Evolutionary and functional relationships among the nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae HMW family of adhesins

Epidemic Trends and Biofilm Formation Mechanisms of Haemophilus influenzae: Insights into Clinical Implications and Prevention Strategies

Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) is a significant pathogen responsible for causing respiratory tract infections and invasive diseases, leading to a considerable disease burden. The Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine has notably decreased the incidence of severe infections caused by Hib strains, and other non-typable H. influenzae (NTHi) serotypes have emerged as epidemic strains worldwide. As a result, the global epidemic trends and antibiotic resistance characteristics of H. influenzae have been altered. Researches on the virulence factors of H. influenzae, particularly the mechanisms underlying biofilm formation, and the development of anti-biofilm strategies hold significant clinical value. This article provides a summary of the epidemic trends, typing methods, virulence factors, biofilm formation mechanisms, and prevention strategies of H. influenzae. The increasing prevalence of NTHi strains and antibiotic resistance among H. influenzae, especially the high β-lactamase positivity and the emergence of BLNAR strains have increased clinical difficulties. Understanding its virulence factors, especially the formation mechanism of biofilm, and formulating effective anti-biofilm strategies may help to reduce the clinical impact. Therefore, future research efforts should focus on developing new approaches to prevent and control H. influenzae infections.

The regulation of bacterial two-partner secretion systems

Two-partner secretion (TPS) systems, also known as Type Vb secretion systems, allow the translocation of effector proteins across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. By secreting different classes of effectors, including cytolysins and adhesins, TPS systems play important roles in bacterial pathogenesis and host interactions. Here, we review the current knowledge on TPS systems regulation and highlight specific and common regulatory mechanisms across TPS functional classes. We discuss in detail the specific regulatory networks identified in various bacterial species and emphasize the importance of understanding the context-dependent regulation of TPS systems. Several regulatory cues reflecting host environment during infection, such as temperature and iron availability, are common determinants of expression for TPS systems, even across relatively distant species. These common regulatory pathways often affect TPS systems across subfamilies with different effector functions, representing conserved global infection-related regulatory mechanisms.

Immunization with HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins protects against colonization by heterologous strains of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a common cause of localized respiratory tract disease and results in significant morbidity. The pathogenesis of NTHi disease begins with nasopharyngeal colonization, and therefore, the prevention of colonization represents a strategy to prevent disease. The NTHi HMW1 and HMW2 proteins are a family of conserved adhesins that are present in 75 to 80% of strains and have been demonstrated to play a critical role in colonization of the upper respiratory tract in rhesus macaques. In this study, we examined the vaccine potential of HMW1 and HMW2 using a mouse model of nasopharyngeal colonization. Immunization with HMW1 and HMW2 by either the subcutaneous or the intranasal route resulted in a strain-specific antibody response associated with agglutination of bacteria and restriction of bacterial adherence. Despite the specificity of the antibody response, immunization resulted in protection against colonization by both the parent NTHi strain and heterologous strains expressing distinct HMW1 and HMW2 proteins. Pretreatment with antibody against IL-17A eliminated protection against heterologous strains, indicating that heterologous protection is IL-17A dependent. This work demonstrates the vaccine potential of the HMW1 and HMW2 proteins and highlights the importance of IL-17A in protection against diverse NTHi strains.

Phase Variation in HMW1A Controls a Phenotypic Switch in Haemophilus influenzae Associated with Pathoadaptation during Persistent Infection

Genetic variants arising from within-patient evolution shed light on bacterial adaptation during chronic infection. Contingency loci generate high levels of genetic variation in bacterial genomes, enabling adaptation to the stringent selective pressures exerted by the host. A significant gap in our understanding of phase-variable contingency loci is the extent of their contribution to natural infections. The human-adapted pathogen nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) causes persistent infections, which contribute to underlying disease progression. The phase-variable high-molecular-weight (HMW) adhesins located on the NTHi surface mediate adherence to respiratory epithelial cells and, depending on the allelic variant, can also confer high epithelial invasiveness or hyperinvasion. In this study, we characterize the dynamics of HMW-mediated hyperinvasion in living cells and identify a specific HMW binding domain shared by hyperinvasive NTHi isolates of distinct pathological origins. Moreover, we observed that HMW expression decreased over time by using a longitudinal set of persistent NTHi strains collected from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, resulting from increased numbers of simple-sequence repeats (SSRs) downstream of the functional P2_hmw1A promoter, which is the one primarily driving HMW expression. Notably, the increased SSR numbers at the hmw1 promoter region also control a phenotypic switch toward lower bacterial intracellular invasion and higher biofilm formation, likely conferring adaptive advantages during chronic airway infection by NTHi. Overall, we reveal novel molecular mechanisms of NTHi pathoadaptation based on within-patient lifestyle switching controlled by phase variation.

Epigenetic Regulation Alters Biofilm Architecture and Composition in Multiple Clinical Isolates of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

Upper respiratory tract infections are the number one reason for a child to visit the emergency department, and otitis media (middle ear infection) ranks third overall. Biofilms contribute significantly to the chronic nature of bacterial respiratory tract infections, including otitis media, and make these diseases particularly difficult to treat. Several mucosa-associated human pathogens utilize a mechanism of rapid adaptation termed the phasevarion, or phasevariable regulon, to resist environmental and host immune pressures. In this study, we assessed the role of the phasevarion in regulation of biofilm formation by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI), which causes numerous respiratory tract diseases. We found that the NTHI phasevarion regulates biofilm structure and critical biofilm matrix components under disease-specific conditions. The findings of this work could be significant in the design of improved strategies against NTHI infections, as well as diseases due to other pathogens that utilize a phasevarion.

Biofilms play a critical role in the colonization, persistence, and pathogenesis of many human pathogens. Multiple mucosa-associated pathogens have evolved a mechanism of rapid adaptation, termed the phasevarion, which facilitates a coordinated regulation of numerous genes throughout the bacterial genome. This epigenetic regulation occurs via phase variation of a DNA methyltransferase, Mod. The phasevarion of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) significantly affects the severity of experimental otitis media and regulates several disease-related processes. However, the role of the NTHI phasevarion in biofilm formation is unclear. The present study shows that the phasevarions of multiple NTHI clinical isolates regulate in vitro biofilm formation under disease-specific microenvironmental conditions. The impact of phasevarion regulation was greatest under alkaline conditions that mimic those known to occur in the middle ear during disease. Under alkaline conditions, NTHI strains that express the ModA2 methyltransferase formed biofilms with significantly greater biomass and less distinct architecture than those formed by a ModA2-deficient population. The biofilms formed by NTHI strains that express ModA2 also contained less extracellular DNA (eDNA) and significantly less extracellular HU, a DNABII DNA-binding protein critical for biofilm structural stability. Stable biofilm structure is critical for bacterial pathogenesis and persistence in multiple experimental models of disease. These results identify a role for the phasevarion in regulation of biofilm formation, a process integral to the chronic nature of many infections. Understanding the role of the phasevarion in biofilm formation is critical to the development of prevention and treatment strategies for these chronic diseases.

