Use of synthetic antigens to determine the epitope specificities of monoclonal antibodies against the 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate region of bacterial lipopolysaccharide

Hit 'em Where It Hurts: Gram-Negative Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide as a Vaccine Target

Infections with antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria pose an increasing threat to the ability to perform surgical procedures, organ transplantation, and treat cancer among many other medical conditions. There are few new antimicrobials in the development pipeline. Vaccines against AMR Gram-negative bacteria may reduce the use of antimicrobials and prevent bacterial transmission. This review traces the origins of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-based vaccines against Gram-negative bacteria, the role of O polysaccharides and LPS core regions as potential vaccine targets, the development of new vaccine technologies, and their application to vaccines in current development.

Cloning, sequencing, and functional analysis of three glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of the inner core region of Klebsiella pneumoniae lipopolysaccharide

The genes encoding the 3-deoxy-D- manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) transferase ( waaA) and heptosyltransferases I ( waaC) and II ( waaF) in Klebsiella pneumoniae were cloned from a DNA library by functional complementation of corresponding Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica mutants. Sequence analyses revealed extensive homologies of the deduced proteins to their counterparts in other Enterobacteriaceae. However, differences were evident with regard to the chromosomal organization of the genes. To perform in vitro studies, the waaA, waaC and waaF genes were subcloned and expressed in the Gram-positive host Corynebacterium glutamicum. WaaA was characterized as a bifunctional enzyme capable of transferring two Kdo residues to a synthetic bisphosphorylated tetraacyl-lipid A precursor of E. coli (compound 406). In contrast, waaC and waaF were shown to encode specific glycosyltransferases catalyzing the consecutive transfer of two L- glycero-D- manno-heptose residues to Kdo2-406.

Review: Evidence against the hypothesis that antibodies to the inner core of lipopolysaccharides in antisera raised by immunization with enterobacterial deep-rough mutants confer broad-spectrum protection during Gram-negative bacterial sepsis

Antisera to rough enterobacterial mutants of chemotypes Ra, Rc, and Re have been reported to confer broad-spectrum protection against wild-type smooth strains. It has been hypothesized that binding and neutralization of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) by antibodies to common core epitopes underlies such protection. This review summarizes experiments by our laboratory and others that do not confirm this concept and proposes reasons for the divergent results. Studies indicating broad-spectrum protection by rough-mutant antisera often had defects in experimental design or methodology. These include the failure: (i) to use matched pre- and postimmune sera from the same donors to control for variable protective activity of normal sera; (ii) to exclude the role of natural and polyclonally stimulated antibodies with proven protective activity against the infecting bacterial strain (e.g. O-specific, capsular, Pseudomonas exotoxin A); (iii) to exclude protective effects of acute-phase serum factors; (iv) to exclude protective effects of endotoxin contamination after adsorption or fractionation of antibody preparations; (v) to use non-boiled bacteria and LPS not subjected to acid-hydrolysis or gel-fractionation, and to exclude nonspecific adsorption, to demonstrate physiologically meaningful binding of rough-mutant antibodies to smooth enterobacteria and their LPS.

Synthesis of Kdo-trisaccharide derivatives of chlamydial and enterobacterial LPS containing carboxyl-reduced or β-configurated Kdo-residues

Five allyl glycosides corresponding to the 3-deoxy-D- manno-2-octulosonic acid (Kdo) containing genus-specific LPS epitope of Chlamydia were synthesized. Compounds 5 and 22 contain one carboxyl-reduced Kdo moiety linked to O-4 of the proximal Kdo unit, whereas the analogues 28, 34 and 36 each contain one β-linked Kdo-residue within the trisaccharide sequence Kdo p-(2→8)-Kdo p-(2→4)-Kdo p. Elaboration of the carboxyl-reduced derivatives was achieved by BF3•Et2O-catalyzed coupling of Kdo-fluoride derivatives 1 or 14 with the 7,8- O-carbonyl-derivative 2. The β-linked oligosaccharides were obtained by Helferich-glycosidation of the respective Kdo-disaccharide bromide derivatives 26 and 31. The deprotected compounds - characterized by H and 13C NMR spectroscopy - are suitable haptens for the immunochemical study of monoclonal antibodies directed against the Kdo-region of chlamydial and enterobacterial LPS.

