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Hiller NL, Orihuela CJ. Biological puzzles solved by using Streptococcus pneumoniae: a historical review of the pneumococcal studies that have impacted medicine and shaped molecular bacteriology. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0005924. [PMID: 38809015 PMCID: PMC11332154 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00059-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The major human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae has been the subject of intensive clinical and basic scientific study for over 140 years. In multiple instances, these efforts have resulted in major breakthroughs in our understanding of basic biological principles as well as fundamental tenets of bacterial pathogenesis, immunology, vaccinology, and genetics. Discoveries made with S. pneumoniae have led to multiple major public health victories that have saved the lives of millions. Studies on S. pneumoniae continue today, where this bacterium is being used to dissect the impact of the host on disease processes, as a powerful cell biology model, and to better understand the consequence of human actions on commensal bacteria at the population level. Herein we review the major findings, i.e., puzzle pieces, made with S. pneumoniae and how, over the years, they have come together to shape our understanding of this bacterium's biology and the practice of medicine and modern molecular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Luisa Hiller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Carlos J. Orihuela
- Department of Microbiology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Qian X, Sheng Y, Jiang Y, Xu Y. Association between lactate dehydrogenase and ventilator-associated pneumonia risk: an analysis of the MIMIC database 2001-2019. BMC Pulm Med 2024; 24:273. [PMID: 38844914 PMCID: PMC11157856 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-024-03084-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a nonspecific inflammatory biomarker and has been reported to be associated with pneumonia prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between LDH levels and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) risk in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS This retrospective cohort study used data from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care database from 2001 to 2019. ICU patients aged ≥ 18 years and receiving mechanical ventilation were included. LDH levels were analyzed as continuous and categorical variables (< 210, 210-279, 279-390, > 390 IU/L), respectively. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves and quartiles were used to categorize LDH levels. Logistic regression and linear regression were utilized to assess the relationship of LDH levels with VAP risk and duration of mechanical ventilation, respectively. RESULTS A total of 9,164 patients were enrolled, of which 646 (7.05%) patients developed VAP. High levels of LDH increased the risk of VAP [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.24] and LDH levels were positively correlated with the duration of mechanical ventilation [β = 4.49, 95%CI: (3.42, 5.56)]. Moreover, patients with LDH levels of 279-390 IU/L (OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.08-1.76) and > 390 IU/L (OR = 1.50, 95%CI: 1.18-1.90) had a higher risk of VAP than patients with LDH levels < 210 IU/L. Patients with LDH levels of 279-390 IU/L [β = 3.84, 95%CI: (0.86, 6.82)] and > 390 IU/L [β = 11.22, 95%CI: (8.21, 14.22)] (vs. <210 IU/L) had a longer duration of mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSION Elevated serum LDH levels were related to a higher risk of VAP and longer duration of mechanical ventilation and may be useful for monitoring VAP risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangfeng Qian
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Linping Campus, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311100, P.R. China
| | - Yi Sheng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Linping Campus, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311100, P.R. China
| | - Yinsheng Jiang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Linping Campus, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311100, P.R. China
| | - Yongan Xu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, P.R. China.
