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Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is a major public health problem worldwide. The increasing incidence of gonorrhea coupled with global spread of multidrug-resistant isolates of gonococci has ushered in an era of potentially untreatable infection. Gonococcal disease elicits limited immunity, and individuals are susceptible to repeated infections. In this chapter, we describe gonococcal disease and epidemiology and the structure and function of major surface components involved in pathogenesis. We also discuss the mechanisms that gonococci use to evade host immune responses and the immune responses following immunization with selected bacterial components that may overcome evasion. Understanding the biology of the gonococcus may aid in preventing the spread of gonorrhea and also facilitate the development of gonococcal vaccines and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Peter A Rice
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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Neisseria gonorrhoeae-mediated inhibition of apoptotic signalling in polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Infect Immun 2011; 79:4447-58. [PMID: 21844239 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01267-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae recruits and interacts extensively with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) during infection. N. gonorrhoeae is able to survive the bactericidal activity of these innate immune cells and can actively modulate PMN functions in vitro. PMNs are short-lived cells which readily undergo apoptosis, and thus the effect of N. gonorrhoeae infection on PMN survival has implications for whether PMNs might serve as an important site of bacterial replication during infection. We developed and validated an HL-60 myeloid leukemia cell culture model for PMN infection and used both these cells and primary PMNs to show that N. gonorrhoeae infection alone does not induce apoptosis and furthermore that N. gonorrhoeae can inhibit both spontaneous apoptosis and apoptosis induced by the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis inducers staurosporine (STS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), respectively. N. gonorrhoeae infection also results in the activation of NF-κB signaling in neutrophils and induces secretion of an identical profile of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in both HL-60 cells and primary PMNs. Our data show that the HL-60 cell line can be used to effectively model N. gonorrhoeae-PMN interactions and that N. gonorrhoeae actively inhibits apoptosis induced by multiple stimuli to prolong PMN survival and potentially facilitate bacterial survival, replication, and transmission.
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Hobbs MM, Sparling PF, Cohen MS, Shafer WM, Deal CD, Jerse AE. Experimental Gonococcal Infection in Male Volunteers: Cumulative Experience with Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains FA1090 and MS11mkC. Front Microbiol 2011; 2:123. [PMID: 21734909 PMCID: PMC3119411 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2011] [Accepted: 05/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental infection of male volunteers with Neisseria gonorrhoeae is safe and reproduces the clinical features of naturally acquired gonococcal urethritis. Human inoculation studies have helped define the natural history of experimental infection with two well-characterized strains of N. gonorrhoeae, FA1090 and MS11mkC. The human model has proved useful for testing the importance of putative gonococcal virulence factors for urethral infection in men. Studies with isogenic mutants have improved our understanding of the requirements for gonococcal LOS structures, pili, opacity proteins, IgA1 protease, and the ability of infecting organisms to obtain iron from human transferrin and lactoferrin during uncomplicated urethritis. The model also presents opportunities to examine innate host immune responses that may be exploited or improved in development and testing of gonococcal vaccines. Here we review results to date with human experimental gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia M. Hobbs
- Departments of Medicine, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - P. Frederick Sparling
- Departments of Medicine, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Myron S. Cohen
- Departments of Medicine, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - William M. Shafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta, GA, USA
- Laboratories of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Atlanta)Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Carolyn D. Deal
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ann E. Jerse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, USA
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Sadarangani M, Pollard AJ, Gray-Owen SD. Opa proteins and CEACAMs: pathways of immune engagement for pathogenic Neisseria. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2011; 35:498-514. [PMID: 21204865 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2010.00260.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are globally important pathogens, which in part owe their success to their ability to successfully evade human immune responses over long periods. The phase-variable opacity-associated (Opa) adhesin proteins are a major surface component of these organisms, and are responsible for bacterial adherence and entry into host cells and interactions with the immune system. Most immune interactions are mediated via binding to members of the carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM) family. These Opa variants are able to bind to different receptors of the CEACAM family on epithelial cells, neutrophils, and T and B lymphocytes, influencing the innate and adaptive immune responses. Increased epithelial cell adhesion creates the potential for prolonged infection, invasion and dissemination. Furthermore, Opa proteins may inhibit T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation, B-cell antibody production, and innate inflammatory responses by infected epithelia, in addition to conferring increased resistance to antibody-dependent, complement-mediated killing. While vaccines containing Opa proteins could induce adhesion-blocking and bactericidal antibodies, the consequence of CEACAM binding by a candidate Opa-containing vaccine requires further investigation. This review summarizes current knowledge of the immunological consequences of the interaction between meningococcal and gonococcal Opa proteins and human CEACAMs, considering the implications for pathogenesis and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Sadarangani
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
