1
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Velappan N, Biryukov SS, Rill NO, Klimko CP, Rosario-Acevedo R, Shoe JL, Hunter M, Dankmeyer JL, Fetterer DP, Bedinger D, Phipps ME, Watt AJ, Abergel RJ, Dichosa A, Kozimor SA, Cote CK, Lillo AM. Characterization of two affinity matured Anti-Yersinia pestis F1 human antibodies with medical countermeasure potential. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305034. [PMID: 38954719 PMCID: PMC11218954 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague and a biological threat agent, presents an urgent need for novel medical countermeasures due to documented cases of naturally acquired antibiotic resistance and potential person-to-person spread during a pneumonic infection. Immunotherapy has been proposed as a way to circumvent current and future antibiotic resistance. Here, we describe the development and characterization of two affinity matured human antibodies (αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8) that promote survival of mice after exposure to aerosolized Y. pestis. We share details of the error prone PCR and yeast display technology-based affinity maturation process that we used. The resultant matured antibodies have nanomolar affinity for Y. pestis F1 antigen, are produced in high yield, and are resilient to 37°C stress for up to 6 months. Importantly, in vitro assays using a murine macrophage cell line demonstrated that αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8 are opsonic. Even more importantly, in vivo studies using pneumonic plague mouse models showed that 100% of the mice receiving 500 μg of IgGs αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8 survived lethal challenge with aerosolized Y. pestis CO92. Combined, these results provide evidence of the quality and robustness of αF1Ig AM2 and αF1Ig AM8 and support their development as potential medical countermeasures against plague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nileena Velappan
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America
| | - Sergei S. Biryukov
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Nathaniel O. Rill
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Christopher P. Klimko
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Raysa Rosario-Acevedo
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Shoe
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Melissa Hunter
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Dankmeyer
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - David P. Fetterer
- Biostatisitics Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | | | - Mary E. Phipps
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Center Alamos for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America
| | - Austin J. Watt
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Rebecca J. Abergel
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
| | - Armand Dichosa
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America
| | - Stosh A. Kozimor
- Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America
| | - Christopher K. Cote
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States of America
| | - Antonietta M. Lillo
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America
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2
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Biryukov SS, Wu H, Dankmeyer JL, Rill NO, Klimko CP, Egland KA, Shoe JL, Hunter M, Fetterer DP, Qiu J, Davies ML, Bausch CL, Sullivan EJ, Luke T, Cote CK. Polyclonal Antibodies Derived from Transchromosomic Bovines Vaccinated with the Recombinant F1-V Vaccine Increase Bacterial Opsonization In Vitro and Protect Mice from Pneumonic Plague. Antibodies (Basel) 2023; 12:antib12020033. [PMID: 37218899 DOI: 10.3390/antib12020033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Plague is an ancient disease that continues to be of concern to both the public health and biodefense research communities. Pneumonic plague is caused by hematogenous spread of Yersinia pestis bacteria from a ruptured bubo to the lungs or by directly inhaling aerosolized bacteria. The fatality rate associated with pneumonic plague is significant unless effective antibiotic therapy is initiated soon after an early and accurate diagnosis is made. As with all bacterial pathogens, drug resistance is a primary concern when developing strategies to combat these Yersinia pestis infections in the future. While there has been significant progress in vaccine development, no FDA-approved vaccine strategy exists; thus, other medical countermeasures are needed. Antibody treatment has been shown to be effective in animal models of plague. We produced fully human polyclonal antibodies in transchromosomic bovines vaccinated with the recombinant F1-V plague vaccine. The resulting human antibodies opsonized Y. pestis bacteria in the presence of RAW264.7 cells and afforded significant protection to BALB/c mice after exposure to aerosolized Y. pestis. These data demonstrate the utility of this technology to produce large quantities of non-immunogenic anti-plague human antibodies to prevent or possibly treat pneumonic plague in human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei S Biryukov