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Yang Y, Shao Y, Pei C, Liu Y, Zhang M, Zhu X, Li J, Feng L, Li G, Li K, Liang Y, Li Y. Pangenome analyses of Clostridium butyricum provide insights into its genetic characteristics and industrial application. Genomics 2024; 116:110855. [PMID: 38703968 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Clostridium butyricum is a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium known for its ability to produce butyate. In this study, we conducted whole-genome sequencing and assembly of 14C. butyricum industrial strains collected from various parts of China. We performed a pan-genome comparative analysis of the 14 assembled strains and 139 strains downloaded from NCBI. We found that the genes related to critical industrial production pathways were primarily present in the core and soft-core gene categories. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that strains from the same clade of the phylogenetic tree possessed similar antibiotic resistance and virulence factors, with most of these genes present in the shell and cloud gene categories. Finally, we predicted the genes producing bacteriocins and botulinum toxins as well as CRISPR systems responsible for host defense. In conclusion, our research provides a desirable pan-genome database for the industrial production, food application, and genetic research of C. butyricum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yicheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yuan Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Chenchen Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yangyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Min Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jinshan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lifei Feng
- Henan Jinbaihe Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Tangyin, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Guanghua Li
- Henan Jinbaihe Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Tangyin, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Keke Li
- Henan Jinbaihe Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Tangyin, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Yunxiang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yingjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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Xiao Y, He S, Cheng X, Peng L, Tian Y, Li T, He J, Hao P, Chong W, Hai Y, You C, Fang F, Peng Z, Zhang Y. Elevated lactate dehydrogenase predicts pneumonia in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26109. [PMID: 38404841 PMCID: PMC10884414 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Although a variety of risk factors for pneumonia after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage have been established, an objective and easily obtainable predictor is still needed. Lactate dehydrogenase is a nonspecific inflammatory biomarker. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between lactate dehydrogenase and pneumonia in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage patients. Methods Our study was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study, undertaken in 7562 patients diagnosed with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage from 3 hospitals. All serum Lactate dehydrogenase was collected within 7 days from admission and divided into four groups as quartile(Q). We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the association of Lactate dehydrogenase with pneumonia. Results Among a total of 7562 patients, 2971 (39.3%) patients were diagnosed with pneumonia. All grades of elevated lactate dehydrogenase were associated with increased raw and risk-adjusted risk of pneumonia. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed odds ratios for Q2-Q4 compared with Q1 were 1.21 (95% CI, 1.04-1.42), 1.64(95% CI, 1.41-1.92), and 1.92 (95% CI, 1.63-2.25) respectively. The odds ratio after adjustment was 4.42 (95% CI, 2.94-6.64) when lactate dehydrogenase was a continuous variable after log-transformed. Conclusions Elevated lactate dehydrogenase is significantly associated with an increase in the odds of pneumonia and has a predictive value for severe pneumonia in patients with pneumonia. Lactate dehydrogenase may be used to predict pneumonia events in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage patients as a laboratory marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangchun Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Medical College and Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuanghong He
- Health Management Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liyuan Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Medical College and Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yixin Tian
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tiangui Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jialing He
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Pengfei Hao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Weelic Chong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yang Hai
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chao You
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zongjun Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Friendship Hospital, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Medical College and Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Lane JR, Tata M, Yasmin R, Im H, Briles DE, Orihuela CJ. PspA-mediated aggregation protects Streptococcus pneumoniae against desiccation on fomites. mBio 2023; 14:e0263423. [PMID: 37982608 PMCID: PMC10746202 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02634-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Spn is a dangerous human pathogen capable of causing pneumonia and invasive disease. The virulence factor PspA has been studied for nearly four decades with well-established roles in pneumococcal evasion of C-reactive protein and neutralization of lactoferricin. Herein, we show that mammalian (m)GAPDH in mucosal secretions promotes aggregation of pneumococci in a PspA-dependent fashion, whereas lactoferrin counters this effect. PspA-mediated GAPDH-dependent bacterial aggregation protected Spn in nasal lavage elutes and grown in vitro from desiccation on fomites. Furthermore, surviving pneumococci within these aggregates retained their ability to colonize naïve hosts after desiccation. We report that Spn binds to and forms protein complexes on its surface composed of PspA, mGAPDH, and lactoferrin. Changes in the levels of these proteins therefore most likely have critical implications on Spn colonization, survival on fomites, and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R. Lane
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Muralidhar Tata
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Rahena Yasmin
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Hansol Im
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - David E. Briles
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Carlos J. Orihuela
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Araujo AP, Oliveira MLS, Miyaji EN. Negligible role for pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) and pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC) in the nasopharyngeal colonization of mice with a serotype 6B pneumococcal strain. Microb Pathog 2023; 185:106391. [PMID: 37839762 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the human nasopharynx asymptomatically, but it can also cause several diseases, including otitis media, pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. The colonization of the nasopharynx by the bacteria is an essential step for the pneumococcus to invade other sites and cause diseases. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) and Pneumococcal surface Protein C (PspC) are important virulence factors and have been described to play roles in adhesion and immune evasion. In this study, we immunized mice subcutaneously with the recombinant α-helical region of PspA and/or PspC combined with different adjuvants to assess protection against colonization with the serotype 6B strain BHN418. Though high serum levels of specific IgG were detected, none of the formulations led to reduction in the colonization of the nasopharynx. The negative result may be due to the poor induction of IgG2c, which has been previously correlated with protection against pneumococcal colonization in mice. Furthermore, BHN418 pspA and pspC single and double knockouts were evaluated in colonization experiments and no differences in bacterial load were observed. In competition assays with the wild-type strain, borderline to no reduction was observed in the loads of the knockouts. Our results contrast with data from the literature using other pneumococcal strains, showing that the role of PspA and PspC in colonization can vary depending on the background of the knockout strain studied. BHN418 has been selected for its capacity to colonize humans in experimental challenge studies and may have redundant factors that compensate for the lack of PspA and PspC during nasopharyngeal colonization of mice.