Immunogenicity of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Outer Membrane Vesicles and Protective Ability in the Chinchilla Model of Otitis Media

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) produced by Gram-negative bacteria are enriched in several outer membrane components, including major and minor outer membrane proteins and lipooligosaccharide. We assessed the functional activity of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) OMV-specific antisera and the protective ability of NTHi OMVs as vaccine antigens in the chinchilla otitis media model. OMVs were purified from three HMW1/HMW2-expressing NTHi strains, two of which were also engineered to overexpress Hia proteins. OMV-specific antisera raised in guinea pigs were assessed for their ability to mediate killing of representative NTHi in an opsonophagocytic assay. The three OMV-specific antisera mediated killing of 18 of 65, 24 of 65, and 30 of 65 unrelated HMW1/HMW2-expressing NTHi strains. Overall, they mediated killing of 39 of 65 HMW1/HMW2-expressing strains. The two Hia-expressing OMV-specific antisera mediated killing of 17 of 25 and 14 of 25 unrelated Hia-expressing NTHi strains. Overall, they mediated killing of 20 of 25 Hia-expressing strains. OMVs from prototype NTHi strain 12 were used to immunize chinchillas and the course of middle ear infection was monitored following intrabullar challenge with the homologous strain. All control animals developed culture-positive otitis media, as did two of three HMW1/HMW2-immunized animals. All OMV-immunized animals, with or without supplemental HMW1/HMW2 immunization, were completely protected against otitis media. NTHi OMVs are the first immunogens examined in this model that provided complete protection with sterile immunity after NTHi strain 12 challenge. These data suggest that NTHi OMVs hold significant potential as components of protective NTHi vaccines, possibly in combination with HMW1/HMW2 proteins.

The HMW1 and HMW2 Adhesins Enhance the Ability of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae To Colonize the Upper Respiratory Tract of Rhesus Macaques

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) initiates infection by colonizing the upper respiratory tract and is a common cause of localized respiratory tract disease. Previous work has established that the NTHi HMW1 and HMW2 proteins are potent adhesins that mediate efficient in vitro adherence to cultured human respiratory epithelial cells. In this study, we used a rhesus macaque model to assess the contributions of HMW1 and HMW2 to in vivo colonization. In experiments involving inoculation of individual isogenic derivatives of NTHi strain 12, the parent strain expressing both HMW1 and HMW2 and the mutant strains expressing either HMW1 or HMW2 were able to colonize more frequently than the double mutant strain lacking HMW1 and HMW2. In competition experiments, the parent strain efficiently outcompeted the double mutant lacking HMW1 and HMW2. Colonization with strains expressing HMW2 resulted in development of antibody against HMW2 in a number of the animals, demonstrating that colonization can stimulate an antibody response. In conclusion, we have established that the HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins play a major role in facilitating colonization of the upper respiratory tract of rhesus macaques, in some cases associated with stimulation of an immune response.

Transformed Recombinant Enrichment Profiling Rapidly Identifies HMW1 as an Intracellular Invasion Locus in Haemophilus influenza

Many bacterial species actively take up and recombine homologous DNA into their genomes, called natural competence, a trait that offers a means to identify the genetic basis of naturally occurring phenotypic variation. Here, we describe “transformed recombinant enrichment profiling” (TREP), in which natural transformation is used to generate complex pools of recombinants, phenotypic selection is used to enrich for specific recombinants, and deep sequencing is used to survey for the genetic variation responsible. We applied TREP to investigate the genetic architecture of intracellular invasion by the human pathogen Haemophilus influenzae, a trait implicated in persistence during chronic infection. TREP identified the HMW1 adhesin as a crucial factor. Natural transformation of the hmw1 operon from a clinical isolate (86-028NP) into a laboratory isolate that lacks it (Rd KW20) resulted in ~1,000-fold increased invasion into airway epithelial cells. When a distinct recipient (Hi375, already possessing hmw1 and its paralog hmw2) was transformed by the same donor, allelic replacement of hmw2A_Hi375 by hmw1A_86-028NP resulted in a ~100-fold increased intracellular invasion rate. The specific role of hmw1A_86-028NP was confirmed by mutant and western blot analyses. Bacterial self-aggregation and adherence to airway cells were also increased in recombinants, suggesting that the high invasiveness induced by hmw1A_86-028NP might be a consequence of these phenotypes. However, immunofluorescence results found that intracellular hmw1A_86-028NP bacteria likely invaded as groups, instead of as individual bacterial cells, indicating an emergent invasion-specific consequence of hmw1A-mediated self-aggregation.

Many bacteria are naturally competent, actively taking up DNA from their surroundings and incorporating it into their genomes by homologous recombination. This cellular process has had a large impact on the evolution of these species, for example by enabling pathogens to acquire virulence factors and antibiotic resistances from their relatives. But natural competence can also be exploited by researchers to identify the underlying genetic variation responsible for naturally varying phenotypic traits, similar to how eukaryotic geneticists use meiotic recombination during sexual reproduction to create genetically admixed populations. Here we exploited natural competence, phenotypic selection, and deep sequencing to rapidly identify the hmw1 locus as a major contributor to intracellular invasion of airway epithelial cells by the human pathogen Haemophilus influenzae, a trait that likely allows bacterial cells to evade the immune system and therapeutic interventions during chronic infections. Genetic variation in this locus can strongly modulate bacterial intracellular invasion rates, and possession of a certain allele favors adhesion and self-aggregation, which appear to prompt bacteria to invade airway cells as groups, rather than as individuals. Overall, our findings indicate that targeting HMW1 could block the ability of H. influenzae to invade airway cells, which would make antibiotic therapy to treat chronic lung infections more effective. Furthermore, our new approach to identifying the genetic basis of natural phenotypic variation is applicable to a wide-range of phenotypically selectable traits within the widely distributed naturally competent bacterial species, including pathogenesis traits in many human pathogens.

Distribution and Diversity of hmw1A Among Invasive Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Isolates in Iran

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) begins with adhesion to the rhinopharyngeal mucosa. Almost 38-80% of NTHi clinical isolates produce proteins that belong to the High Molecular Weight (HMW) family of adhesins, which are believed to facilitate colonization.

