA-binding M4 protein binds preferentially to galactose-deficient polymeric IgA1 and that these proteins together induce excessive proinflammatory responses and proliferation of human mesangial cells. Thus, tissue deposition of streptococcal IgA-binding M proteins may contribute to the pathogenesis of IgAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Schmitt
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden
| | - Anne-Lie Ståhl
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders I Olin
- Department of Infection Medicine, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Johan Rebetz
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jan Novak
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294; and
| | - Gunnar Lindahl
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 22362 Lund, Sweden
| | - Diana Karpman
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden;
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Disease manifestations and pathogenic mechanisms of Group A Streptococcus. Clin Microbiol Rev 2014. [PMID: 24696436 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00101-13)] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus (GAS), causes mild human infections such as pharyngitis and impetigo and serious infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Furthermore, repeated GAS infections may trigger autoimmune diseases, including acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic heart disease. Combined, these diseases account for over half a million deaths per year globally. Genomic and molecular analyses have now characterized a large number of GAS virulence determinants, many of which exhibit overlap and redundancy in the processes of adhesion and colonization, innate immune resistance, and the capacity to facilitate tissue barrier degradation and spread within the human host. This improved understanding of the contribution of individual virulence determinants to the disease process has led to the formulation of models of GAS disease progression, which may lead to better treatment and intervention strategies. While GAS remains sensitive to all penicillins and cephalosporins, rising resistance to other antibiotics used in disease treatment is an increasing worldwide concern. Several GAS vaccine formulations that elicit protective immunity in animal models have shown promise in nonhuman primate and early-stage human trials. The development of a safe and efficacious commercial human vaccine for the prophylaxis of GAS disease remains a high priority.
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Walker MJ, Barnett TC, McArthur JD, Cole JN, Gillen CM, Henningham A, Sriprakash KS, Sanderson-Smith ML, Nizet V. Disease manifestations and pathogenic mechanisms of Group A Streptococcus. Clin Microbiol Rev 2014; 27:264-301. [PMID: 24696436 PMCID: PMC3993104 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00101-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 566] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus (GAS), causes mild human infections such as pharyngitis and impetigo and serious infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Furthermore, repeated GAS infections may trigger autoimmune diseases, including acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic heart disease. Combined, these diseases account for over half a million deaths per year globally. Genomic and molecular analyses have now characterized a large number of GAS virulence determinants, many of which exhibit overlap and redundancy in the processes of adhesion and colonization, innate immune resistance, and the capacity to facilitate tissue barrier degradation and spread within the human host. This improved understanding of the contribution of individual virulence determinants to the disease process has led to the formulation of models of GAS disease progression, which may lead to better treatment and intervention strategies. While GAS remains sensitive to all penicillins and cephalosporins, rising resistance to other antibiotics used in disease treatment is an increasing worldwide concern. Several GAS vaccine formulations that elicit protective immunity in animal models have shown promise in nonhuman primate and early-stage human trials. The development of a safe and efficacious commercial human vaccine for the prophylaxis of GAS disease remains a high priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J. Walker
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Timothy C. Barnett
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason D. McArthur
- School of Biological Sciences and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Jason N. Cole
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Christine M. Gillen
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anna Henningham
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - K. S. Sriprakash
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Martina L. Sanderson-Smith
- School of Biological Sciences and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
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Zipfel PF, Hallström T, Riesbeck K. Human complement control and complement evasion by pathogenic microbes – Tipping the balance. Mol Immunol 2013; 56:152-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2013.05.222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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48
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Non-immune binding of human IgG to M-related proteins confers resistance to phagocytosis of group A streptococci in blood. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78719. [PMID: 24205299 PMCID: PMC3808296 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The non-immune binding of immunoglobulins by bacteria is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of infections. M-related proteins (Mrp) are group A streptococcal (GAS) receptors for immunoglobulins, but it is not known if this binding has any impact on virulence. To further investigate the binding of immunoglobulins to Mrp, we engineered mutants of an M type 4 strain of GAS by inactivating the genes for mrp, emm, enn, sof, and sfbX and tested these mutants in IgG-binding assays. Inactivation of mrp dramatically decreased the binding of human IgG, whereas inactivation of emm, enn, sof, and sfbx had only minor effects, indicating that Mrp is a major IgG-binding protein. Binding of human immunoglobulins to a purified, recombinant form of Mrp indicated that it selectively binds to the Fc domain of human IgG, but not IgA or IgM and that it preferentially bound subclasses IgG1>IgG4>IgG2>IgG3. Recombinant proteins encompassing different regions of Mrp were engineered and used to map its IgG-binding domain to its A-repeat region and a recombinant protein with 3 A-repeats was a better inhibitor of IgG binding than one with a single A-repeat. A GAS mutant expressing Mrp with an in-frame deletion of DNA encoding the A-repeats had a dramatically reduced ability to bind human IgG and to grow in human blood. Mrp exhibited host specificity in binding IgG; human IgG was the best inhibitor of the binding of IgG followed by pig, horse, monkey, and rabbit IgG. IgG from goat, mouse, rat, cow, donkey, chicken, and guinea pig were poor inhibitors of binding. These findings indicate that Mrp preferentially binds human IgG and that this binding contributes to the ability of GAS to resist phagocytosis and may be a factor in the restriction of GAS infections to the human host.