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Lane JR, Tata M, Yasmin R, Im H, Briles DE, Orihuela CJ. PspA-mediated aggregation protects Streptococcus pneumoniae against desiccation on fomites. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.27.559802. [PMID: 37808718 PMCID: PMC10557681 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.27.559802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) resides in the nasopharynx where it can disseminate to cause disease. One key Spn virulence factor is pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), which promotes survival by blocking the antimicrobial peptide lactoferricin. PspA has also been shown to mediate attachment to dying epithelial cells in the lower airway due to its binding of cell surface-bound mammalian (m)GAPDH. Importantly, the role of PspA during colonization is not well understood. Wildtype Spn was present in nasal lavage elutes collected from asymptomatically colonized mice at levels ~10-fold higher that its isogenic PspA-deficient mutant (ΔpspA). Wildtype Spn also formed aggregates in mucosal secretions composed of sloughed epithelial cells and hundreds of pneumococci, whereas ΔpspA did not. Spn within the center of these aggregates better survived prolonged desiccation on fomites than individual pneumococci and were capable of infecting naïve mice, indicating PspA-mediated aggregation conferred a survival/transmission advantage. Incubation of Spn in saline containing mGAPDH also enhanced tolerance to desiccation, but only for wildtype Spn. mGAPDH was sufficient to cause low-level aggregation of wildtype Spn but not ΔpspA. In strain WU2, the subdomain of PspA responsible for binding GAPDH (aa230-281) is ensconced within the lactoferrin (LF)-binding domain (aa167-288). We observed that LF inhibited GAPDH-mediated aggregation and desiccation tolerance. Using surface plasmon resonance, we determined that Spn forms multimeric complexes of PspA-GAPDH-LF on its surface and that LF dislodges GAPDH. Our findings have important implications regarding pneumococcal colonization/transmission processes and ongoing PspA-focused immunization efforts for this deadly pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R. Lane
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35209, United States
| | - Muralidhar Tata
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35209, United States
| | - Rahena Yasmin
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35209, United States
| | - Hansol Im
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35209, United States
| | - David E. Briles
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35209, United States
| | - Carlos J. Orihuela
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35209, United States
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Vilhena C, Du S, Battista M, Westermann M, Kohler T, Hammerschmidt S, Zipfel PF. The choline-binding proteins PspA, PspC, and LytA of Streptococcus pneumoniae and their interaction with human endothelial and red blood cells. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0015423. [PMID: 37551971 PMCID: PMC10501214 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00154-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that can colonize the upper respiratory tract. It is a leading cause of a wide range of infectious diseases, including community-acquired pneumonia and meningitis. Pneumococcal infections cause 1-2 million deaths per year, most of which occur in developing countries. Here, we focused on three choline-binding proteins (CBPs), i.e., PspC, PspA, and LytA. These pneumococcal proteins have different surface-exposed regions but share related choline-binding anchors. These surface-exposed pneumococcal proteins are in direct contact with host cells and have diverse functions. We explored the role of the three CBPs on adhesion and pathogenicity in a human host by performing relevant imaging and functional analyses, such as electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and functional quantitative assays, targeting biofilm formation and the hemolytic capacity of S. pneumoniae. In vitro biofilm formation assays and electron microscopy experiments were used to examine the ability of knockout mutant strains lacking the lytA, pspC, or pspA genes to adhere to surfaces. We found that LytA plays an important role in robust synthesis of the biofilm matrix. PspA and PspC appeared crucial for the hemolytic effects of S. pneumoniae on human red blood cells. Furthermore, all knockout mutants caused less damage to endothelial cells than wild-type bacteria, highlighting the significance of each CPB for the overall pathogenicity of S. pneumoniae. Hence, in addition to their structural function within the cell wall of S. pneumoniae, each of these three surface-exposed CBPs controls or mediates multiple steps during bacterial pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Vilhena
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
| | - Shanshan Du
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
| | - Miriana Battista
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Westermann
- Centre for Electron Microscopy, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Kohler