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Hua Wu
- SAB Biotherapeutics, 2100 E 54th St. N, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - Jennifer L Dankmeyer
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Nathaniel O Rill
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Christopher P Klimko
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Kristi A Egland
- SAB Biotherapeutics, 2100 E 54th St. N, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - Jennifer L Shoe
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Melissa Hunter
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - David P Fetterer
- Biostatistics Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ju Qiu
- Biostatistics Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Michael L Davies
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | | | - Eddie J Sullivan
- SAB Biotherapeutics, 2100 E 54th St. N, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - Thomas Luke
- SAB Biotherapeutics, 2100 E 54th St. N, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - Christopher K Cote
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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3
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Lin IT, Tulman ER, Geary SJ, Zhou X. A gatekeeper protein contributes to T3SS2 function via interaction with an ATPase in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Microbiol Res 2021; 252:126857. [PMID: 34481262 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2021.126857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Assembly of a functional type III secretion system (T3SS) requires intricate protein-protein interactions in many bacterial species. In Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the leading cause of seafood-associated diarrheal illnesses, the gatekeeper protein VgpA is essential for T3SS2 to secrete its substrates. However, it is unknown if VgpA interacts with other core elements of T3SS2 to mediate its substrate secretion. Through bacterial two-hybrid (BACTH) analysis, we now show that VgpA physically interacts with VscN2 (an ATPase essential for T3SS function) and six other hypothetical proteins. Mutation of isoleucine to alanine at residue 175 of VgpA (VgpAI175A) abolished its ability to interact with VscN2. Importantly, complementation of a VgpA nonsense mutant (vgpA') with VgpAI175A did not restore the ability of T3SS2 to secrete substrates, demonstrating that VgpA-VscN2 interaction is critical for the function of T3SS2. Bacterial cell fractionation and mass spectrometry analyses showed that vgpA' resulted in significant alterations of T3SS2 protein abundance in multiple bacterial cell fractions. Particularly, VscN2 abundance in the inner membrane fraction and VscC2 abundance in the outer membrane fraction are significantly reduced in vgpA' compared to those in WT. These results demonstrated that VgpA contributes to T3SS2 function via its interaction with VscN2 and possibly by affecting subcellular distribution of T3SS2 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Ting Lin
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Edan R Tulman
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA; Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, University of Connecticut, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Steve J Geary
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA; Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, University of Connecticut, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Xiaohui Zhou
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
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4
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Rosario-Acevedo R, Biryukov SS, Bozue JA, Cote CK. Plague Prevention and Therapy: Perspectives on Current and Future Strategies. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101421. [PMID: 34680537 PMCID: PMC8533540 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Plague, caused by the bacterial pathogen Yersinia pestis, is a vector-borne disease that has caused millions of human deaths over several centuries. Presently, human plague infections continue throughout the world. Transmission from one host to another relies mainly on infected flea bites, which can cause enlarged lymph nodes called buboes, followed by septicemic dissemination of the pathogen. Additionally, droplet inhalation after close contact with infected mammals can result in primary pneumonic plague. Here, we review research advances in the areas of vaccines and therapeutics for plague in context of Y. pestis virulence factors and disease pathogenesis. Plague continues to be both a public health threat and a biodefense concern and we highlight research that is important for infection mitigation and disease treatment.
