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Majumder S, Das S, Li P, Yang N, Dellario H, Sui H, Guan Z, Sun W. Pneumonic Plague Protection Induced by a Monophosphoryl Lipid A Decorated Yersinia Outer-Membrane-Vesicle Vaccine. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2307066. [PMID: 38009518 PMCID: PMC11009084 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
A new Yersinia pseudotuberculosis mutant strain, YptbS46, carrying the lpxE insertion and pmrF-J deletion is constructed and shown to exclusively produce monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) having adjuvant properties. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) isolated from YptbS46 harboring an lcrV expression plasmid, pSMV13, are designated OMV46-LcrV, which contained MPLA and high amounts of LcrV (Low Calcium response V) and displayed low activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Intramuscular prime-boost immunization with 30 µg of of OMV46-LcrV exhibited substantially reduced reactogenicity than the parent OMV44-LcrV and conferred complete protection to mice against a high-dose of respiratory Y. pestis challenge. OMV46-LcrV immunization induced robust adaptive responses in both lung mucosal and systemic compartments and orchestrated innate immunity in the lung, which are correlated with rapid bacterial clearance and unremarkable lung damage during Y. pestis challenge. Additionally, OMV46-LcrV immunization conferred long-term protection. Moreover, immunization with reduced doses of OMV46-LcrV exhibited further lower reactogenicity and still provided great protection against pneumonic plague. The studies strongly demonstrate the feasibility of OMV46-LcrV as a new type of plague vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saugata Majumder
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Shreya Das
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Nicole Yang
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Hazel Dellario
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, 12237, USA
| | - Haixin Sui
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, 12237, USA
| | - Ziqiang Guan
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
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2
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Li P, Wang H, Sun W, Ding J. Impact of MgtC on the Fitness of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Pathogens 2023; 12:1428. [PMID: 38133312 PMCID: PMC10747817 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is an extracellular foodborne pathogen and usually causes self-limiting diarrhea in healthy humans. MgtC is known as a key subversion factor that contributes to intramacrophage adaptation and intracellular survival in certain important pathogens. Whether MgtC influences the fitness of Y. pseudotuberculosis is unclear. According to in silico analysis, MgtC in Y. pseudotuberculosis might share similar functions with other bacterial pathogens, such as Salmonella. Studies indicated that MgtC was clearly required for Y. pseudotuberculosis growth in vitro and bacterial survival in macrophages under Mg2+ starvation. Transcriptome analysis by RNA-seq indicated that 127 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (fold change > 2 and p < 0.001) were discovered between wild-type PB1+ and mgtC mutant inside macrophages. However, a lack of MgtC only moderately, albeit significantly, reduced the virulence of Y. pseudotuberculosis in mice. Overall, this study provides additional insights for the role of MgtC in Y. pseudotuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Li
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Hengtai Wang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA;
| | - Jiabo Ding
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;
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Majumder S, Das S, Li P, Yang N, Dellario H, Sui H, Guan Z, Sun W. Pneumonic plague protection induced by a monophosphoryl lipid A decorated Yersinia outer-membrane-vesicle vaccine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.17.553697. [PMID: 37645871 PMCID: PMC10462118 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.17.553697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
A newly constructed Yersinia pseudotuberculosis mutant (YptbS46) carrying the lpxE insertion and pmrF-J deletion exclusively synthesized an adjuvant form of lipid A, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA). Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) isolated from YptbS46 harboring an lcrV expression plasmid, pSMV13, were designated OMV 46 -LcrV, which contained MPLA and high amounts of LcrV and displayed low activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Similar to the previous OMV 44 -LcrV, intramuscular prime-boost immunization with 30 µg of OMV 46 -LcrV exhibited substantially reduced reactogenicity and conferred complete protection to mice against a high-dose of respiratory Y. pestis challenge. OMV 46 -LcrV immunization induced robust adaptive responses in both lung mucosal and systemic compartments and orchestrated innate immunity in the lung, which were correlated with rapid bacterial clearance and unremarkable lung damage during Y. pestis challenge. Additionally, OMV 46 -LcrV immunization conferred long-term protection. Moreover, immunization with reduced doses of OMV 46 -LcrV exhibited further lower reactogenicity and still provided great protection against pneumonic plague. Our studies strongly demonstrate the feasibility of OMV 46 -LcrV as a new type of plague vaccine candidate.
