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Zahid A, Wilson JC, Grice ID, Peak IR. Otitis media: recent advances in otitis media vaccine development and model systems. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1345027. [PMID: 38328427 PMCID: PMC10847372 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1345027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Otitis media is an inflammatory disorder of the middle ear caused by airways-associated bacterial or viral infections. It is one of the most common childhood infections as globally more than 80% of children are diagnosed with acute otitis media by 3 years of age and it is a common reason for doctor's visits, antibiotics prescriptions, and surgery among children. Otitis media is a multifactorial disease with various genetic, immunologic, infectious, and environmental factors predisposing children to develop ear infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis are the most common culprits responsible for acute otitis media. Despite the massive global disease burden, the pathogenesis of otitis media is still unclear and requires extensive future research. Antibiotics are the preferred treatment to cure middle ear infections, however, the antimicrobial resistance rate of common middle ear pathogens has increased considerably over the years. At present, pneumococcal and influenza vaccines are administered as a preventive measure against otitis media, nevertheless, these vaccines are only beneficial in preventing carriage and/or disease caused by vaccine serotypes. Otitis media caused by non-vaccine serotype pneumococci, non-typeable H. influenza, and M. catarrhalis remain an important healthcare burden. The development of multi-species vaccines is an arduous process but is required to reduce the global burden of this disease. Many novel vaccines against S. pneumoniae, non-typeable H. influenza, and M. catarrhalis are in preclinical trials. It is anticipated that these vaccines will lower the disease burden and provide better protection against otitis media. To study disease pathology the rat, mouse, and chinchilla are commonly used to induce experimental acute otitis media to test new therapeutics, including antibiotics and vaccines. Each of these models has its advantages and disadvantages, yet there is still a need to develop an improved animal model providing a better correlated mechanistic understanding of human middle ear infections, thereby underpinning the development of more effective otitis media therapeutics. This review provides an updated summary of current vaccines against otitis media, various animal models of otitis media, their limitations, and some future insights in this field providing a springboard in the development of new animal models and novel vaccines for otitis media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Zahid
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Jennifer C. Wilson
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - I. Darren Grice
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Ian R. Peak
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
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2
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The effects of the dietary compound L-sulforaphane against respiratory pathogens. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2021; 58:106460. [PMID: 34695564 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2021.106460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
L-sulforaphane (LSF) is an isothiocyanate derived from cruciferous vegetables that has long been known for its anticarcinogenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. LSF also possesses antimicrobial properties, although the evidence for this is limited. Respiratory pathogens, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pyogenes and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are leading global causes of illness and death among children aged under five years, particularly in resource-poor countries where access to vaccines are limited or, in the case of S. pyogenes and RSV, vaccines have not been licensed for use in humans. Therefore, alternative strategies to prevent and/or treat these common infectious diseases are urgently needed. This study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial effects of LSF against common respiratory pathogens, S. pneumoniae (serotypes 1 and 6B), H. influenzae type B (HiB), non-typeable H. influenzae (NTHi), S. pyogenes and RSV in relevant human cell-based models. LSF significantly inhibited the growth of H. influenzae, but not S. pneumoniae or S. pyogenes. LSF did not improve opsonophagocytic capacity or killing by human phagocytic cell lines (HL-60s and THP-1 macrophages) for S. pneumoniae yet showed some improved killing for H. influenzae species in THP-1 macrophages. However, LSF significantly reduced RSV infection in human lung epithelial cells, associated with increased expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1) gene as well as the antioxidant genes, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX-1). Overall, LSF represents an exciting avenue for further antimicrobial research, particularly as a novel therapy against H. influenzae species and RSV.
