Structural studies of the O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei strain PCM 1206 lipopolysaccharide containing D-allothreonine

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide of Asaia bogorensis ATCC BAA-21 lipopolysaccharide

Asaia bogorensis is a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from flowers and fruits growing in tropical climate, reproductive system of mosquitoes, and rarely from immunocompromised patients. In Europe, A. bogorensis is responsible for the contamination of flavoured mineral waters. One of the important surface antigen and an element of the bacterial biofilm is lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin). To date, no data on A. bogorensis LPS structure has been reported. Chemical analysis and 1H,13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed the novel structure of the O-specific polysaccharide of A. bogorensis ATCC BAA-21 LPS. It was concluded that the repeating unit of the O-antigen is a branched trisaccharide with the following structure: →6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→2)-[β-d-Glcp-(1→3)]-α-l-Rhap-(1→ .

Lipopolysaccharide with long O-antigen is crucial for Salmonella Enteritidis to evade complement activity and to facilitate bacterial survival in vivo in the Galleria mellonella infection model

Bacterial resistance to serum is a key virulence factor for the development of systemic infections. The amount of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the O-antigen chain length distribution on the outer membrane, predispose Salmonella to escape complement-mediated killing. In Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) a modal distribution of the LPS O-antigen length can be observed. It is characterized by the presence of distinct fractions: low molecular weight LPS, long LPS and very long LPS. In the present work, we investigated the effect of the O-antigen modal length composition of LPS molecules on the surface of S. Enteritidis cells on its ability to evade host complement responses. Therefore, we examined systematically, by using specific deletion mutants, roles of different O-antigen fractions in complement evasion. We developed a method to analyze the average LPS lengths and investigated the interaction of the bacteria and isolated LPS molecules with complement components. Additionally, we assessed the aspect of LPS O-antigen chain length distribution in S. Enteritidis virulence in vivo in the Galleria mellonella infection model. The obtained results of the measurements of the average LPS length confirmed that the method is suitable for measuring the average LPS length in bacterial cells as well as isolated LPS molecules and allows the comparison between strains. In contrast to earlier studies we have used much more precise methodology to assess the LPS molecules average length and modal distribution, also conducted more subtle analysis of complement system activation by lipopolysaccharides of various molecular mass. Data obtained in the complement activation assays clearly demonstrated that S. Enteritidis bacteria require LPS with long O-antigen to resist the complement system and to survive in the G. mellonella infection model.

The OL101 O antigen locus specifies a novel Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O13 structure

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the priority objects for the development of new therapies against infections. The species has been perceived as of limited variety of O antigens (11 O serotypes identified to date). That trait makes lipopolysaccharide an attractive target for protective antibodies. Nowadays, K. pneumoniae O antigens encoding genes are often analysed by bioinformatic tools, such as Kaptive, indicating higher actual diversity of the O antigen loci. One of the novel K. pneumoniae O loci for which the antigen structure has not been elucidated so far is OL101. In this study, four clinical isolates predicted as OL101 were characterized and found to have the O antigen structure composed of β-Kdop-[→3)-α-l-Rhap-(1→4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→]n, representing a novel serotype O13. Identification of the β-Kdop terminus was based on the analysis of the complete LPS molecule by the HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy. The bioinformatic analysis of 71,377 K. pneumoniae genomes from public databases (July 2023) revealed a notable OL101 prevalence of 6.55 %.

Lipopolysaccharides from a Shiraia fruiting body-associated bacterium elicit host fungal hypocrellin A biosynthesis through nitric oxide generation

Hypocrellin A (HA) is an excellent perylenequinone photosensitizer from Shiraia fruiting bodies. A dominant bacterium Pseudomonas fulva SB1 in the fruiting body was found to promote HA biosynthesis. The bacterial LPS were purified and the O-specific polysaccharide (OPS) consisted of rhamnose (Rha), galactose (Gal) and N-acetyl-galactosamine (GalNAc) with an average molecular weight of 282.8 kDa. Although the OPS composing of Rhap and Galp backbone showed elicitation capability on fungal HA accumulation, the highest HA production (303.76 mg/L) was achieved by LPS treatment at 20 μg/mL on day 3 of the mycelium culture. The generation of nitric oxide (NO) in Shiraia mycelia was triggered by LPS, which was partially blocked by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nitrate reductase (NR), leading to the depressed HA production. Transcriptome analysis revealed that NO mediated LPS-induced HA production via upregulating the expressions of critical genes associated with central carbon metabolism and downstream HA biosynthesis genes. This is the first report of LPS-induced NO to regulate fungal secondary metabolite production, which provides new insights on the role of bacterial LPS in bacterium-fungus interactions and an effective strategy to enhance hypocrellin production.

First Report on the Streptococcus gallolyticus (S. bovis Biotype I) DSM 13808 Exopolysaccharide Structure

Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies gallolyticus, known as Streptococcus bovis biotype I, is a facultative pathogen causing bacteraemia, infective endocarditis and sepsis that has been linked with colorectal cancer (CRC), but this correlation is still unclear. Bacterial surface structures, such as the major sugar antigens exposed to the outside of the microorganism, are potential virulence factors. One of the primary sugar antigens loosely attached to the cell surface is the biofilm component, exopolysaccharide (EPS). EPSs of S. bovis are poorly characterized molecules. Until now, only one S. macedonicus Sc136 EPS structure was known to the entire S. bovis group. The S. gallolyticus DSM 13808 EPS was investigated by chemical analysis, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The hexasaccharide repeating unit of the EPS, containing four Glc, two Rha residues and one phosphate group, has been described “ →6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→3)-β-l-Rhap-(1→4)-β-d-Glcp-(1→3)-[β-d-Glcp-(1→2)]-α-l-Rhap-(1→2)-α-d-Glcp-(1→P→”.

Structure and Immunogenicity of the Bordetella pertussis LOS-Derived Oligosaccharides in the Endosomal-Like Pre-Processing Mice Model

Glycoproteins are processed endosomally prior to presentation to T cells and subsequent induction of specific antibodies. The sugar part of glycoconjugate may be degraded while the type of the process depends on the features of the particular structure. The generated carbohydrate epitopes may differ from native structures and influence immunogenicity of the antigens. We have devised a model of endosomal-like pre-processing of Bordetella pertussis 186 oligosaccharides (OSs) to verify how it affects the immunogenicity of their conjugates. The glycoconjugates of structurally defined forms of the dodecasaccharide OS were synthesized and their immunogenicity was assessed using immunochemical methods. The structural features of the oligosaccharides and their sensitivity to deamination were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. The distal trisaccharide-comprising pentasaccharide conjugated to a protein was the most effective in inducing immune response against the B. pertussis 186 LOS and the immune response to the complete OS conjugates was significantly lower. This could be explained by the loss of the distal trisaccharide during the in-cell deamination process suggesting that the native structure is not optimal for a vaccine antigen. Consequently, our research has shown that designing of new glycoconjugate vaccines requires the antigen structures to be verified in context of possible endosomal reactions beforehand.