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Naveed M, Makhdoom SI, Abbas G, Safdari M, Farhadi A, Habtemariam S, Shabbir MA, Jabeen K, Asif MF, Tehreem S. The Virulent Hypothetical Proteins: The Potential Drug Target Involved in Bacterial Pathogenesis. Mini Rev Med Chem 2022; 22:2608-2623. [DOI: 10.2174/1389557522666220413102107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Hypothetical proteins (HPs) are non-predicted sequences that are identified only by open reading frames in sequenced genomes but their protein products remain uncharacterized by any experimental means. The genome of every species consists of HPs that are involved in various cellular processes and signaling pathways. Annotation of HPs is important as they play a key role in disease mechanisms, drug designing, vaccine production, antibiotic production, and host adaptation. In the case of bacteria, 25-50% of the genome comprises of HPs, which are involved in metabolic pathways and pathogenesis. The characterization of bacterial HPs helps to identify virulent proteins that are involved in pathogenesis. This can be done using in-silico studies, which provide sequence analogs, physiochemical properties, cellular or subcellular localization, structure and function validation, and protein-protein interactions. The most diverse types of virulent proteins are exotoxins, endotoxins, and adherent virulent factors that are encoded by virulent genes present on the chromosomal DNA of the bacteria. This review evaluates virulent HPs of pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Yersinia pestis. The potential of these HPs as a drug target in bacteria-caused infectious diseases along with the mode of action and treatment approaches have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Naveed
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Izma Makhdoom
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Abbas
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mohammadreza Safdari
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Amin Farhadi
- Kavian Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Solomon Habtemariam
- Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories & Herbal Analysis Services UK, University of Greenwich, Medway Campus-Science, Grenville Building (G102/G107), Central Avenue, Chatham-Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Muhammad Aqib Shabbir
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Khizra Jabeen
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Farrukh Asif
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Sana Tehreem
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, Hubei, China
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5
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Wang X, Li P, Singh AK, Zhang X, Guan Z, Curtiss R, Sun W. Remodeling Yersinia pseudotuberculosis to generate a highly immunogenic outer membrane vesicle vaccine against pneumonic plague. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2109667119. [PMID: 35275791 PMCID: PMC8931243 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109667119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
SignificanceYersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague, has been responsible for high mortality in several epidemics throughout human history. This plague bacillus has been used as a biological weapon during human history and is currently one of the deadliest biological threats. Currently, no licensed plague vaccines are available in the Western world. Since an array of immunogens are enclosed in outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), immune responses elicited by OMVs against a diverse range of antigens may reduce the likelihood of antigen circumvention. Therefore, self-adjuvanting OMVs from a remodeled Yersinia pseudotuberculosis strain as a type of plague vaccine could diversify prophylactic choices and solve current vaccine limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuran Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Amit K. Singh
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Xiangmin Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy/Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Ziqiang Guan
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Roy Curtiss
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208
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Outer Membrane Vesicles Displaying a Heterologous PcrV-HitA Fusion Antigen Promote Protection against Pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection. mSphere 2021; 6:e0069921. [PMID: 34612675 PMCID: PMC8510544 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00699-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Along with surging threats and antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in health care settings, it is imperative to develop effective vaccines against P. aeruginosa infection. In this study, we used an Asd (aspartate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase)-based balanced-lethal host-vector system of a recombinant Yersinia pseudotuberculosis mutant to produce self-adjuvanting outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The OMVs were used as a carrier to deliver the heterologous PcrV-HitAT (PH) fusion antigen of P. aeruginosa for vaccine evaluation. Intramuscular vaccination with OMVs carrying the PH antigen (referred to rOMV-PH) afforded 73% protection against intranasal challenge with 5 × 106 (25 50% lethal doses) of the cytotoxic PA103 strain and complete protection against a noncytotoxic PAO1 strain. In contrast, vaccination with the PH-deficient OMVs or PH antigen alone failed to offer effective protection against the same challenge. Immune analysis showed that the rOMV-PH vaccination induced potent humoral and Th1/Th17 responses compared to the PH vaccination. The rOMV-PH vaccination rapidly cleared P. aeruginosa burdens with coordinated production of proinflammatory cytokines in mice. Moreover, antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and their producing cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-17A), rather than antibodies, were essential for protection against pneumonic P. aeruginosa infection. Our studies demonstrated that the recombinant Y. pseudotuberculosis OMVs delivering heterologous P. aeruginosa antigens could be a new promising vaccine candidate for preventing the spread of drug-resistant P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE Hospital- and community-acquired infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa cause a high rate of morbidity and mortality in patients who have underlying medical conditions. The spread of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains is becoming a great challenge for treatment using antibiotics. Thus, a vaccine as one of the alternative strategies is urgently required to prevent P. aeruginosa infection.