METHODS

In the present study, the prevalence of hmwA, which encodes the HMW adhesin, was determined for a collection of 32 NTHi isolates. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) was performed to advance our understanding of hmwA binding sequence diversity.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that hmwA was detected in 61% of NTHi isolates. According to RFLP, isolates were divided into three groups.

CONCLUSION

Based on these observations, it is hypothesized that some strains of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae infect some specific areas more than other parts.

A proteomic characterization of NTHi lysates

BACKGROUND

Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a ubiquitous bacterial pathogen which accounts for a majority of human upper respiratory tract infections. Laboratory lysate preparations from this bacterium are commonly utilized to investigate the promulgation of inflammatory responses in respiratory and middle ear epithelium both in vivo and in vitro. We undertook an unbiased proteomics based analysis of NTHi lysate preps to: (a) identify abundant bacterial proteins present in these lysates that could play a role in NTHi biological effects and (b) determine the protein content variability in different lysate prep batches from the same NTHI strain.

STUDY DESIGN

Proteomic analysis of laboratory NTHi lysate preparations from clinical strain 12.

METHODS

NTHi lysates were denatured, gel-fractionated, digested by trypsin and the generated peptides were identified using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Western blot analyses for the important proinflammatory enhancer, outer membrane protein 6 (OMP6), was performed to validate the MS findings. Luciferase assays for NF-kB activation were used to measure the pro-inflammatory biologic effects from each NTHi lysate preparation.

RESULTS

The MS identified 793 unique NTHi proteins. Most common and abundant proteins found have been described to either contribute to biofilm formation, elude the innate immune system, or activate epithelial pro-inflammatory pathways such as Toll Like Receptor 2 (TLR-2) signaling and NF-kB transcription factor. Strong positive signal for OMP6 was found in each of the NTHi lysate preparations. Significant NF-kB promoter response activation as expected with NTHi stimulation over control was also noted for each NTHi lysate preparation.

CONCLUSIONS

Proteomics was a successful technique to broadly define the protein content of NTHi lysates. This is the first report of the proteome of NTHi lysates widely used in laboratories to study the biological effect of NTHi. Despite the variability of the protein composition from different preps, all the batches of NTHi lysates induced similar NFκB activation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA.

Naturally Acquired HMW1- and HMW2-Specific Serum Antibodies in Adults and Children Mediate Opsonophagocytic Killing of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

The HMW1 and HMW2 proteins are highly immunogenic adhesins expressed by approximately 75% of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) strains, and HMW1- and HMW2-specific antibodies can mediate opsonophagocytic killing of NTHi. In this study, we assessed the ability of HMW1- and HMW2-specific antibodies in sera from healthy adults and convalescent-phase sera from children with NTHi otitis media to mediate killing of homologous and heterologous NTHi. The serum samples were examined pre- and postadsorption on HMW1 and HMW2 affinity columns, and affinity-purified antibodies were assessed for ability to mediate killing of homologous and heterologous strains. Adult serum samples mediated the killing of six prototype NTHi strains at titers of <1:10 to 1:1,280. HMW1- and HMW2-adsorbed sera demonstrated unchanged to 8-fold decreased opsonophagocytic titers against the homologous strains. Each affinity-purified antibody preparation mediated the killing of the respective homologous strain at titers of <1:10 to 1:320 and of the five heterologous strains at titers of <1:10 to 1:320, with most preparations killing most heterologous strains to some degree. None of the acute-phase serum samples from children mediated killing, but each convalescent-phase serum sample mediated killing of the infecting strain at titers of 1:40 to 1:640. HMW1- and HMW2-adsorbed convalescent-phase serum samples demonstrated ≥4-fold decreases in titer. Three of four affinity-purified antibody preparations mediated killing of the infecting strain at titers of 1:20 to 1:320, but no killing of representative heterologous strains was observed. HMW1- and HMW2-specific antibodies capable of mediating opsonophagocytic killing are present in the serum from normal adults and develop in convalescent-phase sera of children with NTHi otitis media. Continued investigation of the HMW1 and HMW2 proteins as potential vaccine candidates for the prevention of NTHi disease is warranted.

New Insight into Filamentous Hemagglutinin Secretion Reveals a Role for Full-Length FhaB in Bordetella Virulence

Bordetella filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), a primary component of acellular pertussis vaccines, contributes to virulence, but how it functions mechanistically is unclear. FHA is first synthesized as an ~370-kDa preproprotein called FhaB. Removal of an N-terminal signal peptide and a large C-terminal prodomain (PD) during secretion results in "mature" ~250-kDa FHA, which has been assumed to be the biologically active form of the protein. Deletion of two C-terminal subdomains of FhaB did not affect production of functional FHA, and the mutant strains were indistinguishable from wild-type bacteria for their ability to adhere to the lower respiratory tract and to suppress inflammation in the lungs of mice. However, the mutant strains, which produced altered FhaB molecules, were eliminated from the lower respiratory tract much faster than wild-type B. bronchiseptica, suggesting a defect in resistance to early immune-mediated clearance. Our results revealed, unexpectedly, that full-length FhaB plays a critical role in B. bronchiseptica persistence in the lower respiratory tract.

IMPORTANCE

The Bordetella filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) is a primary component of the acellular pertussis vaccine and an important virulence factor. FHA is initially produced as a large protein that is processed during secretion to the bacterial surface. As with most processed proteins, the mature form of FHA has been assumed to be the functional form of the protein. However, our results indicate that the full-length form plays an essential role in virulence in vivo. Furthermore, we have found that FHA contains intramolecular regulators of processing and that this control of processing is integral to its virulence activities. This report highlights the advantage of studying protein maturation and function simultaneously, as a role for the full-length form of FHA was evident only from in vivo infection studies and not from in vitro studies on the production or maturation of FHA or even from in vitro virulence-associated activity assays.

