A triacylated lipoprotein from Mycoplasma genitalium activates NF-kappaB through Toll-like receptor 1 (TLR1) and TLR2

Recombinant lipidated FLIPr effectively enhances mucosal and systemic immune responses for various vaccine types

Formyl peptide receptor-like 1 inhibitor protein (FLIPr) is an immune evasion protein produced by Staphylococcus aureus, and FLIPr is a potential vaccine candidate for reducing Staphylococcus aureus virulence and biofilm formation. We produced recombinant lipidated FLIPr (rLF) to increase the immunogenicity of FLIPr and showed that rLF alone elicited potent anti-FLIPr antibody responses to overcome the FLIPr-mediated inhibition of phagocytosis. In addition, rLF has potent immunostimulatory properties. We demonstrated that rLF is an effective adjuvant. When an antigen is formulated with rLF, it can induce long-lasting antigen-specific immune responses and enhance mucosal and systemic antibody responses as well as broad-spectrum T-cell responses in mice. These findings support further exploration of rLF in the clinic as an adjuvant for various vaccine types with extra benefits to abolish FLIPr-mediated immunosuppressive effects.

Curcumin interferes with sepsis-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via TLR1 inhibition

OBJECTIVE

Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death in sepsis and is characterized by reversible myocardial depression. However, the specific mechanisms responsible for myocardial injury in sepsis are not known. The present study used bioinformatic analysis to explore the possible mechanisms of sepsis-induced myocardial injury and the therapeutic potential of curcumin.

METHODS

The GSE125042 microarray gene expression matrix was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, which includes 10 septic cardiomyocyte samples from cecum ligation perforation constructs and 10 sham-operated groups cardiomyocyte samples. Background correction and matrix data normalization were performed using the robust multiarray average algorithm. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screening was performed using the Limma R package expression matrix, and whole gene analysis was performed using the weighted gene co-expression network analysis R package to construct gene networks and identify modules. Enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis was performed on the genes to be selected. Construct cellular and animal models of myocardial injury in sepsis were assessed and the effects of curcumin on a rat or cardiac myocytes were observed.

RESULTS

A total of 2876 DEGs were screened based on the GSE125042 chip, of which 1424 genes were upregulated and 1452 genes were down regulated. WGCNA analysis of the whole genes was also performed and a total of 20 gene modules were generated. Among them, the selected TLR1 gene was present in the most strongly correlated Brown module. Enrichment analysis of the upregulated DEGs with the Brown module showed that they were significantly enriched in biological processes related to ribosomal protein complex generation, cellular components related to phagocytic vesicles and molecular functions related to Toll-like receptor binding, affecting cardiomyocyte survival as a target for molecular intervention in septic cardiomyopathy. Animal experiments showed that curcumin reduced inflammation levels, improved cardiac function and increased survival in rats with septic myocardial injury. Cellular experiments showed that curcumin increased the survival rate of lipopolysaccharide-treated cardiomyocytes and down regulated TLR1 expression and inhibited NF-κB phosphorylation in cells in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular docking analysis revealed that curcumin interacted with TLR1 by hydrogen bonding and could be stably bound to inhibit the biological function of TLR1.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that curcumin attenuates myocardial injury in sepsis by inhibiting TLR1 expression, which provides a molecular theoretical basis for clinical treatment.

Novel mycoplasma nucleomodulin MbovP475 decreased cell viability by regulating expression of CRYAB and MCF2L2

Nucleomodulins are secreted bacterial proteins whose molecular targets are located in host cell nuclei. They are gaining attention as critical virulence factors that either modify the epigenetics of host cells or directly regulate host gene expression. Mycoplasma bovis is a major veterinary pathogen that secretes several potential virulence factors. The aim of this study was to determine whether any of their secreted proteins might function as nucleomodulins. After an initial in silico screening, the nuclear localization of the secreted putative lipoprotein MbovP475 of M. bovis was demonstrated in bovine macrophage cell line (BoMac) experimentally infected with M. bovis. Through combined application of ChIP-seq, Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis, MbovP475 was determined to bind the promoter regions of the cell cycle central regulatory genes CRYAB and MCF2L2. MbovP475 has similar secondary structures with the transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs). Screening of various mutants affecting the potential DNA binding sites indicated that the residues ²⁴²NI²⁴³ within MbovP475 loop region of the helix-loop-helix domain were essential to its DNA binding activity, thereby contributing to decrease in BoMac cell viability. In conclusion, this is the first report to confirm M. bovis secretes a conserved TALE-like nucleomodulin that binds the promoters of CRYAB and MCF2L2 genes, and subsequently down-regulates their expression and decreases BoMac cell viability. Therefore, this study offers a new understanding of mycoplasma pathogenesis.

Pathogenicity and virulence of Mycoplasma genitalium: Unraveling Ariadne's Thread

Mycoplasma genitalium, a pathogen from class Mollicutes, has been linked to sexually transmitted diseases and sparked widespread concern. To adapt to its environment, M. genitalium has evolved specific adhesins and motility mechanisms that allow it to adhere to and invade various eukaryotic cells, thereby causing severe damage to the cells. Even though traditional exotoxins have not been identified, secreted nucleases or membrane lipoproteins have been shown to cause cell death and inflammatory injury in M. genitalium infection. However, as both innate and adaptive immune responses are important for controlling infection, the immune responses that develop upon infection do not necessarily eliminate the organism completely. Antigenic variation, detoxifying enzymes, immunoglobulins, neutrophil extracellular trap-degrading enzymes, cell invasion, and biofilm formation are important factors that help the pathogen overcome the host defence and cause chronic infections in susceptible individuals. Furthermore, M. genitalium can increase the susceptibility to several sexually transmitted pathogens, which significantly complicates the persistence and chronicity of M. genitalium infection. This review aimed to discuss the virulence factors of M. genitalium to shed light on its complex pathogenicity and pathogenesis of the infection.

Eating the Enemy: Mycoplasma Strategies to Evade Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) Promoting Bacterial Nucleotides Uptake and Inflammatory Damage

Neutrophils are effector cells involved in the innate immune response against infection; they kill infectious agents in the intracellular compartment (phagocytosis) or in the extracellular milieu (degranulation). Moreover, neutrophils release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), complex structures composed of a scaffold of decondensed DNA associated with histones and antimicrobial compounds; NETs entrap infectious agents, preventing their spread and promoting their clearance. NET formation is triggered by microbial compounds, but many microorganisms have evolved several strategies for NET evasion. In addition, the dysregulated production of NETs is associated with chronic inflammatory diseases. Mycoplasmas are reduced genome bacteria, able to induce chronic infections with recurrent inflammatory symptoms. Mycoplasmas' parasitic lifestyle relies on metabolite uptake from the host. Mycoplasmas induce NET release, but their surface or secreted nucleases digest the NETs' DNA scaffold, allowing them to escape from entrapment and providing essential nucleotide precursors, thus promoting the infection. The presence of Mycoplasma species has been associated with chronic inflammatory disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and cancer. The persistence of mycoplasma infection and prolonged NET release may contribute to the onset of chronic inflammatory diseases and needs further investigation and insights.

Metal utilization in genome-reduced bacteria: Do human mycoplasmas rely on iron?

Mycoplasmas are parasitic bacteria with streamlined genomes and complex nutritional requirements. Although iron is vital for almost all organisms, its utilization by mycoplasmas is controversial. Despite its minimalist nature, mycoplasmas can survive and persist within the host, where iron availability is rigorously restricted through nutritional immunity. In this review, we describe the putative iron-enzymes, transporters, and metalloregulators of four relevant human mycoplasmas. This work brings in light critical differences in the mycoplasma-iron interplay. Mycoplasma penetrans, the species with the largest genome (1.36 Mb), shows a more classic repertoire of iron-related proteins, including different enzymes using iron-sulfur clusters as well as iron storage and transport systems. In contrast, the iron requirement is less apparent in the three species with markedly reduced genomes, Mycoplasma genitalium (0.58 Mb), Mycoplasma hominis (0.67 Mb) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (0.82 Mb), as they exhibit only a few proteins possibly involved in iron homeostasis. The multiple facets of iron metabolism in mycoplasmas illustrate the remarkable evolutive potential of these minimal organisms when facing nutritional immunity and question the dependence of several human-infecting species for iron. Collectively, our data contribute to better understand the unique biology and infective strategies of these successful pathogens.