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Short B, Carson S, Devlin AC, Reihill JA, Crilly A, MacKay W, Ramage G, Williams C, Lundy FT, McGarvey LP, Thornbury KD, Martin SL. Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae chronic colonization in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 47:192-205. [PMID: 33455514 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2020.1863330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Haemophilus influenzae is the most common cause of bacterial infection in the lungs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and contributes to episodes of acute exacerbation which are associated with increased hospitalization and mortality. Due to the ability of H. influenzae to adhere to host epithelial cells, initial colonization of the lower airways can progress to a persistent infection and biofilm formation. This is characterized by changes in bacterial behaviour such as reduced cellular metabolism and the production of an obstructive extracellular matrix (ECM). Herein we discuss the multiple mechanisms by which H. influenzae contributes to the pathogenesis of COPD. In particular, mechanisms that facilitate bacterial adherence to host airway epithelial cells, biofilm formation, and microbial persistence through immune system evasion and antibiotic tolerance will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryn Short
- University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Carson
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Anna-Claire Devlin
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - James A Reihill
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Crilly
- University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - William MacKay
- University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon Ramage
- Glasgow Biofilm Research Group, Oral Sciences, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Williams
- University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - Fionnuala T Lundy
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Lorcan P McGarvey
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Keith D Thornbury
- Smooth Muscle Research Group, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Ireland
| | - S Lorraine Martin
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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4
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Thibau A, Dichter AA, Vaca DJ, Linke D, Goldman A, Kempf VAJ. Immunogenicity of trimeric autotransporter adhesins and their potential as vaccine targets. Med Microbiol Immunol 2020; 209:243-263. [PMID: 31788746 PMCID: PMC7247748 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-019-00649-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The current problem of increasing antibiotic resistance and the resurgence of numerous infections indicate the need for novel vaccination strategies more than ever. In vaccine development, the search for and the selection of adequate vaccine antigens is the first important step. In recent years, bacterial outer membrane proteins have become of major interest, as they are the main proteins interacting with the extracellular environment. Trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs) are important virulence factors in many Gram-negative bacteria, are localised on the bacterial surface, and mediate the first adherence to host cells in the course of infection. One example is the Neisseria adhesin A (NadA), which is currently used as a subunit in a licensed vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis. Other TAAs that seem promising vaccine candidates are the Acinetobacter trimeric autotransporter (Ata), the Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia), and TAAs of the genus Bartonella. Here, we review the suitability of various TAAs as vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arno Thibau
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alexander A. Dichter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Diana J. Vaca
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dirk Linke
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Adrian Goldman
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Volkhard A. J. Kempf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Abstract
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a leading cause of respiratory tract infections worldwide and continues to be a global health burden. Adhesion and colonization of host cells are crucial steps in bacterial pathogenesis, and in many strains of NTHi, the interaction with the host is mediated by the high molecular weight adhesins HMW1A and HMW2A. These adhesins are N-glycoproteins that are modified by cytoplasmic glycosyltransferases HMW1C and HMW2C. Phase variation in the number of short sequence repeats in the promoters of hmw1A and hmw2A directly affects their expression. Here, we report the presence of similar variable repeat elements in the promoters of hmw1C and hmw2C in diverse NTHi isolates. In an ex vivo assay, we systematically altered the substrate and glycosyltransferase expression and showed that both of these factors quantitatively affected the site-specific efficiency of glycosylation on HMW-A. This represents a novel mechanism through which phase variation can generate diversity in the quantitative extent of site-specific post-translational modifications on antigenic surface proteins. Glycosylation occupancy was incomplete at many sites, variable between sites, and generally lower close to the C-terminus of HMW-A. We investigated the causes of this variability. As HMW-C glycosylates HMW-A in the cytoplasm, we tested how secretion affected glycosylation on HMW-A and showed that retaining HMW-A in the cytoplasm indeed increased glycosylation occupancy across the full length of the protein. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that HMW-C had no inherent preference for glycosylating asparagines in NxS or NxT sequons. This work provides key insights into factors contributing to the heterogenous modifications of NTHi HMW-A adhesins, expands knowledge of NTHi population diversity and pathogenic capability, and is relevant to vaccine design for NTHi and related pathogens.