Structural determinants of the interaction between the TpsA and TpsB proteins in the Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 two-partner secretion system

The two-partner secretion (TPS) pathway in Gram-negative bacteria consists of a TpsA exoprotein and a cognate TpsB outer membrane pore-forming translocator protein. Previous work has demonstrated that the TpsA protein contains an N-terminal TPS domain that plays an important role in targeting the TpsB protein and is required for secretion. The nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins are homologous proteins that are prototype TpsA proteins and are secreted by the HMW1B and HMW2B TpsB proteins. In the present study, we sought to define the structural determinants of HMW1 interaction with HMW1B during the transport process and while anchored to the bacterial surface. Modeling of HMW1B revealed an N-terminal periplasmic region that contains two polypeptide transport-associated (POTRA) domains and a C-terminal membrane-localized region that forms a pore. Biochemical studies demonstrated that HMW1 engages HMW1B via interaction between the HMW1 TPS domain and the HMW1B periplasmic region, specifically, the predicted POTRA1 and POTRA2 domains. Subsequently, HMW1 is shuttled to the HMW1B pore, facilitated by the N-terminal region, the middle region, and the NPNG motif in the HMW1 TPS domain. Additional analysis revealed that the interaction between HMW1 and HMW1B is highly specific and is dependent upon the POTRA domains and the pore-forming domain of HMW1B. Further studies established that tethering of HMW1 to the surface-exposed region of HMW1B is dependent upon the external loops of HMW1B formed by residues 267 to 283 and residues 324 to 330. These observations may have broad relevance to proteins secreted by the TPS pathway.

IMPORTANCE

Secretion of HMW1 involves a recognition event between the extended form of the HMW1 propiece and the HMW1B POTRA domains. Our results identify specific interactions between the HMW1 propiece and the periplasmic HMW1B POTRA domains. The results also suggest that the process of HMW1 translocation involves at least two discrete steps, including initial interaction between the HMW1 propiece and the HMW1B POTRA domains and then a separate translocation event. We have also discovered that the HMW1B pore itself appears to influence the translocation process. These observations extend our knowledge of the two-partner secretion system and may be broadly relevant to other proteins secreted by the TPS pathway.

Escape from bacterial iron piracy through rapid evolution of transferrin

Iron sequestration provides an innate defense, termed nutritional immunity, leading pathogens to scavenge iron from hosts. Although the molecular basis of this battle for iron is established, its potential as a force for evolution at host-pathogen interfaces is unknown. We show that the iron transport protein transferrin is engaged in ancient and ongoing evolutionary conflicts with TbpA, a transferrin surface receptor from bacteria. Single substitutions in transferrin at rapidly evolving sites reverse TbpA binding, providing a mechanism to counteract bacterial iron piracy among great apes. Furthermore, the C2 transferrin polymorphism in humans evades TbpA variants from Haemophilus influenzae, revealing a functional basis for standing genetic variation. These findings identify a central role for nutritional immunity in the persistent evolutionary conflicts between primates and bacterial pathogens.

Prevalence, distribution, and sequence diversity of hmwA among commensal and otitis media non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) are Gram-negative coccobacilli that colonize the human pharynx, their only known natural reservoir. Adherence to the host epithelium facilitates NTHi colonization and marks one of the first steps in NTHi pathogenesis. Epithelial cell attachment is mediated, in part, by a pair of high molecular weight (HMW) adhesins that are highly immunogenic, antigenically diverse, and display a wide range of amino acid diversity both within and between isolates. In this study, the prevalence of hmwA, which encodes the HMW adhesin, was determined for a collection of 170 NTHi isolates recovered from the middle ears of children with otitis media (OM isolates) or throats or nasopharynges of healthy children (commensal isolates) from Finland, Israel, and the U.S. Overall, hmwA was detected in 61% of NTHi isolates and was significantly more prevalent (P=0.004) among OM isolates than among commensal isolates; the prevalence ratio comparing hmwA prevalence among ear isolates with that of commensal isolates was 1.47 (95% CI (1.12, 1.92)). Ninety-five percent (98/103) of the hmwA-positive NTHi isolates possessed two hmw loci. To advance our understanding of hmwA binding sequence diversity, we determined the DNA sequence of the hmwA binding region of 33 isolates from this collection. The average amino acid identity across all hmwA sequences was 62%. Phylogenetic analyses of the hmwA binding revealed four distinct sequence clusters, and the majority of hmwA sequences (83%) belonged to one of two dominant sequence clusters. hmwA sequences did not cluster by chromosomal location, geographic region, or disease status.

Phase variation and host immunity against high molecular weight (HMW) adhesins shape population dynamics of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae within human hosts

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a bacterium that resides within the human pharynx. Because NTHi is human-restricted, its long-term survival is dependent upon its ability to successfully colonize new hosts. Adherence to host epithelium, mediated by bacterial adhesins, is one of the first steps in NTHi colonization. NTHi express several adhesins, including the high molecular weight (HMW) adhesins that mediate attachment to the respiratory epithelium where they interact with the host immune system to elicit a strong humoral response. hmwA, which encodes the HMW adhesin, undergoes phase variation mediated by 7-base pair tandem repeats located within its promoter region. Repeat number affects both hmwA transcription and HMW-adhesin production such that as the number of repeats increases, adhesin production decreases. Cells expressing large amounts of HMW adhesins may be critical for the establishment and maintenance of NTHi colonization, but they might also incur greater fitness costs when faced with an adhesin-specific antibody-mediated immune response. We hypothesized that the occurrence of large deletion events within the hmwA repeat region allows NTHi cells to maintain adherence in the presence of antibody-mediated immunity. To study this, we developed a mathematical model, incorporating hmwA phase variation and antibody-mediated immunity, to explore the trade-off between bacterial adherence and immune evasion. The model predicts that antibody levels and avidity, catastrophic loss rates, and population carrying capacity all significantly affected numbers of adherent NTHi cells within a host. These results suggest that the occurrence of large, yet rare, deletion events allows for stable maintenance of a small population of adherent cells in spite of HMW adhesin specific antibody-mediated immunity. These adherent subpopulations may be important for sustaining colonization and/or maintaining transmission.

Antibodies to the HMW1/HMW2 and Hia adhesins of nontypeable haemophilus influenzae mediate broad-based opsonophagocytic killing of homologous and heterologous strains

The HMW1/HMW2 and Hia proteins are highly immunogenic surface adhesins of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). Approximately 75% of NTHi strains express HMW1/HMW2 adhesins, and most of the remaining 25% express an Hia adhesin. Our objective in this study was to assess the ability of antisera raised against purified HMW1/HMW2 proteins or recombinant Hia proteins to mediate opsonophagocytic killing of a large panel of unrelated NTHi strains. Native HMW1/HMW2 proteins were purified from three HMW1/HMW2-expressing NTHi strains. Recombinant fusion proteins expressing surface-exposed segments of either of two prototype Hia proteins were purified from Escherichia coli transformants. Immune sera raised in guinea pigs were assessed for their ability to mediate killing of NTHi in an opsonophagocytic assay with the HL-60 phagocytic cell line. The three HMW1/HMW2 antisera mediated killing of 22 of 65, 43 of 65, and 28 of 65 unrelated HMW1/HMW2-expressing NTHi strains, respectively. As a group, the three sera mediated killing of 48 of 65 HMW1/HMW2-expressing strains. The two Hia immune sera mediated killing of 12 of 24 and 13 of 24 unrelated Hia-expressing NTHi strains, respectively. Together, they mediated killing of 15 of 24 Hia-expressing strains. Neither the HMW1/HMW2 nor the Hia antisera mediated killing of NTHi expressing the alternative adhesin type. Antibodies directed against native HMW1/HMW2 proteins and recombinant Hia proteins are capable of mediating broad-based opsonophagocytic killing of homologous and heterologous NTHi strains. A vaccine formulated with a limited number of HMW1/HMW2 and Hia proteins might provide protection against disease caused by most NTHi strains.