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Li P, Wang X, Smith C, Shi Y, Wade JT, Sun W. Dissecting psa Locus Regulation in Yersinia pestis. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:e0023721. [PMID: 34280001 PMCID: PMC8425409 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00237-21] [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: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The pH 6 antigen (PsaA) of Yersinia pestis is a virulence factor that is expressed in response to high temperature (37°C) and low pH (6.0). Previous studies have implicated the PsaE and PsaF regulators in the temperature- and pH-dependent regulation of psaA. Here, we show that PsaE levels are themselves controlled by pH and temperature, explaining the regulation of psaA. We identify hundreds of binding sites for PsaE across the Y. pestis genome, with the majority of binding sites located in intergenic regions bound by the nucleoid-associated protein H-NS. However, we detect direct regulation of only two transcripts by PsaE, likely due to displacement of H-NS from the corresponding promoter regions; our data suggest that most PsaE binding sites are nonregulatory or that they require additional environmental cues. We also identify the precise binding sites for PsaE that are required for temperature- and pH-dependent regulation of psaA and psaE. Thus, our data reveal the critical role that PsaE plays in the regulation of psaA and suggest that PsaE may have many additional regulatory targets. IMPORTANCE Y. pestis, the etiologic agent of plague, has been responsible for high mortality in several epidemics throughout human history. The plague bacillus has been used as a biological weapon during human history and is currently one of the most likely biological threats. PsaA and PsaE appear to play important roles during Y. pestis infection. Understanding their regulation by environmental cues would facilitate a solution to impede Y. pestis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Li
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Xiuran Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Carol Smith
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Yixin Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Joseph T. Wade
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
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Cote CK, Biryukov SS, Klimko CP, Shoe JL, Hunter M, Rosario-Acevedo R, Fetterer DP, Moody KL, Meyer JR, Rill NO, Dankmeyer JL, Worsham PL, Bozue JA, Welkos SL. Protection Elicited by Attenuated Live Yersinia pestis Vaccine Strains against Lethal Infection with Virulent Y. pestis. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020161. [PMID: 33669472 PMCID: PMC7920443 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The etiologic agent of plague, Yersinia pestis, is a globally distributed pathogen which poses both a natural and adversarial threat. Due largely to the rapid course and high mortality of pneumonic plague, vaccines are greatly needed. Two-component protein vaccines have been unreliable and potentially vulnerable to vaccine resistance. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of eight live Y. pestis strains derived from virulent strains CO92 or KIM6+ and mutated in one or more virulence-associated gene(s) or cured of plasmid pPst. Stringent, single-dose vaccination allowed down-selection of the two safest and most protective vaccine candidates, CO92 mutants pgm- pPst- and ΔyscN. Both completely protected BALB/c mice against subcutaneous and aerosol challenge with Y. pestis. Strain CD-1 outbred mice were more resistant to bubonic (but not pneumonic) plague than BALB/c mice, but the vaccines elicited partial protection of CD-1 mice against aerosol challenge, while providing full protection against subcutaneous challenge. A ΔyscN mutant of the nonencapsulated C12 strain was expected to display antigens previously concealed by the capsule. C12 ΔyscN elicited negligible titers to F1 but comparable antibody levels to whole killed bacteria, as did CO92 ΔyscN. Although one dose of C12 ΔyscN was not protective, vaccination with two doses of either CO92 ΔyscN, or a combination of the ΔyscN mutants of C12 and CO92, protected optimally against lethal bubonic or pneumonic plague. Protection against encapsulated Y. pestis required inclusion of F1 in the vaccine and was associated with high anti-F1 titers.