Conserved Structural Features of Core Oligosaccharides among the Lipopolysaccharides of Respiratory Pathogens from the Genus Bordetella Analyzed Exclusively by NMR Spectroscopy

Bacterial pathogens expose on the cell surface a variety of complex carbohydrate molecules. Gram-negative bacteria produce lipopolysaccharides, which are the main components of the outer membrane of bacterial envelopes and play a major role in host-pathogen interactions. B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, B. bronchiseptica, and B. holmesii, are mammalian respiratory pathogens, having substantial economic impact on human health and agriculture. B. pertussis is responsible for whooping cough (pertussis) and B. holmesii is the second pertussis etiological factor, but the current anti-pertussis vaccines do not provide cross-protection. The structural data on any given hypothetical carbohydrate antigen is a prerequisite for further analysis of structure-related activities and their interaction with hosts. 1H NMR spectra constitute fingerprints of the analyzed glycans and provide unique identity information. The concept of structure-reporter groups has now been augmented by 1H,13C-correlation spectra of the Bordetella oligosaccharides. The comparative analysis of Bordetellae oligosaccharides (OS) revealed that the hexasaccharide, comprising the α-GlcpN, α-GlcpA, 4,6-disubstituted-β-Glcp, 2,7-disubstituted-l-α-d-Hepp, 3,4-disubstituted-l-α-d-Hepp, and Kdo, constitute the least variable OS segment. This minimal common element in the structure of lipopolysaccharides of Bordetellae could be used to devise a universal cross-protective vaccine component against infections with various bacteria from the genus Bordetella.

Structural Studies of the Lipopolysaccharide Isolated from Plesiomonas shigelloides O22:H3 (CNCTC 90/89)

Plesiomonas shigelloides is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium which causes foodborne intestinal infections, including gastroenteritis. It is one of the most frequent causes of travellers’ diarrhoea. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin), an important virulence factor of the species, is in most cases characterised by a smooth character, demonstrated by the presence of all regions, such as lipid A, core oligosaccharide, and O-specific polysaccharide, where the latter part determines O-serotype. P. shigelloides LPS is still a poorly characterised virulence factor considering a “translation” of the particular O-serotype into chemical structure. To date, LPS structure has only been elucidated for 15 strains out of 102 O-serotypes. Structures of the new O-specific polysaccharide and core oligosaccharide of P. shigelloides from the Czechoslovak National Collection of Type Cultures CNCTC 90/89 LPS (O22), investigated by chemical analysis, mass spectrometry, and ¹H,¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, have now been reported. The pentasaccharide repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide is built of one d-QuipNAc and is rich in four d-GalpNAcAN residues. Moreover, the new core oligosaccharide shares common features of other P. shigelloides endotoxins, i.e., the lack of phosphate groups and the presence of uronic acids.

Bordetella holmesii Lipopolysaccharide Hide and Seek Game with Pertussis: Structural Analysis of the O-Specific Polysaccharide and the Core Oligosaccharide of the Type Strain ATCC 51541

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease caused predominantly by Bordetella pertussis, but it also comprises of a pertussis-like illness caused by B. holmesii. The virulence factors of B. holmesii and their role in the pathogenesis remain unknown. Lipopolysaccharide is the main surface antigen of all Bordetellae. Data on the structural features of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of B. holmesii are scarce. The poly- and oligosaccharide components released by mild acidic hydrolysis of the LPS were separated and investigated by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and chemical methods. The structures of the O-specific polysaccharide and the core oligosaccharide of B. holmesii ATCC 51541 have been identified for the first time. The novel pentasaccharide repeating unit of the B. holmesii O-specific polysaccharide has the following structure: {→2)-α-l-Rhap-(1→6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→4)-[β-d-GlcpNAc-(1→3]-α-d-Galp-(1→3)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→}n. The SDS-PAGE and serological cross-reactivities of the B. holmesii LPS suggested the similarity between the core oligosaccharides of B. holmesii ATCC 51541 and B. pertussis strain 606. The main oligosaccharide fraction contained a nonasaccharide. The comparative analysis of the NMR spectra of B. holmesii core oligosaccharide fraction with this of the B. pertussis strain 606 indicated that the investigated core oligosaccharides were identical.

Interactions of ficolin-3 with ovarian cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Ficolin-3 is a pattern-recognition molecule with the ability to activate the lectin pathway of complement. It is found in lung, liver and blood, but its physiological role is unclear. We have investigated interaction of recombinant ficolin-3 with malignant cells and tissues.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cells of various lines of human origin as well as ovarian tissue sections have been studied with the use of flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Recombinant (but not serum-derived) ficolin-3 was found to bind strongly to the ovarian cancer cell lines, SKOV-3, OVCAR-3 and ES-2, at concentrations of 2.5 μg/ml and above. Moreover, His-tagged recombinant ficolin-3 (10 μg/ml) preferentially stained ovarian tissue sections from patients with malignant tumours compared with those from patients without. Binding to cell lines was inhibited by EDTA and specific carbohydrate ligands, indicating involvement of the fibrinogen-like domain. Binding was enhanced under mildly acidic conditions and at physiological pH after pre-incubation of cells with mildly acidic buffer.

CONCLUSION

Basing on data concerning recombinant protein, it may be suggested that ficolin-3 is involved in immune response in ovarian cancer. However, unidentified serum factor(s) seem(s) to protect cancer cells from recognition by natural or rficolin-3.