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5
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Biryukov S, Dankmeyer JL, Shamsuddin Z, Velez I, Rill NO, Rosario-Acevedo R, Klimko CP, Shoe JL, Hunter M, Ward MD, Cazares LH, Fetterer DP, Bozue JA, Worsham PL, Cote CK, Amemiya K. Impact of Toll-Like Receptor-Specific Agonists on the Host Immune Response to the Yersinia pestis Plague rF1V Vaccine. Front Immunol 2021; 12:726416. [PMID: 34512658 PMCID: PMC8430260 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.726416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Relatively recent advances in plague vaccinology have produced the recombinant fusion protein F1-V plague vaccine. This vaccine has been shown to readily protect mice from both bubonic and pneumonic plague. The protection afforded by this vaccine is solely based upon the immune response elicited by the F1 or V epitopes expressed on the F1-V fusion protein. Accordingly, questions remain surrounding its efficacy against infection with non-encapsulated (F1-negative) strains. In an attempt to further optimize the F1-V elicited immune response and address efficacy concerns, we examined the inclusion of multiple toll-like receptor agonists into vaccine regimens. We examined the resulting immune responses and also any protection afforded to mice that were exposed to aerosolized Yersinia pestis. Our data demonstrate that it is possible to further augment the F1-V vaccine strategy in order to optimize and augment vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Biryukov
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Jennifer L. Dankmeyer
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Zain Shamsuddin
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Ivan Velez
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Nathaniel O. Rill
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Raysa Rosario-Acevedo
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Christopher P. Klimko
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Jennifer L. Shoe
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Melissa Hunter
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Michael D. Ward
- Molecular Biology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Lisa H. Cazares
- Molecular Biology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - David P. Fetterer
- Biostatistics Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Joel A. Bozue
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Patricia L. Worsham
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Christopher K. Cote
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Kei Amemiya
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, United States
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6
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Swietnicki W. Secretory System Components as Potential Prophylactic Targets for Bacterial Pathogens. Biomolecules 2021; 11:892. [PMID: 34203937 PMCID: PMC8232601 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial secretory systems are essential for virulence in human pathogens. The systems have become a target of alternative antibacterial strategies based on small molecules and antibodies. Strategies to use components of the systems to design prophylactics have been less publicized despite vaccines being the preferred solution to dealing with bacterial infections. In the current review, strategies to design vaccines against selected pathogens are presented and connected to the biology of the system. The examples are given for Y. pestis, S. enterica, B. anthracis, S. flexneri, and other human pathogens, and discussed in terms of effectiveness and long-term protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieslaw Swietnicki
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. R. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland
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7
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Hotinger JA, Pendergrass HA, May AE. Molecular Targets and Strategies for Inhibition of the Bacterial Type III Secretion System (T3SS); Inhibitors Directly Binding to T3SS Components. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020316. [PMID: 33669653 PMCID: PMC7922566 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a virulence apparatus used by many Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria to cause infections. Pathogens utilizing a T3SS are responsible for millions of infections yearly. Since many T3SS knockout strains are incapable of causing systemic infection, the T3SS has emerged as an attractive anti-virulence target for therapeutic design. The T3SS is a multiprotein molecular syringe that enables pathogens to inject effector proteins into host cells. These effectors modify host cell mechanisms in a variety of ways beneficial to the pathogen. Due to the T3SS’s complex nature, there are numerous ways in which it can be targeted. This review will be focused on the direct targeting of components of the T3SS, including the needle, translocon, basal body, sorting platform, and effector proteins. Inhibitors will be considered a direct inhibitor if they have a binding partner that is a T3SS component, regardless of the inhibitory effect being structural or functional.
