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Tzeng YL, Sannigrahi S, Borrow R, Stephens DS. Neisseria gonorrhoeae lipooligosaccharide glycan epitopes recognized by bactericidal IgG antibodies elicited by the meningococcal group B-directed vaccine, MenB-4C. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1350344. [PMID: 38440731 PMCID: PMC10909805 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1350344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of Neisseria meningitidis in the group B-directed vaccine MenB-4C (BexseroR) protect against infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The immunological basis for protection remains unclear. N. meningitidis OMV vaccines generate human antibodies to N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae lipooligosaccharide (LOS/endotoxin), but the structural specificity of these LOS antibodies is not defined. Methods Ten paired human sera obtained pre- and post-MenB-4C immunization were used in Western blots to probe N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae LOS. Post-MenB-4C sera (7v5, 19v5, and 17v5), representing individual human variability in LOS recognition, were then used to interrogate structurally defined LOSs of N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae strains and mutants and studied in bactericidal assays. Results and discussion Post-MenB-4C sera recognized both N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae LOS species, ~10% of total IgG to gonococcal OMV antigens. N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae LOSs were broadly recognized by post-IgG antibodies, but with individual variability for LOS structures. Deep truncation of LOS, specifically a rfaK mutant without α-, β-, or γ-chain glycosylation, eliminated LOS recognition by all post-vaccine sera. Serum 7v5 IgG antibodies recognized the unsialyated L1 α-chain, and a 3-PEA-HepII or 6-PEA-HepII was part of the conformational epitope. Replacing the 3-PEA on HepII with a 3-Glc blocked 7v5 IgG antibody recognition of N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae LOSs. Serum 19v5 recognized lactoneotetrose (LNT) or L1 LOS-expressing N. meningitidis or N. gonorrhoeae with a minimal α-chain structure of Gal-Glc-HepI (L8), a 3-PEA-HepII or 6-PEA-HepII was again part of the conformational epitope and a 3-Glc-HepII blocked 19v5 antibody binding. Serum 17v5 LOS antibodies recognized LNT or L1 α-chains with a minimal HepI structure of three sugars and no requirement for HepII modifications. These LOS antibodies contributed to the serum bactericidal activity against N. gonorrhoeae. The MenB-4C vaccination elicits bactericidal IgG antibodies to N. gonorrhoeae conformational epitopes involving HepI and HepII glycosylated LOS structures shared between N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae. LOS structures should be considered in next-generation gonococcal vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yih-Ling Tzeng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Soma Sannigrahi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David S. Stephens
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Xia L, Lu Q, Wang X, Jia C, Zhao Y, Wang G, Yang J, Zhang N, Min X, Huang J, Huang M. Characterization of protective immune responses against Neisseria gonorrhoeae induced by intranasal immunization with adhesion and penetration protein. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25733. [PMID: 38352762 PMCID: PMC10862674 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae is an urgent threat to global public health, and vaccine development is the best long-term strategy for controlling gonorrhea. We have previously shown that adhesion and penetration protein (App) play a role in the adhesion, invasion, and reproductive tract colonization of N. gonorrhoeae. Here, we describe the immune response induced by intranasal immunization with passenger and translocator fragments of App. The recombinant App passenger and translocator fragments induced high titers of IgG and IgA antibodies in serum and vaginal washes. Antibodies produced by App passenger and the combination of passenger and translocator mediated the killing of N. gonorrhoeae via serum bactericidal activity and opsonophagocytic activity, whereas antisera from translocator-immunized groups had lower bactericidal activity and opsonophagocytic activity. The antisera of the App passenger and translocator, alone and in combination, inhibited the adhesion of N. gonorrhoeae to cervical epithelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Nasal immunization with App passenger and translocator fragments alone or in combination induced high levels of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies and stimulated mouse splenocytes to secrete cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17A, suggesting that Th1 and Th17 cellular immune responses were activated. In vivo experiments have shown that immune App passenger and transporter fragments can accelerate the clearance of N. gonorrhoeae in the vagina of mice. These data suggest that the App protein is a promising N. gonorrhoeae vaccine antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyin Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Qin Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaosu Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Chengyi Jia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Guangli Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jianru Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Ningqing Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Xun Min
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Meirong Huang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