Interaction of Mannose-Binding Lectin With Lipopolysaccharide Outer Core Region and Its Biological Consequences

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin), the main surface antigen and virulence factor of Gram-negative bacteria, is composed of lipid A, core oligosaccharide, and O-specific polysaccharide (O-PS) regions. Each LPS region is capable of complement activation. We have demonstrated that LPS of Hafnia alvei, an opportunistic human pathogen, reacts strongly with human and murine mannose-binding lectins (MBLs). Moreover, MBL-LPS interactions were detected for the majority of other Gram-negative species investigated. H. alvei was used as a model pathogen to investigate the biological consequences of these interactions. The core oligosaccharide region of H. alvei LPS was identified as the main target for human and murine MBL, especially l-glycero-d-manno-heptose (Hep) and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) residues within the outer core region. MBL-binding motifs of LPS are accessible to MBL on the surface of bacterial cells and LPS aggregates. Generally, the accessibility of outer core structures for interaction with MBL is highest during the lag phase of bacterial growth. The LPS core oligosaccharide-MBL interactions led to complement activation and also induced an anaphylactoid shock in mice. Unlike Klebsiella pneumoniae O3 LPS, robust lectin pathway activation of H. alvei LPS in vivo was mainly the result of outer core recognition by MBL; involvement of the O-PS is not necessary for anaphylactoid shock induction. Our results contribute to a better understanding of MBL-LPS interaction and may support development of therapeutic strategies against sepsis based on complement inhibition.

Structural Masquerade of Plesiomonas shigelloides Strain CNCTC 78/89 O-Antigen-High-Resolution Magic Angle Spinning NMR Reveals the Modified d-galactan I of Klebsiella pneumoniae

The high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR-MAS NMR) analysis of Plesiomonas shigelloides 78/89 lipopolysaccharide directly on bacteria revealed the characteristic structural features of the O-acetylated polysaccharide in the NMR spectra. The O-antigen profiles were unique, yet the pattern of signals in the, spectra along with their ¹H,¹³C chemical shift values, resembled these of d-galactan I of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The isolated O-specific polysaccharide (O-PS) of P. shigelloides strain CNCTC 78/89 was investigated by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and chemical methods. The analyses demonstrated that the P. shigelloides 78/89 O-PS is composed of →3)-α-d-Galp-(1→3)-β-d-Galf2OAc-(1→ disaccharide repeating units. The O-acetylation was incomplete and resulted in a microheterogeneity of the O-antigen. This O-acetylation generates additional antigenic determinants within the O-antigen, forms a new chemotype, and contributes to the epitopes recognized by the O-serotype specific antibodies. The serological cross-reactivities further confirmed the inter-specific structural similarity of these O-antigens.

A New Ligand-Based Method for Purifying Active Human Plasma-Derived Ficolin-3 Complexes Supports the Phenomenon of Crosstalk between Pattern-Recognition Molecules and Immunoglobulins

Despite recombinant protein technology development, proteins isolated from natural sources remain important for structure and activity determination. Ficolins represent a class of proteins that are difficult to isolate. To date, three methods for purifying ficolin-3 from plasma/serum have been proposed, defined by most critical step: (i) hydroxyapatite absorption chromatography (ii) N-acetylated human serum albumin affinity chromatography and (iii) anti-ficolin-3 monoclonal antibody-based affinity chromatography. We present a new protocol for purifying ficolin-3 complexes from human plasma that is based on an exclusive ligand: the O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei PCM 1200 LPS (O-PS 1200). The protocol includes (i) poly(ethylene glycol) precipitation; (ii) yeast and l-fucose incubation, for depletion of mannose-binding lectin; (iii) affinity chromatography using O-PS 1200-Sepharose; (iv) size-exclusion chromatography. Application of this protocol yielded average 2.2 mg of ficolin-3 preparation free of mannose-binding lectin (MBL), ficolin-1 and -2 from 500 ml of plasma. The protein was complexed with MBL-associated serine proteases (MASPs) and was able to activate the complement in vitro. In-process monitoring of MBL, ficolins, and total protein content revealed the presence of difficult-to-remove immunoglobulin G, M and A, in some extent in agreement with recent findings suggesting crosstalk between IgG and ficolin-3. We demonstrated that recombinant ficolin-3 interacts with IgG and IgM in a concentration-dependent manner. Although this association does not appear to influence ficolin-3-ligand interactions in vitro, it may have numerous consequences in vivo. Thus our purification procedure provides Ig-ficolin-3/MASP complexes that might be useful for gaining further insight into the crosstalk and biological activity of ficolin-3.

Fractionation and analysis of lipopolysaccharide-derived oligosaccharides by zwitterionic-type hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) is a main surface antigen and virulence factor of Gram-negative bacteria. Regardless of the source of LPS, this molecule, isolated from the smooth forms of bacteria, is characterised by a general structural layout encompassing three regions: (i) an O-specific polysaccharide (O-PS) - a polymer of repeating oligosaccharide units, (ii) core oligosaccharide (OS), and (iii) the lipid A anchoring LPS in the outer membrane of the cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria. Structural analysis usually requires degradation of LPS and further efficient separation of various poly- and oligosaccharide glycoforms. The hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) was shown as an efficient technique for separation of labelled or native neutral and acidic glycans, glycopeptides, sialylated glycans, glycosylated and nonglycosylated peptides. Herein we adopted ZIC(®) (zwitterionic stationary phase covalently attached to porous silica)-HILIC technology in combination with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry to separate different LPS-derived oligosaccharides. As a result three effective procedures have been developed: (i) to separate different core oligosaccharides of Escherichia coli R1 LOS, (ii) to separate RU-[Hep]-Kdo oligosaccharides from core OS glycoforms of Hafnia alvei PCM 1200 LPS, and (iii) to separate Hep and Kdo-containing mono, di-, tri- and tetrasaccharides of H. alvei PCM 1200 LPS. Moreover, some of developed analytical procedures were scaled to semi-preparative protocols and used to obtain highly-purified fractions of the interest in larger quantities required for future evaluation, analysis, and biological applications.

Structures and gene clusters of the closely related O-antigens of Escherichia coli O46 and O134, both containing D-glucuronoyl-D-allothreonine

The O-polysaccharides (O-antigens) were isolated by mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli O46 and O134. The structures of their linear tetrasaccharide repeating units were established by sugar analysis along with 1D and 2D (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy: [Formula: see text], where D-aThr indicates D-allothreonine and R indicates O-acetyl substitution (∼ 70% on aThr and ∼ 15% on GalNAc) in E. coli O46 whereas the O-acetylation is absent in E. coli O134. Functions of genes in the essentially identical O-antigen gene clusters of E. coli O46 and O134 were tentatively assigned by a comparison with sequences in available databases and found to be in agreement with the O-polysaccharide structures established.

