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Tong T, Wang Z, Xu Y, Shen J. Immunization with Pneumocystis carinii A12 1-85 antigen activates immune function against P. carinii. BMC Immunol 2021; 22:40. [PMID: 34174820 PMCID: PMC8236001 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-021-00436-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP), which is caused by Pneumocystis carinii, is a life-threatening infection that affects immunocompromised individuals. Unfortunately, chemoprophylaxis and dapsone are only effective for half of the patients with PcP, indicating that additional preventive methods are needed. We predicated the pneumocystis surface protein A12 sequence 1-85 by DNAStar software and BepiPred, and identified it as a potential vaccine candidate by bioresearch. METHODS We used recombinant A121-85 as antigen to immunized mice and detected serum titer of IgG, expression of inflammatory factors by EILSA, qRT-PCR and flow cytometry. RESULTS Our results showed that immunization with recombinant A121-85 increased the serum titer of IgG, promoted the secretion of T lymphocytes, increased the expression of inflammatory factors, and elevated lung inflammatory injury in mice. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that A121-85 is a potential vaccine target for preventing Pneumocystis carinii. The evaluation of A121-85-elicited antibodies in the prevention of PcP in humans deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Tong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, Anhui 230022 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongxin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, Anhui 230022 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanhong Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, Anhui 230022 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jilu Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, 100 Huaihai Road, Hefei, Anhui People’s Republic of China
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Gingerich AD, Norris KA, Mousa JJ. Pneumocystis Pneumonia: Immunity, Vaccines, and Treatments. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020236. [PMID: 33669726 PMCID: PMC7921922 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
For individuals who are immunocompromised, the opportunistic fungal pathogen Pneumocystis jirovecii is capable of causing life-threatening pneumonia as the causative agent of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). PCP remains an acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS)-defining illness in the era of antiretroviral therapy. In addition, a rise in non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated PCP has been observed due to increased usage of immunosuppressive and immunomodulating therapies. With the persistence of HIV-related PCP cases and associated morbidity and mortality, as well as difficult to diagnose non-HIV-related PCP cases, an improvement over current treatment and prevention standards is warranted. Current therapeutic strategies have primarily focused on the administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which is effective at disease prevention. However, current treatments are inadequate for treatment of PCP and prevention of PCP-related death, as evidenced by consistently high mortality rates for those hospitalized with PCP. There are no vaccines in clinical trials for the prevention of PCP, and significant obstacles exist that have slowed development, including host range specificity, and the inability to culture Pneumocystis spp. in vitro. In this review, we overview the immune response to Pneumocystis spp., and discuss current progress on novel vaccines and therapies currently in the preclinical and clinical pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron D. Gingerich
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (A.D.G.); (K.A.N.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Karen A. Norris
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (A.D.G.); (K.A.N.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jarrod J. Mousa
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (A.D.G.); (K.A.N.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Correspondence:
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Hu Y, Wang D, Zhai K, Tong Z. Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Significant B Lymphocyte Suppression in Corticosteroid-Treated Hosts with Pneumocystis Pneumonia. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2017; 56:322-331. [PMID: 27788015 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2015-0356oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic, infectious disease that is prevalent in immunosuppressed hosts. Corticosteroid treatment is the most significant risk factor for patients with PCP who are human immunodeficiency virus negative, although little is known about how corticosteroids alter the host defense against Pneumocystis infection. In the present study, we used transcriptome analysis to examine the immune response in the lungs of corticosteroid-treated PCP mice. The results showed down-regulation in the genes related to both native immunity, such as antigen processing and presentation, inflammatory response, and phagocytosis, as well as B and T lymphocyte immunity. The repression of gene expression, corresponding to B cell immunity, including B cell signaling, homeostasis, and Ig production, was prominent. The finding was confirmed by quantitative PCR of mouse lungs and the peripheral blood of patients with PCP. Flow cytometry also revealed a significant depletion of B cells in corticosteroid-treated PCP mice. Our study has highlighted that corticosteroid treatment suppresses the B cell immunity in the PCP host, which is likely one of the main reasons that corticosteroid treatment may stimulate PCP development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Hu
- 1 Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, and
| | - Dong Wang
- 1 Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, and
| | - Kan Zhai
- 2 Department of Medical Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohui Tong
- 1 Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, and
