Nitric oxide induction by pertussis toxin in mouse spleen cells via gamma interferon

Sustained protective immunity against Bordetella pertussis nasal colonization by intranasal immunization with a vaccine-adjuvant combination that induces IL-17-secreting TRM cells

Current acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines induce strong antibody and Th2 responses but fail to protect against nasal colonization and transmission of Bordetella pertussis. Furthermore, immunity wanes rapidly after immunization. We have developed a novel adjuvant combination (called LP-GMP), comprising c-di-GMP, an intracellular receptor stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist, and LP1569, a TLR2 agonist from B. pertussis, which synergistically induces production of IFN-β, IL-12 and IL-23, and maturation of dendritic cells. Parenteral immunization of mice with an experimental aP vaccine formulated with LP-GMP promoted Th1 and Th17 responses and conferred protection against lung infection with B. pertussis. Intranasal immunization with the same aP vaccine-induced potent B. pertussis-specific Th17 responses and IL-17-secreting respiratory tissue-resident memory (T_RM) CD4 T cells, and conferred a high level of protection against nasal colonization as well as lung infection, which was sustained for at least 10 months. Furthermore, long-term protection against nasal colonization with B. pertussis correlated with the number of IL-17-secreting T_RM cells in nasal tissue. Our study has identified an approach for inducing IL-17-secreting T_RM cells that sustain sterilizing immunity against nasal colonization of mice with B. pertussis, and could form the basis of a third generation pertussis vaccine for humans.

Principles of vaccine potency assays

Compared with biologics, vaccine potency assays represent a special challenge due to their unique compositions, multivalency, long life cycles and global distribution. Historically, vaccines were released using in vivo potency assays requiring immunization of dozens of animals. Modern vaccines use a variety of newer analytical tools including biochemical, cell-based and immunochemical methods to measure potency. The choice of analytics largely depends on the mechanism of action and ability to ensure lot-to-lot consistency. Live vaccines often require cell-based assays to ensure infectivity, whereas recombinant vaccine potency can be reliably monitored with immunoassays. Several case studies are presented to demonstrate the relationship between mechanism of action and potency assay. A high-level decision tree is presented to assist with assay selection.

c-di-GMP enhances protective innate immunity in a murine model of pertussis

Innate immunity represents the first line of defense against invading pathogens in the respiratory tract. Innate immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells, and granulocytes contain specific pathogen-recognition molecules which induce the production of cytokines and subsequently activate the adaptive immune response. c-di-GMP is a ubiquitous second messenger that stimulates innate immunity and regulates biofilm formation, motility and virulence in a diverse range of bacterial species with potent immunomodulatory properties. In the present study, c-di-GMP was used to enhance the innate immune response against pertussis, a respiratory infection mainly caused by Bordetella pertussis. Intranasal treatment with c-di-GMP resulted in the induction of robust innate immune responses to infection with B. pertussis characterized by enhanced recruitment of neutrophils, macrophages, natural killer cells and dendritic cells. The immune responses were associated with an earlier and more vigorous expression of Th1-type cytokines, as well as an increase in the induction of nitric oxide in the lungs of treated animals, resulting in significant reduction of bacterial numbers in the lungs of infected mice. These results demonstrate that c-di-GMP is a potent innate immune stimulatory molecule that can be used to enhance protection against bacterial respiratory infections. In addition, our data suggest that priming of the innate immune system by c-di-GMP could further skew the immune response towards a Th1 type phenotype during subsequent infection. Thus, our data suggest that c-di-GMP might be useful as an adjuvant for the next generation of acellular pertussis vaccine to mount a more protective Th1 phenotype immune response, and also in other systems where a Th1 type immune response is required.

Whole-cell pertussis vaccine potency assays: the Kendrick test and alternative assays

Whole-cell pertussis vaccines are still widely used across the globe and have been shown to produce longer lasting immunity against pertussis infection than acellular pertussis vaccines. Therefore, whole-cell vaccines are likely to continue to be used for the foreseeable future. The intracerebral mouse protection test (Kendrick test) is effective for determining the potency of whole-cell pertussis vaccines and is the only test that has shown a correlation with protection in children. Here we review the Kendrick test in terms of international requirements for vaccine potency and critical technical points to be considered for a successful test including test validity, in-house references and statistical analysis. There are objections to the Kendrick test on animal welfare and technical grounds. Respiratory challenge assays, nitric oxide induction assay and serological assays have been developed and have been proposed as possible methods which might provide alternatives to the Kendrick test. These methods and their limitations are also briefly discussed. Establishment of validated in vitro correlates of protection has yet to be achieved. New technical developments, such as genome sequence and the use of gene microarrays to screen responses triggered by vaccine components may also provide leads to alternative assays to the Kendrick test by identifying biomarkers of protection.