Modulation of Bovine Endometrial Cell Receptors and Signaling Pathways as a Nanotherapeutic Exploration against Dairy Cow Postpartum Endometritis

Simple Summary

The provision of updated information on the molecular pathogenesis of bovine endometritis with host-pathogen interactions and the possibility of exploring the cellular sensors mechanism in a nanotechnology-based drug delivery system against persistent endometritis were reported in this review. The mechanism of Gram-negative bacteria and their ligands has been vividly explored, with the paucity of research detail on Gram-positive bacteria in bovine endometritis. The function of cell receptors, biomolecules proteins, and sensors were reportedly essential in transferring signals into cell signaling pathways to induce immuno-inflammatory responses by elevating pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, understanding endometrial cellular components and signaling mechanisms across pathogenesis are essential for nanotherapeutic exploration against bovine endometritis. The nanotherapeutic discovery that could inhibit infectious signals at the various cell receptors and signal transduction levels, interfering with transcription factors activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines and gene expression, significantly halts endometritis.

Abstract

In order to control and prevent bovine endometritis, there is a need to understand the molecular pathogenesis of the infectious disease. Bovine endometrium is usually invaded by a massive mobilization of microorganisms, especially bacteria, during postpartum dairy cows. Several reports have implicated the Gram-negative bacteria in the pathogenesis of bovine endometritis, with information dearth on the potentials of Gram-positive bacteria and their endotoxins. The invasive bacteria and their ligands pass through cellular receptors such as TLRs, NLRs, and biomolecular proteins of cells activate the specific receptors, which spontaneously stimulates cellular signaling pathways like MAPK, NF-kB and sequentially triggers upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The cascade of inflammatory induction involves a dual signaling pathway; the transcription factor NF-κB is released from its inhibitory molecule and can bind to various inflammatory genes promoter. The MAPK pathways are concomitantly activated, leading to specific phosphorylation of the NF-κB. The provision of detailed information on the molecular pathomechanism of bovine endometritis with the interaction between host endometrial cells and invasive bacteria in this review would widen the gap of exploring the potential of receptors and signal transduction pathways in nanotechnology-based drug delivery system. The nanotherapeutic discovery of endometrial cell receptors, signal transduction pathway, and cell biomolecules inhibitors could be developed for strategic inhibition of infectious signals at the various cell receptors and signal transduction levels, interfering on transcription factors activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines and genes expression, which may significantly protect endometrium against postpartum microbial invasion.

Infection strategies of mycoplasmas: Unraveling the panoply of virulence factors

Mycoplasmas, the smallest bacteria lacking a cell wall, can cause various diseases in both humans and animals. Mycoplasmas harbor a variety of virulence factors that enable them to overcome numerous barriers of entry into the host; using accessory proteins, mycoplasma adhesins can bind to the receptors or extracellular matrix of the host cell. Although the host immune system can eradicate the invading mycoplasma in most cases, a few sagacious mycoplasmas employ a series of invasion and immune escape strategies to ensure their continued survival within their hosts. For instance, capsular polysaccharides are crucial for anti-phagocytosis and immunomodulation. Invasive enzymes degrade reactive oxygen species, neutrophil extracellular traps, and immunoglobulins. Biofilm formation is important for establishing a persistent infection. During proliferation, successfully surviving mycoplasmas generate numerous metabolites, including hydrogen peroxide, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide; or secrete various exotoxins, such as community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome toxin, and hemolysins; and express various pathogenic enzymes, all of which have potent toxic effects on host cells. Furthermore, some inherent components of mycoplasmas, such as lipids, membrane lipoproteins, and even mycoplasma-generated superantigens, can exert a significant pathogenic impact on the host cells or the immune system. In this review, we describe the proposed virulence factors in the toolkit of notorious mycoplasmas to better understand the pathogenic features of these bacteria, along with their pathogenic mechanisms.

MicroRNAome: Potential and Veritable Immunomolecular Therapeutic and Diagnostic Baseline for Lingering Bovine Endometritis

The bovine endometrium is a natural pathogen invasion barrier of the uterine tissues' endometrial epithelial cells that can resist foreign pathogen invasion by controlling the inflammatory immune response. Some pathogens suppress the innate immune system of the endometrium, leading to prolonged systemic inflammatory response through the blood circulation or cellular degradation resulting in bovine endometritis by bacterial endotoxins. The microRNA (miRNA) typically involves gene expression in multicellular organisms in post-transcription regulation by affecting both the stability and the translation of messenger RNA. Accumulated evidence suggests that miRNAs are important regulators of genes in several cellular processes. They are a class of endogenous non-coding RNAs, which play pivotal roles in the inflammatory response of reproductive diseases. Studies confirmed that miRNAs play a key regulatory role in various inflammatory diseases by mediating the molecular mechanism of inflammatory cytokines via signal pathways. It implicates some miRNAs in the occurrence of bovine endometritis, resorting to regulating the activities of some inflammatory cytokines, chemokine, differentially expressed genes, and protein through modulating of specific cellular signal pathways functions. This review dwells on improving the knowledge of the role of miRNAs involvement in inflammatory response as to early diagnosis, control, and prevention of bovine endometritis and consequently enlighten on the molecular improvement of the genes coded by various differentially expressed miRNA through the need to adopt recent genetic technologies and the development of new pharmaceutical preparations.

Mycoplasmas-Host Interaction: Mechanisms of Inflammation and Association with Cellular Transformation

Mycoplasmas are the smallest and simplest self-replicating prokaryotes. Located everywhere in nature, they are widespread as parasites of humans, mammals, reptiles, fish, arthropods, and plants. They usually exhibiting organ and tissue specificity. Mycoplasmas belong to the class named Mollicutes (mollis = soft and cutis = skin, in Latin), and their small size and absence of a cell wall contribute to distinguish them from other bacteria. Mycoplasma species are found both outside the cells as membrane surface parasites and inside the cells, where they become intracellular residents as "silent parasites". In humans, some Mycoplasma species are found as commensal inhabitants, while others have a significant impact on the cellular metabolism and physiology. Mollicutes lack typical bacterial PAMPs (e.g., lipoteichoic acid, flagellin, and some lipopolysaccharides) and consequently the exact molecular mechanisms of Mycoplasmas' recognition by the cells of the immune system is the subjects of several researches for its pathogenic implications. It is well known that several strains of Mycoplasma suppress the transcriptional activity of p53, resulting in reduced apoptosis of damaged cells. In addition, some Mycoplasmas were reported to have oncogenic potential since they demonstrated not just accumulation of abnormalities but also phenotypic changes of the cells. Aim of this review is to provide an update of the current literature that implicates Mycoplasmas in triggering inflammation and altering critical cellular pathways, thus providing a better insight into potential mechanisms of cellular transformation.

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae-derived lipid-associated membrane proteins induce cytokine secretion in mouse peritoneal macrophages through TLR2 signalling

BACKGROUND

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi) is the causative agent of chronic non-progressive pneumonia in sheep, goats, bighorn, and wild small ruminants. However, the mechanism of infection and immune response to M. ovi remain unclear. Invading microbes express lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMPs) on the cell surface that interact with host cells to facilitate infection, and are thus the major molecules recognised by the host immune system. Upon LAMP recognition, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and NLRP3 inflammasome sense the pathogens and signalling pathways for cytokine secretion. In this study, we investigated whether M. ovi and M. ovi-derived LAMPs are immuno-biologically active compounds capable of activating mouse peritoneal macrophages and explored the underlying mechanism.