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Fan H, Guo JY, Ma SL, Zhang N, An CL. Synthetic p55 tandem DNA vaccine against Pneumocystis carinii in rats. Microbiol Immunol 2017; 60:397-406. [PMID: 27185490 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pneumocystis spp. are opportunistic fungal pathogens that are closely associated with severe pneumonia and pulmonary complications in patients with impaired immunity. In this study, the antigenic epitopes of the gene encoding the 55 kDa antigen fragment of Pneumocystis (p55), which may play an important role in Pneumocystis pneumonia, were analyzed. A gene containing tandem variants of the p55 antigen was synthesized and named the tandem antigen gene (TAG). TAG's potential as a DNA vaccine was assessed in immunosuppressed rats. Immunization with p55-TAG DNA vaccine significantly reduced both the pathogen burden and lung-weight to body-weight ratios. Additionally, p55-TAG vaccination in immunosuppressed rats elicited both cell-mediated and humoral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Fan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Jiu-Ying Guo
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Su-Li Ma
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Chun-Li An
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
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Immunization with Pneumocystis Cross-Reactive Antigen 1 (Pca1) Protects Mice against Pneumocystis Pneumonia and Generates Antibody to Pneumocystis jirovecii. Infect Immun 2017; 85:IAI.00850-16. [PMID: 28031260 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00850-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) is a life-threatening infection that affects immunocompromised individuals. Nearly half of all PcP cases occur in those prescribed effective chemoprophylaxis, suggesting that additional preventive methods are needed. To this end, we have identified a unique mouse Pneumocystis surface protein, designated Pneumocystis cross-reactive antigen 1 (Pca1), as a potential vaccine candidate. Mice were immunized with a recombinant fusion protein containing Pca1. Subsequently, CD4+ T cells were depleted, and the mice were exposed to Pneumocystis murina Pca1 immunization completely protected nearly all mice, similar to immunization with whole Pneumocystis organisms. In contrast, all immunized negative-control mice developed PcP. Unexpectedly, Pca1 immunization generated cross-reactive antibody that recognized Pneumocystis jirovecii and Pneumocystis carinii Potential orthologs of Pca1 have been identified in P. jirovecii Such cross-reactivity is rare, and our findings suggest that Pca1 is a conserved antigen and potential vaccine target. The evaluation of Pca1-elicited antibodies in the prevention of PcP in humans deserves further investigation.
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Overcoming Hurdles to Development of a Vaccine against Pneumocystis jirovecii. Infect Immun 2017; 85:IAI.00035-17. [PMID: 28115507 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00035-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a common problem among immunosuppressed individuals. There are windows of opportunity in which vaccination would be beneficial, but to date, no vaccines have made it to clinical trials. Significant hurdles to vaccine development include host range specificity, making it difficult to translate from animal models to humans. Discovery of cross-reactive epitopes is critical to moving vaccine candidates from preclinical animal studies to clinical trials.
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Kling HM, Norris KA. Vaccine-Induced Immunogenicity and Protection Against Pneumocystis Pneumonia in a Nonhuman Primate Model of HIV and Pneumocystis Coinfection. J Infect Dis 2016; 213:1586-95. [PMID: 26823337 PMCID: PMC4837913 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiw032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen Pneumocystis jirovecii causes pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals, and pulmonary colonization with P. jirovecii is believed to be a cofactor in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There is no vaccine for P. jirovecii; however, most adults are seropositive, indicating natural immune priming to this pathogen. We have shown that humoral response to a recombinant subunit of the P. jirovecii protease kexin (KEX1) correlates with protection from P. jirovecii colonization and pneumonia. METHODS Here we evaluated the immunogenicity and protective capacity of the recombinant KEX1 peptide vaccine in a preclinical, nonhuman primate model of HIV-induced immunosuppression and Pneumocystis coinfection. RESULTS Immunization with KEX1 induced a robust humoral response remained at protective levels despite chronic simian immunodeficiency virus/HIV-induced immunosuppression. KEX1-immunized macaques were protected from Pneumocystis pneumonia, compared with mock-immunized animals (P= .047), following immunosuppression and subsequent natural, airborne exposure to Pneumocystis CONCLUSIONS These data support the concept that stimulation of preexisting immunological memory to Pneumocystis with a recombinant KEX1 vaccine prior to immunosuppression induces durable memory responses and protection in the context of chronic, complex immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M Kling
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Karen A Norris
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Abstract
Although the incidence of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) has decreased since the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy, it remains an important cause of disease in both HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected immunosuppressed populations. The epidemiology of PCP has shifted over the course of the HIV epidemic both from changes in HIV and PCP treatment and prevention and from changes in critical care medicine. Although less common in non-HIV-infected immunosuppressed patients, PCP is now more frequently seen due to the increasing numbers of organ transplants and development of novel immunotherapies. New diagnostic and treatment modalities are under investigation. The immune response is critical in preventing this disease but also results in lung damage, and future work may offer potential areas for vaccine development or immunomodulatory therapy. Colonization with Pneumocystis is an area of increasing clinical and research interest and may be important in development of lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this review, we discuss current clinical and research topics in the study of Pneumocystis and highlight areas for future research.