NMR study of the O-specific polysaccharide and the core oligosaccharide from the lipopolysaccharide produced by Plesiomonas shigelloides O24:H8 (strain CNCTC 92/89)

The structures of the O-specific polysacccharide and core oligosaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide from Plesiomonas shigelloides O24:H8, strain CNCTC 92/89, have been investigated by NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. The O-specific polysaccharide was found to be composed of a tetrasaccharide repeating unit consisting of [→3)-α-FucpNAc-(1→3)-α-GalpNAcA-(1→3)-α-QuipNAc-(1→] and of α-RhapNAc (1→4) linked to the GalpNAcA residue. An identical structure has been reported for the capsular polysaccharide of the clinical isolate of Vibrio vulnificus strain BO62316 [1]. The core oligosaccharide was composed of a decasaccharide which structure is identical with these in P. shigelloides serotype O54 [2] and serotype O37 [3].

Ficolin-3 activity towards the opportunistic pathogen, Hafnia alvei

Ficolin-3 (also called H-ficolin or Hakata antigen) is a complement-activating pattern recognition molecule, possessing a fibrinogen-like domain involved in carbohydrate binding. Amongst human ficolins, Ficolin-3 has the highest concentration in serum and is the most potent lectin pathway activator in vitro. Evidence for its physiological function is sparse, although its deficiency has been suggested to increase susceptibility to infections. The specificity of Ficolin-3 is poorly characterized and currently few ligands are known. Here we report agglutination of Hafnia alvei, a Gram-negative enteric commensal bacterium and opportunist pathogen, in the presence of recombinant Ficolin-3 and calcium. Ficolin-3 also augmented phagocytosis of H. alvei by macrophages and displayed bactericidal activity. Additionally, Ficolin-3 inhibited host cells' response to TLR4/MD-2/CD14-LPS dependent NF-κB activation. This is the first demonstration of protective activity of Ficolin-3 against a human bacterial pathogen. Although human Ficolin-3 does not recognise and bind to common pathogenic bacteria, it could be an important component of innate immunity providing protection, for example, from commensal flora that can cause extraintestinal, opportunistic infections.

The novel structure of the core oligosaccharide backbone of the lipopolysaccharide from the Plesiomonas shigelloides strain CNCTC 80/89 (serotype O13)

The new structure of the core oligosaccharide of Plesiomonas shigelloides CNCTC 80/89 (serotype O13) lipopolysaccharide has been investigated by chemical methods, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF). It was concluded that the core oligosaccharide of P. shigelloides CNCTC 80/89 is a nonasaccharide with the following structure: The position of glycine was determined by MALDI-TOF MS/MS analyses.

New complete structure of Hafnia alvei clinical isolate strain PCM 2670 semi-rough lipopolysaccharide

Hafnia alvei strain PCM 2670 is a clinical isolate from a patient with chronic reproductive tract infection. The novel structure of the semi-rough lipopolysaccharide was established with the use of NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as well as immunochemical techniques. According to the mass spectrometry data, heptose in the oligosaccharide is partially substituted by glycine. H. alvei PCM 2670 core structure encompasses the common core of H. alvei which is modified with two additional galactose units. [structure: see text]. The 6-substituted galactose is the O-antigen repeating unit substitution residue. The repeating unit consists of five monosaccharide residues and has the following structure: →2)-β-Galp-(1→6)-α-Glcp-(1→6)-αGlcpNAc3OAc-(1→4)-α-GalpA-(1→3)-β-GlcpNAc6OAc-(1→6)-core.

Structural characterization of bacterial lipopolysaccharides with mass spectrometry and on- and off-line separation techniques

The focus of this review is the application of mass spectrometry to the structural characterization of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), also referred to as "endotoxins," because they elicit the strong immune response in infected organisms. Recently, a wide variety of MS-based applications have been implemented to the structure elucidation of LPS. Methodological improvements, as well as on- and off-line separation procedures, proved the versatility of mass spectrometry to study complex LPS mixtures. Special attention is given in the review to the tandem mass spectrometric methods and protocols for the analyses of lipid A, the endotoxic principle of LPS. We compare and evaluate the different ionization techniques (MALDI, ESI) in view of their use in intact R- and S-type LPS and lipid A studies. Methods for sample preparation of LPS prior to mass spectrometric analysis are also described. The direct identification of intrinsic heterogeneities of most intact LPS and lipid A preparations is a particular challenge, for which separation techniques (e.g., TLC, slab-PAGE, CE, GC, HPLC) combined with mass spectrometry are often necessary. A brief summary of these combined methodologies to profile LPS molecular species is provided.

Core oligosaccharide of Plesiomonas shigelloides PCM 2231 (Serotype O17) lipopolysaccharide--structural and serological analysis

The herein presented complete structure of the core oligosaccharide of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) P. shigelloides Polish Collection of Microorganisms (PCM) 2231 (serotype O17) was investigated by ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, chemical analyses and serological methods. The core oligosaccharide is composed of an undecasaccharide, which represents the second core type identified for P. shigelloides serotype O17 LPS. This structure is similar to that of the core oligosaccharide of P. shigelloides strains 302-73 (serotype O1) and 7-63 (serotype O17) and differs from these only by one sugar residue. Serological screening of 55 strains of P. shigelloides with the use of serum against identified core oligosaccharide conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) indicated the presence of similar structures in the LPS core region of 28 O-serotypes. This observation suggests that the core oligosaccharide structure present in strain PCM 2231 could be the most common type among P. shigelloides lipopolysaccharides.

Structure and gene cluster of the O-antigen of Escherichia coli O110 containing an amide of D-galacturonic acid with D-allothreonine

The O-polysaccharide (O-antigen) was isolated by mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli O110. The following structure of the linear tetrasaccharide O-unit of the O-polysaccharide was established by sugar analysis along with 1D and 2D 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy: D-aThr--6-->4)-α-D-GalpA-(1-->4)-α-D-Galp-(1--3)-α-D-Galp-(1-->3)-β-D-GlcpNAc-(--> where aThr indicates allothreonine. The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O110 was sequenced. The gene functions were tentatively assigned by comparison with sequences in the available databases and found to be in full agreement with the O-antigen structure.