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Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Has Evolved Preferential Use of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid as a Host Adaptation. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.00422-19. [PMID: 31064827 PMCID: PMC6509186 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00422-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Host-adapted bacterial pathogens such as NTHi cannot survive out of their host environment and have evolved host-specific mechanisms to obtain nutrients and evade the immune response. Relatively few of these host adaptations have been characterized at the molecular level. NTHi utilizes sialic acid as a nutrient and also incorporates this sugar into LOS, which is important in biofilm formation and immune evasion. In the present study, we showed that NTHi has evolved to preferentially utilize the Neu5Ac form of sialic acid. This adaptation is due to the substrate preference of the enzyme CMP-Neu5Ac synthetase, which synthesizes the activated form of Neu5Ac for macromolecule biosynthesis. This adaptation allows NTHi to evade killing by a human antibody response against the nonhuman sialic acid Neu5Gc. Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that is adapted exclusively to human hosts. NTHi utilizes sialic acid from the host as a carbon source and as a terminal sugar on the outer membrane glycolipid lipooligosaccharide (LOS). Sialic acid expressed on LOS is critical in NTHi biofilm formation and immune evasion. There are two major forms of sialic acids in most mammals, N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), the latter of which is derived from Neu5Ac. Humans lack the enzyme to convert Neu5Ac to Neu5Gc and do not express Neu5Gc in normal tissues; instead, Neu5Gc is recognized as a foreign antigen. A recent study showed that dietary Neu5Gc can be acquired by NTHi colonizing humans and then presented on LOS, which acts as an antigen for the initial induction of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies. Here we examined Neu5Gc uptake and presentation on NTHi LOS. We show that, although Neu5Gc and Neu5Ac are utilized equally well as sole carbon sources, Neu5Gc is not incorporated efficiently into LOS. When equal amounts of Neu5Gc and Neu5Ac are provided in culture media, there is ∼4-fold more Neu5Ac incorporated into LOS, suggesting a bias in a step of the LOS biosynthetic pathway. CMP-Neu5Ac synthetase (SiaB) was shown to have ∼4,000-fold-higher catalytic efficiency for Neu5Ac than for Neu5Gc. These data suggest that NTHi has adapted preferential utilization of Neu5Ac, thus avoiding presentation of the nonhuman Neu5Gc in the bacterial cell surface. The selective pressure for this adaptation may represent the human antibody response to the Neu5Gc xenoantigen.
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Novotny LA, Brockman KL, Mokrzan EM, Jurcisek JA, Bakaletz LO. Biofilm biology and vaccine strategies for otitis media due to nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. J PEDIAT INF DIS-GER 2019; 14:69-77. [PMID: 30853830 PMCID: PMC6402341 DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1660818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Otitis media (OM) is one of the most common diseases of childhood, and nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is the predominant causative agent of chronic and recurrent OM, as well as OM for which treatment has failed. Moreover, NTHI is now as important a causative agent of acute OM as the pneumococcus. NTHI colonizes the human nasopharynx asymptomatically. However, upon perturbation of the innate and physical defenses of the airway by upper respiratory tract viral infection, NTHI can replicate, ascend the Eustachian tube, gain access to the normally sterile middle ear space, and cause disease. Bacterial biofilms within the middle ear, including those formed by NTHI, contribute to the chronic and recurrent nature of this disease. These multicomponent structures are highly resistant to clearance by host defenses and elimination by traditional antimicrobial therapies. Herein, we review several strategies utilized by NTHI in order to persist within the human host and interventions currently under investigation to prevent and/or resolve NTHI-induced diseases of the middle ear and uppermost airway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Novotny
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kenneth L Brockman
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Elaine M Mokrzan
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Joseph A Jurcisek
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Lauren O Bakaletz
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
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8
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Passmore IJ, Andrejeva A, Wren BW, Cuccui J. Cytoplasmic glycoengineering of Apx toxin fragments in the development of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae glycoconjugate vaccines. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:6. [PMID: 30606265 PMCID: PMC6318927 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1751-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia and represents a major burden to the livestock industry. Virulence can largely be attributed to the secretion of a series of haemolytic toxins, which are highly immunogenic. A. pleuropneumoniae also encodes a cytoplasmic N-glycosylation system, which involves the modification of high molecular weight adhesins with glucose residues. Central to this process is the soluble N-glycosyl transferase, ngt, which is encoded in an operon with a subsequent glycosyl transferase, agt. Plasmid-borne recombinant expression of these genes in E. coli results in the production of a glucose polymer on peptides containing the appropriate acceptor sequon, NX(S/T). However to date, there is little evidence to suggest that such a glucose polymer is formed on its target peptides in A. pleuropneumoniae. Both the toxins and glycosylation system represent potential targets for the basis of a vaccine against A. pleuropneumoniae infection. RESULTS In this study, we developed cytoplasmic glycoengineering to construct glycoconjugate vaccine candidates composed of soluble toxin fragments modified by glucose. We transferred ngt and agt to the chromosome of Escherichia coli in order to generate a native-like operon for glycoengineering. A single chromosomal copy of ngt and agt resulted in the glucosylation of toxin fragments by a short glycan, rather than a polymer. CONCLUSIONS A vaccine candidate that combines toxin fragment with a conserved glycan offers a novel approach to generating epitopes important for both colonisation and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian J Passmore