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8
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Cote CK, Biryukov SS, Klimko CP, Shoe JL, Hunter M, Rosario-Acevedo R, Fetterer DP, Moody KL, Meyer JR, Rill NO, Dankmeyer JL, Worsham PL, Bozue JA, Welkos SL. Protection Elicited by Attenuated Live Yersinia pestis Vaccine Strains against Lethal Infection with Virulent Y. pestis. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020161. [PMID: 33669472 PMCID: PMC7920443 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The etiologic agent of plague, Yersinia pestis, is a globally distributed pathogen which poses both a natural and adversarial threat. Due largely to the rapid course and high mortality of pneumonic plague, vaccines are greatly needed. Two-component protein vaccines have been unreliable and potentially vulnerable to vaccine resistance. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of eight live Y. pestis strains derived from virulent strains CO92 or KIM6+ and mutated in one or more virulence-associated gene(s) or cured of plasmid pPst. Stringent, single-dose vaccination allowed down-selection of the two safest and most protective vaccine candidates, CO92 mutants pgm- pPst- and ΔyscN. Both completely protected BALB/c mice against subcutaneous and aerosol challenge with Y. pestis. Strain CD-1 outbred mice were more resistant to bubonic (but not pneumonic) plague than BALB/c mice, but the vaccines elicited partial protection of CD-1 mice against aerosol challenge, while providing full protection against subcutaneous challenge. A ΔyscN mutant of the nonencapsulated C12 strain was expected to display antigens previously concealed by the capsule. C12 ΔyscN elicited negligible titers to F1 but comparable antibody levels to whole killed bacteria, as did CO92 ΔyscN. Although one dose of C12 ΔyscN was not protective, vaccination with two doses of either CO92 ΔyscN, or a combination of the ΔyscN mutants of C12 and CO92, protected optimally against lethal bubonic or pneumonic plague. Protection against encapsulated Y. pestis required inclusion of F1 in the vaccine and was associated with high anti-F1 titers.
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9
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Bachert BA, Biryukov SS, Chua J, Rodriguez SA, Toothman RG, Cote CK, Klimko CP, Hunter M, Shoe JL, Williams JA, Kuehl KA, Biot FV, Bozue JA. A Francisella novicida Mutant, Lacking the Soluble Lytic Transglycosylase Slt, Exhibits Defects in Both Growth and Virulence. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1343. [PMID: 31258523 PMCID: PMC6587636 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia and has gained recent interest as it poses a significant biothreat risk. F. novicida is commonly used as a laboratory surrogate for tularemia research due to genetic similarity and susceptibility of mice to infection. Currently, there is no FDA-approved tularemia vaccine, and identifying therapeutic targets remains a critical gap in strategies for combating this pathogen. Here, we investigate the soluble lytic transglycosylase or Slt in F. novicida, which belongs to a class of peptidoglycan-modifying enzymes known to be involved in cell division. We assess the role of Slt in biology and virulence of the organism as well as the vaccine potential of the slt mutant. We show that the F. novicida slt mutant has a significant growth defect in acidic pH conditions. Further microscopic analysis revealed significantly altered cell morphology compared to wild-type, including larger cell size, extensive membrane protrusions, and cell clumping and fusion, which was partially restored by growth in neutral pH or genetic complementation. Viability of the mutant was also significantly decreased during growth in acidic medium, but not at neutral pH. Furthermore, the slt mutant exhibited significant attenuation in a murine model of intranasal infection and virulence could be restored by genetic complementation. Moreover, we could protect mice using the slt mutant as a live vaccine strain against challenge with the parent strain; however, we were not able to protect against challenge with the fully virulent F. tularensis Schu S4 strain. These studies demonstrate a critical role for the Slt enzyme in maintaining proper cell division and morphology in acidic conditions, as well as replication and virulence in vivo. Our results suggest that although the current vaccination strategy with F. novicida slt mutant would not protect against Schu S4 challenges, the Slt enzyme could be an ideal target for future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth A Bachert
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Sergei S Biryukov
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Jennifer Chua
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Sabrina A Rodriguez
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Ronald G Toothman
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Christopher K Cote
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Christopher P Klimko
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Melissa Hunter
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Jennifer L Shoe
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Janice A Williams
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Kathleen A Kuehl
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Fabrice V Biot
- Unité de Bactériologie/UMR_MD1, Département de Biologie des Agents Transmissibles, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Joel A Bozue
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
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10
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Gain-of-Function Analysis Reveals Important Virulence Roles for the Yersinia pestis Type III Secretion System Effectors YopJ, YopT, and YpkA. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00318-18. [PMID: 29891548 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00318-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Virulence of Yersinia pestis in mammals requires the type III secretion system, which delivers seven effector proteins into the cytoplasm of host cells to undermine immune responses. All seven of these effectors are conserved across Y. pestis strains, but three, YopJ, YopT, and YpkA, are apparently dispensable for virulence. Some degree of functional redundancy between effector proteins would explain both observations. Here, we use a combinatorial genetic approach to define the minimal subset of effectors required for full virulence in mice following subcutaneous infection. We found that a Y. pestis strain lacking YopJ, YopT, and YpkA is attenuated for virulence in mice and that addition of any one of these effectors to this strain increases lethality significantly. YopJ, YopT, and YpkA likely contribute to virulence via distinct mechanisms. YopJ is uniquely able to cause macrophage cell death in vitro and to suppress accumulation of inflammatory cells to foci of bacterial growth in deep tissue, whereas YopT and YpkA cannot. The synthetic phenotypes that emerge when YopJ, YopT, and YpkA are removed in combination provide evidence that each effector enhances Y. pestis virulence and that YopT and YpkA act through a mechanism distinct from that of YopJ.