RESULTS

After infection of wild-type mice with M. ovi, the expression of TLR2 and NLRP3 at the transcriptional and translational levels was determined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry. In addition, the cytokine levels and associated pathways were detected in infected wild-type, Tlr2^-/-, and Nlrp3^-/- mice via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and western blotting. The nuclear factor (NF)-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways were found to mediate the expression of inflammatory cytokines in M. ovi or M. ovi-derived LAMP-infected peritoneal macrophages, and cytokines were not induced in Tlr2^-/- and/or Nlrp3^-/- macrophages.

CONCLUSION

Host cytokine production is activated in response to M. ovi-derived LAMPs through the NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathway via TLR2.

Recombinant lipidated Zika virus envelope protein domain III elicits durable neutralizing antibody responses against Zika virus in mice

Background

The emergence of Zika virus (ZV) in tropical and subtropical areas of the world has created an urgent need for vaccines against ZV. However, approved vaccines that prevent ZV infection are not available. To develop an effective vaccine against ZV infection, a lipidated form of ZV envelope protein domain III that possesses an intrinsic adjuvant property was rationally designed. Our goal was to examine the immunogenicity of recombinant lipidated ZV envelope protein domain III (rLZE3) and evaluate its potential as a vaccine candidate against ZV.

Methods

Recombinant ZV envelope protein domain III (rZE3) and rLZE3 were prepared with an Escherichia coli-based system. Dendritic cell surface marker expression and cytokine production upon stimulation were analyzed to evaluate the function of rLZE3. Neutralizing antibody capacities were evaluated using focus reduction neutralization tests after immunization. To investigate the protective immunity in immunized mice, serum samples collected from immunized mice were adoptively transferred into AG129 mice, and then viremia levels and survival times were examined after ZV challenge.

Results

rLZE3 alone but not rZE3 alone efficiently activated dendritic cells in vitro and was taken up by dendritic cells in vivo. Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with rLZE3 alone (without exogenous adjuvant) could induce ZV-specific neutralizing antibody responses. Furthermore, serum samples obtained from rLZE3-immunized mice provided protection as indicated by a reduction in viremia levels and prolongation of survival times after ZV challenge.

Conclusion

These results indicate that rLZE3 is an excellent vaccine candidate and has great potential that should be evaluated in further preclinical studies.

Cell surface processing of the P1 adhesin of Mycoplasma pneumoniae identifies novel domains that bind host molecules

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a genome reduced pathogen and causative agent of community acquired pneumonia. The major cellular adhesin, P1, localises to the tip of the attachment organelle forming a complex with P40 and P90, two cleavage fragments derived by processing Mpn142, and other molecules with adhesive and mobility functions. LC-MS/MS analysis of M. pneumoniae M129 proteins derived from whole cell lysates and eluents from affinity matrices coupled with chemically diverse host molecules identified 22 proteoforms of P1. Terminomics was used to characterise 17 cleavage events many of which were independently verified by the identification of semi-tryptic peptides in our proteome studies and by immunoblotting. One cleavage event released ¹⁵⁹⁷TSAAKPGAPRPPVPPKPGAPKPPVQPPKKPA¹⁶²⁷ from the C-terminus of P1 and this peptide was shown to bind to a range of host molecules. A smaller synthetic peptide comprising the C-terminal 15 amino acids, ¹⁶¹³PGAPKPPVQPPKKPA¹⁶²⁷, selectively bound cytoskeletal intermediate filament proteins cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 8, cytokeratin 18, and vimentin from a native A549 cell lysate. Collectively, our data suggests that ectodomain shedding occurs on the surface of M. pneumoniae where it may alter the functional diversity of P1, Mpn142 and other surface proteins such as elongation factor Tu via a mechanism similar to that described in Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

Transcriptional response to metal starvation in the emerging pathogen Mycoplasma genitalium is mediated by Fur-dependent and -independent regulatory pathways

Transition metals participate in numerous enzymatic reactions and they are essential for survival in all living organisms. For this reason, bacterial pathogens have evolved dedicated machineries to effectively compete with their hosts and scavenge metals at the site of infection. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms controlling metal acquisition in the emerging human pathogen Mycoplasma genitalium. We observed a robust transcriptional response to metal starvation, and many genes coding for predicted lipoproteins and ABC-transporters were significantly up-regulated. Transcriptional analysis of a mutant strain lacking a metalloregulator of the Fur family revealed the activation of a full operon encoding a putative metal transporter system and a gene coding for a Histidine-rich lipoprotein (Hrl). We recognized a conserved sequence with dyad symmetry within the promoter region of the Fur-regulated genes. Mutagenesis of the predicted Fur operator within the hrl promoter abrogated Fur- and metal-dependent expression of a reporter gene. Metal starvation still impelled a strong transcriptional response in the fur mutant, demonstrating the existence of Fur-independent regulatory pathways controlling metal homeostasis. Finally, analysis of metal accumulation in the wild-type strain and the fur mutant by ICP-MS revealed an important role of Fur in nickel acquisition.

Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 Mediate the IgA Immune Response Induced by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

IgA plays an important role in mucosal immunity against infectious pathogens; however, the molecular mechanism of IgA secretion in response to infection remains largely unknown, particularly in Mycoplasma spp. In this study, we found that the levels of IgA in the peripheral blood serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, trachea, hilar lymph nodes, and lung tissues of pigs increased significantly after infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

IgA plays an important role in mucosal immunity against infectious pathogens; however, the molecular mechanism of IgA secretion in response to infection remains largely unknown, particularly in Mycoplasma spp. In this study, we found that the levels of IgA in the peripheral blood serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, trachea, hilar lymph nodes, and lung tissues of pigs increased significantly after infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Furthermore, IgA and CD11c were detected in the lungs and hilar lymph nodes by immunohistochemical analysis, and colocalization of these two markers indicates that CD11c⁺ cells play an important role in IgA mucosal immunity induced by M. hyopneumoniae. To investigate the regulatory mechanism of IgA, we separated mouse dendritic cells (DCs) from different tissues and mouse macrophages from the lungs and then cultured mouse B cells together with either DCs or macrophages in vitro. In the mouse lung-DC/B (LDC/B) cell coculture, IgA secretion was increased significantly after the addition of whole-cell lysates of M. hyopneumoniae. The expression of both Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 was also upregulated, as determined by mRNA and protein expression analyses, whereas no obvious change in the expression of TLR3 and TLR7 was detected. Moreover, the IgA level decreased to the same as the control group when TLR2 or TLR4 was inhibited instead of TLR8 or TLR7/9. In conclusion, M. hyopneumoniae can stimulate the response of IgA through TLR2 and TLR4 in a mouse LDC/B cell coculture model, and the coculture model is an ideal tool for studying the IgA response mechanism, particularly that with Mycoplasma spp.

The effect of Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection on energy metabolism in chicken lungs: Through oxidative stress and inflammation

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg) causes chronic respiratory disease (CRD) in chickens. However, the effect of Mg infection on energy metabolism in chicken lungs is still unknown. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of Mg infection on energy metabolism in chicken lungs. Four-weeks-old white leghorn chickens were randomly divided into control group (L1) and Mg infection group (L2). Histopathology, transmission electron microscopy, qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the hallmarks of ultrastructural analysis, inflammation and energy metabolism. Results revealed that Mg infection induced oxidative stress in the chicken lungs and serum cytokine activities were enhanced at the three time points. Chickens infected with Mg revealed abnormal morphology and cellular damage including increased inflammatory cells infiltrate, cellular debris and exudate, mitochondrial and DNA damage in the lungs. The mRNA and protein expression level of inflammation-related genes were significantly increased in L2 group, showing that Mg induced inflammation in chicken lungs. In addition, ATPase activities were reduced in L2 group compared to L1 group. Meanwhile, the expression of energy metabolism related genes were decreased at both mRNA and protein level at all assessed time points, which showed that Mg infection weakened energy metabolism in chicken lungs. In summary, the data suggested that Mg infection induced oxidative stress, inflammation and energy metabolism dysfunction in the chicken lungs, exploring new therapeutic targets and providing a reference for comparative veterinary medicine.