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Relationship of Pneumocystis jiroveci humoral immunity to prevention of colonization and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a primate model of HIV infection. Infect Immun 2010; 78:4320-30. [PMID: 20660609 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00507-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary colonization by the opportunistic pathogen Pneumocystis jiroveci is common in HIV(+) subjects and has been associated with development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Host and environmental factors associated with colonization susceptibility are undefined. Using a simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) model of HIV infection, the immunologic parameters associated with natural Pneumocystis jiroveci transmission were evaluated. SHIV-infected macaques were exposed to P. jiroveci by cohousing with immunosuppressed, P. jiroveci-colonized macaques in two independent experiments. Serial plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples were examined for changes in antibody titers to recombinant Pneumocystis-kexin protein (KEX1) and evidence of Pneumocystis colonization by nested PCR of BAL fluid. In experiment 1, 10 of 14 monkeys became Pneumocystis colonized (Pc(+)) by 8 weeks post-SHIV infection, while 4 animals remained Pneumocystis colonization negative (Pc(-)) throughout the study. In experiment 2, 11 of 17 animals became Pneumocystis colonized by 16 weeks post-SHIV infection, while 6 monkeys remained Pc(-). Baseline plasma KEX1-IgG titers were significantly higher in monkeys that remained Pc(-), compared to Pc(+) monkeys, in experiments 1 (P = 0.013) and 2 (P = 0.022). Pc(-) monkeys had greater percentages of Pneumocystis-specific memory B cells after SHIV infection compared to Pc(+) monkeys (P = 0.037). After SHIV infection, Pc(+) monkeys developed progressive obstructive pulmonary disease, whereas Pc(-) monkeys maintained normal lung function throughout the study. These results demonstrate a correlation between the KEX1 humoral response and the prevention of Pneumocystis colonization and obstructive lung disease in the SHIV model. In addition, these results indicate that an effective Pneumocystis-specific memory B-cell response is maintained despite progressive loss of CD4(+) T cells during SHIV infection.