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11
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Small Molecules That Sabotage Bacterial Virulence. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2017; 38:339-362. [PMID: 28209403 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 01/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The continued rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections has motivated alternative strategies for target discovery and treatment of infections. Antivirulence therapies function through inhibition of in vivo required virulence factors to disarm the pathogen instead of directly targeting viability or growth. This approach to treating bacteria-mediated diseases may have advantages over traditional antibiotics because it targets factors specific for pathogenesis, potentially reducing selection for resistance and limiting collateral damage to the resident microbiota. This review examines vulnerable molecular mechanisms used by bacteria to cause disease and the antivirulence compounds that sabotage these virulence pathways. By expanding the study of antimicrobial targets beyond those that are essential for growth, antivirulence strategies offer new and innovative opportunities to combat infectious diseases.
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12
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Burgess JL, Burgess RA, Morales Y, Bouvang JM, Johnson SJ, Dickenson NE. Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Spa47 Provides Mechanistic Insight into Type III Secretion System ATPase Activation and Shigella Virulence Regulation. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:25837-25852. [PMID: 27770024 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.755256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Like many Gram-negative pathogens, Shigella rely on a complex type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject effector proteins into host cells, take over host functions, and ultimately establish infection. Despite these critical roles, the energetics and regulatory mechanisms controlling the T3SS and pathogen virulence remain largely unclear. In this study, we present a series of high resolution crystal structures of Spa47 and use the structures to model an activated Spa47 oligomer, finding that ATP hydrolysis may be supported by specific side chain contributions from adjacent protomers within the complex. Follow-up mutagenesis experiments targeting the predicted active site residues validate the oligomeric model and determined that each of the tested residues are essential for Spa47 ATPase activity, although they are not directly responsible for stable oligomer formation. Although N-terminal domain truncation was necessary for crystal formation, it resulted in strictly monomeric Spa47 that is unable to hydrolyze ATP, despite maintaining the canonical ATPase core structure and active site residues. Coupled with studies of ATPase inactive full-length Spa47 point mutants, we find that Spa47 oligomerization and ATP hydrolysis are needed for complete T3SS apparatus formation, a proper translocator secretion profile, and Shigella virulence. This work represents the first structure-function characterization of Spa47, uniquely complementing the multitude of included Shigella T3SS phenotype assays and providing a more complete understanding of T3SS ATPase-mediated pathogen virulence. Additionally, these findings provide a strong platform for follow-up studies evaluating regulation of Spa47 oligomerization in vivo as a much needed means of treating and perhaps preventing shigellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L Burgess
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322
| | - R Alan Burgess
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322
| | - Yalemi Morales
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322
| | - Jenna M Bouvang
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322
| | - Sean J Johnson
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322
| | - Nicholas E Dickenson
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322
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13