Toxicity and potency evaluation of pertussis vaccines

Current methods for determining the potency and toxicity of pertussis vaccines are outdated and require improvement. The intracerebral challenge test is effective for determining the potency of whole-cell vaccines but is objectionable on animal welfare and technical grounds. The same applies to its modification for assaying acellular pertussis vaccines. Respiratory challenge methods offer an interim solution pending establishment of validated in vitro correlates of protection, for example nitric oxide induction. Their evaluation is being promoted by the World Health Organization through the Pertussis Vaccines Working Group. Current toxicity assays based on weight gain and histamine sensitization of mice are imprecise and need replacement. Limits need to be established for specific toxin content of both acellular and whole-cell vaccines and should be supported by specific assays. More precise methods based on determination of ribosyltransferase activity in tandem with receptor-binding assays are under evaluation. Genome sequence data and the use of gene microarrays to screen responses triggered by vaccine components may also provide leads to improved methods for assessing both toxicity and immunogenicity.

Antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses to a synthetic oligosaccharide conjugate vaccine after booster immunization

Memory formation to CRM-neoglycoconjugate, a synthetic branched tetrasaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14 polysaccharide (Pn14PS) that is conjugated to a CRM197 protein, was investigated using mice models. Mice were first immunized with the CRM-neoglycoconjugate and then boosted with either the same neoglycoconjugate or a native Pn14PS in order to investigate the effect of booster immunization. Boosting with the CRM-neoglycoconjugate resulted in increased levels of interleukin 5 (IL-5) in the serum on Day 1, followed by the appearance of high levels of specific anti-Pn14PS IgG antibodies on Day 7. Boosting with native Pn14PS resulted in neither IL-5 induction nor the generation of anti-Pn14PS IgG antibodies. In vitro (re)stimulation of spleen cells after booster injection with the neoglycoconjugate revealed the presence of IL-4 and IL-5. This was not seen in spleen cells obtained from mice boosted with the polysaccharide. When stimulated with heat-inactivated bacteria, however, the polysaccharide-boosted mice did have higher levels of IFN-γ and lower levels of IL-17 than both the CRM-neoglycoconjugate-boosted mice and the mock-immunized mice. In conclusion, neoglycoconjugate boosting is responsible for the activation of memory cells and the establishment of sustained immunity. Not only is a booster with native polysaccharide ineffective in inducing opsonic antibodies, but it also interferes with several immunoregulatory mechanisms.

Retinal Toxicity of Commercial Tissue Plasminogen Activator Is Mediated by the Induction of Nitric Oxide in the Mouse Retinal Primary Cells

PURPOSE

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is an efficient thrombolytic agent, but the dose-dependent retinal toxicity of intravitreal injection of commercial tPA (containing L-arginine) has been reported. Here, we sought to investigate the mechanism of tPA-induced cell death in mouse retinal cell cultures and the role of nitric oxide (NO).

METHODS

Primary retinal cell cultures were maintained using glial conditioned medium (GCM) solution. Mouse retinal cell death was observed by using Hoechst-propidium iodide staining. Mouse retinal cell death was also measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The formation of NO was measured using Griess reagent.

RESULTS

tPA-induced cell death was detected in mouse retinal cell cultures by Hoechst-propidium iodide staining or LDH assay. L-arginine seems to be the major factor in retinal toxicity of commercial tPA (containing L-arginine). The formation of NO was markedly increased in mouse retinal cell cultures treated with tPA (containing L-arginine) or L-arginine. NO inhibitor reduced the cell death induced by commercially available tPA or L-arginine.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that l-arginine from commercial tPA (containing L-arginine) induces the majority of cell death in mouse retinal cell cultures and that its cytotoxicity may depend on the induction of NO.

Nitric oxide production in mouse and rat macrophages: A rapid and efficient assay for screening of drugs immunostimulatory effects in human cells

Activation of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and resulting high-output NO release is known to depend on the action of cytokines. We investigated in vitro production of NO by resident peritoneal macrophages from mice and rats, and secretion of cytokines by these cells as well as by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The cells were cultured in the presence of a selected group of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates that have previously been shown to possess immunobiological potential. Several of the compounds enhanced production of NO in animal macrophages. This activity was associated with stimulatory effects on secretion of cytokines such as TNF-alpha in all mouse and rat macrophages and human PBMC, and IL-10 in mouse and human cells. Statistically highly significant correlation between the range of NO biosynthesis in rodent cells and extent of cytokine stimulation in human PBMC has been observed. It is suggested that the NO assay may be regarded as an efficient, economical and relatively reliable tool in primary screening for intrinsic immunostimulatory activity of compounds in human cell system, at least from the point of view of cytokine secretion.