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Criss AK, Seifert HS. Neisseria gonorrhoeae suppresses the oxidative burst of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Cell Microbiol 2008; 10:2257-70. [PMID: 18684112 PMCID: PMC2692872 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2008.01205.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Symptomatic infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gc) results in a potent polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-driven inflammatory response, but the mechanisms by which Gc withstands PMN attack are poorly defined. Here we report that Gc can suppress the PMN oxidative burst, a central component of the PMN antimicrobial arsenal. Primary human PMNs remained viable after exposure to liquid-grown, exponential-phase, opacity-associated protein (Opa)-negative Gc of strains FA1090 and MS11 but did not generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), even after bacterial opsonization. Liquid-grown FA1090 Gc expressing OpaB, an Opa protein previously correlated with PMN ROS production, elicited a minor PMN oxidative burst. PMN ROS production in response to Opa(-) and OpaB+ Gc was markedly enhanced if bacteria were agar-grown or if liquid-grown bacteria were heat-killed. Liquid-grown Opa(-) Gc inhibited the PMN oxidative burst elicited by isogenic dead bacteria, formylated peptides or Staphylococcus aureus but did not inhibit PMN ROS production by OpaB+ Gc or phorbol esters. Suppression of the oxidative burst required Gc-PMN contact and bacterial protein synthesis but not phagocytosis. These results suggest that viable Gc directly inhibits PMN signalling pathways required for induction of the oxidative burst, which may contribute to gonococcal pathogenesis during inflammatory stages of gonorrhoeal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison K Criss
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Thomas CE, Zhu W, Van Dam CN, Davis NL, Johnston RE, Sparling PF. Vaccination of mice with gonococcal TbpB expressed in vivo from Venezuelan equine encephalitis viral replicon particles. Infect Immun 2006; 74:1612-20. [PMID: 16495532 PMCID: PMC1418633 DOI: 10.1128/iai.74.3.1612-1620.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the immunogenicity of gonococcal transferrin binding protein B (TbpB) expressed with and without a eukaryotic secretion signal from a nonpropagating Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particle (VRP) delivery system. TbpB was successfully expressed in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells, and the presence of the eukaryotic secretion signal not only apparently increased the protein's expression but also allowed for extracellular localization and glycosylation. Mice immunized with VRPs produced significant amounts of serum antibody although less than the amounts produced by mice immunized with recombinant protein. The response of mice immunized with VRPs encoding TbpB was consistently more Th1 biased than the response of mice immunized with recombinant protein alone. Boosting with recombinant protein following immunization with TbpB VRPs resulted in higher specific-antibody levels without altering the Th1/Th2 bias. Most of the immunization groups produced significant specific antibody binding to the intact surface of the homologous Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain. Immunization with TbpB VRPs without a eukaryotic secretion signal generated no measurable specific antibodies on the genital mucosal surface, but inclusion of a eukaryotic secretion signal or boosting with recombinant protein resulted in specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA in mucosal secretions after TbpB VRP immunization. The TbpB VRP system has potential for an N. gonorrhoeae vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E Thomas
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dept. of Medicine, Div. of Infectious Disease Research, 8341 Medical Biomolecular Research Bldg., 103 Mason Farm Road, CB 7031, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Zhu W, Thomas CE, Sparling PF. DNA immunization of mice with a plasmid encoding Neisseria gonorrhea PorB protein by intramuscular injection and epidermal particle bombardment. Vaccine 2004; 22:660-9. [PMID: 14741158 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2003.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine encoding PorB from Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain FA1090 was analyzed in BALB/C mice immunized by intramuscular needle injection or epidermal gene gun bombardment. Both delivery routes generated measurable specific antibodies although the gene gun response was slower. Antibody isotypes were indicative of Th2 activation following gene gun immunization and of Th1 activation following intramuscular injection. In both immunization protocols, boosting with either renatured recombinant (rr) PorB protein or PorB expressed from Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRPs) significantly increased anti-PorB antibody levels. Boosting with rrPorB protein had little effect on antibody isotypes, while boosting with VRPs expressing PorB-enhanced a Th1 type response. Whole cell binding experiments showed that a portion of the antibodies recognized the surface of the homologous N. gonorrhoeae strain. Serum from groups with high antibody levels showed some opsonization of the homologous strain using human neutrophils. These results showed the potential of DNA vaccination for the purpose of priming an antibody response against PorB of N. gonorrhoeae. When combined with a protein or VRP boost, DNA priming resulted in high-titer and long-lasting responses. Based on different prime-boost protocols, we could polarize immune responses to predominantly Th1 or Th2, which should enable future studies of the types of immune responses that are protective in mouse models of gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Zhu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB 7031, 8431 Medicine and Biomolecular Research Building, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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McCaw SE, Schneider J, Liao EH, Zimmermann W, Gray-Owen SD. Immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif phosphorylation during engulfment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by the neutrophil-restricted CEACAM3 (CD66d) receptor. Mol Microbiol 2003; 49:623-37. [PMID: 12864848 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2003.03591.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Gonorrhea is characterized by a purulent urethral or cervical discharge consisting primarily of neutrophils associated with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These interactions are facilitated by gonococcal colony opacity-associated (Opa) protein binding to host cellular CEACAM receptors. Of these, CEACAM3 is restricted to neutrophils and contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) reminiscent of that found within certain phagocytic Fc receptors. CEACAM3 was tyrosine phosphorylated by a Src family kinase-dependent process upon infection by gonococci expressing CEACAM-specific Opa proteins. This phosphorylation was necessary for efficient bacterial uptake; however, a less efficient uptake process became evident when kinase inhibitors or mutagenesis of the ITAM were used to prevent phosphorylation. Ligated CEACAM3 was recruited to a cytoskeleton-containing fraction, intense foci of polymerized actin were evident where bacteria attached to HeLa-CEACAM3, and disruption of polymerized actin by cytochalasin D blocked all bacterial uptake by these cells. These data support a model whereby CEACAM3 can mediate the Opa-dependent uptake of N. gonorrhoeae via either an efficient, ITAM phosphorylation-dependent process that resembles phagocytosis or a less efficient, tyrosine phosphorylation-independent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E McCaw
- Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Minor SY, Banerjee A, Gotschlich EC. Effect of alpha-oligosaccharide phenotype of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain MS11 on invasion of Chang conjunctival, HEC-1-B endometrial, and ME-180 cervical cells. Infect Immun 2000; 68:6526-34. [PMID: 11083761 PMCID: PMC97746 DOI: 10.1128/iai.68.12.6526-6534.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The genes encoding the glycosyltransferases responsible for the addition of the five sugars in the alpha-oligosaccharide (alpha-OS) moiety of lipooligosaccharide (LOS) have been identified. Disruption of these glycosyltransferase genes singly or in combination results in corresponding truncations in LOS. In the present work we show that sequential deletion of the terminal four sugar residues of gonococcal alpha-OS had no discernible effect on the invasion of human conjunctival, endometrial, and cervical cell lines. However, deletion of the proximal glucose, which resulted in the complete deletion of alpha-OS, significantly impaired invasion of the gonococci into all three cell lines. The effect of deleting alpha-OS on invasion was independent of and additive to the known invasion-promoting factor OpaA. These data suggest that the proximal glucose residue of the alpha-OS chain of LOS is required for efficient invasion of gonococci into host mucosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Y Minor
- Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA
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Schmidt KA, Deal CD, Kwan M, Thattassery E, Schneider H. Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11mkC opacity protein expression in vitro and during human volunteer infectivity studies. Sex Transm Dis 2000; 27:278-83. [PMID: 10821601 DOI: 10.1097/00007435-200005000-00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11mkC harbors 11 independently expressed opacity (Opa) protein genes with distinct in vitro expression frequencies. In experimental infections in which human male volunteers were inoculated with transparent (Opa), piliated (P+) strains, the authors associate onset of symptoms with recovery of opaque (Opa+) gonococci. GOALS In vitro and recovered (Opa) protein expression rates were compared to determine if the human host influences Opa expression. STUDY DESIGN Opa expression was determined using Western immunoblot analysis; Opa sizes were determined using a scanning densitometer. RESULTS Seven of 10 Opa proteins were identified in gonococci recovered from all of the volunteers at frequencies consistent with in vitro results (Opa C, 29.5 kDa; Opa K, 30 kDa; Opa G, 31 kDa; Opa I, 32 kDa; Opa J, 33 kDa; Opa D, 34 kDa; and Opa H, 37 kDa) (P > or = 0.01, Fisher exact test). Opa B (30.5 kDa) was identified at lower than expected frequencies, whereas Opa E (31.2) and F (31.5) were identified at higher' than expected frequencies. When recovered gonococci were reanalyzed for in vitro expression frequencies, they were consistent with preinfection frequencies. CONCLUSIONS The host may influence the prevalence of some Opa proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Schmidt
- Department of Bacterial Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington DC, USA.
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11
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Estabrook MM, Zhou D, Apicella MA. Nonopsonic phagocytosis of group C Neisseria meningitidis by human neutrophils. Infect Immun 1998; 66:1028-36. [PMID: 9488392 PMCID: PMC108012 DOI: 10.1128/iai.66.3.1028-1036.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/1997] [Accepted: 12/30/1997] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although complement-mediated bactericidal activity in serum has long been known to be very important in host defense against Neisseria meningitidis, recent studies have shown that opsonic phagocytosis by neutrophils is also important. The purpose of this study was to determine if endemic group C N. meningitidis strains were susceptible to nonopsonic (complement- and antibody-independent) phagocytosis by human neutrophils, which is a well-described phenomenon for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonococci that possess one or more of a group of heat-modifiable outer membrane proteins (called opacity-associated [Opa] proteins) are phagocytosed by neutrophils in the absence of serum. We found that four serogroup C meningococcal strains bearing the lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) structure on lipooligosaccharide (LOS) were phagocytosed by neutrophils in the absence of antibody and active complement. Confocal microscopy confirmed that the organisms were internalized by neutrophils. This susceptibility was not restricted to carrier isolates, since two of the strains were cultured from blood or cerebrospinal fluid. All four strains expressed Opa protein and had relatively less endogenous LOS and capsule sialylation compared to six strains that were resistant to this type of phagocytosis. Nonopsonic phagocytosis of two of the four strains was inhibited by exogenous sialylation of LOS LNnT and the binding of monoclonal antibody to LNnT. However, an isogenic mutant that lacked the LNnT structure was fully susceptible to nonopsonic phagocytosis. We conclude that group C meningococci can be phagocytosed by neutrophils in the absence of antibody and active complement possibly by two different mechanisms. Expression of Opa protein and downregulation of endogenous surface sialic acids analogous to what is seen for N. gonorrhoeae might be necessary for N. meningitidis as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Estabrook
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
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Hauck CR, Meyer TF, Lang F, Gulbins E. CD66-mediated phagocytosis of Opa52 Neisseria gonorrhoeae requires a Src-like tyrosine kinase- and Rac1-dependent signalling pathway. EMBO J 1998; 17:443-54. [PMID: 9430636 PMCID: PMC1170395 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/17.2.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with human phagocytes is a hallmark of gonococcal infections. Recently, CD66 molecules have been characterized as receptors for Opa52-expressing gonococci on human neutrophils. Here we show that Opa52-expressing gonococci or Escherichia coli or F(ab) fragments directed against CD66, respectively, activate a signalling cascade from CD66 via Src-like protein tyrosine kinases, Rac1 and PAK to Jun-N-terminal kinase. The induced signal is distinct from Fcgamma-receptor-mediated signalling and is specific for Opa52, since piliated Opa- gonococci, commensal Neisseria cinerea or E.coli do not stimulate this signalling pathway. Inhibition of Src-like kinases or Rac1 prevents the uptake of Opa52 bacteria, demonstrating the crucial role of this signalling cascade for the opsonin-independent, Opa52/CD66-mediated phagocytosis of pathogenic Neisseria.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Hauck
- Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie, Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Tübingen, Germany
