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Du J, Meki I, Li Q, Liu Y, Zhu Z, Pan C, Xia Y, Fu L, Yang L, Zhang S, Yin C, Luo Y, Wang T, Liu B, Chen X. A non-toxic recombinant Clostridium septicum α toxin induces protective immunity in mice and rabbits. Toxicon 2023; 233:107234. [PMID: 37543293 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107234] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium septicum alpha toxin (CSA) plays significant roles in ruminant's braxy. Genetically engineered CSA has been shown to function as a potential vaccine candidate in the prevention of the disease caused by Clostridium septicum. In the present study, we synthesized a non-toxic recombinant, rCSAm4/TMD by introducing four amino acid substitutions (C86L/N296A/H301A/W342A) and 11-amino-acid deletion (residues 212 to 222). Compared to recombinant CSA, rCSAm4/TMD showed no cytotoxicity to MDCK cells and was not fatal to mice. Moreover, rCSAm4/TMD could protect immunized mice against 5 × mouse LD100 (100% lethal dose) of crude CSA without obvious pathological change. Most importantly, rabbits immunized with rCSAm4/TMD produced high titers of neutralizing antibodies which protected the rabbits against crude CSA challenge. These data suggest that genetically detoxified rCSAm4/TMD is a potential subunit vaccine candidate against braxy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jige Du
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Irene Meki
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Qianlin Li
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Liu
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Zhu
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenfan Pan
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingju Xia
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lizhi Fu
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing, 402460, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing, 402460, China
| | - Suhui Zhang
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing, 402460, China
| | - Chunsheng Yin
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yufeng Luo
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tuanjie Wang
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bo Liu
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China; International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Xiaoyun Chen
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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Du J, Wang T, Xu L, Wang C, Liu Y, Pan C, Chen X, Zhu Z, Luo Y, Yin C. Clostridium perfringens epsilon prototoxin mutant rpETX Y30A/Y71A/H106P/Y196A as a vaccine candidate against enterotoxemia. Vaccine 2023:S0264-410X(23)00719-3. [PMID: 37357076 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Epsilon toxin (ETX) is secreted by Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens)as a relatively inactive prototoxin (pETX), which is enzymatically activated to ETX by removing carboxy-terminal and amino-terminal peptides. Genetically engineered ETX mutants have been shown to function as potential vaccine candidates in the prevention of the enterotoxemia caused by C. perfringens. In the present study, two recombinant site-directed mutants of pETX, rpETXY30A/Y71A/H106P/Y196A (rpETXm41) and rpETXY30A/H106P/Y196A/F199E (rpETXm42), were synthesized by mutating four essential amino acid residues (Tyr30, Tyr71, His106, Tyr196 or Phe199). Compared to recombinant pETX (rpETX), both rpETXm41 and rpETXm42 lacked the detectable toxicity in MDCK cells and mice, which suggested that both rpETXm41 and rpETXm42 are sufficiently safe to be vaccine candidates. Despite the fact that rpETXm41 and rpETXm42 were reactogenic with polyclonal antibodies against crude ETX, both single- and double-dose vaccination (Vs and Vd, respectively) of rpETXm41 induced a higher level of IgG titer and protection in mice than that of rpETXm42. Therefore, we selected rpETXm41 for the further study. Sheep received Vs of 150 μg rpETXm41 developed significant levels of toxin-neutralizing antibodies persisting for at least 6 months, which conferred protection against crude ETX challenge without microscopic lesions. These data suggest that genetically detoxified rpETXY30A/Y71A/H106P/Y196A could form the basis of a next-generation enterotoxemia vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jige Du
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Tuanjie Wang
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, PR China
| | - Lei Xu
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, PR China
| | - Cong Wang
- China Animal Husbandry Industry Co., Ltd., Beijing 100070, PR China
| | - Ying Liu
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, PR China
| | - Chenfan Pan
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaoyun Chen
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhen Zhu
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yufeng Luo
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, PR China
| | - Chunsheng Yin
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, PR China.
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A non-toxic recombinant bivalent chimeric protein rETX m3CSA m4/TMD as a potential vaccine candidate against enterotoxemia and braxy. Vaccine 2023; 41:1232-1238. [PMID: 36635138 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin (ETX) and Clostridium septicum alpha toxin (CSA) are lethal and necrotizing toxins, which play key roles in enterotoxemia and braxy of ruminants, respectively. In the present study, we synthesized a bivalent chimeric protein rETXm3CSAm4/TMD comprising ETXm3 (Y30A/H106P/Y196A) and CSAm4/TMD (C86L/N296A/H301A/W342A and a deletion of residues 212 to 222). Compared with recombinant ETX and recombinant CSA, rETXm3CSAm4/TMD showed no cytotoxicity in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells and was not fatal to mice. Moreover, rETXm3CSAm4/TMD could protect immunized mice against 10 × mouse LD100 of crude ETX or 3 × mouse LD100 of crude CSA without obvious histopathologic difference. Most importantly, both rabbits and sheep immunized with rETXm3CSAm4/TMD produced high titers of neutralizing antibody which protected the animals against the challenge with crude ETX or crude CSA. These data suggest that genetically detoxified rETXm3CSAm4/TMD is a potential subunit vaccine candidate against enterotoxemia and braxy.