New functional ligands for ficolin-3 among lipopolysaccharides of Hafnia alvei

Ficolin-1 (M), ficolin-2 (L), ficolin-3 (H) and mannan-binding lectin (MBL) activate the complement system and have opsonic activity. The specificity of ficolin-3 is poorly characterized and currently limited to a few ligands only. We present new specific targets for human ficolin-3, identified among lipopolysaccharides (LPSs, endotoxin) of Hafnia alvei. The interaction was restricted to LPSs of four strains: 23, Polish Collection of Microorganisms (PCM) 1200, PCM 1203 and PCM 1205 and limited to their O-specific polysaccharides (O-specific PSs) composed of different numbers of oligosaccharide (OS) repeating units (RUs). Moreover, these LPS/ficolin-3 complexes activated the lectin pathway of complement in a C4b-deposition assay in a calcium- and magnesium-dependent way. A neoglycoconjugate of the O-specific PS fraction of H. alvei 1200 LPS with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was prepared and used as a tool for the determination of ficolin-3 concentration and activity in serum. To confirm a structure of the O-specific PS 1200 selected for the conjugate preparation, structural analysis was performed on a series of O-specific PSs released by the mild acid hydrolysis of the LPS. The isolated O-specific PSs, showing the different length distributions, were devoid of a major part of the core OS region and had Hep-Kdo disaccharide at a reducing end. The neoglycoconjugate was a highly selective tool for the determination of ficolin-3 concentration and activity in serum (lectin pathway activation in the C4b deposition assay) and was not affected by MBL, ficolin-1 and ficolin-2 or natural antibodies.

Elevated levels of anti-endotoxin antibodies in patients with bilateral idiopathic acute anterior uveitis

PURPOSE

Endotoxins have been proved to be responsible for acute anterior uveitis (AAU) in animals in a well-established experimental model of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). The purpose of our study was the detection of antibodies against endotoxins of selected enterobacteria in the serum of patients with idiopathic AAU and searching for correlations between the levels of these antibodies and the presence of HLA-B27 antigen as well as characteristic signs of EIU such as bilaterality and the absence of spontaneous recurrences of the disease.

METHODS

Reactions of serum IgG antibodies with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of Escherichia coli O1, E. coli O10, E. coli O111, E. coli J5, and Klebsiella pneumoniae O3 were determined for 60 patients with idiopathic AAU and 40 healthy volunteers. The presence of HLA-B27 antigen in patients was determined. Documentation of the frequency of recurrences of AAU during a follow-up period of 8 years was collected.

RESULTS

We have observed that the sera of patients with a first attack of AAU reacted stronger with the LPS of K. pneumoniae O3 than the sera of patients with relapse of the disease. Patients with bilateral AAU had markedly higher levels of antibodies against four of the five used LPSs than patients with one eye involved. A multiply comparison showed higher levels of IgG reacting with LPS of E. coli O111 in patients with bilateral eye inflammation admitted with the first attack of AAU comparing to controls. The incidence of recurrent form of AAU was significantly increased in HLA-B27-positive patients compared to HLA-B27-negative patients. However, we found in HLA-B27 carriers that those with the bilateral form of AAU had over three times smaller risk of recurrence and showed stronger immunization by endotoxins than patients with unilateral inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a potential role of endotoxins in the aetiology of the nonrecurrent bilateral form of AAU. We suggest that not only HLA-B27 status but also determination of number of involved eyes may be useful to assess the risk of recurrence of the idiopathic AAU.

Structural analysis of the lipid A isolated from Hafnia alvei 32 and PCM 1192 lipopolysaccharides

Hafnia alvei, a Gram-negative bacterium, is an opportunistic pathogen associated with mixed hospital infections, bacteremia, septicemia, and respiratory diseases. The majority of clinical symptoms of diseases caused by this bacterium have a lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin)-related origin. The lipid A structure affects the biological activity of endotoxins predominantly. Thus, the structure of H. alvei lipid A was analyzed for the first time. The major form, asymmetrically hexa-acylated lipid A built of beta-D-GlcpN4P-(1-->6)-alpha-D-GlcpN1P substituted with (R)-14:0(3-OH) at N-2 and O-3, 14:0(3-(R)-O-12:0) at N-2', and 14:0(3-(R)-O-14:0) at O-3', was identified by ESI-MS(n) and MALDI-time-of-flight (TOF) MS. Comparative analysis performed by MS suggested that LPSs of H. alvei 32, PCM 1192, PCM 1206, and PCM 1207 share the identified structure of lipid A. LPSs of H. alvei are yet another example of enterobacterial endotoxins having the Escherichia coli-type structure of lipid A. The presence of hepta-acylated forms of H. alvei lipid A resulted from the addition of palmitate (16:0) substituting 14:0(3-OH) at N-2 of the alpha-GlcpN residue. All the studied strains of H. alvei have an ability to modify their lipid A structure by palmitoylation.

Structural analysis of the O-specific polysaccharide isolated from Plesiomonas shigelloides O51 lipopolysaccharide

Plesiomonasshigelloides strain CNCTC 110/92 (O51) was identified as a new example of plesiomonads synthesising lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) that show preference for a non-aqueous surrounding during phenol/water extraction. Chemical analyses combined with (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF and ESI mass spectrometry showed that the repeating units of the O-specific polysaccharides isolated from phenol and water phase LPSs of P. shigelloides O51 have the same structure: -->4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc3NRA-(1-->4)-alpha-L-FucpAm3OAc-(1-->3)-alpha-D-QuipNAc-(1-->, containing the rare sugar constituent 2,3-diamino-2,3-dideoxyglucuronic acid (GlcpNAc3NRA), and substituents such as D-3-hydroxybutyric acid (R) and acetamidino group (Am). The HR-MAS NMR spectra obtained for the isolated LPSs and directly on bacteria indicated that the O-acetylation pattern was consistent throughout the entire preparation. The (1)H chemical shift values of the structure reporter groups identified in the isolated O-antigens matched those present in bacteria. We have found that the O-antigens recovered from the phenol phase showed a higher degree of polymerisation than those isolated from the water phase.

The effect of bacteriophages T4 and HAP1 on in vitro melanoma migration

Background

The antibacterial activity of bacteriophages has been described rather well. However, knowledge about the direct interactions of bacteriophages with mammalian organisms and their other, i.e. non-antibacterial, activities in mammalian systems is quite scarce. It must be emphasised that bacteriophages are natural parasites of bacteria, which in turn are parasites or symbionts of mammals (including humans). Bacteriophages are constantly present in mammalian bodies and the environment in great amounts. On the other hand, the perspective of the possible use of bacteriophage preparations for antibacterial therapies in cancer patients generates a substantial need to investigate the effects of phages on cancer processes.

Results

In these studies the migration of human and mouse melanoma on fibronectin was inhibited by purified T4 and HAP1 bacteriophage preparations. The migration of human melanoma was also inhibited by the HAP1 phage preparation on matrigel. No response of either melanoma cell line to lipopolysaccharide was observed. Therefore the effect of the phage preparations cannot be attributed to lipopolysaccharide. No differences in the effects of T4 and HAP1 on melanoma migration were observed.