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Anna Andrejeva
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Brendan W Wren
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Jon Cuccui
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
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Osman KL, Jefferies JM, Woelk CH, Cleary DW, Clarke SC. The adhesins of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2018; 16:187-196. [PMID: 29415569 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2018.1438263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is an opportunistic pathogen of the respiratory tract and the greatest contributor to invasive Haemophilus disease. Additionally, in children, NTHi is responsible for the majority of otitis media (OM) which can lead to chronic infection and hearing loss. In adults, NTHi infection in the lungs is responsible for the onset of acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine available to protect against NTHi infections. Areas covered: NTHi uses an arsenal of adhesins to colonise the respiratory epithelium. The adhesins also have secondary roles that aid in the virulence of NTHi, including mechanisms that avoid immune clearance, adjust pore size to avoid antimicrobial destruction, form micro-colonies and invoke phase variation for protein mediation. Bacterial adhesins can also be ideal antigens for subunit vaccine design due to surface exposure and immunogenic capabilities. Expert commentary: The host-pathogen interactions of the NTHi adhesins are not fully investigated. The relationship between adhesins and the extracellular matrix (ECM) play a part in the success of NTHi colonisation and virulence by immune evasion, migration and biofilm development. Further research into these immunogenic proteins would further our understanding and enable a basis for better combatting NTHi disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Osman
- a Faulty of Medicine , University of Southampton , Southampton , UK
| | | | - Christopher H Woelk
- a Faulty of Medicine , University of Southampton , Southampton , UK.,b Merck Exploratory Science Center , Merck Research Laboratories , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - David W Cleary
- a Faulty of Medicine , University of Southampton , Southampton , UK.,c Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Life Sciences , University of Southampton , Southampton SO17 1BJ , UK.,d NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre , University Hospital Southampton Foundation NHS Trust , Southampton SO16 6YD , UK
| | - Stuart C Clarke
- a Faulty of Medicine , University of Southampton , Southampton , UK.,c Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Life Sciences , University of Southampton , Southampton SO17 1BJ , UK.,d NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre , University Hospital Southampton Foundation NHS Trust , Southampton SO16 6YD , UK.,e Global Health Research Institute , University of Southampton , Southampton SO17 1BJ , UK
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HMW1555-914, HMW2553-916, and Hia585-705 as Subunit Vaccine Candidates of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Induce Specific Antibody Responses with Bactericidal Activity in Balb/c. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2017. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.58329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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11
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Immunogenicity of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Outer Membrane Vesicles and Protective Ability in the Chinchilla Model of Otitis Media. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2017; 24:CVI.00138-17. [PMID: 28768669 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00138-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) produced by Gram-negative bacteria are enriched in several outer membrane components, including major and minor outer membrane proteins and lipooligosaccharide. We assessed the functional activity of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) OMV-specific antisera and the protective ability of NTHi OMVs as vaccine antigens in the chinchilla otitis media model. OMVs were purified from three HMW1/HMW2-expressing NTHi strains, two of which were also engineered to overexpress Hia proteins. OMV-specific antisera raised in guinea pigs were assessed for their ability to mediate killing of representative NTHi in an opsonophagocytic assay. The three OMV-specific antisera mediated killing of 18 of 65, 24 of 65, and 30 of 65 unrelated HMW1/HMW2-expressing NTHi strains. Overall, they mediated killing of 39 of 65 HMW1/HMW2-expressing strains. The two Hia-expressing OMV-specific antisera mediated killing of 17 of 25 and 14 of 25 unrelated Hia-expressing NTHi strains. Overall, they mediated killing of 20 of 25 Hia-expressing strains. OMVs from prototype NTHi strain 12 were used to immunize chinchillas and the course of middle ear infection was monitored following intrabullar challenge with the homologous strain. All control animals developed culture-positive otitis media, as did two of three HMW1/HMW2-immunized animals. All OMV-immunized animals, with or without supplemental HMW1/HMW2 immunization, were completely protected against otitis media. NTHi OMVs are the first immunogens examined in this model that provided complete protection with sterile immunity after NTHi strain 12 challenge. These data suggest that NTHi OMVs hold significant potential as components of protective NTHi vaccines, possibly in combination with HMW1/HMW2 proteins.