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Alves MLF, Ferreira MRA, Rodrigues RR, Conceição FR. Clostridium haemolyticum, a review of beta toxin and insights into the antigen design for vaccine development. Mol Immunol 2022; 148:45-53. [PMID: 35665660 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipases C (PLCs) represent an important group of lethal toxins produced by pathogenic bacteria of the Clostridium genus, including the beta toxin of C. haemolyticum. Bacillary hemoglobinuria in cattle and sheep is the main disease caused by this pathogen and its incidence can be reduced by annual vaccination of herds. Currently, widely used vaccines depend on cultivating the pathogen and obtaining high concentrations of the toxin, disadvantages that can be overcome with the use of recombinant vaccines. In the development of this new generation of immunizing agents, identifying and understanding the structural and immunological aspects of the antigen are crucial steps, but despite this, the beta toxin is poorly characterized. Fortunately, the time and resources required for these investigations can be reduced using immunoinformatics. To advance the development of recombinant vaccines, in addition to a brief review of the structural and immunological aspects of beta toxin, this work provides in silico mapping of immunodominant regions to guide future vaccinology studies against C. haemolyticum. A review of alternatives to overcome the limitations of beta toxin vaccines (conventional or recombinant) is also proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariliana Luiza Ferreira Alves
- Instituto Federal Sul-rio-grandense - IFSUL, Praça Vinte de Setembro, 455, Centro, Pelotas CEP 96.015-360, RS, Brazil; Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 354, Pelotas CEP 96.160-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Roberto Alves Ferreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 354, Pelotas CEP 96.160-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Rodrigues
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 354, Pelotas CEP 96.160-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Fabricio Rochedo Conceição
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 354, Pelotas CEP 96.160-000, RS, Brazil
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Asmani F, Khavari-Nejad RA, Salmanian AH, Amani J. In Silico designing and immunogenic production of the multimeric CfaB*ST, CfaE, LTB antigen as a peptide vaccine against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Microb Pathog 2021; 158:105087. [PMID: 34256098 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the most frequent bacterial cause of diarrhea particularly reported in children of developing countries and also travelers. Enterotoxins and colonization factor antigens (CFAs) are two major virulence factors in ETEC pathogenesis. Colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) includes major pilin subunit CfaB, and a minor adhesive subunit (CfaE), and enterotoxins consisting of heat-labile toxin subunit B (LTB) and heat-stable toxin (ST). Chimeric proteins (CCL) carrying epitopes and adjuvant sequences increase the possibility of eliciting a broad cellular or effective immune response. In the present study, a chimeric candidate vaccine containing CfaB*ST, CfaE, and LTB (CCL) was designed via in silico techniques. This chimeric gene was synthesized by using codon usage of E. coli for increasing the expression of the recombinant protein. After designing the chimeric construct, it showed a high antigenicity index estimated by the vaxiJen server. Linear and conformational B-cell epitopes were identified and indicated suitable immunogenicity of this multimeric recombinant protein. Thermodynamic analyses for mRNA structures revealed the appropriate folding of the RNA representative good stability of this molecule. In silico scanning was done to predict the 3D structure of the protein, and modeling was validated using the Ramachandran plot analysis. The chimeric protein (rCCL) was expressed in a prokaryotic expression system (E. coli), purified, and analyzed for their immunogenic properties. It was revealed that the production of a high titer of antibody produced in immunized mice could neutralize the ETEC using the rabbit ileal loop tests. The results indicated that the protein inferred from the recombinant protein (rCCL) construct could act as a proper vaccine candidate against three critical causative agents of diarrheal bacteria at the same time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Asmani
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ali Hatef Salmanian
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Vaccination against pathogenic clostridia in animals: a review. Trop Anim Health Prod 2021; 53:284. [PMID: 33891221 PMCID: PMC8062623 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02728-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic, and spore-forming bacterium, which is found in the surrounding environments throughout the world. Clostridium species cause botulism, tetanus, enterotoxaemia, gas gangrene, necrotic enteritis, pseudomembranous colitis, blackleg, and black disease. Clostridium infection causes severe economic losses in livestock and poultry industries. Vaccination seems to be an effective way to control Clostridial diseases. This review discusses the toxins and vaccine development of the most common pathogenic Clostridium species in animals, including Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium novyi, Clostridium chauvoei, and Clostridium septicum. In this comprehensive study, we will review different kinds of clostridial toxins and the vaccines that are experimentally or practically available and will give a short description on each vaccine focusing on its applications, advantages, and disadvantages.