Metabolic Network for the Biosynthesis of Intra- and Extracellular α-Glucans Required for Virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis synthesizes intra- and extracellular α-glucans that were believed to originate from separate pathways. The extracellular glucose polymer is the main constituent of the mycobacterial capsule that is thought to be involved in immune evasion and virulence. However, the role of the α-glucan capsule in pathogenesis has remained enigmatic due to an incomplete understanding of α-glucan biosynthetic pathways preventing the generation of capsule-deficient mutants. Three separate and potentially redundant pathways had been implicated in α-glucan biosynthesis in mycobacteria: the GlgC-GlgA, the Rv3032 and the TreS-Pep2-GlgE pathways. We now show that α-glucan in mycobacteria is exclusively assembled intracellularly utilizing the building block α-maltose-1-phosphate as the substrate for the maltosyltransferase GlgE, with subsequent branching of the polymer by the branching enzyme GlgB. Some α-glucan is exported to form the α-glucan capsule. There is an unexpected convergence of the TreS-Pep2 and GlgC-GlgA pathways that both generate α-maltose-1-phosphate. While the TreS-Pep2 route from trehalose was already known, we have now established that GlgA forms this phosphosugar from ADP-glucose and glucose 1-phosphate 1000-fold more efficiently than its hitherto described glycogen synthase activity. The two routes are connected by the common precursor ADP-glucose, allowing compensatory flux from one route to the other. Having elucidated this unexpected configuration of the metabolic pathways underlying α-glucan biosynthesis in mycobacteria, an M. tuberculosis double mutant devoid of α-glucan could be constructed, showing a direct link between the GlgE pathway, α-glucan biosynthesis and virulence in a mouse infection model.

Capsule formation is critical for the virulence of many bacterial and fungal pathogens. Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells are known to be surrounded by a capsule layer that is mainly composed of an α-glucan glucose polymer that resembles glycogen. Progress in understanding its role in the virulence of this important human pathogen has been held back by a lack of knowledge of its biosynthesis, preventing the generation of α-glucan-deficient mutants that could be tested in animal infection models. In this work, we unraveled an unexpected metabolic network configuration revealing the exclusive production of both intracellular and capsular α-glucans by the maltosyltransferase GlgE in mycobacteria. GlgE polymerizes an α-maltose 1-phosphate building block, which is generated by two alternative pathways that are connected by a common intermediate allowing rechanneling of flux from one route to the other. Elucidation of this unexpected configuration of the metabolic pathways underlying α-glucan biosynthesis allowed the rational construction of an M. tuberculosis mutant strain devoid of α-glucan, showing a direct link between the GlgE pathway, α-glucan biosynthesis and virulence in a mouse infection model.

A murine monoclonal antibody to glycogen: characterization of epitope-fine specificity by saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy and its use in mycobacterial capsular α-glucan research

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), is a major pathogen responsible for 1.5 million deaths annually. This bacterium is characterized by a highly unusual and impermeable cell envelope, which plays a key role in mycobacterial survival and virulence. Although many studies have focused on the composition and functioning of the mycobacterial cell envelope, the capsular α-glucan has received relatively minor attention. Here we show that a murine monoclonal antibody (Mab) directed against glycogen cross-reacts with mycobacterial α-glucans, polymers of α(1-4)-linked glucose residues with α(1-6)-branch points. We identified the Mab epitope specificity by saturation transfer difference NMR and show that the α(1-4)-linked glucose residues are important in glucan-Mab interaction. The minimal epitope is formed by (linear) maltotriose. Notably, a Mycobacterium mutant lacking the branching enzyme GlgB does not react with the Mab; this suggests that the α(1-6)-branches form part of the epitope. These seemingly conflicting data can be explained by the fact that in the mutant the linear form of the α-glucan (amylose) is insoluble. This Mab was subsequently used to develop several techniques helpful in capsular α-glucan research. By using a capsular glucan-screening methodology based on this Mab we were able to identify several unknown genes involved in capsular α-glucan biogenesis. Additionally, we developed two methods for the detection of capsular α-glucan levels. This study therefore opens new ways to study capsular α-glucan and to identify possible targets for further research.

Interaction of lipopolysaccharide and phospholipid in mixed membranes: solid-state 31P-NMR spectroscopic and microscopic investigations

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which constitutes the outermost layer of gram-negative bacterial cells as a typical component essential for their life, induces the first line defense system of innate immunity of higher animals. To understand the basic mode of interaction between bacterial LPS and phospholipid cell membranes, distribution patterns were studied by various physical methods of deep rough mutant LPS (ReLPS) of Escherichia coli incorporated in phospholipid bilayers as simple models of cell membranes. Solid-state (31)P-NMR spectroscopic analysis suggested that a substantial part of ReLPS is incorporated into 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine lipid bilayers when multilamellar vesicles were prepared from mixtures of these. In egg L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine (egg-PC)-rich membranes, ReLPS undergoes micellization. In phosphatidylethanolamine-rich membranes, however, micellization was not observed. We studied by microscopic techniques the location of ReLPS in membranes of ReLPS/egg-PC (1:10 M/M) and ReLPS/egg-PC/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (POPG) (1:9:1 M/M/M). The influence of ReLPS on the physicochemical properties of the membranes was studied as well. Microscopic images of both giant unilamellar vesicles and supported planar lipid bilayers showed that LPS was uniformly incorporated in the egg-PC lipid bilayers. In the egg-PC/POPG (9:1 M/M) lipid bilayers, however, ReLPS is only partially incorporated and becomes a part of the membrane in a form of aggregates (or as mixed aggregates with the lipids) on the bilayer surface. The lipid lateral diffusion coefficient measurements at various molar ratios of ReLPS/egg-PC/POPG indicated that the incorporated ReLPS reduces the diffusion coefficients of the phospholipids in the membrane. The retardation of diffusion became more significant with increasing POPG concentrations in the membrane at high ReLPS/phospholipid ratios. This work demonstrated that the phospholipid composition has critical influence on the distribution of added ReLPS in the respective lipid membranes and also on the morphology and physicochemical property of the resulting membranes. A putative major factor causing these phenomena is reasoned to be the miscibility between ReLPS and individual phospholipid compositions.