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12
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Pettigrew MM, Alderson MR, Bakaletz LO, Barenkamp SJ, Hakansson AP, Mason KM, Nokso-Koivisto J, Patel J, Pelton SI, Murphy TF. Panel 6: Vaccines. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017; 156:S76-S87. [PMID: 28372533 DOI: 10.1177/0194599816632178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective To review the literature on progress regarding (1) effectiveness of vaccines for prevention of otitis media (OM) and (2) development of vaccine antigens for OM bacterial and viral pathogens. Data Sources PubMed database of the National Library of Science. Review Methods We performed literature searches in PubMed for OM pathogens and candidate vaccine antigens, and we restricted the searches to articles in English that were published between July 2011 and June 2015. Panel members reviewed literature in their area of expertise. Conclusions Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are somewhat effective for the prevention of pneumococcal OM, recurrent OM, OM visits, and tympanostomy tube insertions. Widespread use of PCVs has been associated with shifts in pneumococcal serotypes and bacterial pathogens associated with OM, diminishing PCV effectiveness against AOM. The 10-valent pneumococcal vaccine containing Haemophilus influenzae protein D (PHiD-CV) is effective for pneumococcal OM, but results from studies describing the potential impact on OM due to H influenzae have been inconsistent. Progress in vaccine development for H influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and OM-associated respiratory viruses has been limited. Additional research is needed to extend vaccine protection to additional pneumococcal serotypes and other otopathogens. There are likely to be licensure challenges for protein-based vaccines, and data on correlates of protection for OM vaccine antigens are urgently needed. Implications for Practice OM continues to be a significant health care burden globally. Prevention is preferable to treatment, and vaccine development remains an important goal. As a polymicrobial disease, OM poses significant but not insurmountable challenges for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda M Pettigrew
- 1 Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Lauren O Bakaletz
- 3 Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | - Kevin M Mason
- 3 Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Janak Patel
- 7 University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Stephen I Pelton
- 8 Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy F Murphy
- 9 University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
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Ahearn CP, Gallo MC, Murphy TF. Insights on persistent airway infection by non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pathog Dis 2017; 75:3753446. [PMID: 28449098 PMCID: PMC5437125 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftx042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is the most common bacterial cause of infection of the lower airways in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Infection of the COPD airways causes acute exacerbations, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. NTHi has evolved multiple mechanisms to establish infection in the hostile environment of the COPD airways, allowing the pathogen to persist in the airways for months to years. Persistent infection of the COPD airways contributes to chronic airway inflammation that increases symptoms and accelerates the progressive loss of pulmonary function, which is a hallmark of the disease. Persistence mechanisms of NTHi include the expression of multiple redundant adhesins that mediate binding to host cellular and extracellular matrix components. NTHi evades host immune recognition and clearance by invading host epithelial cells, forming biofilms, altering gene expression and displaying surface antigenic variation. NTHi also binds host serum factors that confer serum resistance. Here we discuss the burden of COPD and the role of NTHi infections in the course of the disease. We provide an overview of NTHi mechanisms of persistence that allow the pathogen to establish a niche in the hostile COPD airways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian P. Ahearn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Mary C. Gallo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Timothy F. Murphy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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14