Structural insights into the glycosyltransferase activity of the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae HMW1C-like protein

Glycosylation of proteins is a fundamental process that influences protein function. The Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 adhesin is an N-linked glycoprotein that mediates adherence to respiratory epithelium, an essential early step in the pathogenesis of H. influenzae disease. HMW1 is glycosylated by HMW1C, a novel glycosyltransferase in the GT41 family that creates N-glycosidic linkages with glucose and galactose at asparagine residues and di-glucose linkages at sites of glucose modification. Here we report the crystal structure of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae HMW1C (ApHMW1C), a functional homolog of HMW1C. The structure of ApHMW1C contains an N-terminal all α-domain (AAD) fold and a C-terminal GT-B fold with two Rossmann-like domains and lacks the tetratricopeptide repeat fold characteristic of the GT41 family. The GT-B fold harbors the binding site for UDP-hexose, and the interface of the AAD fold and the GT-B fold forms a unique groove with potential to accommodate the acceptor protein. Structure-based functional analyses demonstrated that the HMW1C protein shares the same structure as ApHMW1C and provided insights into the unique bi-functional activity of HMW1C and ApHMW1C, suggesting an explanation for the similarities and differences of the HMW1C-like proteins compared with other GT41 family members.

Geme JW, Yeo HJ. The Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae HMW1C-like glycosyltransferase mediates N-linked glycosylation of the Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 adhesin

The Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 adhesin is an important virulence exoprotein that is secreted via the two-partner secretion pathway and is glycosylated at multiple asparagine residues in consensus N-linked sequons. Unlike the heavily branched glycans found in eukaryotic N-linked glycoproteins, the modifying glycan structures in HMW1 are mono-hexoses or di-hexoses. Recent work demonstrated that the H. influenzae HMW1C protein is the glycosyltransferase responsible for transferring glucose and galactose to the acceptor sites of HMW1. An Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae protein designated ApHMW1C shares high-level homology with HMW1C and has been assigned to the GT41 family, which otherwise contains only O-glycosyltransferases. In this study, we demonstrated that ApHMW1C has N-glycosyltransferase activity and is able to transfer glucose and galactose to known asparagine sites in HMW1. In addition, we found that ApHMW1C is able to complement a deficiency of HMW1C and mediate HMW1 glycosylation and adhesive activity in whole bacteria. Initial structure-function studies suggested that ApHMW1C consists of two domains, including a 15-kDa N-terminal domain and a 55-kDa C-terminal domain harboring glycosyltransferase activity. These findings suggest a new subfamily of HMW1C-like glycosyltransferases distinct from other GT41 family O-glycosyltransferases.

The Haemophilus influenzae HMW1C protein is a glycosyltransferase that transfers hexose residues to asparagine sites in the HMW1 adhesin

The Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 adhesin is a high-molecular weight protein that is secreted by the bacterial two-partner secretion pathway and mediates adherence to respiratory epithelium, an essential early step in the pathogenesis of H. influenzae disease. In recent work, we discovered that HMW1 is a glycoprotein and undergoes N-linked glycosylation at multiple asparagine residues with simple hexose units rather than N-acetylated hexose units, revealing an unusual N-glycosidic linkage and suggesting a new glycosyltransferase activity. Glycosylation protects HMW1 against premature degradation during the process of secretion and facilitates HMW1 tethering to the bacterial surface, a prerequisite for HMW1-mediated adherence. In the current study, we establish that the enzyme responsible for glycosylation of HMW1 is a protein called HMW1C, which is encoded by the hmw1 gene cluster and shares homology with a group of bacterial proteins that are generally associated with two-partner secretion systems. In addition, we demonstrate that HMW1C is capable of transferring glucose and galactose to HMW1 and is also able to generate hexose-hexose bonds. Our results define a new family of bacterial glycosyltransferases.

Decoration of proteins with carbohydrates has an important impact on protein function throughout biology and has been recognized increasingly in pathogenic bacteria. Haemophilus influenzae is a common cause of both bacterial respiratory tract disease and bacterial invasive disease and initiates infection by colonizing the upper respiratory tract. The Haemophilus HMW1 adhesin is a large protein that resides on the bacterial surface and mediates bacterial attachment to respiratory epithelial cells, an essential step in the process of colonization. In recent work, we discovered that HMW1 is decorated at multiple sites with short carbohydrate units that serve to prevent degradation and to stabilize association with the bacterial surface. In the current study we identify the enzyme responsible for adding carbohydrate units at specific sites of HMW1. In addition, we demonstrate that this enzyme is capable of creating both carbohydrate-protein and carbohydrate-carbohydrate bonds. The amino acid sequence of this enzyme is similar to the sequences of proteins in several other bacteria, suggesting a new family of bacterial enzymes capable of creating carbohydrate-protein and carbohydrate-carbohydrate bonds.

A prototype two-partner secretion pathway: the Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 and HMW2 adhesin systems

Nontypable Haemophilus influenzae is a common cause of human disease and initiates infection by colonizing the upper respiratory tract. Adherence to respiratory epithelium is an important step in the process of colonization and is influenced by adhesive proteins called adhesins. In approximately 80% of nontypable H. influenzae isolates, the major adhesins are related proteins called HMW1 and HMW2. Here, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of HMW1 and HMW2 as prototype members of the bacterial two-partner secretion pathway and examples of the expanding number of bacterial glycoproteins, highlighting experimental approaches that might be useful in studies of other secreted proteins and glycoproteins.