OpsX from Haemophilus influenzae represents a novel type of heptosyltransferase I in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis

The inner core region of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Haemophilus influenzae is characterized by the presence of a phosphorylated 3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo). In this study, we show that the heptosyltransferase I adding the first L-glycero-D-manno-heptose residue to this acceptor is encoded by the gene opsX, which differs in substrate specificity from the other heptosyltransferase I, known as WaaC.

Physicochemical characterization of carboxymethyl lipid A derivatives in relation to biological activity

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria belongs to the most potent activators of the mammalian immune system. Its lipid moiety, lipid A, the 'endotoxic principle' of LPS, carries two negatively charged phosphate groups and six acyl chain residues in a defined asymmetric distribution (corresponding to synthetic compound 506). Tetraacyl lipid A (precursor IVa or synthetic 406), which lacks the two hydroxylated acyl chains, is agonistically completely inactive, but is a strong antagonist to bioactive LPS when administered to the cells before LPS addition. The two negative charges of lipid A, represented by the two phosphate groups, are essential for agonistic as well as for antagonistic activity and no highly active lipid A are known with negative charges other than phosphate groups. We hypothesized that the phosphate groups could be substituted by other negatively charged groups without changing the endotoxic properties of lipid A. To test this hypothesis, we synthesized carboxymethyl (CM) derivatives of hexaacyl lipid A (CM-506 and Bis-CM-506) and of tetraacyl lipid A (Bis-CM-406) and correlated their physicochemical with their endotoxic properties. We found that, similarly to compounds 506 and 406, also for their carboxymethyl derivatives a particular molecular ('endotoxic') conformation and with that, a particular aggregate structure is a prerequisite for high cytokine-inducing capacity and antagonistic activity, respectively. In other parameters such as acyl chain melting behaviour, antibody binding, activity in the Limulus lysate assay, and partially the binding of 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid transferase, strong deviations from the properties of the phosphorylated compounds were observed. These data allow a better understanding of endotoxic activity and its structural prerequisites.

The obligate predatory Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus possesses a neutral lipid A containing alpha-D-Mannoses that replace phosphate residues: similarities and differences between the lipid As and the lipopolysaccharides of the wild type strain B. bacteriovorus HD100 and its host-independent derivative HI100

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus are predatory bacteria that penetrate Gram-negative bacteria and grow intraperiplasmically at the expense of the prey. It was suggested that B. bacteriovorus partially degrade and reutilize lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the host, thus synthesizing an outer membrane containing structural elements of the prey. According to this hypothesis a host-independent mutant should possess a chemically different LPS. Therefore, the lipopolysaccharides of B. bacteriovorus HD100 and its host-independent derivative B. bacteriovorus HI100 were isolated and characterized by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and mass spectrometry. LPS of both strains were identified as smooth-form LPS with different repeating units. The lipid As were isolated after mild acid hydrolysis and their structures were determined by chemical analysis, by mass spectrometric methods, and by NMR spectroscopy. Both lipid As were characterized by an unusual chemical structure, consisting of a beta-(1-->6)-linked 2,3-diamino-2,3-dideoxy-d-glucopyranose disaccharide carrying six fatty acids that were all hydroxylated. Instead of phosphate groups substituting position O-1 of the reducing and O-4' of the nonreducing end alpha-d-mannopyranose residues were found in these lipid As. Thus, they represent the first lipid As completely missing negatively charged groups. A reduced endotoxic activity as determined by cytokine induction from human macrophages was shown for this novel structure. Only minor differences with respect to fatty acids were detected between the lipid As of the host-dependent wild type strain HD100 and for its host-independent derivative HI100. From the results of the detailed analysis it can be concluded that the wild type strain HD100 synthesizes an innate LPS.

Construction of a deep-rough mutant of Burkholderia cepacia ATCC 25416 and characterization of its chemical and biological properties

Burkholderia cepacia is a bacterium with increasing importance as a pathogen in patients with cystic fibrosis. The deep-rough mutant Ko2b was generated from B. cepacia type strain ATCC 25416 by insertion of a kanamycin resistance cassette into the gene waaC encoding heptosyltransferase I. Mass spectrometric analysis of the de-O-acylated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the mutant showed that it consisted of a bisphosphorylated glucosamine backbone with two 3-hydroxyhexadecanoic acids in amide-linkage, 4-amino-4-deoxyarabinose (Ara4N) residues on both phosphates, and a core oligosaccharide of the sequence Ara4N-(1 --> 8) D-glycero-D-talo-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Ko)-(2 --> 4)3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo). The mutant allowed investigations on the biosynthesis of the LPS as well as on its role in human infection. Mutant Ko2b showed no difference in its ability to invade human macrophages as compared with the wild type. Furthermore, isolated LPS of both strains induced the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha from macrophages to the same extent. Thus, the truncation of the LPS did not decrease the biological activity of the mutant or its LPS in these aspects.