HO-1 mediates the anti-inflammatory actions of Sulforaphane in monocytes stimulated with a mycoplasmal lipopeptide

Exposure to Mycoplasma pneumoniae leads to lung inflammation through a host defense pathway. Increasing evidence has indicated that the mycoplasma-derived membrane lipoprotein, or its analogue macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2 (MALP-2), excretes LPS as an immune system-stimulating substance and plays a crucial role in pathological injury during M. pneumoniae infection. It has been established that Sulforaphane confers anti-inflammatory properties. However, the underlying mechanism responsible for the inhibitory actions of Sulforaphane in the context of mycoplasmal pneumoniae are poorly understood. Here, we report that Sulforaphane is an inducer of heme oxygenase (HO)-1, a cytoprotective enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of heme through signaling pathways in human monocytes. Sulforaphane stimulated NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus, and small interfering RNA-mediated knock-down of Nrf2 significantly inhibited Sulforaphane-induced HO-1 expression. Additionally, PI3K/Akt and ROS were also involved in Sulforaphane-induced Nrf2 activation and HO-1 expression, as revealed by the pharmacological inhibitors LY294002 and NAC. Moreover, Sulforaphane treatment inhibited MALP-2-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and pulmonary inflammation in mice, as well as MALP-2-triggered NF-κB activation. Furthermore, SnPP, a selective inhibitor of HO-1, reversed the inhibitory actions of Sulforaphane, while a carbon monoxide-releasing molecule, CORM-2, caused a significant decrease in MALP-2-induced cytokine secretion. Collectively, these results suggest that Sulforaphane functions as a suppressor of the MALP-2-induced inflammatory response, not only by inhibiting the expression of cytokines and the induction of HO-1 but also by diminishing NF-κB activation in cultured monocytes and the lungs of mice.

Immunologic Pathways in Protective versus Maladaptive Host Responses to Attenuated and Pathogenic Strains of Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Mycoplasmas are small bacterial commensals or pathogens that commonly colonize host mucosal tissues and avoid rapid clearance, in part by stimulating inflammatory, immunopathogenic responses. We previously characterized a wide array of transcriptomic perturbations in avian host tracheal mucosae infected with virulent, immunopathologic Mycoplasma gallisepticum; however, mechanisms delineating these from protective responses, such as those induced upon vaccination, have not been thoroughly explored. In this study, host transcriptomic responses to two experimental M. gallisepticum vaccines were assessed during the first 2 days of infection. Relative to virulent infection, host metabolic and immune gene responses to both vaccines were greatly decreased, including early innate immune responses critical to disease development and subsequent adaptive immunity. These data specify host genes and potential mechanisms contributing to maladaptive versus beneficial host responses-information critical for design of vaccines efficacious in both limiting inflammation and enabling pathogen clearance.

Ureaplasma urealyticum-derived lipid-associated membrane proteins introduce IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α cytokines into human amniotic epithelial cells via Toll-like receptor 2

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of Ureaplasma urealyticum-derived lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMPs) in the host innate immune system, specifically their effect on Toll-like receptors (TLRs).

METHODS

LAMPs were derived from U. urealyticum strains, and human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) were isolated from healthy full-term placentas. Cytokine concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and TLR2 mRNA by real-time PCR. Expression of TLR2 was confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

LAMPs induced HAECs to produce inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Cytokine production was reduced after blocking TLR2 using TLR2 inhibitor (anti-hTLR2-IgA).

CONCLUSIONS

LAMPs isolated from U. urealyticum induced TLR2-dependent up-regulation of inflammatory genes and cytokines in HAECs.

Ureaplasma diversum and Its Membrane-Associated Lipoproteins Activate Inflammatory Genes Through the NF-κB Pathway via Toll-Like Receptor 4

Objectives:Ureaplasma diversum is a pathogen of cows that may cause intense inflammatory responses in the reproductive tract and interfere with bovine reproduction. The aims of this study were to evaluate the immune response of bovine blastocysts and macrophages to U. diversum infection and to evaluate the invasion capacity of this microorganism in bovine blastocysts.

Methods: Viable and heat-inactivated U. diversum strains ATCC 49782 and CI-GOTA and their extracted membrane lipoproteins were inoculated in macrophages in the presence or absence of signaling blockers of Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 4, TLR2/4, and Nuclear Factor KB (NF-κB). In addition, the same viable U. diversum strains were used to infect bovine blastocysts. RNA was extracted from infected and lipoprotein-exposed macrophages and infected blastocysts and assayed by qPCR to evaluate the expression of Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), TLR2 and TLR4 genes. U. diversum internalization in blastocysts was followed by confocal microscopy.

Results: Both Ureaplasma strains and different concentrations of extracted lipoproteins induced a higher gene expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, TLR2, and TLR4 in macrophages (p < 0.05) when compared to non-infected cells. The used blockers inhibited the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in all treatments. Moreover, U. diversum was able to internalize within blastocysts and induce a higher gene expression of IL-1b and TNF- α when compared to non-infected blastocysts (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The obtained results strongly suggest that U. diversum and its lipoproteins interact with TLR4 in a signaling pathway acting via NF-kB signaling to stimulate the inflammatory response. This is the first study to evaluate the in vitro immunological response of macrophages and bovine blastocysts against U. diversum. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the immunomodulatory activity and pathogenicity of this infectious agent.

Efficient Uptake of Recombinant Lipidated Survivin by Antigen-Presenting Cells Initiates Antigen Cross-Presentation and Antitumor Immunity

Survivin is overexpressed in various types of human cancer, but rarely expressed in terminally differentiated adult tissues. Thus, survivin is a potential target antigen for a cancer vaccine. However, self-tumor-associated antigens are not highly immunogenic. Bacteria-derived lipoproteins can activate antigen-presenting cells through their toll-like receptors to enhance immune responses. In this context, lipidated survivin is an attractive candidate for cancer immunotherapy. In the present study, recombinant lipidated human survivin (LSur) was prepared from an Escherichia coli-based system. We investigated whether LSur is efficiently captured by antigen-presenting cells then facilitating effective induction of survivin cross-presentation and generation of immunity against cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that LSur, but not its non-lipidated counterpart, can activate mouse bone-marrow-derived-dendritic cells (BMDCs) to enhance cytokine (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12) secretion and costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC II) expression. However, the pathways involved in the capture of the recombinant lipidated antigen by antigen-presenting cells have not yet been elucidated. To this end, we employ various endocytosis inhibitors to study the effect on LSur internalization. We show that the internalization of LSur is suppressed by the inhibition of various routes of endocytosis. These results suggest that endocytosis of LSur by BMDCs can be mediated by multiple mechanisms. Furthermore, LSur is trafficked to the early endosome after internalization by BMDCs. These features of LSur are advantageous for cross-presentation and the induction of antitumor immunity. We demonstrate that immunization of C57BL/6 mice with LSur under treatment with exogenous adjuvant-free formulation induce survivin-specific CD8⁺ T-cell responses and suppress tumor growth. The antitumor responses are mediated by CD8⁺ cells. Our findings indicate that LSur is a potential candidate for stimulating protective antitumor immunity. This study suggests that lipidated tumor antigens may be a promising approach for raising a robust antitumor response in cancer immunotherapy.