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Zhao L, Tang X, Sheng X, Xing J, Chi H, Zhan W. Different immune responses of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) towards the full-length and N-terminal or C-terminal portion of hirame novirhabdovirus glycoprotein. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 104:279-288. [PMID: 32505718 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Glycoprotein is an important immunogenic protein of Hirame novirhabdovirus (HIRRV). In this study, the full-length and N-/C-terminal portions of glycoprotein were recombinantly expressed (rG, rGn and rGc protein), and the induced immune responses were investigated in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) model. The results showed that compared to PBS control, rG, rGn and rGc proteins and inactivated HIRRV suspension (iVS) could all stimulate significant increases of flounder CD4-1+, CD4-2+ T lymphocytes and surface IgM positive (sIgM+) B lymphocytes in peripheral blood, spleen and head kidney (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences of the percentages of CD4-1+ or CD4-2+ T lymphocytes were observed among three protein vaccination groups (p > 0.05). iVS could induce the highest mean levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and spleen. For sIgM+ B lymphocytes, the average peak percentages in rG and rGc groups were higher than rGn group. Moreover, significant increases of specific serum IgM against HIRRV or rG protein were observed in iVS, rG, rGn and rGc groups, but rG group exhibited the highest mean level. Furthermore, rG protein induced the highest titer of neutralizing antibodies against HIRRV, followed by iVS. Meanwhile, the challenge test showed that the relative percent survival (RPS) of rG, rGn, rGc and iVS groups were 75.0%, 35.7%, 53.6% and 60.7%, respectively. These results revealed that the full-length G protein would be a more effective subunit vaccine candidate against HIRRV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lining Zhao
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Xiaoqian Tang
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Xiuzhen Sheng
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Jing Xing
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Heng Chi
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Wenbin Zhan
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
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Takehara M, Kobayashi K, Nagahama M. Clostridium perfringens α-toxin inhibits myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Anaerobe 2020; 65:102265. [PMID: 32860931 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2020.102265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens type A is the causative agent of clostridial myonecrosis, and α-toxin has been reported to be responsible for the pathogenesis. Recently, it was reported that regeneration of skeletal muscle after C. perfringens-induced muscle disorders is delayed, but the detailed mechanisms have not been elucidated. Here, we tested whether α-toxin impairs the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts, a useful cell line to study muscle growth, maturation, and regeneration in vitro. α-Toxin dose-dependently inhibited myotube formation in C2C12 cultures after induction of their differentiation by horse serum. Also, immunoblot analysis revealed that α-toxin dose-dependently decreases the expressions of two skeletal muscle differentiation markers, myogenic differentiation 1 (MyoD) and myogenin. These results demonstrate that α-toxin impairs the myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. To reveal the mechanism behind α-toxin-mediated impairment of myogenic differentiation, we focused on ceramide production since α-toxin is known to promote the formation of ceramide by its sphingomyelinase activity. Immunofluorescent analysis revealed that ceramide production is accelerated by treatment with α-toxin. Furthermore, a synthetic cell-permeable ceramide analog, C2-ceramide, inhibited myotube formation in C2C12 cells and decreased the expressions of MyoD and myogenin, suggesting that accelerated ceramide production is involved in the α-toxin-mediated blockage of myogenic differentiation. Together, our results illustrate that the impairment of myogenic differentiation by α-toxin might be crucial for the pathogenesis of C. perfringens to delay regeneration of severely damaged skeletal muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
| | - Keiko Kobayashi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
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Takehara M, Bandou H, Kobayashi K, Nagahama M. Clostridium perfringens α-toxin specifically induces endothelial cell death by promoting ceramide-mediated apoptosis. Anaerobe 2020; 65:102262. [PMID: 32828915 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2020.102262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens type A-induced gas gangrene is characterized by severe myonecrosis, and α-toxin has been revealed to be a major virulence factor involved in the pathogenesis. However, the detailed mechanism is unclear. Here, we show that CD31+ endothelial cell counts decrease in muscles infected with C. perfringens in an α-toxin-dependent manner. In vitro experiments revealed that α-toxin preferentially and rapidly induces the death of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) compared with C2C12 murine muscle cells. The toxin induces apoptosis of HUVECs by increasing ceramide. Furthermore, the specificity might be dependent on differences in the sensitivity to ceramide between these cell lines. Together, our results suggest that α-toxin-induced endothelial cell death promotes severe myonecrosis and is involved in the pathogenesis of C. perfringens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
| | - Hiroto Bandou
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan
| | - Keiko Kobayashi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514, Japan.