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Gray-Owen SD, Dehio C, Haude A, Grunert F, Meyer TF. CD66 carcinoembryonic antigens mediate interactions between Opa-expressing Neisseria gonorrhoeae and human polymorphonuclear phagocytes. EMBO J 1997; 16:3435-45. [PMID: 9218786 PMCID: PMC1169969 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/16.12.3435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Colonization of urogenital tissues by the human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae is characteristically associated with purulent exudates of polymorphonuclear phagocytes (PMNs) containing apparently viable bacteria. Distinct variant forms of the phase-variable opacity-associated (Opa) outer membrane proteins mediate the non-opsonized binding and internalization of N. gonorrhoeae by human PMNs. Using overlay assays and an affinity isolation technique, we demonstrate the direct interaction between Opa52-expressing gonococci and members of the human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family which express the CD66 epitope. Gonococci and recombinant Escherichia coli strains synthesizing Opa52 showed specific binding and internalization by transfected HeLa cell lines expressing the CD66 family members BGP (CD66a), NCA (CD66c), CGM1 (CD66d) and CEA (CD66e), but not that expressing CGM6 (CD66b). Bacterial strains expressing either no opacity protein or the epithelial cell invasion-associated Opa50 do not bind these CEA family members. Consistent with their different receptor specificities, Opa52-mediated interactions could be inhibited by polyclonal anti-CEA sera, while Opa50 binding was instead inhibited by heparin. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, we observed a marked recruitment of CD66 antigen by Opa52-expressing gonococci on both the transfected cell lines and infected PMNs. These data indicate that members of the CEA family constitute the cellular receptors for the interaction with, and internalization of, N. gonorrhoeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Gray-Owen
- Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie, Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Tübingen, Germany
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Hauck CR, Lorenzen D, Saas J, Meyer TF. An in vitro-differentiated human cell line as a model system to study the interaction of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with phagocytic cells. Infect Immun 1997; 65:1863-9. [PMID: 9125573 PMCID: PMC175232 DOI: 10.1128/iai.65.5.1863-1869.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The extreme host specificity of pathogenic neisseriae limits investigations aimed at the analysis of bacterial-host interactions almost completely to the use of in vitro models. Although permanent epithelial and endothelial cell lines are already indispensable tools with respect to initial infection processes, studies concerning the interaction of neisseriae with phagocytic cells have been confined to primary human blood cells. We investigated the use of human leukemia-derived monocytic and myelomonocytic cell lines that can be differentiated in vitro towards phagocytic cells by a panel of chemical and biological reagents including cytokines, vitamin analogs, and antileukemia drugs. Whereas tumor necrosis factor alpha, gamma interferon, bufalin, or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor only marginally increased the ability of monocytic MonoMac-6 and myelomonocytic JOSK-M cells to interact with the bacteria, retinoic acid and vitamin D3 treatment for 2 to 4 days led to highly phagocytic cells that internalized gonococci in an Opa protein-specific manner. This is comparable to the phagocytosis by primary monocytes from human blood, where more than 80% of cells are infected with intracellular bacteria. The increased phagocytic activity of JOSK-M cells following in vitro differentiation was paralleled by enhanced oxidative burst capacity. Whereas undifferentiated cells responded to neither phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate nor other known soluble and particulate stimuli, cells incubated with retinoic acid and bufalin showed the same pattern and the same intensity of oxidative burst activity in response to Neisseria gonorrhoeae as primary cells: Opa-expressing gonococci elicited an oxidative burst, whereas Opa- gonococci did not. The surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules was only slightly changed after retinoic acid treatment. Also, phagocytosis of gonococci had no influence on MHC class II surface expression. Taken together, our results demonstrate that in vitro-differentiated human myelomonocytic JOSK-M cells provide a suitable model for the study of a variety of aspects of the gonococcal interaction with phagocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Hauck
- Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie, Tübingen, Germany
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Elkins C, Barkley KB, Carbonetti NH, Coimbre AJ, Sparling PF. Immunobiology of purified recombinant outer membrane porin protein I of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Mol Microbiol 1994; 14:1059-75. [PMID: 7715444 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1994.tb01339.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Gonococcal porins (Por) from strains FA19 (Por-1, serogroup A), MS11 (Por-2, serogroup B) and FA6434 (Por-5, a hybrid porin containing epitopes from both serogroups), were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified under non-denaturing conditions. Porins were inserted into liposomes, and they were bound by monoclonal antibodies which bind native Por and intact gonococci, but not denatured Por. All three recombinant porins (rPor) were highly immunogenic in rabbits without additional adjuvant. The rPor antisera were specific for Por by Western blotting and whole-cell radioimmunoprecipitation and were broadly cross-reactive within serogroups. Post-immune, but not pre-immune, sera bound to intact gonococci, induced deposition of complement components C3 and C9 onto gonococcal membranes and increased association with and activation of human neutrophils. Gonococci were not killed in bactericidal assays, and there was no phagocytic killing with gonococci opsonized with recombinant antisera. Lack of killing in bactericidal assays was not caused by the presence of blocking antibodies to the outer-membrane protein Rmp.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Elkins
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599
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Rest RF, Liu J, Talukdar R, Frangipane JV, Simon D. Interaction of pathogenic Neisseria with host defenses. What happens in vivo? Ann N Y Acad Sci 1994; 730:182-96. [PMID: 8080170 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1994.tb44248.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