Association of IS1016 with the hia adhesin gene and biotypes V and I in invasive nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

A subset of invasive nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) strains has evidence of IS1016, an insertion element associated with division I H. influenzae capsule serotypes. We examined IS1016-positive invasive NTHI isolates collected as part of Active Bacterial Core Surveillance within the Georgia Emerging Infections Program for the presence or absence of hmw1 and hmw2 (two related adhesin genes that are common in NTHI but absent in encapsulated H. influenzae) and hia (homologue of hsf, an encapsulated H. influenzae adhesin gene). Isolates were serotyped using slide agglutination, confirmed as NTHI strains using PCR capsule typing, and biotyped. Two hundred twenty-nine invasive NTHI isolates collected between August 1998 and December 2006 were screened for IS1016; 22/229 (9.6%) were positive. Nineteen of 201 previously identified IS1016-positive invasive NTHI isolates collected between January 1989 and July 1998 were also examined. Forty-one IS1016-positive and 56 randomly selected IS1016-negative invasive NTHI strains were examined. The hia adhesin was present in 39 of 41 (95%) IS1016-positive NTHI strains and 1 of 56 (1.8%) IS1016-negative NTHI strains tested; hmw (hmw1, hmw2, or both) was present in 50 of 56 (89%) IS1016-negative NTHI isolates but in only 5 of 41 (12%; all hmw2) IS1016-positive NTHI isolates. IS1016-positive NTHI strains were more often biotype V (P < 0.001) or biotype I (P = 0.04) than IS1016-negative NTHI strains, which were most often biotype II. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed the expected genetic diversity of NTHI with some clustering based on IS1016, hmw or hia, and biotypes. A significant association of IS1016 with biotypes V and I and the presence of hia adhesins was found among invasive NTHI. IS1016-positive NTHI strains may represent a unique subset of NTHI strains, with characteristics more closely resembling those of encapsulated H. influenzae.

Serial isolates of persistent Haemophilus influenzae in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease express diminishing quantities of the HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the lower respiratory tract is commonly colonized by bacterial pathogens, including nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. The H. influenzae HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins are homologous proteins that promote bacterial adherence to respiratory epithelium and are the predominant targets of the host immune response. These adhesins undergo graded phase variation, controlled by the numbers of 7-bp repeats upstream of the HMW1 and HMW2 structural genes (hmw1A and hmw2A, respectively). In this study, we examined the levels of HMW1 and HMW2 expressed by H. influenzae isolates collected serially from patients with COPD. We found that expression of HMW1 and HMW2 in a given strain decreased over time in a majority of patients, reflecting progressive increases in the numbers of 7-bp repeats and associated with high serum titers of HMW1/HMW2-specific antibodies. We speculate that the presence of high titers of antibodies against the HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins and other immune factors in the lower respiratory tracts of patients with COPD may result in gradual selection for bacteria with reduced levels of HMW1 and HMW2.

The Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 adhesin is a glycoprotein with an unusual N-linked carbohydrate modification

The Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 adhesin mediates adherence to respiratory epithelial cells, a critical early step in the pathogenesis of H. influenzae disease. In recent work, we demonstrated that HMW1 undergoes glycosylation. In addition, we observed that glycosylation of HMW1 is essential for HMW1 tethering to the bacterial surface, a prerequisite for HMW1-mediated adherence to host epithelium. In this study, we examined HMW1 proteolytic fragments by mass spectrometry, achieved 89% amino acid sequence coverage, and identified 31 novel modification sites. All of the modified sites were asparagine residues, in all but one case in the conventional consensus sequence of N-linked glycans, viz. NX(S/T). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis using a hybrid linear quadrupole ion trap Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometer, accurate mass measurements, and deuterium exchange studies established that the modifying glycan structures were mono- or dihexoses rather than the N-acetylated chitobiosyl core that is characteristic of N-glycosylation. This unusual carbohydrate modification suggests that HMW1 glycosylation requires a glycosyltransferase with a novel activity.

Induction of beta defensin 2 by NTHi requires TLR2 mediated MyD88 and IRAK-TRAF6-p38MAPK signaling pathway in human middle ear epithelial cells

Background

All mucosal epithelia, including those of the tubotympanium, are secreting a variety of antimicrobial innate immune molecules (AIIMs). In our previous study, we showed the bactericidal/bacteriostatic functions of AIIMs against various otitis media pathogens. Among the AIIMs, human β-defensin 2 is the most potent molecule and is inducible by exposure to inflammatory stimuli such as bacterial components or proinflammatory cytokines. Even though the β-defensin 2 is an important AIIM, the induction mechanism of this molecule has not been clearly established. We believe that this report is the first attempt to elucidate NTHi induced β-defensin expression in airway mucosa, which includes the middle ear.

Methods

Monoclonal antibody blocking method was employed in monitoring the TLR-dependent NTHi response. Two gene knock down methods – dominant negative (DN) plasmid and small interfering RNA (siRNA) – were employed to detect and confirm the involvement of several key genes in the signaling cascade resulting from the NTHi stimulated β-defensin 2 expression in human middle ear epithelial cell (HMEEC-1). The student's t-test was used for the statistical analysis of the data.

Results

The experimental results showed that the major NTHi-specific receptor in HMEEC-1 is the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Furthermore, recognition of NTHi component(s)/ligand(s) by TLR2, activated the Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR)-MyD88-IRAK1-TRAF6-MKK3/6-p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway, ultimately leading to the induction of β-defensin 2.

Conclusion

This study found that the induction of β-defensin 2 is highest in whole cell lysate (WCL) preparations of NTHi, suggesting that the ligand(s) responsible for this up-regulation may be soluble macromolecule(s). We also found that this induction takes place through the TLR2 dependent MyD88-IRAK1-TRAF6-p38 MAPK pathway, with the primary response occurring within the first hour of stimulation. In combination with our previous studies showing that IL-1α-induced β-defensin 2 expression takes place through a MyD88-independent Raf-MEK1/2-ERK MAPK pathway, we found that both signaling cascades act synergistically to up-regulate β-defensin 2 levels. We propose that this confers an essential evolutionary advantage to the cells in coping with infections and may serve to amplify the innate immune response through paracrine signaling.

Variation in expression of HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins in invasive nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae isolates

Background

Among surface antigens of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), the HMW1 and HMW2 proteins are the major adhesins promoting colonization of the upper respiratory tract. Since they are potential vaccine candidates, knowledge concerning variation in HMW proteins expression among clinical isolates is of great interest. In this study, expression of hmw1A and hmw2A genes was evaluated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR in 3 NTHi invasive isolates (strains 56, 72, 91) and in the prototype strain 12. Number of 7-bp repeats within the hmwA promoters and presence of HMW proteins by Western blotting were also determined.

Results

Results showed that gene transcription varied not only among different isolates but also between the hmw1A and hmw2A genes from the same isolate. Compared to that found in prototype strain 12, up-regulation of the hmw1A gene expression was found in strain 56, down-regulation of both hmw1A and hmw2A genes transcripts was observed in strain 72 whereas the two hmwA genes appeared differentially expressed in strain 91 with the hmw1A transcript enhanced but the hmw2A transcript reduced.