Quantitative aspects of lipopolysaccharide and cytokine requirements to generate nitric oxide in macrophages from LPS-hyporesponsive (Lps(d)) C3H/HeJ mice

Due to a gene defect (Lps(d)), C3H/HeJ mice are known to be hyporesponsive to the immunobiological potential of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We studied dose requirements for LPS, IFN-gamma, and cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-10 to produce nitric oxide (NO) in peritoneal macrophages (Mphi) from these animals. In contrast to the Lps(n) C3H/HeN mice, high concentrations of LPS (up to 5 microg/mL) or IFN-gamma (up to 5 ng/mL) by themselves were unable to activate NO production in C3H/HeJ Mphi. The failure to produce NO could not be overcome by addition of L-arginine or tetrahydropterin. The high-output NO biosynthesis was dose-dependently stimulated by combined administration of varying concentrations of IFN-gamma (50-5000 pg/mL) and LPS (approximately 1 ng/mL) or to a lesser extent by IFN-gamma plus TNF-alpha or TNF-alpha/IL-10. Formation of NO in C3H/HeJ MCO triggered by high concentration of LPS (approximately 1 microg/mL) given together with IFN-gamma (0.2-5 ng/mL) reached the values typical for Lps(n) C3H/HeN mice. While Mphi from C3H/HeN mice secreted TNF-alpha, IL-10, and IL-10 upon contact with a low dose of LPS (1 ng/mL), C3H/HeJ Mphi required high concentration of LPS (5 microg/mL) to enhance the secretion of the cytokines. Yet, this dose remained ineffective to stimulate IFN-gamma in Mphi from C3H/HeJ mice. It can be presumed that one of the important factors influencing their deficient ability to form NO is a failure of Mphi to produce IFN-gamma upon LPS contact.

Adjuvanticity of native and detoxified adenylate cyclase toxin of Bordetella pertussis towards co-administered antigens

The cell-invasive adenylate cyclase toxin (CyaA) of Bordetella pertussis was shown to be highly antigenic in mice, stimulating serum anti-CyaA IgG antibody responses which were able to neutralise the cytotoxic effect of CyaA on J774.2 macrophage-like cells. The effect of co-administration to mice of the fully functional CyaA toxin or a toxin lacking adenylate cyclase enzymic activity (CyaA*) with other antigens from B. pertussis, namely pertussis toxin (PT) or pertussis toxoid (PTd), filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) and pertactin (PRN), was investigated. CyaA* enhanced the serum IgG antibody responses to each of these antigens whereas, with CyaA, only anti-PRN antibody titres showed a modest increase. Peritoneal macrophages and spleen cells, collected at 2 weeks post-immunisation, were cultured and tested for nitric oxide (NO) and IFNgamma production, respectively, after stimulation in vitro with heat-killed B. pertussis cells or CyaA proteins. NO and IFNgamma production were higher in cells collected from mice immunised with CyaA or CyaA* in combination with a PT, FHA and PRN antigen mixture than from those taken from mice injected with antigen mixture alone, again with CyaA* acting as a better adjuvant than CyaA. The apparent enhancement of immune responses to the antigen mixture by CyaA* in particular was not paralleled by increased protection of mice against aerosol challenge with B. pertussis, but a statistically significant increase in protection was seen after intranasal challenge with B. parapertussis.

Nitric oxide production by a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

The aim of this study was to determine whether Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (LPS-A. actinomycetemcomitans) could stimulate a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells) to produce nitric oxide (NO). The cells were treated with LPS-A. actinomycetemcomitans or Escherichia coli LPS (LPS-Ec) for 24 h. The effects of N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), polymyxin B and cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-12) on the production of NO were also determined. The role of protein tyrosine kinase, protein kinase C and microtubulin organization on NO production were assessed by incubating RAW264.7 cells with genistein, bisindolylmaleide and colchicine prior to LPS-A. actinomycetemcomitans stimulation, respectively. NO levels from the culture supernatants were determined by the Griess reaction. The results showed that LPS-A. actinomycetemcomitans stimulated NO production by RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, but was slightly less potent than LPS-Ec. NMMA and polymyxin B blocked the production of NO. IFN-gamma and IL-12 potentiated but IL-4 depressed NO production by LPS-A. actinomycetemcomitans-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. TNF-alpha had no effects on NO production. Genistein and bisindolylmalemaide, but not colchicine, reduced the production of NO in a dose-dependent mechanism. The results of the present study suggest that A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS, via the activation of protein tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C and the regulatory control of cytokines, stimulates NO production by murine macrophages.

Immunity to Bordetella pertussis

Bordetella pertussis exploits extracellular and intracellular niches in the respiratory tract and a variety of immune evasion strategies to prolong its survival in the host. This article reviews evidence of complementary roles for cellular and humoral immunity in protection. It discusses the effector mechanisms of bacterial elimination, the strategies employed by the bacteria to subvert protective immune responses and the immunological basis for systemic and neurological responses to infection and vaccination.