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Byvalov AA, Konyshev IV, Uversky VN, Dentovskaya SV, Anisimov AP. Yersinia Outer Membrane Vesicles as Potential Vaccine Candidates in Protecting against Plague. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1694. [PMID: 33353123 PMCID: PMC7766529 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the relatively low incidence of plague, its etiological agent, Yersinia pestis, is an exceptional epidemic danger due to the high infectivity and mortality of this infectious disease. Reports on the isolation of drug-resistant Y. pestis strains indicate the advisability of using asymmetric responses, such as phage therapy and vaccine prophylaxis in the fight against this problem. The current relatively effective live plague vaccine is not approved for use in most countries because of its ability to cause heavy local and system reactions and even a generalized infectious process in people with a repressed immune status or metabolic disorders, as well as lethal infection in some species of nonhuman primates. Therefore, developing alternative vaccines is of high priority and importance. However, until now, work on the development of plague vaccines has mainly focused on screening for the potential immunogens. Several investigators have identified the protective potency of bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) as a promising basis for bacterial vaccine candidates. This review is aimed at presenting these candidates of plague vaccine and the results of their analysis in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey A. Byvalov
- Komi Research Center, Laboratory of Microbial Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia;
- Department of Biotechnology, Vyatka State University, 610000 Kirov, Russia
| | - Ilya V. Konyshev
- Komi Research Center, Laboratory of Microbial Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia;
- Department of Biotechnology, Vyatka State University, 610000 Kirov, Russia
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Svetlana V. Dentovskaya
- Laboratory for Plague Microbiology, Especially Dangerous Infections Department, State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 142279 Obolensk, Russia;
| | - Andrey P. Anisimov
- Laboratory for Plague Microbiology, Especially Dangerous Infections Department, State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 142279 Obolensk, Russia;
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10
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Wang X, Singh AK, Zhang X, Sun W. Induction of Protective Antiplague Immune Responses by Self-Adjuvanting Bionanoparticles Derived from Engineered Yersinia pestis. Infect Immun 2020; 88:e00081-20. [PMID: 32152195 PMCID: PMC7171232 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00081-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A Yersinia pestis mutant synthesizing an adjuvant form of lipid A (monophosphoryl lipid A, MPLA) displayed increased biogenesis of bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). To enhance the immunogenicity of the OMVs, we constructed an Asd-based balanced-lethal host-vector system that oversynthesized the LcrV antigen of Y. pestis, raised the amounts of LcrV enclosed in OMVs by the type II secretion system, and eliminated harmful factors like plasminogen activator (Pla) and murine toxin from the OMVs. Vaccination with OMVs containing MPLA and increased amounts of LcrV with diminished toxicity afforded complete protection in mice against subcutaneous challenge with 8 × 105 CFU (80,000 50% lethal dose [LD50]) and intranasal challenge with 5 × 103 CFU (50 LD50) of virulent Y. pestis This protection was significantly superior to that resulting from vaccination with LcrV/alhydrogel or rF1-V/alhydrogel. At week 4 postimmunization, the OMV-immunized mice showed more robust titers of antibodies against LcrV, Y. pestis whole-cell lysate (YPL), and F1 antigen and more balanced IgG1:IgG2a/IgG2b-derived Th1 and Th2 responses than LcrV-immunized mice. Moreover, potent adaptive and innate immune responses were stimulated in the OMV-immunized mice. Our findings demonstrate that self-adjuvanting Y. pestis OMVs provide a novel plague vaccine candidate and that the rational design of OMVs could serve as a robust approach for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuran Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Amit K Singh
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Xiangmin Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy/Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
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11
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Wang X, Singh AK, Sun W. Protection and Safety Evaluation of Live Constructions Derived from the Pgm - and pPCP1 - Yersinia pestis Strain. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E95. [PMID: 32098032 PMCID: PMC7157699 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on a live attenuated Yersinia pestis KIM10(pCD1Ap) strain (Pgm-, pPCP1-), we attempted to engineer its lipid A species to achieve improvement of immunogenicity and safety. A mutant strain designated as YPS19(pCD1Ap), mainly synthesizing the hexa-acylated lipid A, and another mutant strain designated as YPS20(pCD1Ap), synthesizing 1-dephosphalated hexa-acylated lipid A (detoxified lipid A), presented relatively low virulence in comparison to KIM10(pCD1Ap) by intramuscular (i.m.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) administration. The i.m. administration with either the KIM10(pCD1Ap) or YPS19(pCD1Ap) strain afforded significant protection against bubonic and pneumonic plague compared to the s.c. administration, while administration with completely attenuated YPS20(pCD1Ap) strain failed to afford significant protection. Antibody analysis showed that i.m. administration induced balanced Th1 and Th2 responses but s.c. administration stimulated Th2-biased responses. Safety evaluation showed that YPS19(pCD1Ap) was relatively safer than its parent KIM10(pCD1Ap) in Hfe-/- mice manifesting iron overload in tissues, which also did not impair its protection. Therefore, the immune activity of hexa-acylated lipid A can be harnessed for rationally designing bacteria-derived vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wei Sun
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (X.W.); (A.K.S.)