Conclusion

We believe that these observations are of importance for any further attempts to use bacteriophage preparations in antibacterial treatment. The risk of antibiotic-resistant hospital infections strongly affects cancer patients and these results suggest the possibility of beneficial phage treatment. We also believe that they will contribute to the general understanding of bacteriophage biology, as bacteriophages, extremely ubiquitous entities, are in permanent contact with human organisms.

Two Kdo-heptose regions identified in Hafnia alvei 32 lipopolysaccharide: the complete core structure and serological screening of different Hafnia O serotypes

Hafnia alvei, a gram-negative bacterium, is an opportunistic pathogen associated with mixed hospital infections, bacteremia, septicemia, and respiratory diseases. Various 3-deoxy-d-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo)-containing fragments different from known structures of core oligosaccharides were previously found among fractions obtained by mild acid hydrolysis of some H. alvei lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). However, the positions of these segments in the LPS structure were not known. Analysis of de-N,O-acylated LPS by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry allowed the determination of the location of a Kdo-containing trisaccharide in the structure of H. alvei PCM 32 LPS. It was established that the trisaccharide {L-alpha-D-Hepp-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Galp6OAc-(1-->7)]-alpha-Kdop-(2-->} is an integral part of the outer-core oligosaccharide of H. alvei 32 LPS. The very labile ketosidic linkage between -->4,7)-alpha-Kdop and -->2)-Glcp in the core oligosaccharide was identified. Screening for this Kdo-containing trisaccharide was performed on the group of 37 O serotypes of H. alvei LPSs using monospecific antibodies recognizing the structure. It was established that this trisaccharide is a characteristic component of the outer-core oligosaccharides of H. alvei 2, 32, 600, 1192, 1206, and 1211 LPSs. The weaker cross-reactions with LPSs of strains 974, 1188, 1198, 1204, and 1214 suggest the presence of similar structures in these LPSs, as well. Thus, we have identified new examples of endotoxins among those elucidated so far. This type of core oligosaccharide deviates from the classical scheme by the presence of the structural Kdo-containing motif in the outer-core region.

Application of two different kinds of sera against the Proteus penneri lipopolysaccharide core region in search of epitopes determining cross-reactions with antibodies

Introduction:

Proteus penneri lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core regions are characterized by a greater structural variability than that observed in other Enterobacteriaceae. This fact and the small amount of published data concerning the serological activity of this part of P. penneri LPS prompted an examination of which fragment might determine cross-reactions with antibodies. To date, such epitopes have been found in the LPS core regions of P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris strains.

Materials and Methods:

Proteus sp. LPSs were tested with unabsorbed rabbit antisera by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot, and once again by ELISA or passive immunohemolysis after the absorption of these antisera with selected LPSs.

Results:

The serological studies of P. penneri 8 LPS demonstrated antibodies in the tested antisera recognizing a common epitope located in the core regions of six of the LPSs, i.e. P. penneri 8, 34, 133, 7, 14, and 15. Additionally, another type of antibody directed against some fragment of P. penneri 13 and the core regions of other LPSs investigated was observed in one antiserum.

Conclusions:

A distal, trisaccharide fragment of the P. penneri 8 LPS core region is suggested to determine the cross-reactions of the tested antisera with the six P. penneri LPSs.

Bacteriophage preparation inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation by endotoxin-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes

It has been known that administration of antibiotics may lead to excessive release of bacterial endotoxins and complicate clinical course of patients with Gram-negative infections. This concern may also apply to phages. Endotoxin may in turn activate neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple organ dysfunction in the course of sepsis. We showed that a purified T4 phage preparation with low-endotoxin content could significantly diminish the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) both stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) isolated from different Escherichia coli strains. This effect was also observed for live bacteria used for PMNs stimulation and was independent of bacterial susceptibility for T4-mediated lysis. Our data suggest, that phage-mediated inhibition of LPS- or bacteria-stimulated ROS production by PMNs may be attributed not only to phage-PMNs interactions, but also to phage-LPS interactions and bacterial lysis (in case of homologous phage). Interestingly, the T4 preparation did not influence ROS formation by PMNs stimulated with PMA. This suggests that the observed phenomena are also dependent upon the nature of activator. Bacteriophage-mediated inhibition of ROS formation by cells exposed to endotoxin provides new evidence for possible interactions between phages and mammalian cells. It helps in understanding the role of phages in our environment and may also be of important clinical significance.

Complete Lipopolysaccharide of Plesiomonas shigelloides O74:H5 (Strain CNCTC 144/92). 1. Structural Analysis of the Highly Hydrophobic Lipopolysaccharide, Including the O-Antigen, Its Biological Repeating Unit, the Core Oligosaccharide, and the Linkage between Them,

The lipopolysaccharide of Plesiomonas shigelloides serotype O74:H5 (strain CNCTC 144/92) was obtained with the hot phenol/water method, but unlike most of the S-type enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides, the O-antigens were preferentially extracted into the phenol phase. The poly- and oligosaccharides released by mild acidic hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide from both phenol and water phases were separated and investigated by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and sugar and methylation analysis. The O-specific polysaccharide and oligosaccharides consisting of the core, the core with one repeating unit, and the core with two repeating units were isolated. It was concluded that the O-specific polysaccharide is composed of a trisaccharide repeating unit with the [-->2)-beta-d-Quip3NAcyl-(1-->3)-alpha-l-Rhap2OAc-(1-->3)-alpha-d-FucpNAc-(1-->] structure, in which d-Qui3NAcyl is 3-amino-3,6-dideoxy-d-glucose acylated with 3-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid. The major oligosaccharide consisted of a single repeating unit and a core oligosaccharide. This undecasaccharide contains information about the biological repeating unit and the type and position of the linkage between the O-specific chain and core. The presence of a terminal beta-d-Quip3NAcyl-(1--> residue and the -->3)-beta-d-FucpNAc-(1-->4)-alpha-d-GalpA element showed the structure of the biological repeating unit of the O-antigen and the substitution position to the core. The -->3)-beta-d-FucpNAc-(1--> residue has the anomeric configuration inverted compared to the same residue in the repeating unit. The core oligosaccharide was composed of a nonphosphorylated octasaccharide, which represents a novel core type of P. shigelloides LPS characteristic of serotype O74. The similarity between the isolated O-specific polysaccharide and that found on intact bacterial cells and lipopolysaccharide was confirmed by HR-MAS NMR experiments.