Inhibition of LPS-induced activation of alveolar macrophages by high concentrations of LPS-binding protein

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein regulates the effects of LPS on immunocompetent cells. By catalyzing the binding of LPS to membrane CD14, LPS-binding protein (LBP) potentiates both the inflammatory response and internalization of LPS. LBP-mediated transport of LPS into high density lipoprotein particles participates in LPS clearance. Elevated serum levels of LBP have been shown to elicit protective effects in vivo. Because the expression of LBP is upregulated in lung epithelial cells upon proinflammatory stimulation, we here investigated whether LBP modulates inflammatory responses by lung specific cells. The moderate elevation of LBP concentrations enhanced both LPS-induced signaling and LPS uptake by rat alveolar macrophages, whereas strongly elevated LBP levels inhibited both. In contrast, the lung epithelial cell line A549 responded to high concentrations of LBP by an enhanced LPS uptake which did not result in cellular activation, suggesting an anti-inflammatory function of these cells by clearing LPS.

Comparative functional characterization in vitro of heptosyltransferase I (WaaC) and II (WaaF) from Escherichia coli

Heptosyltransferase II, encoded by the waaF gene of Escherichia coli, is a glycosyltransferase involved in the synthesis of the inner core region of lipopolysaccharide. The gene was subcloned from plasmid pWSB33 [Brabetz, W., Müller-Loennies, S., Holst, O. & Brade, H. (1997) Eur. J. Biochem. 247, 716-724] into a shuttle vector for the expression in the gram-positive host Corynebacterium glutamicum. The in vitro activity of the enzyme was investigated in comparison to that of heptosyltransferase I (WaaC) using as a source for the sugar nucleotide donor, ADP-LglyceroDmanno-heptose, a low molecular mass filtrate from a DeltawaaCF E. coli strain. Synthetic lipid A analogues varying in the acylation or phosphorylation pattern or both were tested as acceptors for the subsequent transfer of 3-deoxy-Dmanno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) and heptose by successive action of Kdo transferase (WaaA), heptosyltransferase I (WaaC) and heptosyltransferase II (WaaF). The reaction products were characterized after separation by TLC and blotting with monoclonal antibodies specific for the acceptor, the intermediates and the final products.

3-Deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) transferase of Legionella pneumophila transfers two kdo residues to a structurally different lipid A precursor of Escherichia coli

The 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) transferase gene of Legionella pneumophila was cloned and sequenced. Despite remarkable structural differences in lipid A, the gene complemented a corresponding Escherichia coli mutant and was shown to encode a bifunctional enzyme which transferred 2 Kdo residues to a lipid A acceptor of E. coli.

Chlamydial lipopolysaccharide

Chlamydiae are obligatory intracellular parasites which are responsible for various acute and chronic diseases in animals and humans. The outer membrane of the chlamydial cell wall contains a truncated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigen, which harbors a group-specific epitope being composed of a trisaccharide of 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic (Kdo) residues of the sequence alpha-Kdo-(2-->8)-alpha-Kdo-(2-->4)-alpha-Kdo. The chemical structure was established using LPS of recombinant Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica strains after transformation with a plasmid carrying the gene encoding the multifunctional chlamydial Kdo transferase. Oligosaccharides containing the Kdo region attached to the glucosamine backbone of the lipid A domain have been isolated or prepared by chemical synthesis, converted into neoglycoproteins and their antigenic properties with respect to the definition of cross-reactive and chlamydia-specific epitopes have been determined. The low endotoxic activity of chlamydial LPS is related to the unique structural features of the lipid A, which is highly hydrophobic due to the presence of unusual, long-chain fatty acids.

The internalization time course of a given lipopolysaccharide chemotype does not correspond to its activation kinetics in monocytes

The prerequisites for the initiation of pathophysiological effects of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) include binding to and possibly internalization by target cells. Monocytes/macrophages are prominent target cells which are activated by LPS to release various pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. The aim of the present study was to establish a new method to determine the binding and internalization rate of different LPS chemotypes by human monocytes and to correlate these phenomena with biological activity. It was found that membrane-bound LPS disappears within hours from the surface being internalized into the cell. Further, a correlation between the kinetics of internalization and the length of the sugar chain as well as an inverse correlation between the time course of internalization and LPS hydrophobicity was revealed. Comparison of the internalization kinetics of different LPS chemotypes with kinetics of tumor necrosis factor alpha release and kinetics of oxidative burst did not reveal any correlation of these parameters. These findings suggest that cellular internalization of and activation by LPS are mechanisms which are independently regulated.