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Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii is the opportunistic fungal organism that causes Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in humans. Similar to other opportunistic pathogens, Pneumocystis causes disease in individuals who are immunocompromised, particularly those infected with HIV. PCP remains the most common opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. Incidence has decreased greatly with the advent of HAART. However, an increase in the non-HIV immunocompromised population, noncompliance with current treatments, emergence of drug-resistant strains and rise in HIV(+) cases in developing countries makes Pneumocystis a pathogen of continued interest and a public health threat. A great deal of research interest has addressed therapeutic interventions to boost waning immunity in the host to prevent or treat PCP. This article focuses on research conducted during the previous 5 years regarding the host immune response to Pneumocystis, including innate, cell-mediated and humoral immunity, and associated immunotherapies tested against PCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle N Kelly
- Section of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center, Medical Education Building 3205, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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Kling HM, Shipley TW, Patil S, Morris A, Norris KA. Pneumocystis colonization in immunocompetent and simian immunodeficiency virus-infected cynomolgus macaques. J Infect Dis 2009; 199:89-96. [PMID: 19014344 DOI: 10.1086/595297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis (Pc) colonization is common among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects, although the clinical consequences of Pc carriage are not fully understood. We examined the frequency of asymptomatic carriage in healthy and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected cynomolgus macaques by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and assessment of changes in the serologic response to a recombinant fragment of the Pc protein kexin (KEX1). Anti-KEX1 antibodies were detected in 95% of healthy monkeys. To create a model of natural transmission of Pc, SIV-infected monkeys were cohoused with macaques coinfected with SIV and Pc. Pc colonization occurred when the CD4(+) T cell count decreased to <500 cells/microL, despite anti-Pc prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Increases in anti-KEX1 antibody titers preceded detection of Pc DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples by use of PCR. These results demonstrate the usefulness of recombinant KEX1 in serologic studies of Pc colonization and will improve the understanding of Pc transmission and clinical consequences of Pc colonization in HIV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M Kling
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
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Haryanti T, Mariana NS, Latifah SY, Yusoff K, Raha AR. Controlled expression of cholera toxin B subunit from Vibrio cholerae in Escherichia coli. Pak J Biol Sci 2008; 11:1718-1722. [PMID: 18819625 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2008.1718.1722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The ctxB gene, the causative agent of cholera epidemic was successfully cloned from V. cholerae in E. coli. The insertion of the gene was confirmed by PCR as well as restriction digestion analyses. The sequencing results for the gene confirmed that the insert was in the correct orientation and in-frame with the P(BAD) promoter and it showed that the gene was 99% homologous to the published ctxB sequence. The CTB protein was successfully expressed in E. coli using the pBAD/His vector system. The expected protein of approximately 14 kDa was detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The use of pBAD/His vector to express the cholera toxin gene in E. coli would facilitate future study of toxin gene products.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Haryanti
- Institute of Bioscience, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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Kobayashi H, Worgall S, O'Connor TP, Crystal RG. Interaction of Pneumocystis carinii with dendritic cells and resulting host responses to P. carinii. J Immunother 2007; 30:54-63. [PMID: 17198083 DOI: 10.1097/01.cji.0000211314.13492.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
To assess the interaction of Pneumocystis carinii with dendritic cells (DCs), and the consequences of the response of the host immune system to P. carinii antigens when DC are pulsed with P. carinii, murine DC were pulsed with P. carinii, and the resultant P. carinii host responses assessed in vitro and in vivo. P. carinii interacted with murine bone marrow-derived DC in vitro in part via mannose receptors. DC pulsed with P. carinii did not demonstrate increased expression of the cell surface markers MHC II, CD40, CD54, CD80 (B7.1), and CD86 (B7.2). The release of interleukin (IL)-4 was increased, but there was no increase in the release of interleukin (IL)-12p40, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, and nitrite compared with naive DC. In vivo administration of DC pulsed with P. carinii induced a P. carinii-specific response, generating CD4+ cells that proliferated and released IL-4, but not interferon-gamma, in response to P. carinii-pulsed DC in vitro. In vivo administration of DC pulsed with P. carinii also induced P. carinii-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G1, IgG2a, and IgG2b, but not IgG3, antibodies in serum, and lung lavage fluid. Finally, CD4+ depleted mice immunized with DC pulsed with P. carinii demonstrated suppression of lung growth of P. carinii after intratracheal challenge with P. carinii at 3 and 16 weeks after immunization. These observations provide insight into DC-P. carinii interactions, and support the concept that a vaccine that includes DC pulsed with P. carinii can mount a humoral and T helper 2-type cellular response to P. carinii sufficient to suppress the growth of P. carinii in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyasu Kobayashi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Daly KR, Koch JV, Shire NJ, Levin L, Walzer PD. Human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with prior Pneumocystis pneumonia exhibit increased serologic reactivity to several major surface glycoprotein clones. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2007; 13:1071-8. [PMID: 17028210 PMCID: PMC1595325 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00140-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant clones of the carboxyl terminus of the major surface glycoprotein (MsgC) of Pneumocystis jirovecii are useful for analyzing serologic responses in humans. However, there is no standardized set of antigens in general use, which could lead to conflicting results. We have previously shown that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients with prior Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP+) responded more frequently and more strongly to a clone of MsgC than did HIV-1-infected patients without PcP (PcP-). Here we test three new clones of MsgC to determine the effect of antigenic sequence variation on immune reactivity in blood donors and HIV-infected patients previously analyzed for reactivity to our original MsgC clone. In Western blot analyses, PcP+ patients exhibited the highest frequency of reactivity to each MsgC clone, and the frequency of reactivity with all four MsgC clones together was significantly higher in sera from PcP+ patients than in sera from the other patient groups. Furthermore, in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay we found that the PcP+ population had the highest level of reactivity to two of the four clones tested. One of the new clones could distinguish between PcP+ and PcP- populations, and two MsgC clones could distinguish blood donors from the other patient populations. The results show that inherent differences in MsgC amino acid sequence can affect recognition by antibodies independently of variations in protein length or patient population, and the utility of a clone depends on its sequence and on the populations tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Daly
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0560, USA.