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Forti K, Cagiola M, Pellegrini M, Anzalone L, Di Paolo A, Corneli S, Severi G, De Giuseppe A. Generation of recombinant baculovirus expressing atoxic C-terminal CPA toxin of Clostridium perfringens and production of specific antibodies. BMC Biotechnol 2020; 20:7. [PMID: 31992276 PMCID: PMC6986089 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-019-0597-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clostridium perfringens is the causative agent of several diseases and enteric infections in animals and humans. The virulence of C. perfringens is largely attributable to the production of numerous toxins; of these, the alpha toxin (CPA) plays a crucial role in histotoxic infections (gas gangrene). CPA toxin consists of two domains, i.e., the phospholipase C active site, which lies in the N-terminal domain amino acid (aa residues 1–250), and the C-terminal region (aa residues 251–370), which is responsible for the interaction of the toxin with membrane phospholipids in the presence of calcium ions. All currently produced clostridial vaccines contain toxoids derived from culture supernatants that are inactivated, mostly using formalin. The CPA is an immunogenic antigen; recently, it has been shown that mice that were immunized with the C-terminal domain of the toxin produced in E. coli were protected against C. perfringens infections and the anti-sera produced were able to inhibit the CPA activity. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies were produced only against full-length CPA and not against the truncated forms. Results In the present study, we have reported for the first time; about the generation of a recombinant baculovirus capable of producing a deleted rCPA toxin (rBacCPA250–363H6) lacking the N-terminal domain and the 28 amino acids (aa) of the putative signal sequence. The insertion of the L21 consensus sequence upstream of the translational start codon ATG, drastically increases the yield of recombinant protein in the baculovirus-based expression system. The protein was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and the lack of toxicity in vitro was confirmed in CaCo-2 cells. Polyclonal antibodies and eight hybridoma-secreting Monoclonal antibodies were generated and tested to assess specificity and reactivity. The anti-sera obtained against the fragment rBacCPA250–363H6 neutralized the phospholipase C activity of full-length PLC. Conclusions The L21 leader sequence enhanced the expression of atoxic C-terminal recombinant CPA protein produced in insect cells. The monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies obtained were specific and highly reactive. The availability of these biologicals could contribute to the development of diagnostic assays and/or new recombinant protein vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Forti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy. .,Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Monica Cagiola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Pellegrini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Lucia Anzalone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonella Di Paolo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sara Corneli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giulio Severi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio De Giuseppe
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
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Peng X, Peng G, Li X, Feng L, Dong L, Jiang Y. Immunization of rabbits with recombinant Clostridium perfringens alpha toxins CPA-C and CTB-CPA-C in a bicistronic design expression system confers strong protection against challenge. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 167:105550. [PMID: 31811913 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin (CPA), encoded by the plc gene, is the causative pathogen of gas gangrene, which is a lethal infection. In this study, we used an E. coli system for the efficient production of recombinant proteins and developed a bicistronic design (BCD) expression construct consisting of two copies of the C-terminal (247-370) domain of the alpha toxin (CPA-C) in the first cistron, followed by Cholera Toxin B (CTB) linked with another two copies of CPA-C in the second cistron that is controlled by a single promoter. Rabbits were immunized twice with purified proteins (rCPA-C rCTB-CPA-C) produced in the BCD expression system, with an inactivated recombinant E. coli vaccine (RE), C. perfringens formaldehyde-inactivated alpha toxoid (FA-CPA) and C. perfringensl-lysine/formaldehyde alpha toxoid (LF-CPA) vaccines. Following the second vaccination, 0.1 mL of pooled sera of the RE-vaccinated rabbits could neutralize 12× mouse LD100 (100% lethal dose) of CPA, while that of the rCPA-C rCTB-CPA-C-vaccinated rabbits could neutralize 6× mouse LD100 of CPA. Antibody titers against CPA were also assessed by ELISA, reaching titers as high as 1:2048000 in the RE group; this was significantly higher compared to the C. perfringens alpha toxoid vaccinated groups (FA-CPA and LF-CPA). Rabbits from all vaccinated groups were completely protected from a 2× rabbit LD100 of CPA challenge. These results demonstrate that the recombinant proteins are able to induce a strong immune responses, indicating that they may be potentially utilized as targets for novel vaccines specifically against the C. perfringens alpha toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobing Peng
- Department of Bacterial Biologics, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China.
| | - Guorui Peng
- Department of Bacterial Biologics, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Xuni Li
- Department of Bacterial Biologics, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Lifang Feng
- Good Clinical Practice Office, Beijing Zhonghai Biotech Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Lingying Dong
- Department of Bacterial Biologics, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwen Jiang
- Department of Bacterial Biologics, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
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12
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Zaragoza NE, Orellana CA, Moonen GA, Moutafis G, Marcellin E. Vaccine Production to Protect Animals Against Pathogenic Clostridia. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E525. [PMID: 31514424 PMCID: PMC6783934 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11090525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium is a broad genus of anaerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped, Gram-positive bacteria that can be found in different environments all around the world. The genus includes human and animal pathogens that produce potent exotoxins that cause rapid and potentially fatal diseases responsible for countless human casualties and billion-dollar annual loss to the agricultural sector. Diseases include botulism, tetanus, enterotoxemia, gas gangrene, necrotic enteritis, pseudomembranous colitis, blackleg, and black disease, which are caused by pathogenic Clostridium. Due to their ability to sporulate, they cannot be eradicated from the environment. As such, immunization with toxoid or bacterin-toxoid vaccines is the only protective method against infection. Toxins recovered from Clostridium cultures are inactivated to form toxoids, which are then formulated into multivalent vaccines. This review discusses the toxins, diseases, and toxoid production processes of the most common pathogenic Clostridium species, including Clostridiumbotulinum, Clostridiumtetani, Clostridiumperfringens, Clostridiumchauvoei, Clostridiumsepticum, Clostridiumnovyi and Clostridiumhemolyticum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas E. Zaragoza
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (N.E.Z.); (C.A.O.)
| | - Camila A. Orellana
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (N.E.Z.); (C.A.O.)
| | - Glenn A. Moonen
- Zoetis, 45 Poplar Road, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia; (G.A.M.); (G.M.)
| | - George Moutafis
- Zoetis, 45 Poplar Road, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia; (G.A.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Esteban Marcellin
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (N.E.Z.); (C.A.O.)