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Behrouzi A, Vaziri F, Rahimi-Jamnani F, Afrough P, Rahbar M, Satarian F, Siadat SD. Vaccine Candidates against Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: a Review. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2017; 21:69-76. [PMID: 28088130 PMCID: PMC5274713 DOI: 10.18869/acadpub.ibj.21.2.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Nonencapsulated, nontypeable Hemophilus influenzae (NTHi) remains an important cause of acute otitis and respiratory diseases in children and adults. NTHi bacteria are one of the major causes of respiratory tract infections, including acute otitis media, cystic fibrosis, and community-acquired pneumonia among children, especially in developing countries. The bacteria can also cause chronic diseases such as chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the lower respiratory tract of adults. Such bacteria express several outer membrane proteins, some of which have been studied as candidates for vaccine development. Due to the lack of effective vaccines as well as the spread and prevalence of NTHi worldwide, there is an urgent need to design and develop effective vaccine candidates against these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava Behrouzi
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzam Vaziri
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahimi-Jamnani
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Afrough
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rahbar
- Department of Microbiology, Reference Health Laboratories Research Center, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Satarian
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Davar Siadat
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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15
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Naturally Acquired HMW1- and HMW2-Specific Serum Antibodies in Adults and Children Mediate Opsonophagocytic Killing of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2015; 23:37-46. [PMID: 26512048 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00502-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The HMW1 and HMW2 proteins are highly immunogenic adhesins expressed by approximately 75% of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) strains, and HMW1- and HMW2-specific antibodies can mediate opsonophagocytic killing of NTHi. In this study, we assessed the ability of HMW1- and HMW2-specific antibodies in sera from healthy adults and convalescent-phase sera from children with NTHi otitis media to mediate killing of homologous and heterologous NTHi. The serum samples were examined pre- and postadsorption on HMW1 and HMW2 affinity columns, and affinity-purified antibodies were assessed for ability to mediate killing of homologous and heterologous strains. Adult serum samples mediated the killing of six prototype NTHi strains at titers of <1:10 to 1:1,280. HMW1- and HMW2-adsorbed sera demonstrated unchanged to 8-fold decreased opsonophagocytic titers against the homologous strains. Each affinity-purified antibody preparation mediated the killing of the respective homologous strain at titers of <1:10 to 1:320 and of the five heterologous strains at titers of <1:10 to 1:320, with most preparations killing most heterologous strains to some degree. None of the acute-phase serum samples from children mediated killing, but each convalescent-phase serum sample mediated killing of the infecting strain at titers of 1:40 to 1:640. HMW1- and HMW2-adsorbed convalescent-phase serum samples demonstrated ≥4-fold decreases in titer. Three of four affinity-purified antibody preparations mediated killing of the infecting strain at titers of 1:20 to 1:320, but no killing of representative heterologous strains was observed. HMW1- and HMW2-specific antibodies capable of mediating opsonophagocytic killing are present in the serum from normal adults and develop in convalescent-phase sera of children with NTHi otitis media. Continued investigation of the HMW1 and HMW2 proteins as potential vaccine candidates for the prevention of NTHi disease is warranted.
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16
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A biphasic epigenetic switch controls immunoevasion, virulence and niche adaptation in non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae. Nat Commun 2015. [PMID: 26215614 PMCID: PMC4525171 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae contains an N6-adenine DNA-methyltransferase (ModA) that is subject to phase-variable expression (random ON/OFF switching). Five modA alleles, modA2, modA4, modA5, modA9 and modA10, account for over two-thirds of clinical otitis media isolates surveyed. Here, we use single molecule, real-time (SMRT) methylome analysis to identify the DNA-recognition motifs for all five of these modA alleles. Phase variation of these alleles regulates multiple proteins including vaccine candidates, and key virulence phenotypes such as antibiotic resistance (modA2, modA5, modA10), biofilm formation (modA2) and immunoevasion (modA4). Analyses of a modA2 strain in the chinchilla model of otitis media show a clear selection for ON switching of modA2 in the middle ear. Our results indicate that a biphasic epigenetic switch can control bacterial virulence, immunoevasion and niche adaptation in an animal model system. Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae, which causes ear and lung infections, has a DNA methyltransferase encoded by alternative alleles that are subject to random ON/OFF switching. Here, Atack et al. show that this epigenetic switch controls the expression of key proteins involved in virulence.