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Peter F. Zipfel
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
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Su J, Zheng Z, Bian C, Chang S, Bao J, Yu H, Xin Y, Jiang X. Functions and mechanisms of lactylation in carcinogenesis and immunosuppression. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1253064. [PMID: 37646027 PMCID: PMC10461103 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1253064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As critical executors regulating many cellular operations, proteins determine whether living activities can be performed in an orderly and efficient manner. Precursor proteins are inert and must be modified posttranslationally to enable a wide range of protein types and functions. Protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are well recognized as being directly associated with carcinogenesis and immune modulation and have emerged as important targets for cancer detection and treatment. Lactylation (Kla), a novel PTM associated with cellular metabolism found in a wide range of cells, interacts with both histone and nonhistone proteins. Unlike other epigenetic changes, Kla has been linked to poor tumor prognosis in all current studies. Histone Kla can affect gene expression in tumors and immunological cells, thereby promoting malignancy and immunosuppression. Nonhistone proteins can also regulate tumor progression and treatment resistance through Kla. In this review, we aimed to summarize the role of Kla in the onset and progression of cancers, metabolic reprogramming, immunosuppression, and intestinal flora regulation to identify new molecular targets for cancer therapy and provide a new direction for combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Su
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhuangzhuang Zheng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chenbin Bian
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Sitong Chang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jindian Bao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Huiyuan Yu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ying Xin
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Mazumder L, Shahab M, Islam S, Begum M, Oliveira JIN, Begum S, Akter S. An immunoinformatics approach to epitope-based vaccine design against PspA in Streptococcus pneumoniae. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2023; 21:57. [PMID: 37166683 PMCID: PMC10173237 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-023-00506-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcus pneumoniae (SPN) is the agent responsible for causing respiratory diseases, including pneumonia, which causes severe health hazards and child deaths globally. Antibiotics are used to treat SPN as a first-line treatment, but nowadays, SPN is showing resistance to several antibiotics. A vaccine can overcome this global problem by preventing this deadly pathogen. The conventional methods of wet-laboratory vaccine design and development are an intense, lengthy, and costly procedure. In contrast, epitope-based in silico vaccine designing can save time, money, and energy. In this study, pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), one of the major virulence factors of SPN, is used to design a multi-epitope vaccine. METHODS For designing the vaccine, the sequence of PspA was retrieved, and then, phylogenetic analysis was performed. Several CTL epitopes, HTL epitopes, and LBL epitopes of PspA were all predicted by using several bioinformatics tools. After checking the antigenicity, allergenicity, and toxicity scores, the best epitopes were selected for the vaccine construction, and then, physicochemical and immunological properties were analyzed. Subsequently, vaccine 3D structure prediction, refinement, and validation were performed. Molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation, and immune simulation were performed to ensure the binding between HLA and TLR4. Finally, codon adaptation and in silico cloning were performed to transfer into a suitable vector. RESULTS The constructed multi-epitope vaccine showed a strong binding affinity with the receptor molecule TLR4. Analysis of molecular dynamic simulation, C-immune simulation, codon adaptation, and in silico cloning validated that our designed vaccine is a suitable candidate against SPN. CONCLUSION The in silico analysis has proven the vaccine as an alternative medication to combat against S. pneumoniae. The designated vaccine can be further tested in the wet lab, and a novel vaccine can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincon Mazumder
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Muhammad Shahab
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Saidul Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Mahmuda Begum
- Bangladesh Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Jonas Ivan Nobre Oliveira
- Departamento de Biof ́ısica E Farmacologia, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande doNorte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Shamima Begum
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Shahina Akter
- Bangladesh Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh.