Elongation factor Tu is a multifunctional and processed moonlighting protein

Many bacterial moonlighting proteins were originally described in medically, agriculturally, and commercially important members of the low G + C Firmicutes. We show Elongation factor Tu (Ef-Tu) moonlights on the surface of the human pathogens Staphylococcus aureus (Sa_Ef-Tu) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mpn_Ef-Tu), and the porcine pathogen Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp_Ef-Tu). Ef-Tu is also a target of multiple processing events on the cell surface and these were characterised using an N-terminomics pipeline. Recombinant Mpn_Ef-Tu bound strongly to a diverse range of host molecules, and when bound to plasminogen, was able to convert plasminogen to plasmin in the presence of plasminogen activators. Fragments of Ef-Tu retain binding capabilities to host proteins. Bioinformatics and structural modelling studies indicate that the accumulation of positively charged amino acids in short linear motifs (SLiMs), and protein processing promote multifunctional behaviour. Codon bias engendered by an A + T rich genome may influence how positively-charged residues accumulate in SLiMs.

Suppression of Baeckea frutescens L. and its components on MyD88-dependent NF-κB pathway in MALP-2-stimulated RAW264.7 cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Baeckea frutescens L. is commonly used as a folk medicinal material. There are nineteen components in its volatile oil, including Pcymol which has effects of eliminating phlegm, relieving asthma and antiviral. This study was aimed to investigate the anti-infectious inflammatory activities of Baeckea frutescens L. and its conponents and analyzing the mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-infectious inflammation of Baeckea frutescens L. were studied by using macrophage activating lipopeptide-2 (MALP-2)-stimulated RAW264.7 cell model in vitro. Secretion of nitric oxide (NO), expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cytokines were detected as classic inflammatory index. Expression of Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), degradation of inhibitory κBα (IκBα) and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 were further investigated.

RESULTS

The results suggested that Baeckea frutescens L. has effect on suppression of MALP-2-mediated inflammation in RAW264.7 cells. The secretion of NO and the expression of iNOS could be inhibited. The secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were also declined. Baeckea frutescens L. significantly decreased the expression of MyD88, therefore, inhibited the degradation of IκBα, reduced the level of nuclear translocation of p65.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicated that Baeckea frutescens L. and its components could inhibit the anti-infectious inflammatory events and iNOS expression in MALP-2 stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Among them, BF-2 might play a role through the inhibition of the MyD88 and NF-κB pathway. Our study might provide a new strategy to design and develop this kind of drug towards mycoplasma-infected inflammation.

Interaction of Mycoplasma hominis PG21 with Human Dendritic Cells: Interleukin-23-Inducing Mycoplasmal Lipoproteins and Inflammasome Activation of the Cell

Mycoplasma hominis lacks a cell wall, and lipoproteins anchored to the extracellular side of the plasma membrane are in direct contact with the host components. A Triton X-114 extract of M. hominis enriched with lipoproteins was shown to stimulate the production of interleukin-23 (IL-23) by human dendritic cells (hDCs). The inflammasome activation of the host cell has never been reported upon M. hominis infection. We studied here the interaction between M. hominis PG21 and hDCs by analyzing both the inflammation-inducing mycoplasmal lipoproteins and the inflammasome activation of the host cell. IL-23-inducing lipoproteins were determined using a sequential extraction strategy with two nondenaturing detergents, Sarkosyl and Triton X-114, followed by SDS-PAGE separation and mass spectrometry identification. The activation of the hDC inflammasome was assessed using PCR array and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We defined a list of 24 lipoproteins that could induce the secretion of IL-23 by hDCs, 5 with a molecular mass between 20 and 35 kDa and 19 with a molecular mass between 40 and 100 kDa. Among them, lipoprotein MHO_4720 was identified as potentially bioactive, and a synthetic lipopeptide corresponding to the N-terminal part of the lipoprotein was subsequently shown to induce IL-23 release by hDCs. Regarding the hDC innate immune response, inflammasome activation with caspase-dependent production of IL-1β was observed. After 24 h of coincubation of hDCs with M. hominis, downregulation of the NLRP3-encoding gene and of the adaptor PYCARD-encoding gene was noticed. Overall, this study provides insight into both protagonists of the interaction of M. hominis and hDCs.IMPORTANCEMycoplasma hominis is a human urogenital pathogen involved in gynecologic and opportunistic infections. M. hominis lacks a cell wall, and its membrane contains many lipoproteins that are anchored to the extracellular side of the plasma membrane. In the present study, we focused on the interaction between M. hominis and human dendritic cells and examined both sides of the interaction, the mycoplasmal lipoproteins involved in the activation of the host cell and the immune response of the cell. On the mycoplasmal side, we showed for the first time that M. hominis lipoproteins with high molecular mass were potentially bioactive. On the cell side, we reported an activation of the inflammasome, which is involved in the innate immune response.

Cellular Microbiology of Mycoplasma canis

Mycoplasma canis can infect many mammalian hosts but is best known as a commensal or opportunistic pathogen of dogs. The unexpected presence of M. canis in brains of dogs with idiopathic meningoencephalitis prompted new in vitro studies to help fill the void of basic knowledge about the organism's candidate virulence factors, the host responses that it elicits, and its potential roles in pathogenesis. Secretion of reactive oxygen species and sialidase varied quantitatively (P < 0.01) among strains of M. canis isolated from canine brain tissue or mucosal surfaces. All strains colonized the surface of canine MDCK epithelial and DH82 histiocyte cells and murine C8-D1A astrocytes. Transit through MDCK and DH82 cells was demonstrated by gentamicin protection assays and three-dimensional immunofluorescence imaging. Strains further varied (P < 0.01) in the extents to which they influenced the secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and the neuroendocrine regulatory peptide endothelin-1 by DH82 cells. Inoculation with M. canis also decreased major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) antigen expression by DH82 cells (P < 0.01), while secretion of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and complement factor H was unaffected. The basis for differences in the responses elicited by these strains was not obvious in their genome sequences. No acute cytopathic effects on any homogeneous cell line, or consistent patterns of M. canis polyvalent antigen distribution in canine meningoencephalitis case brain tissues, were apparent. Thus, while it is not likely a primary neuropathogen, M. canis has the capacity to influence meningoencephalitis through complex interactions within the multicellular and neurochemical in vivo milieu.

Surface lipoproteome of Mycoplasma hominis PG21 and differential expression after contact with human dendritic cells

Aim: To assess the lipoproteins that are involved in the interaction between Mycoplasma hominis and human dendritic cells. Materials & methods: The surface lipoproteome of M. hominis PG21 was characterized by using Triton X-114 extraction and LC–MS/MS identification. The transcriptional changes in lipoprotein genes upon contact with human dendritic cells were determined by using reverse transcription quantitative PCR after identification of reference genes suitable for normalization. Results: A large-scale overexpression of lipoprotein genes was observed with 21 upregulated transcripts. Seven genes of unknown function were M. hominis species specific and six genes were putatively associated with increased nutrient capture from the host cell and adhesion. Conclusion: M. hominis regulates lipoprotein gene expression and may use species-specific mechanisms during the host colonization process.

Mycoplasma bovis-derived lipid-associated membrane proteins activate IL-1β production through the NF-κB pathway via toll-like receptor 2 and MyD88

Mycoplasma bovis causes pneumonia, otitis media, and arthritis in young calves, resulting in economic losses to the cattle industry worldwide. M. bovis pathogenesis results in part from excessive immune responses. Lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMPs) can potently induce host innate immunity. However, interactions between M. bovis-derived LAMPs and Toll-like receptors (TLRs), or signaling pathways eliciting active inflammation and NF-κB activation, are incompletely understood. Here, we found that IL-1β expression was induced in embryonic bovine lung (EBL) cells stimulated with M. bovis-derived LAMPs. Subcellular-localization analysis revealed nuclear p65 translocation following EBL cell stimulation with M. bovis-derived LAMPs. An NF-κB inhibitor reversed M. bovis-derived LAMP-induced IL-1β expression. TLR2 and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) overexpression increased LAMP-dependent IL-1β induction. TLR2-neutralizing antibodies reduced IL-1β expression during LAMP stimulation. LAMPs also inhibited IL-1β expression following overexpression of a dominant-negative MyD88 protein. These results suggested that M. bovis-derived LAMPs activate IL-1β production through the NF-κB pathway via TLR2 and MyD88.