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12
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Fang H, Liu L, Zhang Y, Yang H, Yan Y, Ding X, Han Y, Zhou D, Yang R. BfvR, an AraC-Family Regulator, Controls Biofilm Formation and pH6 Antigen Production in Opposite Ways in Yersinia pestis Biovar Microtus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:347. [PMID: 30333962 PMCID: PMC6176095 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilm formation is critical for blocking flea foregut and hence for transmission of Y. pestis by flea biting. In this study, we identified the regulatory role of the AraC-family transcriptional regulator BfvR (YPO1737 in strain CO92) in biofilm formation and virulence of Yersinia pestis biovar Microtus. Crystal violet staining, Caenorhabditis elegans biofilm assay, colony morphology assay, intracellular c-di-GMP concentration determination, and BALB/c mice challenge were employed to reveal that BfvR enhanced Y. pestis biofilm formation while repressed its virulence in mice. Further molecular biological assays demonstrated that BfvR directly stimulated the expression of hmsHFRS, waaAE-coaD, and hmsCDE, which, in turn, affected the production of exopolysaccharide, LPS, and c-di-GMP, respectively. In addition, BfvR directly and indirectly repressed psaABC and psaEF transcription, respectively. We concluded that the modulation of biofilm- and virulence-related genes by BfvR led to increased biofilm formation and reduced virulence of Y. pestis biovar Microtus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihong Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,Division of Biology, Beijing Academy, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Wuhan General Hospital of PLA, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiquan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Huiying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfeng Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Ding
- Department of Microbiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yanping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Ruifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
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13
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Abstract
Three major plague pandemics caused by the gram-negative bacterium Yersinia pestis have killed nearly 200 million people in human history. Due to its extreme virulence and the ease of its transmission, Y. pestis has been used purposefully for biowarfare in the past. Currently, plague epidemics are still breaking out sporadically in most of parts of the world, including the United States. Approximately 2000 cases of plague are reported each year to the World Health Organization. However, the potential use of the bacteria in modern times as an agent of bioterrorism and the emergence of a Y. pestis strain resistant to eight antibiotics bring out severe public health concerns. Therefore, prophylactic vaccination against this disease holds the brightest prospect for its long-term prevention. Here, we summarize the progress of the current vaccine development for counteracting plague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 110880, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0880, USA.