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Bozue JA, Chaudhury S, Amemiya K, Chua J, Cote CK, Toothman RG, Dankmeyer JL, Klimko CP, Wilhelmsen CL, Raymond JW, Zavaljevski N, Reifman J, Wallqvist A. Phenotypic Characterization of a Novel Virulence-Factor Deletion Strain of Burkholderia mallei That Provides Partial Protection against Inhalational Glanders in Mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:21. [PMID: 26955620 PMCID: PMC4767903 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia mallei (Bm) is a highly infectious intracellular pathogen classified as a category B biological agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After respiratory exposure, Bm establishes itself within host macrophages before spreading into major organ systems, which can lead to chronic infection, sepsis, and death. Previously, we combined computational prediction of host-pathogen interactions with yeast two-hybrid experiments and identified novel virulence factor genes in Bm, including BMAA0553, BMAA0728 (tssN), and BMAA1865. In the present study, we used recombinant allelic exchange to construct deletion mutants of BMAA0553 and tssN (ΔBMAA0553 and ΔTssN, respectively) and showed that both deletions completely abrogated virulence at doses of >100 times the LD50 of the wild-type Bm strain. Analysis of ΔBMAA0553- and ΔTssN-infected mice showed starkly reduced bacterial dissemination relative to wild-type Bm, and subsequent in vitro experiments characterized pathogenic phenotypes with respect to intracellular growth, macrophage uptake and phagosomal escape, actin-based motility, and multinucleated giant cell formation. Based on observed in vitro and in vivo phenotypes, we explored the use of ΔTssN as a candidate live-attenuated vaccine. Mice immunized with aerosolized ΔTssN showed a 21-day survival rate of 67% after a high-dose aerosol challenge with the wild-type Bm ATCC 23344 strain, compared to a 0% survival rate for unvaccinated mice. However, analysis of histopathology and bacterial burden showed that while the surviving vaccinated mice were protected from acute infection, Bm was still able to establish a chronic infection. Vaccinated mice showed a modest IgG response, suggesting a limited potential of ΔTssN as a vaccine candidate, but also showed prolonged elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, underscoring the role of cellular and innate immunity in mitigating acute infection in inhalational glanders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel A Bozue
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Sidhartha Chaudhury
- Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, Biotechnology HPC Software Applications Institute, United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Kei Amemiya
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer Chua
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Christopher K Cote
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Ronald G Toothman
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer L Dankmeyer
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Christopher P Klimko
- Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Catherine L Wilhelmsen
- Pathology Division, United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Jolynn W Raymond
- Pathology Division, United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Nela Zavaljevski
- Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, Biotechnology HPC Software Applications Institute, United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Jaques Reifman
- Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, Biotechnology HPC Software Applications Institute, United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Anders Wallqvist
- Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, Biotechnology HPC Software Applications Institute, United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Fort Detrick, MD, USA
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14
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Abstract
Three major plague pandemics caused by the gram-negative bacterium Yersinia pestis have killed nearly 200 million people in human history. Due to its extreme virulence and the ease of its transmission, Y. pestis has been used purposefully for biowarfare in the past. Currently, plague epidemics are still breaking out sporadically in most of parts of the world, including the United States. Approximately 2000 cases of plague are reported each year to the World Health Organization. However, the potential use of the bacteria in modern times as an agent of bioterrorism and the emergence of a Y. pestis strain resistant to eight antibiotics bring out severe public health concerns. Therefore, prophylactic vaccination against this disease holds the brightest prospect for its long-term prevention. Here, we summarize the progress of the current vaccine development for counteracting plague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 110880, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0880, USA.