Conclusion

Increasing numbers of 7-bp repeats within the hmwA promoters generally correlated with decreased amounts of mRNA transcript, however additional control mechanisms contributing to modulation of hmw1A gene seem to be present.

Analysis of genetic relatedness of Haemophilus influenzae isolates by multilocus sequence typing

The gram-negative bacterium Haemophilus influenzae is a human-restricted commensal of the nasopharynx that can also be associated with disease. The majority of H. influenzae respiratory isolates lack the genes for capsule production and are nontypeable (NTHI). Whereas encapsulated strains are known to belong to serotype-specific phylogenetic groups, the structure of the NTHI population has not been previously described. A total of 656 H. influenzae strains, including 322 NTHI strains, have been typed by multilocus sequence typing and found to have 359 sequence types (ST). We performed maximum-parsimony analysis of the 359 sequences and calculated the majority-rule consensus of 4,545 resulting equally most parsimonious trees. Eleven clades were identified, consisting of six or more ST on a branch that was present in 100% of trees. Two additional clades were defined by branches present in 91% and 82% of trees, respectively. Of these 13 clades, 8 consisted predominantly of NTHI strains, three were serotype specific, and 2 contained distinct NTHI-specific and serotype-specific clusters of strains. Sixty percent of NTHI strains have ST within one of the 13 clades, and eBURST analysis identified an additional phylogenetic group that contained 20% of NTHI strains. There was concordant clustering of certain metabolic reactions and putative virulence loci but not of disease source or geographic origin. We conclude that well-defined phylogenetic groups of NTHI strains exist and that these groups differ in genetic content. These observations will provide a framework for further study of the effect of genetic diversity on the interaction of NTHI with the host.

The Structure of the Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 Pro-piece Reveals a Structural Domain Essential for Bacterial Two-partner Secretion

In pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, many virulence factors are secreted via the two-partner secretion pathway, which consists of an exoprotein called TpsA and a cognate outer membrane translocator called TpsB. The HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins are major virulence factors in nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and are prototype two-partner secretion pathway exoproteins. A key step in the delivery of HMW1 and HMW2 to the bacterial surface involves targeting to the HMW1B and HMW2B outer membrane translocators by an N-terminal region called the secretion domain. Here we present the crystal structure at 1.92 A of the HMW1 pro-piece (HMW1-PP), a region that contains the HMW1 secretion domain and is cleaved and released during HMW1 secretion. Structural analysis of HMW1-PP revealed a right-handed beta-helix fold containing 12 complete parallel coils and one large extra-helical domain. Comparison of HMW1-PP and the Bordetella pertussis FHA secretion domain (Fha30) reveals limited amino acid homology but shared structural features, suggesting that diverse TpsA proteins have a common structural domain required for targeting to cognate TpsB proteins. Further comparison of HMW1-PP and Fha30 structures may provide insights into the keen specificity of TpsA-TpsB interactions.

Antibodies specific for the high-molecular-weight adhesion proteins of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae are opsonophagocytic for both homologous and heterologous strains

The HMW1/HMW2-like adhesion proteins of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) are expressed by 75% of NTHI strains. Antibodies directed against these proteins are opsonophagocytic in vitro and are protective in an animal model of infection. The objective of the present study was to determine the opsonophagocytic activity of high-titer anti-HMW1/HMW2 immune sera against both homologous and heterologous NTHI strains. Chinchillas were immunized with purified HMW1/HMW2-like proteins from five prototype NTHI strains. Serum opsonophagocytic activity was monitored in an assay that uses a human promyelocytic cell line, HL-60, as the source of phagocytic cells. Preimmune sera did not demonstrate opsonophagocytic killing of any strains. In contrast, the immune sera demonstrated killing of the five homologous NTHI strains at titers ranging from 1:320 to 1:640. The immune sera also demonstrated killing of eight heterologous NTHI strains that express HMW1/HMW2-like proteins at titers ranging from 0 to 1:640. Killing of heterologous strains sometimes demonstrated a prozone phenomenon. None of the immune sera killed NTHI strains that did not express HMW1/HMW2-like proteins. Adsorption of immune sera with HMW1/HMW2-like proteins purified from either homologous or heterologous NTHI strains eliminated opsonophagocytic killing of homologous strains in most cases. These data demonstrate that antibodies produced following immunization with the HMW1/HMW2-like proteins are opsonophagocytic for both homologous and heterologous NTHI and strongly suggest that common epitopes recognized by functionally active antibodies exist on the HMW1/HMW2-like proteins of unrelated NTHI strains. The results argue for the continued investigation of the HMW1/HMW2-like proteins as potential vaccine candidates for the prevention of NTHI disease.

Identification of new genetic regions more prevalent in nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae otitis media strains than in throat strains

Nontypeable (NT) Haemophilus influenzae strains cause significant respiratory illness and are isolated from up to half of middle ear aspirates from children with acute otitis media. Previous studies have identified two genes, lic2B and hmwA, that are associated with NT H. influenzae strains isolated from the middle ears of children with otitis media but that are not associated with NT H. influenzae strains isolated from the throats of healthy children, suggesting that they may play a role in virulence in otitis media. In this study, genomic subtraction was used to identify additional genetic regions unique to middle ear strains. The genome of NT H. influenzae middle ear strain G622 was subtracted from that of NT H. influenzae throat strain 23221, and the resultant gene regions unique to the middle ear strain were identified. Subsequently, the relative prevalence of the middle ear-specific gene regions among a large panel of otitis media and throat strains was determined by dot blot hybridization. By this approach, nine genetic regions were found to be significantly more prevalent in otitis media strains. Classification tree analysis of lic2B, hmwA, and the nine new potential otitis media virulence genes revealed two H. influenzae pathotypes associated with otitis media.

Surface anchoring of a bacterial adhesin secreted by the two-partner secretion pathway

In Gram-negative bacteria, most surface-associated proteins are present as integral outer-membrane proteins. Exceptions include the Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins and a subset of other proteins secreted by the two-partner secretion system. In the present study we sought to determine the mechanism by which HMW1 is anchored to the bacterial surface. In initial experiments we found that HMW1 forms hair-like fibres on the bacterial surface and is usually present as pairs that appear to be joined together at one end. Further analysis established that HMW1 is anchored to the multimeric HMW1B outer membrane translocator, resulting in a direct correlation between the level of surface-associated HMW1 and the quantity of HMW1B in the outer membrane. Mutagenesis and polyethylene glycol maleimide labelling revealed that anchoring of HMW1 requires the C-terminal 20 amino acids of the protein and is dependent upon disulphide bond formation between two conserved cysteine residues in this region. Immunolabelling studies demonstrated that the immediate C-terminus of HMW1 is inaccessible to surface labelling, suggesting that it remains in the periplasm or is buried in HMW1B. Coexpression of HMW1 lacking the C-terminal 20 amino acids and wild-type HMW1 supported the conclusion that the C-terminus of HMW1 occupies the HMW1B pore. These observations may have broad relevance to proteins secreted by the two-partner secretion system, especially given the conservation of C-terminal cysteine residues among surface-associated proteins in this family.