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13
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Nagahama M, Takehara M, Rood JI. Histotoxic Clostridial Infections. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7:10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0024-2018. [PMID: 31350831 PMCID: PMC10957196 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0024-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of clostridial myonecrosis or gas gangrene involves an interruption to the blood supply to the infected tissues, often via a traumatic wound, anaerobic growth of the infecting clostridial cells, the production of extracellular toxins, and toxin-mediated cell and tissue damage. This review focuses on host-pathogen interactions in Clostridium perfringens-mediated and Clostridium septicum-mediated myonecrosis. The major toxins involved are C. perfringens α-toxin, which has phospholipase C and sphingomyelinase activity, and C. septicum α-toxin, a β-pore-forming toxin that belongs to the aerolysin family. Although these toxins are cytotoxic, their effects on host cells are quite complex, with a range of intracellular cell signaling pathways induced by their action on host cell membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Julian I Rood
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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14
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Study of the Structure and Biological Activity of the Amino-Terminus of the α-Toxin from Clostridium welchii Type A. Curr Microbiol 2019; 76:1175-1185. [PMID: 31286181 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-019-01733-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
To explore the biological activity of Clostridium welchii α-toxin (CPA), the Asp56 residue of CPA was mutated to glycine (CPA D56G) by site-directed mutagenesis, and the 250 amino acid amino-terminal phospholipase C (PLC)-containing domain of CPA (PLC1-250) was isolated. The secondary and three-dimensional (3D) structures of CPA D56G and PLC1-250 were predicted, and the results showed that the secondary structures of CPA D56G and PLC1-250 were composed of α-helices and random coils. The 3D structures of CPA D56G and PLC1-250 were similar to the 3D structures of CPA. The circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of CPA D56G differed from the CD spectrum of CPA, but the CD spectrum of PLC1-250 was similar to the CD spectrum of CPA. Biological activity assays showed that CPA D56G lost the PLC activity of CPA and that mice immunized with CPA D56G were protected against a challenge with 1 MLD C. welchii type A strain C57-1. In addition, PLC1-250 contained the PLC activity of CPA. This study laid a solid foundation for future studies on the relationship between the molecular structure and biological function of CPA and its molecular mechanism. Our study also provided CPA D56G as a candidate strain for engineering a CPA subunit vaccine for C. welchii type A.
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15
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Hunter JGL, Wilde S, Tafoya AM, Horsman J, Yousif M, Diamos AG, Roland KL, Mason HS. Evaluation of a toxoid fusion protein vaccine produced in plants to protect poultry against necrotic enteritis. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6600. [PMID: 30944775 PMCID: PMC6441560 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6600] [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: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Necrotic enteritis (NE) is caused by type A strains of the bacterium Clostridium perfringens. Total global economic losses to the poultry industry due to NE is estimated to be over two billion dollars annually. Traditionally, NE has been effectively controlled by inclusion of antibiotics in the diet of poultry. However, recent concerns regarding the impact of this practice on increasing antibiotic resistance in human pathogens have led us to consider alternative approaches, such as vaccination, for controlling this disease. NE strains of C. perfringens produce two major toxins, a-toxin and NetB. Immune responses against either toxin can provide partial protection against NE. Methods We have developed a fusion protein combining a non-toxic carboxyl-terminal domain of a-toxin (PlcC) and an attenuated, mutant form of NetB (NetB-W262A) for use as a vaccine antigen to immunize poultry against NE. We utilized a DNA sequence that was codon-optimized for Nicotiana benthamiana to enable high levels of expression. The 6-His tagged PlcC-NetB fusion protein was synthesized in N. benthamiana using a geminiviral replicon transient expression system, purified by metal affinity chromatography, and used to immunize broiler birds. Results Immunized birds produced a strong serum IgY response against both the plant produced PlcC-NetB protein and against bacterially produced His-PlcC and His-NetB. Immunized birds were significantly protected against a subsequent in-feed challenge with virulent C. perfringens when treated with the fusion protein. These results indicate that a plant-produced PlcC-NetB toxoid is a promising vaccine candidate for controlling NE in poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G L Hunter
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Shyra Wilde
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Amanda M Tafoya
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Jamie Horsman
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Miranda Yousif
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Andrew G Diamos
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Kenneth L Roland
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Hugh S Mason
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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16
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Takehara M, Seike S, Sonobe Y, Bandou H, Yokoyama S, Takagishi T, Miyamoto K, Kobayashi K, Nagahama M. Clostridium perfringens α-toxin impairs granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor-mediated granulocyte production while triggering septic shock. Commun Biol 2019; 2:45. [PMID: 30729183 PMCID: PMC6355902 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0280-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During bacterial infection, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is produced and accelerates neutrophil production from their progenitors. This process, termed granulopoiesis, strengthens host defense, but Clostridium perfringens α-toxin impairs granulopoiesis via an unknown mechanism. Here, we tested whether G-CSF accounts for the α-toxin-mediated impairment of granulopoiesis. We find that α-toxin dramatically accelerates G-CSF production from endothelial cells in response to Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonists through activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. Meanwhile, α-toxin inhibits G-CSF-mediated cell proliferation of Ly-6G+ neutrophils by inducing degradation of G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR). During sepsis, administration of α-toxin promotes lethality and tissue injury accompanied by accelerated production of inflammatory cytokines in a TLR4-dependent manner. Together, our results illustrate that α-toxin disturbs G-CSF-mediated granulopoiesis by reducing the expression of G-CSFR on neutrophils while augmenting septic shock due to excess inflammatory cytokine release, which provides a new mechanism to explain how pathogenic bacteria modulate the host immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514 Japan