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Muts RM, den Boer MA, Bardoel BW, Aerts PC, de Haas CJC, Heck AJR, Rooijakkers SHM, Heesterbeek DAC. Artificial surface labelling of Escherichia coli with StrepTagII antigen to study how monoclonal antibodies drive complement-mediated killing. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18836. [PMID: 37914798 PMCID: PMC10620216 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46026-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibodies play a key role in the immune defence against Gram-negative bacteria. After binding to bacterial surface antigens, IgG and IgM can activate the complement system and trigger formation of lytic membrane attack complex (MAC) pores. Molecular studies to compare functional activity of antibodies on bacteria are hampered by the limited availability of well-defined antibodies against bacterial surface antigens. Therefore, we genetically engineered E. coli by expressing the StrepTagII antigen into outer membrane protein X (OmpX) and validated that these engineered bacteria were recognised by anti-StrepTagII antibodies. We then combined this antigen-antibody system with a purified complement assay to avoid interference of serum components and directly compare MAC-mediated bacterial killing via IgG1 and pentameric IgM. While both IgG1 and IgM could induce MAC-mediated killing, we show that IgM has an increased capacity to induce complement-mediated killing of E. coli compared to IgG1. While Fc mutations that enhance IgG clustering after target binding could not improve MAC formation, mutations that cause formation of pre-assembled IgG hexamers enhanced the complement activating capacity of IgG1. Altogether, we here present a system to study antibody-dependent complement activation on E. coli and show IgM's enhanced capacity over IgG to induce complement-mediated lysis of E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remy M Muts
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maurits A den Boer
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomic Center, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart W Bardoel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Piet C Aerts
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carla J C de Haas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Albert J R Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomic Center, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan H M Rooijakkers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dani A C Heesterbeek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Troisi M, Marini E, Abbiento V, Stazzoni S, Andreano E, Rappuoli R. A new dawn for monoclonal antibodies against antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1080059. [PMID: 36590399 PMCID: PMC9795047 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1080059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a quickly advancing threat for human health worldwide and almost 5 million deaths are already attributable to this phenomenon every year. Since antibiotics are failing to treat AMR-bacteria, new tools are needed, and human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can fill this role. In almost 50 years since the introduction of the first technology that led to mAb discovery, enormous leaps forward have been made to identify and develop extremely potent human mAbs. While their usefulness has been extensively proved against viral pathogens, human mAbs have yet to find their space in treating and preventing infections from AMR-bacteria and fully conquer the field of infectious diseases. The novel and most innovative technologies herein reviewed can support this goal and add powerful tools in the arsenal of weapons against AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Troisi
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Eleonora Marini
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Valentina Abbiento
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Samuele Stazzoni
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Emanuele Andreano
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy,*Correspondence: Emanuele Andreano
| | - Rino Rappuoli
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy,Fondazione Biotecnopolo di Siena, Siena, Italy,Rino Rappuoli
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Savitskaya VY, Monakhova MV, Iakushkina IV, Borovikova II, Kubareva EA. Neisseria gonorrhoeae: DNA Repair Systems and Their Role in Pathogenesis. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2022; 87:965-982. [PMID: 36180987 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922090097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (a Gram-negative diplococcus) is a human pathogen and causative agent of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection. The bacterium uses various approaches for adapting to environmental conditions and multiplying efficiently in the human body, such as regulation of expression of gene expression of surface proteins and lipooligosaccharides (e.g., expression of various forms of pilin). The systems of DNA repair play an important role in the bacterium ability to survive in the host body. This review describes DNA repair systems of N. gonorrhoeae and their role in the pathogenicity of this bacterium. A special attention is paid to the mismatch repair system (MMR) and functioning of the MutS and MutL proteins, as well as to the role of these proteins in regulation of the pilin antigenic variation of the N. gonorrhoeae pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mayya V Monakhova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Iuliia V Iakushkina
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Irina I Borovikova
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Elena A Kubareva
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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