Antibodies to lipopolysaccharide

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are indispensable structural components of the Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane and are major determinants of virulence in pathogenic species. In the infected host LPS is better known as endotoxin where it acts as a potent stimulator of the inflammatory response. This article reviews the methods for the production and measurement of anti-LPS antibodies, and then describes the uses to which these methods have been employed. Antibodies to LPS (either monoclonal or polyclonal) may be used directly as immunotherapeutic agents for the treatment of Gram-negative sepsis or endotoxaemia, or as probes for the diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of Gram-negative bacterial infections. Antibodies are useful tools for investigation of the chemical structure of LPS, its expression on bacteria and to study the role of LPS in pathogenic mechanisms. The detection and quantitation of anti-LPS antibodies has formed the basis of classical and more recent serological studies of major bacterial infections.

Recombinant human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (rBPI23) is a universal lipopolysaccharide-binding ligand

A recombinant 23-kDa protein (rBPI23) derived from human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) possesses potent endotoxin-neutralizing abilities in vitro and in vivo. Binding of rBPI23 to those endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides [LPSs]) encountered clinically would be a prerequisite for efficacy in decreasing mortality among patients suffering from gram-negative sepsis and shock, a disease state in which an etiological role for LPS has been implicated. rBPI23 binds well to lipid A (n = 7), to rough-mutant O-chain-deficient LPS (n = 18, Re to Ra chemotypes), to lipid A-core covalently linked to the O chain, to LPSs from clinically relevant serotypes (n = 100), and to bacterial cells (n = 88) of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, the species most often implicated in clinical gram-negative sepsis and shock. Significant binding of rBPI23 to these antigens took place at rBPI23 concentrations of 1 to 500 ng/ml (median, 16 to 32 ng/ml). Binding did not involve 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate of the inner core. Determining the exact epitope recognized by rBPI23 would require further studies with synthetic lipid A substructures. The demonstrated ability of rBPI23 to universally bind LPS provides a sound basis for further testing of its endotoxin-neutralizing abilities, including clinical trials.

Lactoferrin is a lipid A-binding protein

Lactoferrin (LF), a cationic 80-kDa protein present in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and in mucosal secretions, is known to have antibacterial effects on gram-negative bacteria, with a concomitant release of lipopolysaccharides (LPS, endotoxin). In addition, LF is known to decrease LPS-induced cytokine release by monocytes and LPS priming of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Its mechanism of action is incompletely understood. We have now demonstrated by in vitro-binding studies that LF binds directly to isolated lipid A and intact LPS of clinically relevant serotypes of the species which most frequently cause bacteremia (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), as well as to lipid A and LPS of mucosal pathogens (among others, Neisseria meningitides and Haemophilus influenzae). Binding to LPS was inhibitable by lipid A and polymyxin B but not by KDO (3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate), a glycoside residue present in the inner core of LPS. Binding of LF to lipid A was saturable, and an affinity constant of 2 x 10(9) M-1 was calculated for the LF-lipid A interaction. Our data may explain, in part, the mechanism whereby LF exerts its antibacterial and anti-endotoxic effects. Further studies on the ability of LF to block the detrimental effects of LPS, both in vitro and in vivo, are warranted.

Binding studies of a monoclonal antibody specific for 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid with a panel of Klebsiella pneumoniae lipopolysaccharides representing all of the O serotypes

A monoclonal antibody (MAb) raised against Salmonella minnesota R595 and specific for alpha-3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (alpha-Kdo) of the inner core was tested for binding to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The MAb was tested in several assay systems (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, passive hemolysis, and inhibition of passive hemolysis) with a large panel (n = 23) of K. pneumoniae LPS representing all nine currently known O serotypes. MAb 20 showed reactivity with almost all O serotypes of K. pneumoniae LPS, and this reactivity could be inhibited by synthetic Kdo. This suggests an epitope in the cores of these Klebsiella LPS much like that in the inner core of LPS of S. minnesota. Large differences in reactivity between LPS of different strains belonging to the same O serotype were observed. After sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of LPS followed by immunoblotting, reactivity of MAb 20 was observed only with the fast-moving fraction possibly representing the nonsubstituted core. No binding was seen with the high-molecular-weight fraction that contained core material substituted with several units of O-antigen building blocks. The chemical basis for these differences in reactivity remains to be established. As far as we know, this is the first report containing comprehensive immunochemical data on the LPS core of K. pneumoniae.