Investigation of cellular and humoral immune responses to whole cell and acellular pertussis vaccines

New generation acellular pertussis vaccines were compared with the established whole cell pertussis vaccine for the induction of humoral and cellular immune-responses in mice. At the same time, the in vivo protective effect of these two types of vaccine was also compared in both intracerebral (ic) and aerosol challenge models. In general, whole cell vaccine induced lower antibody titres to pertussis toxin, filamentous haemagglutinin and pertactin than the acellular vaccine. Nitric oxide concentration in macrophage cultures was used as a marker for macrophage activation. The nitric oxide concentrations in the macrophage cultures from mice following immunisation with the whole cell vaccine were higher than those from mice immunised with the acellular vaccine, which indicated that the whole cell vaccine was more effective than the acellular vaccine in activating macrophages. This was associated with better protection in vivo after challenge. After ic challenge of mice following immunisation with whole cell or acellular vaccine, 90% of the whole cell vaccine group survived compared with 40% of the acellular vaccine group at the vaccine dose selected. Following aerosol challenge, mice in the whole cell vaccine group showed faster clearance of bacteria from the lungs than those in the acellular vaccine group. Our findings suggest that the different types of pertussis vaccines may achieve protection in different ways and that CMI may play an important role in eliminating bacteria which escape humoral defence mechanisms.

Stimulation of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and nitrite release from mouse cultured spleen cells and lavaged peritoneal cells by mastoparan M

Chemically synthesized mastoparan M, a tetradecapeptide toxin of venom (INLKAIAALAKKLL), was used in the experiments described. After addition of mastoparan M to cultures of mouse macrophages in vitro, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) were detected in the culture fluids by 12 h and their highest accumulation was observed by 24 h. Mastoparan M induced increases in both TNF-alpha secretion and mRNA level at the same time. Nitrite levels, which reflect nitric oxide synthesis, were also found to increase in the macrophage cultures at 24 h after mastoparan M addition. In vivo studies showed that mastoparan M induced the formation and accumulation of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and nitrite in the peritoneal exudates of mice much faster at 90 min, 120 min and 180 min after mastoparan M injection, respectively. Similarly, significant increases in myeloperoxidase activity, a marker for neutrophil and macrophage content, were observed in the peritoneal lavage cells after intraperitoneal injection of mastoparan M. However, induction of nitrite by mastoparan M was completely inhibited by simultaneous addition of antimouse TNF-alpha antibody to the macrophage cultures. These results suggest that modulation of both neutrophil and macrophage influx by mastoparan M may be conveyed through TNF-alpha and IL-1beta secretion accompanied by nitrite formation.

Interferon-gamma mediated immune effector mechanisms against Bordetella pertussis

The role of IFN-gamma in reducing the intracellular load of Bordetella pertussis in murine macrophages in vitro has been examined. The results demonstrate that exposure to IFN-gamma can reduce bacterial load in viable macrophages and that this is associated with production of nitric oxide (NO). These observations provide a mechanism by which IFN-gamma may mediate its antimicrobial effect and support an important role for activated alveolar macrophages in the elimination of B. pertussis from the respiratory tract. Using intracellular iron chelation, it is shown that intracellular survival of B. pertussis is dependent on iron availability and suggest that iron restriction may be an important mechanism by which IFN-gamma influences bacterial survival within mouse macrophages. It is also shown that IFN-gamma may mediate its effect through NO independent mechanisms and that B. pertussis is sensitive to agents that stimulate the respiratory burst. Finally, it is shown that the concentration of L-tryptophan may be a limiting step in the intracellular survival of B. pertussis and that the induction of tryptophan degrading enzymes may be an additional mechanism through which IFN-gamma exerts its antimicrobial effects against B. pertussis.

IFN-gamma-induced TNF-alpha is a prerequisite for in vitro production of nitric oxide generated in murine peritoneal macrophages by IFN-gamma

The effect of IFN-gamma to stimulate formation of nitric oxide (NO) by normal murine peritoneal macrophages (M phi) has been found to be completely dependent on the ability of IFN-gamma to activate secretion of TNF-alpha. The NO-stimulatory effect of IFN-gamma was abolished by anti-TNF-alpha antibodies, the inhibitory intervention of which could be fully reversed by exogenously supplied TNF-alpha. Accordingly, the failure of M phi from C3H/HeJ mice to secrete TNF-alpha upon stimulation with IFN-gamma was associated with their complete incapability to generate NO, unless they were simultaneously treated with IFN-gamma + TNF-alpha. Collectively, the data document that similar to the NO up-regulatory action of other cytokines, the effect of IFN-gamma is not independent, but depends on a synergistic cooperation with the self-produced TNF-alpha. The findings thus indicate that a widespread opinion claiming that IFN-gamma per se is able to stimulate biosynthesis of NO needs revision.