N. gonorrhoeae initiates infection by adhering to and invading columnar epithelial cells. Over time these activities often induce inflammation, with the influx of neutrophils and serum into the urethral lumen, cervical os, conjunctiva, and the like. At least some of these infected niches contain CMP-NANA (cytidine monophospho-N-acetyl neuraminic acid, also called CMP-sialic), contain sialylated gonococci, and are relatively or strictly anaerobic due to neutrophil and gonococcal metabolism and to the site of disease, that is, the peritoneal cavity. Gonococci thus encounter environmental conditions, reagents, and substrates in the human body that are not normally present in vitro. Knapp and Clark were the first to successfully grow gonococci anaerobically in an easily reproducible system, allowing researchers to begin to investigate in vitro the effects of anaerobiosis on gonococcal virulence traits. As a result of a series of elegant and in depth studies, Smith and Parsons and their colleagues showed that growth in CMP-NANA confers on the gonococcus a high degree of phenotypic (readily reversible) serum resistance and that CMP-NANA is available in vivo at sites of gonococcal infection and disease; gonococci become covalently coated with sialic acid and they become serum resistant (reviewed in refs. 8-10). Given that gonococci growing in the absence of oxygen or in the presence of CMP-NANA probably more closely resemble gonococci growing inside the human host, we studied several possible virulence traits of gonococci cultivated under these conditions. We first observed that anaerobic growth (in the absence of CMP-NANA) increases gonococcal resistance to killing by low (but not high) concentrations of normal human serum. We also asked whether anaerobic growth affected gonococcal association with host cells. Contrary to the effects on serum killing, anaerobic growth (in the absence of CMP-NANA) does not appear to affect the ability of gonococci (expressing certain adhesive outer membrane proteins called Opa proteins) to bind to and enter human epithelial cell lines or to bind to or resist killing by human neutrophils. The results from studies investigating the modulatory role of CMP-NANA were more striking. Growth in CMP-NANA dramatically inhibits the adherence of Opa+ gonococci to human neutrophils. It does not, however, appear to significantly decrease their sensitivity to phagocytic killing or to in vitro killing by lysosomal contents (aqueous extracts of human neutrophil granules).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Rest
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-1192
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17
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Sparling PF, Elkins C, Wyrick PB, Cohen MS. Vaccines for bacterial sexually transmitted infections: a realistic goal? Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1994; 91:2456-63. [PMID: 8146139 PMCID: PMC43388 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.91.7.2456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infections of the genital tract (gonorrhea, chlamydia, chancroid, syphilis) are common and cause significant morbidity. Their importance is heightened by recent appreciation of their roles in facilitation of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Each is capable of causing repeated infections, suggesting lack of permanent broadly effective immunity. An effective vaccine has yet to be developed for any of these diseases. Rapid progress in understanding the molecular basis for pathogenesis of infection, including mechanisms for escape from otherwise effective immune surveillance and mechanisms for causing injury to host cells, has stimulated renewed efforts to make vaccines for some of these infections. Progress has been greatest for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Present emphasis is on the major or principal outer membrane proteins of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis, based on evidence for neutralizing antibodies directed against surface-exposed variable domains of each of these proteins. Other surface-exposed proteins, including the iron-repressible transferrin receptor in gonococci and certain heat-shock proteins in chlamydia, also may be targets for vaccines. Although much remains to be learned, cautious optimism is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- P F Sparling
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7005
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18
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Jerse AE, Cohen MS, Drown PM, Whicker LG, Isbey SF, Seifert HS, Cannon JG. Multiple gonococcal opacity proteins are expressed during experimental urethral infection in the male. J Exp Med 1994; 179:911-20. [PMID: 8113683 PMCID: PMC2191399 DOI: 10.1084/jem.179.3.911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The opacity (Opa) proteins of Neisseria gonorrhoeae are a family of outer membrane proteins demonstrating phase and antigenic variation. N. gonorrhoeae strain FA0190 has 11 opa loci that encode at least 8 antigenically distinct Opa proteins. To determine if expression of one Opa protein or a subset of them is favored during gonococcal infection, we inoculated Opa-negative variants of strain FA1090 intraurethrally into male volunteers. The Opa phenotype of gonococci isolated from urine and urethral swab cultures from nine infected subjects was determined. Opa proteins were expressed in a large proportion of the reisolates from the infected subjects. Gonococci cultured from urine or urethral swab samples from six of the subjects were uniformly Opa positive, with the predominant Opa variants differing among subjects. Three different Opa proteins were represented as the predominant type in at least one subject each. In three subjects, there was more heterogeneity in Opa phenotype of the reisolates, including the presence of Opa-negative variants. An increase in the proportion of isolates expressing multiple Opa proteins occurred over time in most subjects. Passage of the inoculum in vitro did not result in similar changes in Opa expression. There was no detectable difference in infectivity of an Opa-negative variant and one expressing an Opa protein (OpaF) that was highly represented in reisolates from the original nine subjects. Reisolates from three infected volunteers inoculated with the OpaF variant showed continued expression of OpaF alone or in conjunction with other Opa proteins. These results demonstrate that there is strong selection for expression of one or more Opa proteins by strain FA1090 in vivo, but that no single protein is preferentially expressed during early infection in the male urethra.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Jerse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599
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19
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Abstract
The mechanism of Mycoplasma hominis adherence to host cells of the urogenital tract was investigated with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against antigenic surface-localized polypeptides P50, P60, P80, and P100 of cytoadherent M. hominis FBG. A cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was established allowing quantification of cytoadherent mycoplasmas detected by one of the following MAbs: four MAbs directed against P100 (molecular weight, about 100,000), three MAbs against P80, one MAb against P60, and three MAbs against P50. MAb binding to one of the surface proteins resulted in a decrease of mycoplasmal adherence to HeLa cells. To exclude the thesis that this is caused by nonspecific blocking of adherence, P100 and P50 were purified by affinity chromatography and tested instead of intact mycoplasmas in the cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for cytoadherence. Both proteins bound to the surface of the eukaryotic cells. MAb binding to single epitopes of these proteins resulted in inhibition of protein adherence. These experiments strongly suggest that of the four surface-localized proteins at least P100 and P50 are adhesins of M. hominis FBG.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Henrich