| | - Soshi Seike
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514 Japan
| | - Yuuta Sonobe
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514 Japan
| | - Hiroto Bandou
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514 Japan
| | - Saki Yokoyama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514 Japan
| | - Teruhisa Takagishi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514 Japan
| | - Kazuaki Miyamoto
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514 Japan
| | - Keiko Kobayashi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514 Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima, 770-8514 Japan
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17
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Expression of the alpha toxin of Clostridium perfringens in Lactobacillus casei genome and evaluation of its immune effects in mice. Microb Pathog 2018. [PMID: 29524545 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We previously developed a stable and marker-free Lactobacillus casei strain (PPαT Δupp) that contained a chromosomally integrated expression cassette (PPαT) that enabled the surface expression of the Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin. To measure immune responses against the alpha toxin, specific-pathogen-free BALB/c mice were inoculated with L. casei PPαT Δupp by oral gavage. Then, specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry (FCM). The results showed that alpha toxin-specific IgA and IgG antibodies and cytokines were markedly increased following immunization. Natural alpha toxin challenge and neutralization tests were performed. The results showed that immunized mice can fully resist 1.5 minimum lethal doses of toxin. These results indicated that the immunized mice can produce not only humoral immunity, but also cellular immunity. These results provide a new pathway for the development of a safe, effective, and food-grade vaccine.
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18
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Clostridium perfringens α-toxin impairs erythropoiesis by inhibition of erythroid differentiation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5217. [PMID: 28701754 PMCID: PMC5507896 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05567-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens α-toxin induces hemolysis of erythrocytes from various species, but it has not been elucidated whether the toxin affects erythropoiesis. In this study, we treated bone marrow cells (BMCs) from mice with purified α-toxin and found that TER119+ erythroblasts were greatly decreased by the treatment. A variant α-toxin defective in enzymatic activities, phospholipase C and sphingomyelinase, had no effect on the population of erythroblasts, demonstrating that the decrease in erythroblasts was dependent of its enzymatic activities. α-Toxin reduced the CD71+TER119+ and CD71–TER119+ cell populations but not the CD71+TER119− cell population. In addition, α-toxin decreased the number of colony-forming unit erythroid colonies but not burst-forming unit erythroid colonies, indicating that α-toxin preferentially reduced mature erythroid cells compared with immature cells. α-Toxin slightly increased annexinV+ cells in TER119+ cells. Additionally, simultaneous treatment of BMCs with α-toxin and erythropoietin greatly attenuated the reduction of TER119+ erythroblasts by α-toxin. Furthermore, hemin-induced differentiation of human K562 erythroleukemia cells was impaired by α-toxin, whereas the treatment exhibited no apparent cytotoxicity. These results suggested that α-toxin mainly inhibited erythroid differentiation. Together, our results provide new insights into the biological activities of α-toxin, which might be important to understand the pathogenesis of C. perfringens infection.
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19
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Wang D, Yue Y, Wu G, Tian Y, Liu Y, Yu J, Ji Y, Wang J, Li J, Pan R, Ma H, Zhang G. Preparation and characterization of a human scFv against the Clostridium perfringens type A alpha-toxin. Toxicon 2017; 130:79-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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20
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Ferreira MRA, Moreira GMSG, Cunha CEPD, Mendonça M, Salvarani FM, Moreira ÂN, Conceição FR. Recombinant Alpha, Beta, and Epsilon Toxins of Clostridium perfringens: Production Strategies and Applications as Veterinary Vaccines. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:E340. [PMID: 27879630 PMCID: PMC5127136 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8110340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a spore-forming, commensal, ubiquitous bacterium that is present in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy humans and animals. This bacterium produces up to 18 toxins. The species is classified into five toxinotypes (A-E) according to the toxins that the bacterium produces: alpha, beta, epsilon, or iota. Each of these toxinotypes is associated with myriad different, frequently fatal, illnesses that affect a range of farm animals and humans. Alpha, beta, and epsilon toxins are the main causes of disease. Vaccinations that generate neutralizing antibodies are the most common prophylactic measures that are currently in use. These vaccines consist of toxoids that are obtained from C. perfringens cultures. Recombinant vaccines offer several advantages over conventional toxoids, especially in terms of the production process. As such, they are steadily gaining ground as a promising vaccination solution. This review discusses the main strategies that are currently used to produce recombinant vaccines containing alpha, beta, and epsilon toxins of C. perfringens, as well as the potential application of these molecules as vaccines for mammalian livestock animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Roberto A Ferreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96160-000, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Marçal S G Moreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96160-000, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Eduardo P da Cunha
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96160-000, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Mendonça
- Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Unidade Acadêmica de Garanhuns, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Garanhuns CEP 55292-270, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Felipe M Salvarani
- Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal CEP 68740-970, Pará, Brazil.