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11
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Zhang C, Deng Y, Wang X, Shi L, Zhan B, Hou N, Liu S, Bao M, Chi G, Fang T. Alnustone inhibits Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence by targeting pneumolysin and sortase A. Fitoterapia 2022; 162:105261. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2022.105261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Aceil J, Avci FY. Pneumococcal Surface Proteins as Virulence Factors, Immunogens, and Conserved Vaccine Targets. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:832254. [PMID: 35646747 PMCID: PMC9133333 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.832254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen that causes over 1 million deaths annually despite the availability of several multivalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). Due to the limitations surrounding PCVs along with an evolutionary rise in antibiotic-resistant and unencapsulated strains, conserved immunogenic proteins as vaccine targets continue to be an important field of study for pneumococcal disease prevention. In this review, we provide an overview of multiple classes of conserved surface proteins that have been studied for their contribution to pneumococcal virulence. Furthermore, we discuss the immune responses observed in response to these proteins and their promise as vaccine targets.
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Yu L, Wang A, Li T, Jin W, Tian G, Yun C, Gao F, Fan X, Wang H, Zhang H, Sun D. A Retrospective and Multicenter Study on COVID-19 in Inner Mongolia: Evaluating the Influence of Sampling Locations on Nucleic Acid Test and the Dynamics of Clinical and Prognostic Indexes. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:830484. [PMID: 35433742 PMCID: PMC9007405 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.830484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is spreading widely, and the pandemic is seriously threatening public health throughout the world. A comprehensive study on the optimal sampling types and timing for an efficient SARS-CoV-2 test has not been reported. We collected clinical information and the values of 55 biochemical indices for 237 COVID-19 patients, with 37 matched non-COVID-19 pneumonia patients and 131 healthy people in Inner Mongolia as control. In addition, the results of dynamic detection of SARS-CoV-2 using oropharynx swab, pharynx swab, and feces were collected from 197 COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive in feces specimen was present in approximately one-third of COVID-19 patients. The positive detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in feces was significantly higher than both in the oropharynx and nasopharynx swab (P < 0.05) in the late period of the disease, which is not the case in the early period of the disease. There were statistically significant differences in the levels of blood LDH, CRP, platelet count, neutrophilic granulocyte count, white blood cell number, and lymphocyte count between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 pneumonia patients. Finally, we developed and compared five machine-learning models to predict the prognosis of COVID-19 patients based on biochemical indices at disease onset and demographic characteristics. The best model achieved an area under the curve of 0.853 in the 10-fold cross-validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Yu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation of the Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Center, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, China.,Endocrinology Department, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, China
| | - Ailan Wang
- Geneis (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China.,Qingdao Geneis Institute of Big Data Mining and Precision Medicine, Qingdao, China
| | - Tianbao Li
- Geneis (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China.,Qingdao Geneis Institute of Big Data Mining and Precision Medicine, Qingdao, China
| | - Wen Jin
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation of the Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Medical Research Center, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, China
| | - Geng Tian
- Geneis (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China.,Qingdao Geneis Institute of Big Data Mining and Precision Medicine, Qingdao, China
| | - Chunmei Yun
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for the Diagnosis and Treatment of COPD, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, China
| | - Xiuzhen Fan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Xilin Gol League Central Hospital, Xilinhot, China
| | - Huimin Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, China
| | - Huajun Zhang
- Department of Mathematics, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Dejun Sun
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for the Diagnosis and Treatment of COPD, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, China
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14