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Deepe GS. Preventative and therapeutic vaccines for fungal infections: from concept to implementation. Expert Rev Vaccines 2006; 3:701-9. [PMID: 15606355 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.3.6.701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Many challenges confront the development of fungal vaccines for humans including differences in host susceptibility, varied pathogenic mechanisms employed by the different species of fungi and mechanisms of host resistance. Hence, no single antigen can be expected to serve as a pan fungal vaccine. Instead, it is likely that progress for fungal vaccines will have to be made at the level of each individual organism. In recent years, tremendous strides have been made in understanding the immunopathogenesis of medically important fungal infections and identifying putative vaccine candidates. Such discoveries will facilitate the introduction of fungal vaccines into the therapeutic armamentarium of clinicians. The fungi under discussion in this review include Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, Coccidioides spp., Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Pneumocystis jirovecii.
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Affiliation(s)
- George S Deepe
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0560, USA.
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Ohama M, Hiramatsu K, Miyajima Y, Kishi K, Nasu M, Kadota JI. Intratracheal immunization with pili protein protects against mortality associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 47:107-15. [PMID: 16706793 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2006.00069.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We examined the protective effect of intratracheal immunization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa pili protein against respiratory infection caused by P. aeruginosa. Mice were immunized intratracheally or subcutaneously with purified pili protein or bovine serum albumin as a control. Intratracheally but not subcutaneously pili protein-immunized mice showed significant improvement of survival after intratracheal challenge with the PAO1 strain. Furthermore, bacterial cell counts in pili protein-immunized murine lungs were significantly decreased compared to controls at 18 h after the challenge. Antipili protein antibody titers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of intratracheally pili protein-immunized mice were higher than in bovine serum albumin immunized mice. However, antipili antibody titers were not increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of subcutaneously pili protein-immunized mice, despite the high serum antipili antibody titers. Inoculation of P. aeruginosa induced immediate increases in interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of pili protein-immunized mice, reflecting an adequate and rapid immune response against P. aeruginosa respiratory tract infection. Our findings suggest that intratracheal pili protein immunization is effective against respiratory tract infection caused by P. aeruginosa in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Ohama
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
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Zhang C, Wang SH, Lasbury ME, Tschang D, Liao CP, Durant PJ, Lee CH. Toll-like receptor 2 mediates alveolar macrophage response to Pneumocystis murina. Infect Immun 2006; 74:1857-64. [PMID: 16495560 PMCID: PMC1418649 DOI: 10.1128/iai.74.3.1857-1864.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate immune response to Pneumocystis infection is not well understood. In this study, normal C57BL/6 mouse alveolar macrophages were found to respond to Pneumocystis murina organisms through Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), leading to the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and the production of proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2). P. murina stimulation of normal alveolar macrophages from C57BL/6 mice resulted in increased TLR2 transcription but not increased TLR4 transcription. In gain-of-function studies with HEK293 cells expressing TLR2 or TLR4, only TLR2 was found to stimulate an NF-kappaB response to P. murina. TNF-alpha and MIP-2 production in response to P. murina by mouse alveolar macrophages was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody that specifically blocked the ligand-binding ability of TLR2. Alveolar macrophages from TLR2 knockout (TLR2-/-) mice showed little increase in TNF-alpha and MIP-2 mRNA levels upon P. murina stimulation. An in vivo study showed that TLR2-/- mice challenged with P. murina had reduced cytokine responses. These results indicate that TLR2 plays a major role in the innate immune response to P. murina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1120 South Drive, Fesler Hall Rm. 419, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Wells J, Haidaris CG, Wright TW, Gigliotti F. Active immunization against Pneumocystis carinii with a recombinant P. carinii antigen. Infect Immun 2006; 74:2446-8. [PMID: 16552076 PMCID: PMC1418926 DOI: 10.1128/iai.74.4.2446-2448.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice immunized with recombinant mouse Pneumocystis carinii antigen A12-thioredoxin fusion protein developed an antibody response that recognized P. carinii antigens, as determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. Compared to mice immunized with thioredoxin alone, mice immunized with A12-thioredoxin had significantly reduced lung P. carinii burdens after CD4+ T-cell depletion and challenge with P. carinii.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Fungal/biosynthesis