| | - Ângela N Moreira
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96160-000, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96010-610, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Fabricio R Conceição
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas CEP 96160-000, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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21
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Takehara M, Takagishi T, Seike S, Ohtani K, Kobayashi K, Miyamoto K, Shimizu T, Nagahama M. Clostridium perfringens α-Toxin Impairs Innate Immunity via Inhibition of Neutrophil Differentiation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28192. [PMID: 27306065 PMCID: PMC4910053 DOI: 10.1038/srep28192] [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: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although granulopoiesis is accelerated to suppress bacteria during infection, some bacteria can still cause life-threatening infections, but the mechanism behind this remains unclear. In this study, we found that mature neutrophils in bone marrow cells (BMCs) were decreased in C. perfringens-infected mice and also after injection of virulence factor α-toxin. C. perfringens infection interfered with the replenishment of mature neutrophils in the peripheral circulation and the accumulation of neutrophils at C. perfringens-infected sites in an α-toxin-dependent manner. Measurements of bacterial colony-forming units in C. perfringens-infected muscle revealed that α-toxin inhibited a reduction in the load of C. perfringens. In vitro treatment of isolated BMCs with α-toxin (phospholipase C) revealed that α-toxin directly decreased mature neutrophils. α-Toxin did not influence the viability of isolated mature neutrophils, while simultaneous treatment of BMCs with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor attenuated the reduction of mature neutrophils by α-toxin. Together, our results illustrate that impairment of the innate immune system by the inhibition of neutrophil differentiation is crucial for the pathogenesis of C. perfringens to promote disease to a life-threatening infection, which provides new insight to understand how pathogenic bacteria evade the host immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Teruhisa Takagishi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Soshi Seike
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Kaori Ohtani
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan.,Miyarisan Pharmaceutical Co., LTD, 1-10-3, Kaminakazato, Kita-ku, Tokyo 114-0016, Japan
| | - Keiko Kobayashi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Miyamoto
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
| | - Tohru Shimizu
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan
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22
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Hu Y, Zhang W, Bao J, Wu Y, Yan M, Xiao Y, Yang L, Zhang Y, Wang J. A chimeric protein composed of the binding domains of Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C and Trueperella pyogenes pyolysin induces partial immunoprotection in a mouse model. Res Vet Sci 2016; 107:106-115. [PMID: 27473983 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2016.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Trueperella pyogenes and Clostridium perfringens are two kinds of conditional pathogens frequently associated with wound infections and succeeding lethal complications in various economic livestock. Pyolysin (PLO) and phospholipase C (PLC) are the key virulence factors of these two pathogens, respectively. In our study, a chimeric protein called rPC-PD4, which is composed of the binding regions of PLO and PLC, was synthesized. The toxicity of rPC-PD4 was evaluated. Results revealed that rPC-PD4 is a safe chimeric molecule that can be used to develop vaccines. Immunizing BALB/c mice with rPC-PD4 induced high titers of serum antibodies that could efficiently neutralize the hemolytic activity of recombinant PLO and PLC. After the challenge with T. pyogenes or C. perfringens was performed through the intraperitoneal route, we observed that rPC-PD4 immunization could provide partial immunoprotection and reduce lung, intestine, and liver tissue damage to mice. This work demonstrated the efficacy of the rationally designed rPC-PD4 chimeric protein as a potential vaccine candidate against C. perfringens and T. pyogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhao Hu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Wenlong Zhang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China.
| | - Jun Bao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China; National Food Safety and Nutrition Collaborative Innovation Center, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, P. R. China
| | - Yuhong Wu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Minghui Yan
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Ya Xiao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Lingxiao Yang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Junwei Wang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China; National Food Safety and Nutrition Collaborative Innovation Center, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, P. R. China.