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Virology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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20
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Elkins C, Carbonetti NH, Varela VA, Stirewalt D, Klapper DG, Sparling PF. Antibodies to N-terminal peptides of gonococcal porin are bactericidal when gonococcal lipopolysaccharide is not sialylated. Mol Microbiol 1992; 6:2617-28. [PMID: 1280317 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1992.tb01439.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Six synthetic 25-mer peptides corresponding to certain presumed surface-exposed regions of gonococcal porin protein I (PI) were made from strains FA19 (PIA) and MS11 (PIB). Four peptides were immunogenic in rabbits. Affinity-purified antisera against both PIA and PIB N-terminal peptides were bactericidal for homologous gonococci and many heterologous PI serovars. However, sialylation of gonococcal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by growth of gonococci in the presence of cytidine monophosphate-neuraminic acid (CMP-NANA) abrogated the bactericidal activity of these antisera. Binding of anti-PI monoclonal antibodies to whole gonococci was reduced two- to fourfold by sialylation of LPS, suggesting that sialylation may inhibit bactericidal activity by masking porin epitopes. However, binding of anti-PII (Opa) monoclonal antibodies was not inhibited, yet complement-mediated killing was inhibited by sialylated LPS. Binding of complement components C3 and C9 was inhibited in the presence of either anti-PI or anti-PII monoclonals when gonococci were grown in the presence of CMP-NANA. Thus sialylation inhibited both anti-PI antibody binding and complement deposition, with a resultant decrease in bactericidal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Elkins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599
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21
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Belland RJ, Chen T, Swanson J, Fischer SH. Human neutrophil response to recombinant neisserial Opa proteins. Mol Microbiol 1992; 6:1729-37. [PMID: 1630313 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1992.tb01345.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Interactions of human neutrophils with recombinant Escherichia coli expressing gonococcal outer membrane Opa proteins were examined using chemiluminescent and biological assays. Seven opa loci from Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11 4.8 were expressed as beta-lactamase-Opa fusion proteins that contained all but the mature N-terminal amino acid of the full-length Opa protein fused to three N-terminal amino acids derived from the mature beta-lactamase. The Opa fusion proteins were exported and assembled in the outer membrane of E. coli in a manner similar to that of Opa in N. gonorrhoeae, as evaluated by antibody binding and in situ proteolytic cleavage. All fusion proteins exhibited the characteristic heat-modifiable migration in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis that typifies Opa proteins of neisseriae. Opa fusion proteins conferred on E. coli the ability to stimulate a chemiluminescent response from human neutrophils in the absence of antibody or complement. The nature of the response in terms of chemiluminescence, phagocytosis, and killing was in all cases analogous to that seen using N. gonorrhoeae expressing the equivalent Opa protein. Neither E. coli nor gonococci expressing OpaA elicited a response from neutrophils. Use of E. coli expressing Opa fusions should be useful in defining their biological activities and pathogenic roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Belland
- Laboratory of Microbial Structure and Function, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, Montana 59840
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22
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Frangipane JV, Rest RF. Anaerobic growth of gonococci does not alter their Opa-mediated interactions with human neutrophils. Infect Immun 1992; 60:1793-9. [PMID: 1563766 PMCID: PMC257075 DOI: 10.1128/iai.60.5.1793-1799.1992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonococci grown anaerobically (anaerobic gonococci) in the presence of nitrite induce the expression of at least three novel outer membrane proteins (PANs 1 to 3). Although PAN 1 is expressed by gonococci during gonorrhea, the function of the PAN proteins remains unknown. In the absence of serum, gonococci possessing opacity-associated (Opa, formerly PII) outer membrane proteins adhere to, stimulate, and are phagocytically killed by human neutrophils. Gonococci lacking Opa proteins demonstrate none of these activities. We investigated whether the PAN proteins, or any other characteristics of anaerobic gonococci, altered the ability of nonpiliated, Opa+ or Opa- gonococci to adhere to, stimulate, or be phagocytically killed by neutrophils. The expression of Opa4 by strain F62, as determined by its relative mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, appeared to be unaltered by anaerobic growth, as seen previously (V. L. Clark, L. A. Campbell, D. A. Palermo, T. M. Evans, and K. W. Klimpel, Infect Immun. 55:1359-1364, 1987). Anaerobic and aerobic Opa+ gonococci adhered to and stimulated neutrophils to the same extent. Similarly, anaerobic and aerobic Opa- gonococci adhered to and stimulated neutrophils equally poorly. Finally, anaerobic and aerobic Opa+ gonococci were equally sensitive to phagocytic killing by neutrophils, while anaerobic and aerobic Opa- gonococci were equally resistant to killing. Thus, the role of Opa proteins in mediating the interactions of gonococci with human neutrophils appears unaltered by anaerobic growth, and the PAN proteins, or other cryptic properties of anaerobic gonococci, do not seem to modulate or mediate these phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- J V Frangipane
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-1192
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23
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Rest RF, Frangipane JV. Growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid inhibits nonopsonic (opacity-associated outer membrane protein-mediated) interactions with human neutrophils. Infect Immun 1992; 60:989-97. [PMID: 1541573 PMCID: PMC257585 DOI: 10.1128/iai.60.3.989-997.1992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonococci possessing certain opacity-associated (Opa) outer membrane proteins adhere to and are phagocytosed by human neutrophils in the absence of serum. Recently, it has been shown that serum-sensitive strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae possessing the appropriate lipooligosaccharide phenotype become serum resistant when grown in the presence of CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NANA) because of sialylation of their lipooligosaccharide. We investigated whether such sialylation affects nonopsonic (antibody- and complement-independent) interactions of gonococci with human neutrophils in vitro. We grew Opa+ gonococci in the presence of up to 50 micrograms of CMP-NANA per ml, incubated them with neutrophils in vitro, and measured their abilities to adhere to neutrophils, stimulate neutrophil luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL), and be phagocytically killed by neutrophils. Growth in CMP-NANA dramatically inhibited (in a dose-dependent manner) the ability of Opa+ gonococci to adhere to neutrophils and stimulate neutrophil LDCL. Growth of Opa+ gonococci in 50 micrograms of CMP-NANA per ml appeared to delay, but did not inhibit, their killing by neutrophils. Sialidase treatment of sialylated Opa+ gonococci, i.e., gonococci grown with CMP-NANA, totally restored their abilities to adhere to neutrophils and stimulate neutrophil LDCL. Opa- gonococci grown in the presence of 50 micrograms of CMP-NANA per ml and opsonized with fresh human serum bound to neutrophils only about 30% less efficiently than did Opa- gonococci grown without CMP-NANA and opsonized. The results of our studies show that sialylated Opa+ gonococci have dramatically reduced nonopsonic interactions with neutrophils. Some gonococcal strains may resist killing by human neutrophils in vivo by such a mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Rest