Interaction of Mycoplasma gallisepticum with Chicken Tracheal Epithelial Cells Contributes to Macrophage Chemotaxis and Activation

Mycoplasma gallisepticum colonizes the chicken respiratory mucosa and mediates a severe inflammatory response hallmarked by subepithelial leukocyte infiltration. We recently reported that the interaction of M. gallisepticum with chicken tracheal epithelial cells (TECs) mediated the upregulation of chemokine and inflammatory cytokine genes in these cells (S. Majumder, F. Zappulla, and L. K. Silbart, PLoS One 9:e112796, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0112796). The current study extends these observations and sheds light on how this initial interaction may give rise to subsequent inflammatory events. Conditioned medium from TECs exposed to the virulent Rlow strain induced macrophage chemotaxis to a much higher degree than the nonvirulent Rhigh strain. Coculture of chicken macrophages (HD-11) with TECs exposed to live mycoplasma revealed the upregulation of several proinflammatory genes associated with macrophage activation, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, CCL20, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β), CXCL-13, and RANTES. The upregulation of these genes was similar to that observed upon direct contact of HD-11 cells with live M. gallisepticum. Coculture of macrophages with Rlow-exposed TECs also resulted in prolonged expression of chemokine genes, such as those encoding CXCL-13, MIP-1β, RANTES, and IL-8. Taken together, these studies support the notion that the initial interaction of M. gallisepticum with host respiratory epithelial cells contributes to macrophage chemotaxis and activation by virtue of robust upregulation of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine genes, thereby setting the stage for chronic tissue inflammation.

Characterization of triosephosphate isomerase from Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Triosephosphate isomerase (Tpi) is a glycolytic enzyme that is essential for efficient energy production in many pathogens. However, its function in Mycoplasma gallisepticum has not been fully elucidated. In this study, the mga0357 gene of M. gallisepticum, which encodes TpiA (MGTpiA), was amplified and expressed in Escherichia coli by IPTG induction. The purified recombinant MGTpiA protein exhibited catalytic activity that was similar to TPI from rabbit muscle, reducing NAD(+) to NADH. The MGTpiA was also found to be a surface-exposed protein by western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. In addition, cytadherence inhibition assays confirmed that the cytadherence of M. gallisepticum to the DF-1 cells was significantly inhibited by the anti-MGTpiA serum. The results of the study suggested that MGTpiA plays an important role in the metabolism and closely related to the M. gallisepticum pathogenicity.

CpG DNA analysis of bacterial STDs

BACKGROUND

Bacterial infections in the genital tract frequently result in morbidity through a variety of inflammation based symptoms. One component of the bacteria that may trigger host inflammatory response is their DNA. CpG motifs in this DNA are known targets for Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), which is a pathogen-recognition receptors focusing on CpG DNA. The activation of TLR9 induces the NF-κB inflammatory pathway. This study aims to provide a broad view of the inflammatory potential of CpG DNA motifs in bacteria related to genital diseases: C. trachomatis, E. coli, N. gonorrhoeae, G. vaginalis, H. ducreyi, L. crispatus, L. gasseri, M. hominis, M. genitalium, T. pallidum, and U. urealyticum.

METHODS

Publicly available genomic sequences of the bacterial species and strains have been analyzed in silico to produce a CpG index number. This CpG index number shows the relative inflammatory potential of the genome and has previously been used in a study by Lundberg et al. (2003). Higher CpG index values suggest a strong CpG induced inflammation potential during infection and vice versa.

RESULTS

The highest observed CpG index belongs to G. vaginalis with a value of 26,2, suggesting a strong pro-inflammatory potential when in contact with TLR9. The lowest index belongs to N. gonorrhoeae with a value of -79,5, suggesting a strong immunoinhibitory effect on TLR9 contact. Interestingly, Lactobacilli showed a mean CpG index value of 4,2, suggesting a weak inflammatory potential.

DISCUSSION

Our results show varying CpG index values between bacterial species. Comparison of CpG indices with the clinical course of several pathogens shows the CpG index helps clarify the clinical course of infection. However, we found no links between CpG index values and either obligate pathogenicity or facultative pathogenicity through bacterial vaginosis. Lactobacilli showed relatively low CpG indices which do suggest a lower inflammatory potential from these bacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show varying CpG index values between bacterial species, which may help clarify the clinical course of infection, and may help diagnosis.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum lipid associated membrane proteins up-regulate inflammatory genes in chicken tracheal epithelial cells via TLR-2 ligation through an NF-κB dependent pathway

Mycoplasma gallisepticum-mediated respiratory inflammation in chickens is associated with accumulation of leukocytes in the tracheal submucosa. However the molecular mechanisms underpinning these changes have not been well described. We hypothesized that the initial inflammatory events are initiated upon ligation of mycoplasma lipid associated membrane proteins (LAMP) to TLRs expressed on chicken tracheal epithelial cells (TEC). To test this hypothesis, live bacteria or LAMPs isolated from a virulent (R_low) or a non-virulent (R_high) strain were incubated with primary TECs or chicken tracheae ex vivo. Microarray analysis identified up-regulation of several inflammatory and chemokine genes in TECs as early as 1.5 hours post-exposure. Kinetic analysis using RT-qPCR identified the peak of expression for most genes to be at either 1.5 or 6 hours. Ex-vivo exposure also showed up-regulation of inflammatory genes in epithelial cells by 1.5 hours. Among the commonly up-regulated genes were IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p40, CCL-20, and NOS-2, all of which are important immune-modulators and/or chemo-attractants of leukocytes. While these inflammatory genes were up-regulated in all four treatment groups, R_low exposed epithelial cells both in vitro and ex vivo showed the most dramatic up-regulation, inducing over 100 unique genes by 5-fold or more in TECs. Upon addition of a TLR-2 inhibitor, LAMP-mediated gene expression of IL-1β and CCL-20 was reduced by almost 5-fold while expression of IL-12p40, IL-6, IL-8 and NOS-2 mRNA was reduced by about 2–3 fold. Conversely, an NF-κB inhibitor abrogated the response entirely for all six genes. miRNA-146a, a negative regulator of TLR-2 signaling, was up-regulated in TECs in response to either R_low or R_high exposure. Taken together we conclude that LAMPs isolated from both R_high and R_low induced rapid, TLR-2 dependent but transient up-regulation of inflammatory genes in primary TECs through an NF-κB dependent pathway.

Molecular characterisation of the Mycoplasma cynos haemagglutinin HapA

Mycoplasma (M.) cynos is a proven pathogen of dogs causing respiratory infections including pneumonia. We examined 19 M. cynos strains isolated from different organs of dogs in Austria, Denmark and Israel. All strains agglutinated mammalian and chicken erythrocytes. Using erythrocytes of chickens or dogs as specific ligands we isolated an approximately 65 kDa protein from cell-free supernatants of 3 M. cynos strains, which showed an apparent capacity for haemagglutination. The N-terminal sequence of a 25 kDa fragment of this protein was identified as NNEMTPKVTVEAKSMELLLSVEK. The identical amino acid sequence is encoded by the gene MCYN_0308 in the genome of M. cynos C142. This gene belongs to a family of some 20 genes which encode putative lipoproteins with proline-rich regions (PRR) in the first third of their molecules. We termed the 65 kDa haemagglutinin HapA and sequenced hapA gene homologues of 16 M. cynos strains. Analyses of hapA gene homologues revealed similar but not identical sequences, some having insertions and/or deletions in the PRR. We produced a recombinant HapA protein (rHapA) and also mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) recognizing HapA. However, enzyme immunoassays using native M. cynos colonies and mAbs 5G2 or 3B7 showed variable expression of HapA in all M. cynos strains. This was further confirmed by Western blot analyses which showed different HapA quantities and also size-variation of HapA among strains. Analyses of cDNA of the expressed hapA genes showed that besides the hapA gene cultures of M. cynos (strains 105, 2002, 2297) can also express other forms of hap genes. In addition, in cloned cultures of strain 2297 altered HapA epitopes for mAbs 5G2 and 3B7 with distinct hapA gene mutations that resulted in altered HapA amino acid sequence were found. Most of the dogs examined had serum antibodies to rHapA. In conclusion, we characterized the M. cynos haemagglutinin HapA protein and encoding gene hapA, a factor involved in cytadherence to host cells and therefore important for M. cynos infection, and showed that expression of HapA is varied in M. cynos by two distinct mechanisms; differential gene expression and nucleic acid substitution within hapA homologues.