Identification of a two-partner secretion locus of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) remains a formidable cause of diarrheal illness worldwide. At present, there is no vaccine that provides broad-based protection against ETEC. A 'phoA-based self-cloning mutagenesis system, TnphoA.ts, employed to identify novel ETEC surface antigens, led to identification of an ETEC two-partner secretion locus (etpBAC) on the pCS1 virulence plasmid of prototype strain H10407. Cloning and expression of etpBAC in recombinant E. coli LMG194(pJY019) resulted in secretion of a high-molecular-weight (HMW) glycosylated exoprotein. This glycoprotein, EtpA, exhibits linear peptide sequence and predicted structural homologies with known HMW adhesins produced by other two-partner secretion loci. Antibodies directed against recombinant EtpA (anti-rEtpA.6H) recognized an HMW protein in culture supernatants of ETEC strains H10407 and LMG194(pJY019) but not in culture supernatant of strain H10407-P, which lacks the 92-kb pCS1 plasmid, or an isogenic etpA mutant. etpA mutants were deficient in adherence to intestinal epithelial cells in vitro, and anti-rEtpA.6H antibodies inhibited association of H10407 with target epithelial cells. Cloning and expression of etpB in recombinant E. coli were sufficient to confer adherence. Screening of multiple ETEC isolates for the etpBAC locus by colony hybridization and by EtpA immunoblotting suggested that EtpA is one of the most common antigens secreted by these pathogens. Together, these results indicate that the newly identified ETEC two-partner secretion locus directs the secretion of a high-molecular-weight glycosylated protein, EtpA, that in concert with the putative EtpB transporter participates in adherence of H10407 to epithelial cells, thereby expanding the repertoire of potential ETEC virulence proteins and vaccine candidates.

Distribution of bacterial proteins in biofilms formed by non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae

The ability to preserve the fragile ultrastructural organization of bacterial biofilms using cryo-preparation methods for electron microscopy has enabled us to probe sections through non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) biofilms and determine the localization of NTHi-specific lipooligosaccharide (LOS) and proteins within these structures. Some of the proteins we examined are currently being considered as candidates for vaccine development, so it is important that their distribution and accessibility within the biofilms formed by NTHi be determined. We have localized LOS to the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the biofilm and the P6 outer membrane protein to the membrane of what appear to be viable bacteria within the biofilm. The Hap and HWM1/HMW2 adhesive proteins were associated with bacteria within the biofilm and were present in the biofilm ECM. The IgA1 protease is a secreted protein that was also associated with NTHi in the biofilm and was in the ECM, but was more concentrated in the top region of the biofilm, suggesting a role in protecting biofilm bacteria from antibody attack.

Conservation and diversity of HMW1 and HMW2 adhesin binding domains among invasive nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae isolates

The pathogenesis of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) begins with adhesion to the rhinopharyngeal mucosa. In almost 80% of NTHi clinical isolates, the HMW proteins are the major adhesins. The prototype HMW1 and HMW2 proteins, identified in NTHi strain 12, exhibit different binding specificities. The two binding domains have been localized in regions of maximal sequence dissimilarity (40% identity, 58% similarity). Two areas within these binding domains have been found essential for full level adhesive activity (designated the core-binding domains). To investigate the conservation and diversity of the HMW1 and HMW2 core-binding domains among isolates, PCR and DNA sequencing were used. First, we separately amplified the hmw1A-like and hmw2A-like structural genes in nine invasive NTHi isolates, discovering two new hmwA alleles, whose sequences are herein reported. Then, the hmw1A-like and hmw2A-like PCR products were used as the template in nested PCR to produce amplicons encompassing the encoding sequences of the two core-binding domains. In-depth sequence analysis was then performed among sequences of each group, with the support of specific computer programs. Overall, extensive sequence diversity among isolates was highlighted. However, similarity plots showed patterns consisting of peaks of relatively high similarity alternating with strongly divergent regions. The phylogenetic tree clearly indicated the HMW1-like and HMW2-like core-binding domain sequences as two clusters. Distinct sets of conserved amino acid motifs were identified within each group of sequences using the MEME/MOTIFSEARCH tool. Since HMW adhesins could represent candidates for future vaccines, identification of specific patterns of conserved motifs in otherwise highly variable regions is of great interest.

Genomic sequence of an otitis media isolate of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: comparative study with H. influenzae serotype d, strain KW20

In 1995, the Institute for Genomic Research completed the genome sequence of a rough derivative of Haemophilus influenzae serotype d, strain KW20. Although extremely useful in understanding the basic biology of H. influenzae, these data have not provided significant insight into disease caused by nontypeable H. influenzae, as serotype d strains are not pathogens. In contrast, strains of nontypeable H. influenzae are the primary pathogens of chronic and recurrent otitis media in children. In addition, these organisms have an important role in acute otitis media in children as well as other respiratory diseases. Such strains must therefore contain a gene repertoire that differs from that of strain Rd. Elucidation of the differences between these genomes will thus provide insight into the pathogenic mechanisms of nontypeable H. influenzae. The genome of a representative nontypeable H. influenzae strain, 86-028NP, isolated from a patient with chronic otitis media was therefore sequenced and annotated. Despite large regions of synteny with the strain Rd genome, there are large rearrangements in strain 86-028NP's genome architecture relative to the strain Rd genome. A genomic island similar to an island originally identified in H. influenzae type b is present in the strain 86-028NP genome, while the mu-like phage present in the strain Rd genome is absent from the strain 86-028NP genome. Two hundred eighty open reading frames were identified in the strain 86-028NP genome that were absent from the strain Rd genome. These data provide new insight that complements and extends the ongoing analysis of nontypeable H. influenzae virulence determinants.

Identification of new hmwA alleles from nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

High-molecular-weight proteins of Haemophilus influenzae mediate attachment to epithelial cells. Previous reports describe several allelic versions of hmwA genes that have different adherence properties. Here we report three new alleles of hmwA (hmwA from strain AAr96, hmwA from strain AAr105, and hmwA from strain G822), demonstrating the high degree of DNA variation of these genes among different strains.