- Antibodies, Fungal/blood
- Antigens, Fungal/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Fungal/chemistry
- Antigens, Fungal/immunology
- Immunization, Passive
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Pneumocystis carinii/immunology
- Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/immunology
- Pneumonia, Pneumocystis/prevention & control
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/administration & dosage
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Serine Endopeptidases/chemistry
- Thioredoxins/administration & dosage
- Thioredoxins/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Wells
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Box 690, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Beck JM, Blackmon MB, Rose CM, Kimzey SL, Preston AM, Green JM. T cell costimulatory molecule function determines susceptibility to infection with Pneumocystis carinii in mice. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2003; 171:1969-77. [PMID: 12902500 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.171.4.1969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Loss of T cell number and function during HIV infection or secondary to pharmacologic immunosuppression renders individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections, including Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Because costimulatory receptors are critical for optimal T cell function, we hypothesized that these proteins would regulate susceptibility to opportunistic infections. We found that despite normal T cell numbers, mice deficient in the costimulatory molecules CD2 and CD28 spontaneously developed P. carinii pneumonia. In experiments using intratracheal injection of P. carinii organisms to induce infection, the loss of CD28 alone was sufficient to render mice susceptible to acute infection; however, the organism was eventually cleared. Examination of inflammatory responses to P. carinii revealed that mice deficient in both CD2 and CD28 accumulated CD8(+) T cells in their lungs in response to infection and demonstrated markedly reduced specific Ab titers. Analysis of cytokine profiles suggested that regulation of IL-10 and IL-15 may be important elements of the response to this pathogen. Thus, costimulatory molecule function is critical in determining the initial susceptibility to infection with P. carinii. Analysis of immunologic responses in these mice may provide important insights into the defects that render individuals susceptible to opportunistic infection, and provide opportunities for novel immunologically based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Beck
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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22
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Arêas APDM, Oliveira MLSD, Ramos CRR, Sbrogio-Almeida ME, Raw I, Ho PL. Synthesis of cholera toxin B subunit gene: cloning and expression of a functional 6XHis-tagged protein in Escherichia coli. Protein Expr Purif 2002; 25:481-7. [PMID: 12182829 DOI: 10.1016/s1046-5928(02)00026-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) has been extensively studied as immunogen, adjuvant, and oral tolerance inductor depending on the antigen conjugated or coadministered. It has been already expressed in several bacterial and yeast systems. In this study, we synthesized a versatile gene coding a 6XHis-tagged CTB (359bp). The sequence was designed according to codon usage of Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus casei, and Salmonella typhimurium. The gene assembly was based on a polymerase chain reaction, in which the polymerase extends DNA fragments from a pool of overlapping oligonucleotides. The synthetic gene was amplified, cloned, and expressed in E. coli in an insoluble form, reaching levels about 13 mg of purified active pentameric rCTB per liter of induced culture. Western blot and ELISA analyses showed that recombinant CTB is strongly and specifically recognized by polyclonal antibodies against the cholera toxin. The ability to form the functional pentamers was observed in cell culture by the inhibition of cholera toxin activity on Y1 adrenal cells in the presence of recombinant CTB. The 6XHis-tagged CTB provides a simple way to obtain functional CTB through Ni(2+)-charged resin after refolding and also free of possible CTA contaminants as in the case of CTB obtained from Vibrio cholerae cultures.