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Factor H binds to the hypervariable region of many Streptococcus pyogenes M proteins but does not promote phagocytosis resistance or acute virulence. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003323. [PMID: 23637608 PMCID: PMC3630203 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens express a surface protein that binds the human complement regulator factor H (FH), as first described for Streptococcus pyogenes and the antiphagocytic M6 protein. It is commonly assumed that FH recruited to an M protein enhances virulence by protecting the bacteria against complement deposition and phagocytosis, but the role of FH-binding in S. pyogenes pathogenesis has remained unclear and controversial. Here, we studied seven purified M proteins for ability to bind FH and found that FH binds to the M5, M6 and M18 proteins but not the M1, M3, M4 and M22 proteins. Extensive immunochemical analysis indicated that FH binds solely to the hypervariable region (HVR) of an M protein, suggesting that selection has favored the ability of certain HVRs to bind FH. These FH-binding HVRs could be studied as isolated polypeptides that retain ability to bind FH, implying that an FH-binding HVR represents a distinct ligand-binding domain. The isolated HVRs specifically interacted with FH among all human serum proteins, interacted with the same region in FH and showed species specificity, but exhibited little or no antigenic cross-reactivity. Although these findings suggested that FH recruited to an M protein promotes virulence, studies in transgenic mice did not demonstrate a role for bound FH during acute infection. Moreover, phagocytosis tests indicated that ability to bind FH is neither sufficient nor necessary for S. pyogenes to resist killing in whole human blood. While these data shed new light on the HVR of M proteins, they suggest that FH-binding may affect S. pyogenes virulence by mechanisms not assessed in currently used model systems. The human complement system may be rapidly activated upon infection and thereby plays a key role in innate immunity. However, activation must be tightly controlled, to avoid attack on self tissues. A key component of this control system is the plasma protein factor H (FH). Many pathogens bind FH, as first described for Streptococcus pyogenes, and it has been proposed that the surface-localized M protein of this bacterium “hijacks” FH to escape phagocytosis. However, it remains unclear whether FH-binding to M protein indeed protects S. pyogenes against phagocytosis and promotes bacterial growth in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that FH binds to some but not all M proteins and solely binds to the hypervariable region (HVR), a part of M protein important for virulence. Nevertheless, several lines of evidence, including studies with transgenic mice, indicated that FH-binding ability did not contribute to acute virulence or phagocytosis resistance. These data shed new light on the HVR of M proteins but underline the difficulty in determining the in vivo role of a ligand-binding region. Binding of FH may contribute to S. pyogenes virulence by mechanisms not assessed in currently used models.
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Cooperative plasminogen recruitment to the surface of Streptococcus canis via M protein and enolase enhances bacterial survival. mBio 2013; 4:e00629-12. [PMID: 23481605 PMCID: PMC3604778 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00629-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Streptococcus canis is a zoonotic pathogen capable of causing serious invasive diseases in domestic animals and humans. Surface-exposed M proteins and metabolic enzymes have been characterized as major virulence determinants in various streptococcal species. Recently, we have identified SCM, the M-like protein of S. canis, as the major receptor for miniplasminogen localized on the bacterial surface. The present study now characterizes the glycolytic enzyme enolase as an additional surface-exposed plasminogen-binding protein. According to its zoonotic properties, purified S. canis enolase binds to both human and canine plasminogen and facilitates degradation of aggregated fibrin matrices after activation with host-derived urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). Unlike SCM, which binds to the C terminus of human plasminogen, the S. canis enolase interacts N terminally with the first four kringle domains of plasminogen, representing angiostatin. Radioactive binding analyses confirmed cooperative plasminogen recruitment to both surface-exposed enolase and SCM. Furthermore, despite the lack of surface protease activity via SpeB in S. canis, SCM is released and reassociated homophilically to surface-anchored SCM and heterophilically to surface-bound plasminogen. In addition to plasminogen-mediated antiphagocytic activity, reassociation of SCM to the bacterial surface significantly enhanced bacterial survival in phagocytosis analyses using human neutrophils. IMPORTANCE Streptococcal infections are a major issue in medical microbiology due to the increasing spread of antibiotic resistances and the limited availability of efficient vaccines. Surface-exposed glycolytic enzymes and M proteins have been characterized as major virulence factors mediating pathogen-host interaction. Since streptococcal infection mechanisms exert a subset of multicombinatorial processes, the investigation of synergistic activities mediated via different virulence factors has become a high priority. Our data clearly demonstrate that plasminogen recruitment to the Streptococcus canis surface via SCM and enolase in combination with SCM reassociation enhances bacterial survival by protecting against phagocytic killing. These data propose a new cooperative mechanism for prevention of phagocytic killing based on the synergistic activity of homophilic and heterophilic SCM binding in the presence of human plasminogen.
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