Mycoplasma hyorhinis induces proinflammatory responses in mice lymphocytes

Mycoplasmas are frequent contaminants of cultured cells, leading to alterations in cellular gene expression, protein synthesis, signal transduction, and metabolic pathways. Mycoplasma hyorhinis, the major contaminant of tissue cultures, has been implicated in a variety of diseases in swine. Most human and animal mycoplasmas remain attached to the surface of epithelial cells. Nonetheless, we have recently shown that M. hyorhinis is able to invade nonphagocytic melanoma cells. In the present study, we show by confocal laser scanning microscopy, that by exposing mice splenocytes to intact M. hyorhinis, intracellular mycoplasmas were detected. Mycoplasmal components were not detected within splenocytes after exposure to heat inactivated M. hyorhinis or to a purified M. hyorhinis lipoprotein (LPP) fraction. However, incubation of the splenocytes with intact M. hyorhinis cells, heat inactivated cells or M. hyorhinis LPP fraction induced accelerated cell proliferation and the secretion of interferon gamma and interleukin 17. Thus, M. hyorhinis and its LPPs can be added to the list of infectious agents causing direct stimulation of proinflammatory responses by mammalian lymphocytes.

Polyhydroxylated metallofullerenols stimulate IL-1β secretion of macrophage through TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and NLRP₃ inflammasome activation

Polyhydroxylated fullerenols especially gadolinium endohedral metallofullerenols (Gd@C82(OH)22) are shown as a promising agent for antitumor chemotherapeutics and good immunoregulatory effects with low toxicity. However, their underlying mechanism remains largely unclear. We found for the first time the persistent uptake and subcellular distribution of metallofullerenols in macrophages by taking advantages of synchrotron-based scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) with high spatial resolution of 30 nm. Gd@C82(OH)22 can significantly activate primary mouse macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown shows that NLRP3 inflammasomes, but not NLRC4, participate in fullerenol-induced IL-1β production. Potassium efflux, activation of P2X7 receptor and intracellular reactive oxygen speciesare also important factors required for fullerenols-induced IL-1β release. Stronger NF-κB signal triggered by Gd@C82(OH)22 is in agreement with higher pro-IL-1β expression than C60(OH)22. Interestingly, TLR4/MyD88 pathway but not TLR2 mediates IL-1β secretion in Gd@C82(OH)22 exposure confirmed by macrophages from MyD88(-/-)/TLR4(-/-)/TLR2(-/-) knockout mice, which is different from C60(OH)22. Our work demonstrated that fullerenols can greatly activate macrophage and promote IL-1β production via both TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, while Gd@C82(OH)22 had stronger ability C60(OH)22 due to the different electron affinity on the surface of carbon cage induced by the encaged gadolinium ion.

A purified recombinant lipopeptide as adjuvant for cancer immunotherapy

Synthetic lipopeptides have been widely used as vaccine adjuvants to enhance immune responses. The present study demonstrated that the tryptic N-terminal fragment of the lipoprotein rlipo-D1E3 (lipo-Nter) induces superior antitumor effects compared to a synthetic lipopeptide. The lipo-Nter was purified and formulated with protein or peptide vaccines to determine if lipo-Nter could be used as a novel adjuvant and could induce antitumor immunity in a cervical cancer model. Purified lipo-Nter activated the maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs), leading to the secretion of TNF-α through TLR2/6 but not TLR1/2. A recombinant mutant HPV16 E7 (rE7m) protein was mixed with lipo-Nter to immunize the mice; the anti-E7 antibody titers were increased, and the T helper cells were skewed toward the Th1 fate (increased IL-2 and decreased IL-5 secretion). Single-dose injection of rE7m and lipo-Nter inhibited tumor growth, but the injection of rE7m alone did not. Accordingly, lipo-Nter also enhanced the antitumor immunity of the E7-derived peptide but not the synthetic lipopeptide (Pam3CSK4). We demonstrated that the lipo-Nter of a bacterial-derived recombinant lipoprotein is a novel adjuvant that could be used for the development of a new generation of vaccines.

Lipidated dengue-2 envelope protein domain III independently stimulates long-lasting neutralizing antibodies and reduces the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement

BACKGROUND

Dengue virus is a mosquito-transmitted virus that can cause self-limiting dengue fever, severe life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. The existence of four serotypes of dengue virus has complicated the development of an effective and safe dengue vaccine. Recently, a clinical phase 2b trial of Sanofi Pasteur's CYD tetravalent dengue vaccine revealed that the vaccine did not confer full protection against dengue-2 virus. New approaches to dengue vaccine development are urgently needed. Our approach represents a promising method of dengue vaccine development and may even complement the deficiencies of the CYD tetravalent dengue vaccine.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Two important components of a vaccine, the immunogen and immunopotentiator, were combined into a single construct to generate a new generation of vaccines. We selected dengue-2 envelope protein domain III (D2ED III) as the immunogen and expressed this protein in lipidated form in Escherichia coli, yielding an immunogen with intrinsic immunopotentiation activity. The formulation containing lipidated D2ED III (LD2ED III) in the absence of exogenous adjuvant elicited higher D2ED III-specific antibody responses than those obtained from its nonlipidated counterpart, D2ED III, and dengue-2 virus. In addition, the avidity and neutralizing capacity of the antibodies induced by LD2ED III were higher than those elicited by D2ED III and dengue-2 virus. Importantly, we showed that after lipidation, the subunit candidate LD2ED III exhibited increased immunogenicity while reducing the potential risk of antibody-dependent enhancement of infection in mice.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Our study suggests that the lipidated subunit vaccine approach could be applied to other serotypes of dengue virus and other pathogens.

Induction of robust immunity by the emulsification of recombinant lipidated dengue-1 envelope protein domain III

Many attempts have focused on the use of either immunomodulators or antigen delivery systems to obtain an efficacious vaccine. Here, we report a novel approach that combined an immunomodulator and delivery system to enhance antigen association and induce robust immunity. We expressed a recombinant lipidated dengue-1 envelope protein domain III (LD1ED III) and its non-lipidated form, D1ED III, in an Escherichia coli system. The LD1ED III contains a bacterial lipid moiety, which is a potent immunomodulator. We demonstrated that LD1ED III possesses an inherent immunostimulation ability that can activate RAW 264.7 macrophage cells by up-regulating their expression of CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86 and MHC II, whereas D1ED III could not induce the up-regulation of these molecules. Moreover, combining LD1ED III with a multiphase emulsion system (called PELC) increased the antigen association more than either combining D1ED III with PELC or the antigen alone. Enhanced antigen association has been shown to correlate with stronger T cell responses, greater antibody avidity and improved neutralizing capacity. Our results demonstrate that combining recombinant lipoproteins with PELC improved both the intensity and the quality of the immune response. This approach is a promising strategy for the development of subunit vaccines that induce robust immunity.

Mycoplasma genitalium infection activates cellular host defense and inflammation pathways in a 3-dimensional human endocervical epithelial cell model

BACKGROUND

Because Mycoplasma genitalium is a prevalent and emerging cause of sexually transmitted infections, understanding the mechanisms by which M. genitalium elicits mucosal inflammation is an essential component to managing lower and upper reproductive tract disease syndromes in women.

METHODS

We used a rotating wall vessel bioreactor system to create 3-dimensional (3-D) epithelial cell aggregates to model and assess endocervical infection by M. genitalium.