Synthesis and NMR spectroscopic investigation of oligosaccharides containing Kdo and L-glycero-D-manno-heptopyranosyl residues

The disaccharides O-(sodium 3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosylonate)-(2-->8)-sodium (allyl 3-deoxy-beta-D-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onate (8), O-L-glycero-alpha-D-manno-heptopyranosyl-(1-->7)-sodium (allyl 3-deoxy-beta-D-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onate (12), and O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->7)-sodium (allyl 3-deoxy-beta-D-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onate (21) and the branched trisaccharides O-L-glycero-alpha-D-manno-heptopyranosyl-(1-->7)-[O-(sodium 3-deoxy-alpha- and -beta-D-manno-2-octulopyranosylonate)-(2-->8)]-sodium (allyl 3-deoxy-beta-D-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onate (15 and 16) and O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->7)-[O-(sodium 3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosylonate)-(2-->8)]-sodium (allyl 3-deoxy-beta-D-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onate (24) were prepared. Per-O-acetylated mannopyranosyl or Kdo bromide derivatives were employed for the glycosylation steps under Helferich conditions, whereas the imidate derivative 9 was used for the coupling of the L-glycero-D-manno-heptopyranosyl residues. The oligosaccharides were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopic data. Their structures correspond to an artificial linkage pattern providing a potential cross-reactive epitope for antibodies directed against the inner-core-region of enterobacterial as well as chlamydial lipopolysaccharides.

Preparation and binding specificity of a monoclonal antibody recognizing 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid (Kdo) in lipopolysaccharides of Re chemotype

A mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb E1) was raised against the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the Re mutant R595 of Salmonella minnesota. This IgG3 antibody (MAb E1), unstable at low pH and low ionic strength, was purified by chromatography on QAE Sepharose A50. The binding specificity of MAb E1 was characterized by direct and inhibition enzyme immunoassays, using natural LPSs from different strains and chemotypes, and synthetic analogs of LPS substructure of the 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid (Kdo) and Lipid A regions. Among various LPSs, MAb E1 reacted exclusively with those of Re-chemotype. It recognized alpha-Kdo- monosaccharide and disaccharide structures present as non-reducing side chains in various Re-type LPSs and synthetic antigens. The antibody did not react with Lipid A or various lipids, and the presence of the lipid region was not necessary for the reaction. The recognition of the epitope was not reduced by the presence of a substituent at O-8 of one of the two Kdo units present in the Re LPS from Proteus mirabilis, but the reaction was inhibited by phosphorylation of O-4 of Kdo, by the proximity of core (heptose) or Lipid A (acylated glucosamine) residues, or by certain LPS-LPS interactions.

A complement-dependent enzyme immunoassay (C-EIA) with increased sensitivity for IgM-rich rabbit sera

An enzyme immunoassay involving activation of complement (C-EIA) was developed for rabbit polyclonal IgM antibodies against lipid A and lipopolysaccharide antigens. C-EIA was significantly higher in sensitivity for IgM-rich rabbit sera compared to EIA using anti-immunoglobulin secondary antibodies. Hence, C-EIA should be useful for the detection of weak IgM reactivities in rabbit sera, especially after short-time immunizations. Selective inhibition of both complement pathways indicated that C-EIA measures activation of the classical pathway.

[Synthesis of a Kdo-containing pentasaccharide sequence of the inner core- and lipid A-region of lipopolysaccharides]

Coupling of methyl (4,5,7,8-tetra-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosyl) onate-(2----4)-methyl (5,7,8-tri-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-octulopyranosyl bromide)onate with benzyl O-(methyl [3-deoxy-7,8,O-(tetraisopropyldisiloxan 1,3-diyl)-alpha-D-manno-octulopyranosylonate)-2-----6)-O-([( R)-3-benzyloxytetradecanoylamino]-2-deoxy-3,4-O-(tetraisopropyl disiloxan-1,3-diyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----6)-3-O-benz yl- 2-[(R)-3-benzyloxytetradecanoylamino]-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranos ide gave stereo- and regio-selectively a pentasaccharide that was deprotected into alpha-Kdo-(2----4)-alpha-Kdo-(2----4)-alpha-Kdo-(2----6)-beta-D-GlcNh m-(1----6)-D-GlcNhm [Nhm = 2-deoxy-(R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoylamino].

Further characterization of monoclonal antibodies to lipopolysaccharide of Salmonella Minnesota strain R595

We have shown here that despite the use of monoclonal antibodies with well-defined epitope-specificities, and despite testing them in the most simple animal model available (i.e., mixing of homologous LPS with Mab prior to injection), we are not yet able to explain why some of the antibodies were effective and others not. For some of the clones (e.g., clone 20), an even better definition of binding sites is currently taking place in an attempt to obtain this understanding. We also do not yet understand why clone 20 was not effective in the mucin model, while using much lower amounts of injected antibody, and much higher challenge doses, this Mab was effective against E. coli in the gentamicin-treated mouse model. Very clear is, however, that in order to be protective in the latter model, Mabs are not required to be specific for lipid A. In the future it will be essential to develop procedures which measure specific interaction between smooth LPS/bacteria and antibodies to the LPS core region. In addition, it will be of great help when the chemical structure of non-substituted, rough-form LPS, as occurring in smooth LPS preparations, would be defined. This applies also to O-substituted core molecules.