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17
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Atack JM, Winter LE, Jurcisek JA, Bakaletz LO, Barenkamp SJ, Jennings MP. Selection and Counterselection of Hia Expression Reveals a Key Role for Phase-Variable Expression of Hia in Infection Caused by Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. J Infect Dis 2015; 212:645-53. [PMID: 25712964 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiv103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hia is a major adhesin of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and has long been investigated as a vaccine candidate. Here we show that Hia phase variation is controlled by changes in the length of a polythymidine tract located in the hia promoter. Studies of an invasive clinical isolate (strain R2866) show that strains expressing high Hia levels are more efficiently killed by opsonophagocytosis. An opsonophagocytic assay was used to select for a subpopulation of variants that expressed a low level of Hia, which facilitated their escape from killing by anti-Hia antisera. Conversely, a subpopulation of variants expressing a high level of Hia was selected for during passaging through Chang cells. In both cases, phase variation of Hia expression corresponded directly with discrete modal changes in polythymidine tract length. In the chinchilla model of NTHi infection, we observed consistent selection for high Hia expression upon nasopharyngeal colonization, confirming the key role of phase-variable expression of Hia within a specific niche in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Atack
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Linda E Winter
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine Pediatric Research Institute, Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Joseph A Jurcisek
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus
| | - Lauren O Bakaletz
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus
| | - Stephen J Barenkamp
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine Pediatric Research Institute, Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, Saint Louis, Missouri
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18
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Davis GS, Patel M, Hammond J, Zhang L, Dawid S, Marrs CF, Gilsdorf JR. Prevalence, distribution, and sequence diversity of hmwA among commensal and otitis media non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2014; 28:223-32. [PMID: 25290952 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2014.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2014] [Revised: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) are Gram-negative coccobacilli that colonize the human pharynx, their only known natural reservoir. Adherence to the host epithelium facilitates NTHi colonization and marks one of the first steps in NTHi pathogenesis. Epithelial cell attachment is mediated, in part, by a pair of high molecular weight (HMW) adhesins that are highly immunogenic, antigenically diverse, and display a wide range of amino acid diversity both within and between isolates. In this study, the prevalence of hmwA, which encodes the HMW adhesin, was determined for a collection of 170 NTHi isolates recovered from the middle ears of children with otitis media (OM isolates) or throats or nasopharynges of healthy children (commensal isolates) from Finland, Israel, and the U.S. Overall, hmwA was detected in 61% of NTHi isolates and was significantly more prevalent (P=0.004) among OM isolates than among commensal isolates; the prevalence ratio comparing hmwA prevalence among ear isolates with that of commensal isolates was 1.47 (95% CI (1.12, 1.92)). Ninety-five percent (98/103) of the hmwA-positive NTHi isolates possessed two hmw loci. To advance our understanding of hmwA binding sequence diversity, we determined the DNA sequence of the hmwA binding region of 33 isolates from this collection. The average amino acid identity across all hmwA sequences was 62%. Phylogenetic analyses of the hmwA binding revealed four distinct sequence clusters, and the majority of hmwA sequences (83%) belonged to one of two dominant sequence clusters. hmwA sequences did not cluster by chromosomal location, geographic region, or disease status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregg S Davis
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - May Patel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, D5101 Medical Professional Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5718, USA.
| | - James Hammond
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Lixin Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, 909 Fee Road Room B601, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA..
| | - Suzanne Dawid
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, D5101 Medical Professional Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5718, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Carl F Marrs
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Janet R Gilsdorf
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, D5101 Medical Professional Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5718, USA.
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