Complete Lipopolysaccharide of Plesiomonas shigelloides O74:H5 (Strain CNCTC 144/92). 2. Lipid A, Its Structural Variability, the Linkage to the Core Oligosaccharide, and the Biological Activity of the Lipopolysaccharide,

Plesiomonas shigelloides is a Gram-negative bacterium associated with waterborne infections, which is common in tropical and subtropical habitats. Contrary to the unified antigenic classification of P. shigelloides, data concerning the structure and activity of their lipopolysaccharides (LPS and endotoxin) are limited. This study completes the structural investigation of phenol- and water-soluble fractions of P. shigelloides O74 (strain CNCTC 144/92) LPS with the emphasis on lipid A heterogeneity, describing the entire molecule and some of its biological in vitro activities. Structures of the lipid A and the affinity-purified decasaccharide obtained by de-N,O-acylation of P. shigelloides O74 LPS were elucidated by chemical analysis combined with electrospray ionization multiple-stage mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(n)), MALDI-TOF MS, and NMR spectroscopy. Lipid A of P. shigelloides O74 is heterogeneous, and three major forms have been identified. They all were asymmetric, phosphorylated, and hexaacylated, showing different acylation patterns. The beta-GlcpN4P-(1-->6)-alpha-GlcpN1P disaccharide was substituted with the primary fatty acids: (R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid [14:0(3-OH)] at N-2 and N-2' and (R)-3-hydroxydodecanoic acid [12:0(3-OH)] at O-3 and O-3'. The heterogeneity among the three forms (I-III) of P. shigelloides O74 lipid A was attributed to the substitution of the acyl residues at N-2' and O-3' with the secondary acyls: (I) cis-9-hexadecenoic acid (9c-16:1) at N-2' and 12:0 at O-3', (II) 14:0 at N-2' and 12:0 at O-3', and (III) 12:0 at N-2' and 12:0 at O-3'. The pro-inflammatory cytokine-inducing activities of P. shigelloides O74 LPS were similar to those of Escherichia coli O55 LPS.

A complex of lactoferrin with monophosphoryl lipid A is an efficient adjuvant of the humoral and cellular immune response in mice

Our recent investigations demonstrated adjuvant properties of lactoferrin (LF). Other studies proved efficacy and safety of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) as an adjuvant in humans. In an attempt to construct more efficient and safer adjuvants, we evaluated the activity of LF-MPL complex, formed by incubation of LF and MPL from Hafnia alvei at 20:1 w/w ratio, and verified its characteristics by SDS-PAGE analysis. Binding kinetics was determined by surface plasmon resonance analysis using a BIAcore 1000 biosensor system. The efficiency of the complex in enhancing the humoral and cellular immune responses was analyzed in BALB/c mice. The complex stimulated the humoral immune response to ovalbumin (OVA) and sheep red blood cells significantly stronger than both components separately, used at respective doses. In addition, the complex increased the serum levels of IgG, IgG2a and IgG1 OVA-specific antibodies as compared to the actions of LF or MPL alone. In the model of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) the strongest immune response was demonstrated with OVA administered subcutaneously, admixed with the complex. Administration of the complex in incomplete Freund's adjuvant, together with a sensitizing dose of antigen, was similarly effective as immunization with complete Freund's adjuvant. The complex also significantly enhanced the DTH response to orally administered Calmette-Guérin bacilli. In summary, the new type of adjuvant, the LF-MPL complex, was described. Its activity surpassed the adjuvant action of both constituents tested separately in the humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. The plausible mode of action of the new adjuvant is discussed.

Structure of the lipid A-inner core region and biological activity of Plesiomonas shigelloides O54 (strain CNCTC 113/92) lipopolysaccharide

Plesiomonas shigelloides is a Gram-negative rod associated with episodes of intestinal infections and outbreaks of diarrhea in humans. The extraintestinal infections caused by this bacterium, for example, endopthalmitis, meningitidis, bacteremia, and septicemia, usually have gastrointestinal origin and serious course. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) as virulence factor is important in enteropathogenicity of this bacterium. LPSs of P. shigelloides and especially their lipid A part, that is, the immunomodulatory center of LPS, have not been extensively investigated. The structure of P. shigelloides O54 lipid A was determined by chemical analysis combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and the intact Kdo-containing core region was investigated by NMR spectroscopy on deacylated LPS. Products from alkaline deacylation of LPS, containing 4-substituted uronic acids, are usually very complex and difficult to separate. Since Kdo residues, like sialic acids, form complexes with serotonin, we used immobilized serotonin for one-step isolation of oligosaccharide containing the intact Kdo region from the reaction mixture by affinity chromatography. The major form of lipid A was built of beta-d-GlcpN4PPEtn-(1-->6)-alpha-d-GlcpN1P disaccharide substituted with 14:0(3-OH), 12:0(3-OH), 14:0(3-O-14:0), and 12:0(3-O-12:0) acyl groups at N-2, O-3, N-2', and O-3', respectively. This is a novel structure among known lipid A molecules. Analysis of intact Kdo-lipid A region, lipid A and its linkage with the core oligosaccharide completes the structural investigation of P. shigelloides O54 LPS, resolving the entire molecule. Biological activities and observed discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo activity of P. shigelloides and Escherichia coli LPS are discussed.

Epitope of the vaccine-type Bordetella pertussis strain 186 lipooligosaccharide and antiendotoxin activity of antibodies directed against the terminal pentasaccharide-tetanus toxoid conjugate

Lipooligosaccharides (LOS) isolated from Bordetella pertussis strains 186 and 606 were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These analyses distinguished between the LOS of strains 186 and 606, suggesting that the structure of LOS in B. pertussis is heterogeneous. The pentasaccharide was selectively cleaved from LOS of B. pertussis strain 186, purified, and covalently linked to a monomer fraction of tetanus toxoid. Injection of rabbits with the neoglycoconjugate emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant yielded immunoglobulin G antibodies that were reactive with the LOS. These antibodies reacted strongly with B. pertussis LOS possessing the complete dodecasaccharide, as determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblotting, and flow cytometry with intact, live bacterial cells. The binding epitope within the pentasaccharide was investigated by saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy. Protons H-1 and H-4 of the terminal alpha-D-GlcpNAc and proton H-6 and protons of an N-methyl group at H-4 of 3-substituted beta-L-FucpNAc4NMe exhibited the largest saturation transfers. STD NMR experiments confirmed that the immunodominant epitope recognized by the antineoglycoconjugate antibodies is located predominantly in the distal trisaccharide of B. pertussis 186 LOS. The antipentasaccharide antibodies induced by the conjugate inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and NO by LOS-stimulated J774A.1 cells.