Characterization of murine monoclonal and murine, rabbit, and human polyclonal antibodies against chlamydial lipopolysaccharide

Murine monoclonal and rabbit, murine, and human polyclonal antibodies against chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were characterized by the passive hemolysis and passive hemolysis inhibition assays and by absorption experiments with LPSs of Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis, and a recombinant strain of Salmonella minnesota Re (r595-207) expressing the chlamydia-specific LPS epitope, as well as natural and synthetic partial structures of chlamydial LPS. Eleven monoclonal antibodies of the immunoglobulin M and G classes were characterized as chlamydia-specific by their failure to react with Re-type LPS, binding to a similar epitope for which the trisaccharide alpha-3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid (KDO)-(2-8)-alpha-KDO-(2-4)-alpha-KDO was an absolute prerequisite. For optimal binding, parts of the lipid A moiety were also involved; however, phosphoryl and ester-linked acyl groups and the reducing glucosamine residue of lipid A were dispensable. A similar antibody specificity was detected in lapine and murine hyperimmune sera after immunization with chlamydia, in addition to those recognizing more complex (e.g., those requiring the presence of phosphoryl residues) and less complex epitopes. Among the latter were those cross-reacting with Re-type LPS, which could be removed by absorption. The titers of different antibody specificities, in particular the ratio of chlamydia-specific to cross-reactive antibodies, present in murine polyclonal antisera depended on the immunization protocol. The preferential formation of chlamydia-specific antibodies was observed after immunization with liposome-incorporated immunogens. Human sera from patients with suspected genital chlamydial infections were also found to contain chlamydia-specific and cross-reactive antibodies, the latter of which could be removed by absorption with Re-type LPS.

Determination of the epitope specificity of monoclonal antibodies against the inner core region of bacterial lipopolysaccharides by use of 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate-containing synthetic antigens

Partial structures of enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of the Rechemotype, consisting of lipid A and 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid (Kdo), as well as oligosaccharides and derivative of Kdo were synthesized and used to characterize the epitope specificity of monoclonal antibodies against Re-mutant LPS. High-molecular-weight antigens, obtained after copolymerization of the respective allyl glycosides with acrylamide, and the haptenic oligosaccharides were used in immunoprecipitation, immune hemolysis, and in inhibition assays. A monoclonal antibody (clone 20, igM) recognizing a terminal Kdop group was shown to require for its binding the alpha-anomeric configuration and OH-4 and OH-5 groups, whereas the C-7 - C-8 chain was of minor importance. Another monoclonal antibody (clone 25, IgG3), which recognizes a (2--4)-linked Kdo disaccharide, was shown to require for its binding the alpha-anomeric configuration of both residues. The isomer having a reducing beta-Kdo residue was significantly less active, and that with a terminal beta-Kdo group was completely inactive. The OH-5 group of the reducing residue was shown to be not important for the specificity of this antibody, since it could be replaced by a hydrogen atom without loss of serological reactivity. The alpha-(2--8)-linked Kdo disaccharide was strongly cross-reactive with its (2--4)-linked isomer. The antibody recognized also parts of the 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose backbone of lipid A.

Epitope specificities of murine monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies against enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides of the Re chemotype

Murine monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Re mutants of Salmonella minnesota, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli were serologically characterized. Using natural Re LPS and natural and synthetic partial structures thereof, representing the 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid (KDO) or lipid A region or both, the epitope specificities of four monoclonal antibodies were defined. Clones 20 (immunoglobulin M [IgM]) and 25 (IgG3) recognize a terminal alpha-pyranosidically linked KDO monosaccharide residue and the alpha-2,4-linked KDO disaccharide, respectively, as the immunodominant group. Therefore, these two antibodies are core antibodies which do not require the presence of lipid A constituents for binding. The minimal structure enabling binding of clone 17 (IgG2b) is a pseudotetrasaccharide of the sequence alpha-KDO-(2----4)-alpha-KDO-(2----6)-beta-glucosamine-(1----6)- glucosaminitol with two amide-linked 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid residues. The smallest structure with which clone 22 (IgG3) reacted was de-O-acylated Re LPS. Therefore, clones 17 and 22 are LPS antibodies requiring both the lipid A and the KDO region for binding. Phosphoryl residues of the lipid A moiety in Re LPS are dispensable for the reaction with clone 17, whereas they are necessary for that with clone 22. These four different antibody types were also detected in polyclonal rabbit antisera and could be distinguished from each other by absorption experiments. It was found that type 20 and 25 antibodies either were not present or were present only in small amounts and that the majority of the antibodies were of types 17 and 22. From these data, we conclude that the immunodominant structures of Re LPS comprise both the KDO and lipid A domains.

Synthesis of trisaccharides containing 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid residues related to the KDO-region of enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides

Glycosylation of methyl (allyl 7,8-O-carbonyl-3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulo-pyranosid)o nate with an alpha-(2----4) linked per-O-acetylated KDO-disaccharide bromide derivative under Helferich conditions afforded a 2:1 mixture of the alpha- and beta-linked trisaccharide derivatives in 50% yield. Removal of the protecting groups gave sodium O-[sodium (3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosyl)onate]-(2----4)-O-[ sodium (3-deoxy-alpha- and -beta-D-manno-2-octulopyranosyl)onate]-(2----4)-sodium (allyl 3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onate. Radical copolymerization of the allyl glycosides afforded artificial antigens, suitable for defining antibody specificities directed against the KDO-region of enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides.