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23
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Zheng M, Shellito JE, Marrero L, Zhong Q, Julian S, Ye P, Wallace V, Schwarzenberger P, Kolls JK. CD4+ T cell-independent vaccination against Pneumocystis carinii in mice. J Clin Invest 2001; 108:1469-74. [PMID: 11714738 PMCID: PMC209424 DOI: 10.1172/jci13826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Host defenses are profoundly compromised in HIV-infected hosts due to progressive depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Moreover, deficient CD4+ T lymphocytes impair vaccination approaches to prevent opportunistic infection. Therefore, we investigated a CD4+ T cell-independent vaccine approach to a prototypic AIDS-defining infection, Pneumocystis carinii (PC) pneumonia. Here, we demonstrate that bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) expressing the murine CD40 ligand, when pulsed ex vivo by PC antigen, elicited significant titers of anti-PC IgG in CD4-deficient mice. Vaccinated animals demonstrated significant protection from PC infection, and this protection was the result of an effective humoral response, since adoptive transfer of CD4-depleted splenocytes or serum conferred this protection to CD4-deficient mice. Western blot analysis of PC antigen revealed that DC-vaccinated, CD4-deficient mice predominantly reacted to a 55-kDa PC antigen. These studies show promise for advances in CD4-independent vaccination against HIV-related pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zheng
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA
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24
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Martin WJ, Pasula R. Role of alveolar macrophages in host defense against Pneumocystis carinii. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2000; 23:434-5. [PMID: 11017906 DOI: 10.1165/ajrcmb.23.4.f203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- W J Martin
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-2879, USA.
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Smulian AG, Sullivan DW, Theus SA. Immunization with recombinant Pneumocystis carinii p55 antigen provides partial protection against infection: characterization of epitope recognition associated with immunization. Microbes Infect 2000; 2:127-36. [PMID: 10742685 DOI: 10.1016/s1286-4579(00)00275-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Many therapeutic options exist for the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a common fungal opportunistic pulmonary pathogen, but treatment is often complicated by side effects and toxicity and, more recently, markers of drug resistance have been described. The development of immunotherapetic modalities such as active immunization or passive immunotherapy may play an increasing important role in the prevention and treatment of infection. Passive immunotherapy with polyclonal anti-P. carinii reagents, such as serum or T cells, and monospecific reagents reactive with the major surface glycoprotein (MSG or gpA), such as monoclonal antibodies or MSG primed T cells, reduce the severity or eradicate infection. Active immunization with whole P. carinii, P. carinii extracts or MSG has afforded partial protection against the subsequent development of P. carinii pneumonia in some animal models. Identification of additional antigens with protective benefits will aid in the development of vaccines or other reagents. The p55 antigen of rat-derived P. carinii is well recognized by animals following natural exposure to the organism. This 414 amino acid residue antigen found within the cell wall of P. carinii contains 7 repeats of a glutamic acid-rich motif in the carboxyl portion of the molecule. Both humoral and cellular immune responses reactive with this repeated domain are present following natural infection while, the amino terminal portion of the molecule is immunologically silent. In this study, immunization with recombinant p55 elicited significant humoral and cellular immune responses which persisted during 10 weeks of immunosupression in corticosteroid treated rats; rp55 immunization resulted in a significant reduction in organism burden, improved histological score, lower lung weight to body weight ratio (a marker of infection or lung inflammation) and improved survival (P < 0.01). Greater protection was afforded by immunization with a peptide containing amino acid residues 1-200, than by the entire rp55 molecule. Epitope recognition by serum from animals immunized with rp55 differed from that of naturally exposed animals with oligoclonal responses to residues 22-92 and residues 196-218. This study demonstrates that protection against P. carinii can be afforded by immunization with antigen preparations other than whole extracts of P. carinii or the major surface antigen, MSG. This antigen moiety will likely be most useful as a vaccine candidate in combination with other immunogens which provide similar partial protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Smulian
- Infectious Disease Division, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Bethesda Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0560, USA
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