- Department of Microbiology, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-1192
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24
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Naids FL, Rest RF. Stimulation of human neutrophil oxidative metabolism by nonopsonized Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Infect Immun 1991; 59:4383-90. [PMID: 1657785 PMCID: PMC259053 DOI: 10.1128/iai.59.12.4383-4390.1991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonopsonized gonococci possessing opacity-associated (Opa; previously PII) outer membrane proteins stimulate neutrophils to undergo a vigorous oxidative response when measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL). In these studies, we characterized the mechanism of this stimulation. No gonococci that we tested induced measurable release of neutrophil superoxide anion (O2-) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as measured by reduction of cytochrome c or the oxidation of scopoletin, respectively. Neutrophils pretreated with gonococci and then exposed to phorbol myristate acetate, the chemotactic peptide formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine, or opsonized zymosan released levels of neutrophil O2- and H2O2 comparable to controls, indicating that gonococci were not preventing or inhibiting neutrophil O2- or H2O2 release. To ascertain a possible explanation for these seemingly contradictory observations (i.e., induction of LDCL, but no release of O2- or H2O2), we further characterized the ability of Opa+ gonococci to stimulate LDCL. By using 1 mM azide and 4 U of horseradish peroxidase to monitor extracellular LDCL selectively and 2,000 U of catalase to monitor intracellular LDCL selectively, we determined that greater than 80% of total gonococcus-induced neutrophil LDCL occurred intracellularly. In addition, neutrophils stimulated with Opa+ gonococci showed a marked increase in O2 uptake and hexose monophosphate shunt activity. We conclude that Neisseria gonorrhoeae induces neutrophil oxidative metabolism without causing release of detectable amounts of reactive oxygen intermediates into the surrounding milieu. The gonococcus apparently directs oxidase assembly and activity to the phagolysosomal membrane. This could be a mechanism by which extracellular gonococci persist for extended periods in vivo in the presence of high concentrations of neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- F L Naids
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-1192
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25
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Brooks GF, Olinger L, Lammel CJ, Bhat KS, Calvello CA, Palmer ML, Knapp JS, Stephens RS. Prevalence of gene sequences coding for hypervariable regions of Opa (protein II) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Mol Microbiol 1991; 5:3063-72. [PMID: 1809845 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1991.tb01866.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Opas (protein IIs) are a family of surface-exposed proteins of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Each strain of N. gonorrhoeae has multiple (10-11) genes encoding for Opas. Identifiable elements in opa genes include the coding repeat within the signal sequence, conserve 5' and 3' regions, and hypervariable regions (HV1 and HV2) located within the structural gene. N. gonorrhoeae strains appear to have many biological properties in common that are either HV-region-mediated or associated with the presence of specific HV regions, suggesting that HV regions could be found in many clinical isolates. Oligonucleotides from three source strains representing three conserved regions of opa, 12 HV1 regions, and 14 HV2 regions were used by dot blot analysis to probe 120 clinical isolates of N. gonorrhoeae. The probe for the coding repeat hybridized to all 120 strains, the 3' conserved-region probe reacted with 98% of the strains, and the 5' conserved-region probe with 90% of the strains. Nine HV1 probes hybridized to 3.3-39.2% of the strains, and 13 of the HV2 probes hybridized to 1.7-25% of the isolates. Analysis of the number of probes that hybridized to each of the isolates showed that 19% did not hybridize with any of the HV1 probes and 25% did not hybridize with any of the HV2 probes. Approximately three-quarters of the isolates hybridized with one, two or three of the HV1 probes or one, two or three of the HV2 probes; 89% of the isolates hybridized to least one HV1 or one HV2 probe. The data indicate that some genes encoding HV regions of N. gonorrhoeae Opa proteins are widely distributed in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Brooks
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 94143
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26
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Naids FL, Belisle B, Lee N, Rest RF. Interactions of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with human neutrophils: studies with purified PII (Opa) outer membrane proteins and synthetic Opa peptides. Infect Immun 1991; 59:4628-35. [PMID: 1718877 PMCID: PMC259088 DOI: 10.1128/iai.59.12.4628-4635.1991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the role of gonococcal outer membrane protein PII (also called Opa protein) in nonopsonic adherence to human neutrophils. Gonococcal outer membranes, purified Opa in detergent (Opa), purified Opa in liposomes (Opa+ lips), and peptides composing the second hypervariable (HV2) region of OpaB (strain FA1090) in liposomes (pepHV2 lips) were tested for their abilities to inhibit subsequent gonococcal adherence to human neutrophils. Outer membranes from gonococci possessing adherent Opa, liposomes containing adherent Opa, purified adherent Opa, and two of three liposome preparations (pepHV2 lips) containing peptides from the HV2 region of an adherent Opa inhibited subsequent adherence to neutrophils of homologous Opa+ gonococci. On the other hand, outer membranes from Opa- gonococci, outer membranes containing a nonadherent Opa (OpaA from strain FA1090), purified OpaA, and OpaA lips had little or no inhibitory effect. Outer membranes containing adherent Opas, purified adherent Opas, and liposomes containing such Opas all bound to neutrophils, whereas preparations containing OpaA or no Opa protein did not. The results indicate that (i) Opa proteins can bind to neutrophils in a partially purified or purified form and (ii) the HV2 region of Opa appears to at least partially mediate Opa's biological role.