Synthesis of a trisaccharide of 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulopyranosylonic acid (KDO) residues related to the genus-specific lipopolysaccharide epitope of Chlamydia

The disaccharides, O-(sodium 3-deoxy-alpha- and -beta-D-manno-2-octulopyranosylonate)-(2----8)-sodium (allyl 3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onate, were prepared via glycosylation of methyl (allyl 4,5,7-tri-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onat e with methyl (4,5,7,8-tetra-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulopyranosyl bromide)onate under Helferich and Koenigs-Knorr conditions, respectively. Based on g.l.c.-m.s. data of the alpha- and beta-(2----8)-linked disaccharide derivatives, obtained after carbonyl- and carboxyl-group reduction, followed by methylation, the alpha-anomeric configuration was assigned to the terminal KDO-residue in the KDO-region of Chlamydial lipopolysaccharide. The trisaccharide O-(sodium 3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosylonate)-(2----8)-(sodium 3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosylonate)-(2----4)-sodium (allyl 3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onate was obtained via block synthesis using an alpha-(2----8)-linked disaccharide bromide derivative as the glycosyl donor. Copolymerization of the allyl glycosides with acrylamide gave water-soluble macromolecular antigens, suitable for defining epitope specificities of monoclonal antibodies directed against Chlamydial LPS.

Prevention of lethal endotoxemia in actinomycin D-sensitized mice by incubation of Salmonella minnesota R595 lipopolysaccharide with monoclonal antibodies to R595

Murine monoclonal antibodies reacting with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Salmonella minnesota strain R595 (Re chemotype) were prepared, and tested for their ability to protect actinomycin D-sensitized mice against lethal endotoxemia. Protection was found with some antibodies up to a 90-fold increase in LD50, whereas others exhibited no protection. The various protective antibodies did not all bind to the same epitope. The same applied for non-protective clones. Protective and non-protective clones could not be discriminated by ELISA. One protective monoclonal antibody (clone 20) was specific for ketodeoxyoctonate, a structural element common to various LPS. These findings show that the involvement of lipid A in the binding site of monoclonal antibodies is no prerequisite for protection.

Comparison of monoclonal antibodies to the deeper core region of gram-negative lipopolysaccharide by means of polymyxin B inhibition studies

Previously we have described a panel of 12 monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) directed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the Salmonella minnesota Re mutant R595. Six of them had been found to decrease mortality of LPS for actinomycin D-sensitized mice. The other six clones were not effective. It is known and we have confirmed that polymyxin B (PMB) also neutralizes LPS endotoxicity. We now tested the hypothesis that protective clones bound near or at the PMB binding site, by an in vitro assay where PMB and Mab competed for binding to R595 LPS. Our results show that this hypothesis must be rejected and that the LPS epitopes recognized by protective clones are interspersed by those recognized by non-protective ones. We could, however, demonstrate that this sort of inhibition assays are of value in estimating the localization on the core of the binding sites of various Mabs.

Structural studies on the core and lipid A region of a 4-amino-L-arabinose-lacking Rc-type mutant of Proteus mirabilis

The structure of the 4-amino-L-arabinose-lacking lipopolysaccharide of the Proteus mirabilis Rc-type mutant R4, derived from wild-type O28, was elucidated. The lipopolysaccharide core structure has previously been partially characterized. The linkage between heptose and deoxyoctulosonic acid(dOclA) is now reported, as well as the structure of the lipid A moiety of this mutant strain. Besides the tentative identification of an alpha-linked glucosamine disaccharide in the lipid A backbone accompanying the usual beta 1----6-linked glucosamine-disaccharide, the only significant structural variation to previous studies was the lack of substitution of the C-4' phosphate by 4-amino-L-arabinose. In addition, the substitution at C-8 of one dOclA unit by 4-amino-L-arabinose, previously reported for the R45 mutant of P. mirabilis 1959, is lacking in this R mutant. Also in addition to previous findings, the terminal unit of heptose was found to be substituted at C-7 with phosphorylethanolamine (PEtN) and not only with phosphate, although this substitution is not complete as demonstrated by the relevant signals in 31P-NMR. Additional studies with the wild-type strain P. mirabilis O28 revealed the presence of 4-amino-L-arabinose in both the core and the lipid A regions suggesting that the R4 mutant is defective in the biosynthesis of this amino sugar rather than in its transfer. Otherwise the lipid A regions of the mutant and the wild-type strain show no structural differences. The following formula is proposed for the lipopolysaccharide of 4-amino-L-arabinose-lacking mutant R4/O28 P. mirabilis: (Formula; see text)

Monoclonal antibodies against bacteria

Highlights are presented of most recent work in which monoclonal antibodies have been instrumental in the study of bacteria and their products. Topics summarized pertain to human and veterinary medicines, dentistry, phytopathology, ichthyology, and bacterial ecophysiology, differentiation, evolution and methanogenic biotechnology.