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Lane JR, Tata M, Briles DE, Orihuela CJ. A Jack of All Trades: The Role of Pneumococcal Surface Protein A in the Pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:826264. [PMID: 35186799 PMCID: PMC8847780 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.826264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), or the pneumococcus, is a Gram-positive bacterium that colonizes the upper airway. Spn is an opportunistic pathogen capable of life-threatening disease should it become established in the lungs, gain access to the bloodstream, or disseminate to vital organs including the central nervous system. Spn is encapsulated, allowing it to avoid phagocytosis, and current preventative measures against infection include polyvalent vaccines composed of capsular polysaccharide corresponding to its most prevalent serotypes. The pneumococcus also has a plethora of surface components that allow the bacteria to adhere to host cells, facilitate the evasion of the immune system, and obtain vital nutrients; one family of these are the choline-binding proteins (CBPs). Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) is one of the most abundant CBPs and confers protection against the host by inhibiting recognition by C-reactive protein and neutralizing the antimicrobial peptide lactoferricin. Recently our group has identified two new roles for PspA: binding to dying host cells via host-cell bound glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and co-opting of host lactate dehydrogenase to enhance lactate availability. These properties have been shown to influence Spn localization and enhance virulence in the lower airway, respectively. Herein, we review the impact of CBPs, and in particular PspA, on pneumococcal pathogenesis. We discuss the potential and limitations of using PspA as a conserved vaccine antigen in a conjugate vaccine formulation. PspA is a vital component of the pneumococcal virulence arsenal - therefore, understanding the molecular aspects of this protein is essential in understanding pneumococcal pathogenesis and utilizing PspA as a target for treating or preventing pneumococcal pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Carlos J. Orihuela
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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15
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Anatomical site-specific carbohydrate availability impacts Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence and fitness during colonization and disease. Infect Immun 2021; 90:e0045121. [PMID: 34748366 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00451-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) colonizes the nasopharynx asymptomatically but can also cause severe life-threatening disease. Importantly, stark differences in carbohydrate availability exist between the nasopharynx and invasive disease sites, such as the bloodstream, which most likely impact Spn's behavior. Herein, using chemically-defined media (CDM) supplemented with physiological levels of carbohydrates, we examined how anatomical-site specific carbohydrate availability impacted Spn physiology and virulence. Spn grown in CDM modeling the nasopharynx (CDM-N) had reduced metabolic activity, slower growth rate, demonstrated mixed acid fermentation with marked H2O2 production, and were in a carbon-catabolite repression (CCR)-derepressed state versus Spn grown in CDM modeling blood (CDM-B). Using RNA-seq, we determined the transcriptome for Spn WT and its isogenic CCR deficient mutant in CDM-N and CDM-B. Genes with altered expression as a result of changes in carbohydrate availability or catabolite control protein deficiency, respectively, were primarily involved in carbohydrate metabolism, but also encoded for established virulence determinants such polysaccharide capsule and surface adhesins. We confirmed that anatomical site-specific carbohydrate availability directly influenced established Spn virulence traits. Spn grown in CDM-B formed shorter chains, produced more capsule, were less adhesive, and were more resistant to macrophage killing in an opsonophagocytosis assay. Moreover, growth of Spn in CDM-N or CDM-B prior to the challenge of mice impacted relative fitness in a colonization and invasive disease model, respectively. Thus, anatomical site-specific carbohydrate availability alters Spn physiology and virulence, in turn promoting anatomical-site specific fitness.
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16
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Park SS, Gonzalez-Juarbe N, Riegler AN, Im H, Hale Y, Platt MP, Croney C, Briles DE, Orihuela CJ. Streptococcus pneumoniae binds to host GAPDH on dying lung epithelial cells worsening secondary infection following influenza. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109267. [PMID: 34133917 PMCID: PMC8265312 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) alone and during co-infection with influenza A virus (IAV) can result in severe pneumonia with mortality. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) is an established virulence factor required for Spn evasion of lactoferricin and C-reactive protein-activated complement-mediated killing. Herein, we show that PspA functions as an adhesin to dying host cells. We demonstrate that PspA binds to host-derived glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) bound to outward-flipped phosphatidylserine residues on dying host cells. PspA-mediated adhesion was to apoptotic, pyroptotic, and necroptotic cells, but not healthy lung cells. Using isogenic mutants of Spn, we show that PspA-GAPDH-mediated binding to lung cells increases pneumococcal localization in the lower airway, and this is enhanced as a result of pneumolysin exposure or co-infection with IAV. PspA-mediated binding to GAPDH requires amino acids 230-281 in its α-helical domain with intratracheal inoculation of this PspA fragment alongside the bacteria reducing disease severity in an IAV/Spn pneumonia model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Sang Park
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Ashleigh N Riegler
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Hansol Im
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yvette Hale
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Maryann P Platt
- Infectious Diseases and Genomic Medicine Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Christina Croney
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David E Briles
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Carlos J Orihuela
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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