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Affiliation(s)
- F L Naids
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-1192
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27
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Mot R, Vanderleyden J. Purification of a root-adhesive outer membrane protein of root-colonizingPseudomonas fluorescens. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1991. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1991.tb04780.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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28
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Makino S, van Putten JP, Meyer TF. Phase variation of the opacity outer membrane protein controls invasion by Neisseria gonorrhoeae into human epithelial cells. EMBO J 1991; 10:1307-15. [PMID: 1673923 PMCID: PMC452788 DOI: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1991.tb07649.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a facultative intracellular bacterium capable of penetrating into certain human epithelial cell types. In order to identify gonococcal factors essential for invading Chang human conjunctiva cells, a gentamicin selection assay for the quantification of viable intracellular bacteria was used in conjunction with microscopy. The results demonstrate a correlation between the invasive behaviour of gonococci and the expression of Opa proteins, a family of variable outer membrane proteins present in all pathogenic Neisseria species. However, only particular Opa proteins supported invasion into Chang cells as indicated by the use of two unrelated gonococcal strains. Invasion was sensitive to cytochalasin D, and strong adherence mediated by the Opa proteins appeared to be essential for the internalization of gonococci. In contrast pili, which also conferred binding to Chang conjunctiva cells, did not support cellular invasion but rather were inhibitory.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Makino
- Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie, Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Tübingen, FRG
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29
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Weel JF, Hopman CT, van Putten JP. In situ expression and localization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae opacity proteins in infected epithelial cells: apparent role of Opa proteins in cellular invasion. J Exp Med 1991; 173:1395-405. [PMID: 1903430 PMCID: PMC2190852 DOI: 10.1084/jem.173.6.1395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
During natural infection, gonococcal opacity proteins (Opa) undergo rapid phase variation, but how this phenomenon contributes to the virulence of the bacteria is not well understood. In the present immunomorphological study we examined the actual Opa status of individual gonococci during various stages of gonococcal infection of Chang epithelial cells, by probing ultrathin sections of infected specimens with Opa-specific monoclonal antibodies. Our results demonstrate a heterogeneous Opa expression during the initial interaction of the bacteria, but an almost 100% expression of one of the probed Opas during their secondary attachment and entry into the host cells, suggesting a role for distinct Opas in cellular penetration. The association between Opa expression, tight attachment, and bacterial invasion into the host cells could be confirmed with isogenic variants that expressed different Opa proteins. Once inside the epithelial cells, both morphologically intact, Opa positive and morphologically disintegrated, Opa negative bacteria were observed. The loss of Opa immunoreactivity in intracellular gonococci could not be related to the presence of a particular Opa protein, but could be mimicked by incubating the organisms with extracts of sonicated uninfected epithelial cells, suggesting that it was caused by host cell proteolytic activity. Taken together, our data suggest that Opa phase transitions confer a functional adaptation of the bacteria enabling host cell penetration.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Weel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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30
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Farrell CF, Rest RF. Up-regulation of human neutrophil receptors for Neisseria gonorrhoeae expressing PII outer membrane proteins. Infect Immun 1990; 58:2777-84. [PMID: 2117569 PMCID: PMC313567 DOI: 10.1128/iai.58.9.2777-2784.1990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In the absence of serum, nonpiliated gonococci expressing PII outer membrane proteins (PIIs) adhere to human neutrophils whereas non-PII-expressing (PII-) gonococci do not. After an observation that neutrophils in monolayers bound more gonococci than neutrophils in suspension, we treated neutrophil suspensions with known stimulants of degranulation and measured subsequent gonococcal adherence to suspended neutrophils. The chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fmlp), the potent secretagogue phorbol myristate acetate, and the calcium ionophore A23187 all caused increased adherence of PII+ gonococci, but not PII- gonococci, to neutrophils in a dose-responsive manner. Increased adherence of gonococci to neutrophils was paralleled by increased degranulation of neutrophil myeloperoxidase, lysozyme, and lactoferrin. Inhibition of fmlp-induced neutrophil degranulation by pertussis toxin, the calmodulin inhibitors trifluoperazine and N-5-chloronaphthalene sulfonamide, or the intracellular calcium-binding agent trimethoxybenzoic acid also inhibited fmlp-induced gonococcal adherence to neutrophils. Neither undifferentiated nor myelocytically differentiated HL-60 cells, which possess primary but defective or nonexistent secondary granules, bound PII+ or PII- gonococci. Gonococci did not adhere to human monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages, lymphocytes, platelets, or erythrocytes, indicating that several receptors, such as the complement receptors CR1, CR3 (CD11b/CD18), and CR4 (CD11c/CD18) or the adherence complex LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18), were probably not involved in gonococcal adherence to human neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- C F Farrell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-1192
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