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23
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Jiang Y, Mo H, Willingham C, Wang S, Park JY, Kong W, Roland KL, Curtiss R. Protection Against Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens by Regulated Delayed Lysis Salmonella Vaccines. Avian Dis 2016; 59:475-85. [PMID: 26629620 DOI: 10.1637/11094-041715-reg] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Necrotic enteritis (NE), caused by Gram-positive Clostridium perfringens type A strains, has gained more attention in the broiler industry due to governmental restrictions affecting the use of growth-promoting antibiotics in feed. To date, there is only one commercial NE vaccine available, based on the C. perfringens alpha toxin. However, recent work has suggested that the NetB toxin, not alpha toxin, is the most critical virulence factor for causing NE. These findings notwithstanding, it is clear from prior research that immune responses against both toxins can provide some protection against NE. In this study, we delivered a carboxyl-terminal fragment of alpha toxin and a GST-NetB fusion protein using a novel attenuated Salmonella vaccine strain designed to lyse after 6-10 rounds of replication in the chicken host. We immunized birds with vaccine strains producing each protein individually, a mixture of the two strains, or with a single vaccine strain that produced both proteins. Immunization with strains producing either of the single proteins was not protective, but immunization with a mixture of the two or with a single strain producing both proteins resulted in protective immunity. The vaccine strain synthesizing both PlcC and GST-NetB was able to elicit strong production of intestinal IgA, IgY, and IgM antibodies and significantly protect broilers against C. perfringens challenge against both mild and severe challenges. Although not part of our experimental plan, the broiler chicks we obtained for these studies were apparently contaminated during transit from the hatchery with group D Salmonella. Despite this drawback, the vaccines worked well, indicating applicability to real-world conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlong Jiang
- A Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
| | - Hua Mo
- A Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
| | - Crystal Willingham
- A Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
| | - Shifeng Wang
- A Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
| | - Jie-Yeun Park
- A Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
| | - Wei Kong
- A Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
| | - Kenneth L Roland
- A Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
| | - Roy Curtiss
- A Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287.,B School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287
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24
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Takehara M, Takagishi T, Seike S, Oishi K, Fujihara Y, Miyamoto K, Kobayashi K, Nagahama M. Clostridium perfringens α-Toxin Impairs Lipid Raft Integrity in Neutrophils. Biol Pharm Bull 2016; 39:1694-1700. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b16-00444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Takehara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University
| | - Teruhisa Takagishi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University
| | - Soshi Seike
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University
| | - Kyohei Oishi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University
| | - Yoshino Fujihara
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University
| | - Kazuaki Miyamoto
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University
| | - Keiko Kobayashi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University
| | - Masahiro Nagahama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University
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25
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Membrane-Binding Mechanism of Clostridium perfringens Alpha-Toxin. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:5268-75. [PMID: 26633512 PMCID: PMC4690130 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7124880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin is a key mediator of gas gangrene, which is a life-threatening infection that manifests as fever, pain, edema, myonecrosis, and gas production. Alpha-toxin possesses phospholipase C and sphingomyelinase activities. The toxin is composed of an N-terminal domain (1-250 aa, N-domain), which is the catalytic site, and a C-terminal domain (251-370 aa, C-domain), which is the membrane-binding site. Immunization of mice with the C-domain of alpha-toxin prevents the gas gangrene caused by C. perfringens, whereas immunization with the N-domain has no effect. The central loop domain (55-93 aa), especially H….SW(84)Y(85)….G, plays an important role in the interaction with ganglioside GM1a. The toxin binds to lipid rafts in the presence of a GM1a/TrkA complex, and metabolites from phosphatidylcholine to diacylglycerol through the enzymatic activity of alpha-toxin itself. These membrane dynamics leads to the activation of endogenous PLCγ-1 via TrkA. In addition, treatment with alpha-toxin leads to the formation of diacylglycerol at membrane rafts in ganglioside-deficient DonQ cells; this in turn triggers endocytosis and cell death. This article summarizes the current the membrane-binding mechanism of alpha-toxin in detail.
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26
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Kurasawa M, Nishikido T, Koike J, Tominaga SI, Tamemoto H. Gas-forming liver abscess associated with rapid hemolysis in a diabetic patient. World J Diabetes 2014; 5:224-229. [PMID: 24748935 PMCID: PMC3990319 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i2.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Revised: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We experienced a case of liver abscess due to Clostridium perfringens (CP) complicated with massive hemolysis and rapid death in an adequately controlled type 2 diabetic patient. The patient died 6 h after his first visit to the hospital. CP was later detected in a blood culture. We searched for case reports of CP septicemia and found 124 cases. Fifty patients survived, and 74 died. Of the 30 patients with liver abscess, only 3 cases survived following treatment with emergency surgical drainage. For the early detection of CP infection, detection of Gram-positive rods in the blood or drainage fluid is important. Spherocytes and ghost cells indicate intravascular hemolysis. The prognosis is very poor once massive hemolysis occurs. The major causative organisms of gas-forming liver abscess in diabetic patients are Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Although CP is relatively rare, the survival rate is very poor compared with those of K. pneumoniae and E. coli. Therefore, for every case that presents with a gas-forming liver abscess, the possibility of CP should be considered, and immediate aspiration of the abscess and Gram staining are important.
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27
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Zeinalzadeh N, Salmanian AH, Ahangari G, Sadeghi M, Amani J, Bathaie SZ, Jafari M. Design and characterization of a chimeric multiepitope construct containing CfaB, heat-stable toxoid, CssA, CssB, and heat-labile toxin subunit B of enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli: a bioinformatic approach. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2014; 61:517-27. [DOI: 10.1002/bab.1196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Narges Zeinalzadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Shahrak-e-Pajoohesh; Tehran Iran
| | | | - Ghasem Ahangari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology; NIGEB, Shahrak-e-Pajoohesh; Tehran Iran
| | - Mahdi Sadeghi
- Department of Basic Science; NIGEB, Shahrak-e-Pajoohesh; Tehran Iran
| | - Jafar Amani
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center; Baqiyatallah Medical Science University; Tehran Iran
| | - S. Zahra Bathaie
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry; Faculty of Medical Sciences; Tarbiat Modares University; Tehran Iran
| | - Mahyat Jafari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Shahrak-e-Pajoohesh; Tehran Iran
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