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15
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Bozue J, Cote CK, Chance T, Kugelman J, Kern SJ, Kijek TK, Jenkins A, Mou S, Moody K, Fritz D, Robinson CG, Bell T, Worsham P. A Yersinia pestis tat mutant is attenuated in bubonic and small-aerosol pneumonic challenge models of infection but not as attenuated by intranasal challenge. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104524. [PMID: 25101850 PMCID: PMC4125294 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial proteins destined for the Tat pathway are folded before crossing the inner membrane and are typically identified by an N-terminal signal peptide containing a twin arginine motif. Translocation by the Tat pathway is dependent on the products of genes which encode proteins possessing the binding site of the signal peptide and mediating the actual translocation event. In the fully virulent CO92 strain of Yersinia pestis, the tatA gene was deleted. The mutant was assayed for loss of virulence through various in vitro and in vivo assays. Deletion of the tatA gene resulted in several consequences for the mutant as compared to wild-type. Cell morphology of the mutant bacteria was altered and demonstrated a more elongated form. In addition, while cultures of the mutant strain were able to produce a biofilm, we observed a loss of adhesion of the mutant biofilm structure compared to the biofilm produced by the wild-type strain. Immuno-electron microscopy revealed a partial disruption of the F1 antigen on the surface of the mutant. The virulence of the ΔtatA mutant was assessed in various murine models of plague. The mutant was severely attenuated in the bubonic model with full virulence restored by complementation with the native gene. After small-particle aerosol challenge in a pneumonic model of infection, the mutant was also shown to be attenuated. In contrast, when mice were challenged intranasally with the mutant, very little difference in the LD50 was observed between wild-type and mutant strains. However, an increased time-to-death and delay in bacterial dissemination was observed in mice infected with the ΔtatA mutant as compared to the parent strain. Collectively, these findings demonstrate an essential role for the Tat pathway in the virulence of Y. pestis in bubonic and small-aerosol pneumonic infection but less important role for intranasal challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Bozue
- Bacteriology Division, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Christopher K. Cote
- Bacteriology Division, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Taylor Chance
- Pathology Division, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey Kugelman
- Center for Genome Sciences, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Steven J. Kern
- Office of Research Support, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Todd K. Kijek
- Bacteriology Division, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Amy Jenkins
- Bacteriology Division, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sherry Mou
- Bacteriology Division, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Krishna Moody
- Bacteriology Division, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David Fritz
- Bacteriology Division, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Camenzind G. Robinson
- Pathology Division, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Todd Bell
- Pathology Division, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Patricia Worsham
- Bacteriology Division, The United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, United States of America
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16
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Allison SE, Tuinema BR, Everson ES, Sugiman-Marangos S, Zhang K, Junop MS, Coombes BK. Identification of the docking site between a type III secretion system ATPase and a chaperone for effector cargo. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:23734-44. [PMID: 25035427 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.578476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A number of Gram-negative pathogens utilize type III secretion systems (T3SSs) to inject bacterial effector proteins into the host. An important component of T3SSs is a conserved ATPase that captures chaperone-effector complexes and energizes their dissociation to facilitate effector translocation. To date, there has been limited work characterizing the chaperone-T3SS ATPase interaction despite it being a fundamental aspect of T3SS function. In this study, we present the 2.1 Å resolution crystal structure of the Salmonella enterica SPI-2-encoded ATPase, SsaN. Our structure revealed a local and functionally important novel feature in helix 10 that we used to define the interaction domain relevant to chaperone binding. We modeled the interaction between the multicargo chaperone, SrcA, and SsaN and validated this model using mutagenesis to identify the residues on both the chaperone and ATPase that mediate the interaction. Finally, we quantified the benefit of this molecular interaction on bacterial fitness in vivo using chromosomal exchange of wild-type ssaN with mutants that retain ATPase activity but no longer capture the chaperone. Our findings provide insight into chaperone recognition by T3SS ATPases and demonstrate the importance of the chaperone-T3SS ATPase interaction for the pathogenesis of Salmonella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Allison
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Brian R Tuinema
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Ellen S Everson
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Seiji Sugiman-Marangos
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Kun Zhang
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Murray S Junop
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Brian K Coombes
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
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17
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Wang X, Zhang X, Zhou D, Yang R. Live-attenuatedYersinia pestisvaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 12:677-86. [DOI: 10.1586/erv.13.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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