RESULTS

Attachment of M. genitalium to the host cell's apical surface was observed directly and confirmed using immunoelectron microscopy. Bacterial replication was observed from 0 to 72 hours after inoculation, during which time host cells underwent ultrastructural changes, including reduction of microvilli, and marked increases in secretory vesicle formation. Using genome-wide transcriptional profiling, we identified a host defense and inflammation signature activated by M. genitalium during acute infection (48 hours after inoculation) that included cytokine and chemokine activity and secretion of factors for antimicrobial defense. Multiplex bead-based protein assays confirmed secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, several of which are involved in leukocyte recruitment and hypothesized to enhance susceptibility to human immunodeficiency type 1 infection.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide insight into key molecules and pathways involved in innate recognition of M. genitalium and the response to acute infection in the human endocervix.

Lipoproteins in bacteria: structures and biosynthetic pathways

Bacterial lipoproteins are characterized by the presence of a conserved N-terminal lipid-modified cysteine residue that allows the hydrophilic protein to anchor onto bacterial cell membranes. These proteins play important roles in a wide variety of bacterial physiological processes, including virulence, and induce innate immune reactions by functioning as ligands of the mammalian Toll-like receptor 2. We review recent advances in our understanding of bacterial lipoprotein structure, biosynthesis and structure-function relationships between bacterial lipoproteins and Toll-like receptor 2. Notably, 40 years after the first report of the triacyl structure of Braun's lipoprotein in Escherichia coli, recent intensive MS-based analyses have led to the discovery of three new lipidated structures of lipoproteins in monoderm bacteria: the lyso, N-acetyl and peptidyl forms. Moreover, the bacterial lipoprotein structure is considered to be constant in each bacterium; however, lipoprotein structures in Staphylococcus aureus vary between the diacyl and triacyl forms depending on the environmental conditions. Thus, the lipidation state of bacterial lipoproteins, particularly in monoderm bacteria, is more complex than previously assumed.

Proteomics characterization of cytoplasmic and lipid-associated membrane proteins of human pathogen Mycoplasma fermentans M64

Mycoplasma fermentans is a potent human pathogen which has been implicated in several diseases. Notably, its lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMPs) play a role in immunomodulation and development of infection-associated inflammatory diseases. However, the systematic protein identification of pathogenic M. fermentans has not been reported. From our recent sequencing results of M. fermentans M64 isolated from human respiratory tract, its genome is around 1.1 Mb and encodes 1050 predicted protein-coding genes. In the present study, soluble proteome of M. fermentans was resolved and analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. In addition, Triton X-114 extraction was carried out to enrich amphiphilic proteins including putative lipoproteins and membrane proteins. Subsequent mass spectrometric analyses of these proteins had identified a total of 181 M. fermentans ORFs. Further bioinformatics analysis of these ORFs encoding proteins with known or so far unknown orthologues among bacteria revealed that a total of 131 proteins are homologous to known proteins, 11 proteins are conserved hypothetical proteins, and the remaining 39 proteins are likely M. fermentans-specific proteins. Moreover, Triton X-114-enriched fraction was shown to activate NF-kB activity of raw264.7 macrophage and a total of 21 lipoproteins with predicted signal peptide were identified therefrom. Together, our work provides the first proteome reference map of M. fermentans as well as several putative virulence-associated proteins as diagnostic markers or vaccine candidates for further functional study of this human pathogen.

Novel bacterial lipoprotein structures conserved in low-GC content gram-positive bacteria are recognized by Toll-like receptor 2

Bacterial lipoproteins/lipopeptides inducing host innate immune responses are sensed by mammalian Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). These bacterial lipoproteins are structurally divided into two groups, diacylated or triacylated lipoproteins, by the absence or presence of an amide-linked fatty acid. The presence of diacylated lipoproteins has been predicted in low-GC content gram-positive bacteria and mycoplasmas based on the absence of one modification enzyme in their genomes; however, we recently determined triacylated structures in low-GC gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, raising questions about the actual lipoprotein structure in other low-GC content gram-positive bacteria. Here, through intensive MS analyses, we identified a novel and unique bacterial lipoprotein structure containing an N-acyl-S-monoacyl-glyceryl-cysteine (named the lyso structure) from low-GC gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Two of the purified native lyso-form lipoproteins induced proinflammatory cytokine production from mice macrophages in a TLR2-dependent and TLR1-independent manner but with a different dependence on TLR6. Additionally, two other new lipoprotein structures were identified. One is the "N-acetyl" lipoprotein structure containing N-acetyl-S-diacyl-glyceryl-cysteine, which was found in five gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis. The N-acetyl lipoproteins induced the proinflammatory cytokines through the TLR2/6 heterodimer. The other was identified in a mycoplasma strain and is an unusual diacyl lipoprotein structure containing two amino acids before the lipid-modified cysteine residue. Taken together, our results suggest the existence of novel TLR2-stimulating lyso and N-acetyl forms of lipoproteins that are conserved in low-GC content gram-positive bacteria and provide clear evidence for the presence of yet to be identified key enzymes involved in the bacterial lipoprotein biosynthesis.

Identification of a mechanism for lung inflammation caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae using a novel mouse model

Human Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia is characterized by alveolar infiltration with neutrophils and lymphocytes and lymphocyte/plasma cell infiltrates in the peri-bronchovascular area (PBVA). No mouse model has been able to mimic the pathological features seen in human MP pneumonia, such as plasma cell-rich lymphocytic infiltration in PBVA. To figure out the mechanism for inflammation by MP infection using a novel mouse model that mimics human MP pneumonia, mice were pre-immunized intraperitoneally with Th2 stimulating adjuvant, alum, alone or MP extracts with an alum, followed by intratracheal challenge with MP extracts. The toll-like receptor-2, which is the major receptor for mycoplasma cell wall lipoproteins, was strongly up-regulated in alveolar macrophages in a latter group after the pre-immunization but prior to the intratracheal challenge. Those findings demonstrated that acceleration of innate immunity by antecedent antigenic stimulation can be an important positive-feedback mechanism in lung inflammation during MP pneumonia.

A novel single-dose dengue subunit vaccine induces memory immune responses

To protect against dengue viral infection, a novel lipidated dengue subunit vaccine was rationally designed to contain the consensus amino acid sequences derived from four serotypes of dengue viruses. We found that the lipidated consensus dengue virus envelope protein domain III (LcED III) is capable of activating antigen-presenting cells and enhancing cellular and humoral immune responses. A single-dose of LcED III immunization in mice without extra adjuvant formulation is sufficient to elicit neutralizing antibodies against all four serotypes of dengue viruses. In addition, strong memory responses were elicited in mice immunized with a single-dose of LcED III. Quick, anamnestic neutralizing antibody responses to a live dengue virus challenge were elicited at week 28 post-immunization. These results demonstrate the promising possibility of a future successful tetravalent vaccine against dengue viral infections that utilizes one-dose vaccination with LcED III.

Transcriptional regulation of MG_149, an osmoinducible lipoprotein gene from Mycoplasma genitalium

Transcriptional regulation remains poorly understood in Mycoplasma genitalium, the smallest self-replicating cell and the causative agent of a spectrum of urogenital diseases. Previously, we reported that MG_149, a lipoprotein-encoding gene, was highly induced under physiological hyperosmolarity conditions. In this study we further analysed MG_149 transcription with a focus on the identification of promoter elements and regulatory mechanisms. We established MG_149 as a genuine osmoinducible gene that exhibited the highest transcript abundance compared with other lipoprotein genes. Using genetic approaches, we demonstrated that the -10 region of the MG_149 promoter was essential for osmoinduction. Moreover, we showed that MG_149 osmoinduction was regulated by DNA supercoiling, as the presence of novobiocin decreased MG_149 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results indicate that DNA supercoiling participates in controlling MG_149 expression during in vivo-like conditions.