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14
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Sun W, Sanapala S, Rahav H, Curtiss R. Oral administration of a recombinant attenuated Yersinia pseudotuberculosis strain elicits protective immunity against plague. Vaccine 2015; 33:6727-35. [PMID: 26514425 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.10.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
A Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PB1+ (Yptb PB1+) mutant strain combined with chromosome insertion of the caf1R-caf1A-caf1M-caf1 operon and deletions of yopJ and yopK, χ10068 [pYV-ω2 (ΔyopJ315 ΔyopK108) ΔlacZ044::caf1R-caf1M-caf1A-caf1] was constructed. Results indicated that gene insertion and deletion did not affect the growth rate of χ10068 compared to wild-type Yptb cultured at 26 °C. In addition, the F1 antigen in χ10068 was synthesized and secreted on the surface of bacteria at 37 °C (mammalian body temperature), not at ambient culture temperature (26 °C). Immunization with χ10068 primed antibody responses and specific T-cell responses to F1 and YpL (Y. pestis whole cell lysate). Oral immunization with a single dose of χ10068 provided 70% protection against a subcutaneous (s.c.) challenge with ∼ 2.6 × 10(5) LD50 of Y. pestis KIM6+ (pCD1Ap) (KIM6+Ap) and 90% protection against an intranasal (i.n.) challenge with ∼ 500 LD50 of KIM6+Ap in mice. Our results suggest that χ10068 can be used as an effective precursor to make a safe vaccine to prevent plague in humans and to eliminate plague circulation among humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
| | - Shilpa Sanapala
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Hannah Rahav
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Roy Curtiss
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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15
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LcrV delivered via type III secretion system of live attenuated Yersinia pseudotuberculosis enhances immunogenicity against pneumonic plague. Infect Immun 2014; 82:4390-404. [PMID: 25114109 DOI: 10.1128/iai.02173-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we constructed a Yersinia pseudotuberculosis mutant strain with arabinose-dependent regulated and delayed shutoff of crp expression (araC P(BAD) crp) and replacement of the msbB gene with the Escherichia coli msbB gene to attenuate it. Then, we inserted the asd mutation into this construction to form χ10057 [Δasd-206 ΔmsbB868::P(msbB) msbB(EC) ΔP(crp21)::TT araC P(BAD) crp] for use with a balanced-lethal Asd-positive (Asd(+)) plasmid to facilitate antigen synthesis. A hybrid protein composed of YopE (amino acids [aa]1 to 138) fused with full-length LcrV (YopE(Nt138)-LcrV) was synthesized in χ10057 harboring an Asd(+) plasmid (pYA5199, yopE(Nt138)-lcrV) and could be secreted through a type III secretion system (T3SS) in vitro and in vivo. Animal studies indicated that mice orally immunized with χ10057(pYA5199) developed titers of IgG response to whole-cell lysates of Y. pestis (YpL) and subunit LcrV similar to those seen with χ10057(pYA3332) (χ10057 plus an empty plasmid). However, only immunization of mice with χ10057(pYA5199) resulted in a significant secretory IgA response to LcrV. χ10057(pYA5199) induced a higher level of protection (80% survival) against intranasal (i.n.) challenge with ~240 median lethal doses (LD50) (2.4 × 10(4) CFU) of Y. pestis KIM6+(pCD1Ap) than χ10057(pYA3332) (40% survival). Splenocytes from mice vaccinated with χ10057(pYA5199) produced significant levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) after restimulation with LcrV and YpL antigens. Our results suggest that it is possible to use an attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis strain delivering the LcrV antigen via the T3SS as a potential vaccine candidate against pneumonic plague.
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16
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Galen JE, Curtiss R. The delicate balance in genetically engineering live vaccines. Vaccine 2014; 32:4376-4385. [PMID: 24370705 PMCID: PMC4069233 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Revised: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Contemporary vaccine development relies less on empirical methods of vaccine construction, and now employs a powerful array of precise engineering strategies to construct immunogenic live vaccines. In this review, we will survey various engineering techniques used to create attenuated vaccines, with an emphasis on recent advances and insights. We will further explore the adaptation of attenuated strains to create multivalent vaccine platforms for immunization against multiple unrelated pathogens. These carrier vaccines are engineered to deliver sufficient levels of protective antigens to appropriate lymphoid inductive sites to elicit both carrier-specific and foreign antigen-specific immunity. Although many of these technologies were originally developed for use in Salmonella vaccines, application of the essential logic of these approaches will be extended to development of other enteric vaccines where possible. A central theme driving our discussion will stress that the ultimate success of an engineered vaccine rests on achieving the proper balance between attenuation and immunogenicity. Achieving this balance will avoid over-activation of inflammatory responses, which results in unacceptable reactogenicity, but will retain sufficient metabolic fitness to enable the live vaccine to reach deep tissue inductive sites and trigger protective immunity. The breadth of examples presented herein will clearly demonstrate that genetic engineering offers the potential for rapidly propelling vaccine development forward into novel applications and therapies which will significantly expand the role of vaccines in public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Galen
- Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Division of Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Roy Curtiss
- Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, The Biodesign Institute and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
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