The O-acetylation patterns in the O-antigens of Hafnia alvei strains PCM 1200 and 1203, serologically closely related to PCM 1205

Serological tests revealed immunochemical similarities between the lipopolysaccharides of Hafnia alvei strains PCM 1200, 1203 and 1205. Immunoblotting and ELISA showed cross-reactions between the strains. NMR spectroscopy showed that the O-deacetylated O-specific polysaccharides isolated from lipopolysaccharides of H. alvei strains PCM 1200 and 1203 possessed the same composition and sequence as the O-deacetylated O-specific polysaccharide of H. alvei strain PCM 1205, that is a glycerol teichoic-acid-like polymer with a repeating unit of the following structure: [carbohydrate structure: see text] NMR spectroscopic studies of the polysaccharides concluded that O-3 of the side chain beta-D-GlcpNAc is partially O-acetylated (50-80%) in both investigated strains. In strain PCM 1203 an additional O-acetyl group (50-80%) is linked to O-6 of the chain -->3)-alpha-D-GlcpNAc-(1--> residue. The structural features of the isolated O-specific polysaccharides were also the same as those of the O-specific polysaccharides on the bacterial cells directly observed by the HR-MAS NMR technique.

Serological characterization of anti-endotoxin serum directed against the conjugate of oligosaccharide core of Escherichia coli type R4 with tetanus toxoid

The covalent conjugate of oligosaccharide core of Escherichia coli type R4 with tetanus toxoid was prepared using reaction of reductive amination. The neoglycoconjugate was a good immunogen in rabbits yielding a high level of anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antibodies of the IgG class. It was found that antiserum was able to react with the smooth LPS molecules of identical (R4) or related (R1) core type. The reactions were shown in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the immunoblotting test. Flow cytometry showed that anti-core antibodies reacted with LPS present on intact, live, smooth bacteria labelling more than 90% of cells. The anti-OS R4-TT serum used for in vitro studies showed high endotoxin neutralization activity. The serum inhibited endotoxin-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide synthesis by the J-774A.1 cell line and attenuated pulmonary retention of YAC-1 cells.

Core oligosaccharides of Plesiomonas shigelloides O54:H2 (strain CNCTC 113/92): structural and serological analysis of the lipopolysaccharide core region, the O-antigen biological repeating unit, and the linkage between them

The structure of the core oligosaccharide moiety of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Plesiomonas shigelloides O54 (strain CNCTC 113/92) has been investigated by (1)H and (13)C NMR, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (MS)/MS, matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight MS, monosaccharide and methylation analysis, and immunological methods. It was concluded that the main core oligosaccharide of this strain is composed of a decasaccharide with the following structure: (see text) in which l-alpha-D-Hepp is l-glycero-alpha-D-manno-heptopyranose. The nonasaccharide variant of the core oligosaccharide ( approximately 10%), devoid of beta-D-Glcp substituting the alpha-D-GlcpN at C-6, was also identified. The core oligosaccharide substituted at C-4 of the outer core beta-D-Glcp residue with the single O-polysaccharide repeating unit was also isolated yielding a hexadecasaccharide structure. The determination of the monosaccharides involved in the linkage between the O-specific polysaccharide part and the core, as well as the presence of -->3)-D-beta-D-Hepp-(1--> instead of -->3,4)-D-beta-D-Hepp-(1--> in the repeating unit, revealed the structure of the biological repeating unit of the O-antigen. The core oligosaccharides are not substituted by phosphate residues and represent novel core type of bacterial LPS that is characteristic for the Plesiomonas shigelloides serotype O54. Serological screening of 69 different O-serotypes of P. shigelloides suggests that epitopes similar to the core oligosaccharide of serotype O54 (strain CNCTC 113/92) might also be present in the core region of the serotypes O24 (strain CNCTC 92/89), O37 (strain CNCTC 39/89) and O96 (strain CNCTC 5133) LPS.

Synthesis of a spacer-containing disaccharide fragment of Bordetella pertussis lipopolysaccharide

The disaccharide 2-(p-aminophenyl)ethyl 4-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-2,3-diacetamido-2 ,3-dideoxy-alpha-D-mannopyranoside uronate, which is assumed to be a partial structure of the Bordetella pertussis polysaccharide, was synthesized starting from D-glucose and D-glucosamine, respectively. The major synthetic transformations were conversion of D-glucosamine into the donor ethyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside and conversion of glucose, by a sequence involving 2,3-epoxide formation/opening, nucleophilic triflate displacement in the 3-position, and necessary protecting group manipulations, into the acceptor 2-(p-trifluoroacetamidophenyl)ethyl 6-O-benzyl-2,3-diazido-2,3-dideoxy-alpha-D-mannopyranoside. Coupling of the donor and acceptor units promoted by dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium triflate followed by selective oxidation of the 6'-position and deprotection gave the target disaccharide.

Immunochemical aspects of Hafnia alvei O antigens

In the article the composition and structure of the O-specific polysaccharide chains and core region of the O antigens isolated from over 20 H. alvei strains is overviewed. Moreover, the correlation between the structure and immunospecificity of the O antigens is presented and discussed.

Structural studies of the O-specific polysaccharide from Plesiomonas shigelloides strain CNCTC 113/92

The structure of the O-specific side chain of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Plesiomonas shigelloides, strain CNCTC 113/92 has been investigated by NMR spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry and sugar and methylation analysis. It was concluded that the polysaccharide is composed of a hexasaccharide repeating unit with the following structure: in which D-beta-D-Hepp is Dglycero-beta-Dmanno-heptopyranose and 6d-beta-D-Hep is 6-deoxy-beta-Dmanno-heptopyranose. This structure represents a novel hexasaccharide repeating unit of bacterial O-antigen that is characteristic and unique to the Plesiomonas shigelloides strain. Using the high-resolution magic angle spinning technique, 1H-NMR spectra were also obtained for the O-polysaccharide components of isolated LPS and in their original form directly on the surface of bacterial cells.

Structural studies of the O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei strain PCM 1207 lipopolysaccharide

The structure of the O-specific side-chain of the Hafnia alvei strain PCM 1207 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been investigated. Methylation analysis, partial acid hydrolysis, matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS, fast atom bombardment (FAB)-MS/MS and 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy were the principal methods used. Glycerol phosphate was identified as a constituent in the polysaccharide and the following structure of a pentasaccharide repeating unit was established: The polysaccharide is partially (approximately 10%) substituted with O-acetyl groups. The lipopolysaccharide was also subjected to high resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) NMR analysis, which showed both the signals of the O-specific polysaccharide as well as several signals from unsubstituted core oligosaccharides. This confirmed the presence of the described structure in the native LPS.