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Poveda-Urkixo I, Mena-Bueno S, Ramírez GA, Zabalza-Baranguá A, Tsolis RM, Grilló MJ. Brucella melitensis Rev1Δwzm: Placental pathogenesis studies and safety in pregnant ewes. Vaccine 2024; 42:3710-3720. [PMID: 38755066 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.04.085] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
One of the main causes of human brucellosis is Brucella melitensis infecting small ruminants. To date, Rev1 is the only vaccine successfully used to control ovine and caprine brucellosis. However, it is pathogenic for pregnant animals, resulting in abortions and vaginal and milk shedding, as well as being infectious for humans. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an effective vaccine that is safer than Rev1. In efforts to further attenuate Rev1, we recently used wzm inactivation to generate a rough mutant (Rev1Δwzm) that retains a complete antigenic O-polysaccharide in the bacterial cytoplasm. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the placental pathogenicity of Rev1Δwzm in trophoblastic cells, throughout pregnancy in mice, and in ewes inoculated in different trimesters of pregnancy. This mutant was evaluated in comparison with the homologous 16MΔwzm derived from a virulent strain of B. melitensis and the naturally rough sheep pathogen B. ovis. Our results show that both wzm mutants triggered reduced cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic, and pro-inflammatory signaling in Bewo trophoblasts, as well as reduced relative expression of apoptosis genes. In mice, both wzm mutants produced infection but were rapidly cleared from the placenta, in which only Rev1Δwzm induced a low relative expression of pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory genes. In the 66 inoculated ewes, Rev1Δwzm was safe and immunogenic, displaying a transient serological interference in standard RBT but not CFT S-LPS tests; this serological response was minimized by conjunctival administration. In conclusion, these results support that B. melitensis Rev1Δwzm is a promising vaccine candidate for use in pregnant ewes and its efficacy against B. melitensis and B. ovis infections in sheep warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irati Poveda-Urkixo
- Animal Health Department, Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB; CSIC-Navarra Government), Avda. Pamplona 123, 31192 Mutilva, Navarra, Spain
| | - Sara Mena-Bueno
- Animal Health Department, Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB; CSIC-Navarra Government), Avda. Pamplona 123, 31192 Mutilva, Navarra, Spain; Public University of Navarra (UPNA), Avda. de Pamplona 123, 31192 Mutilva, Spain
| | | | - Ana Zabalza-Baranguá
- Animal Health Department, Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB; CSIC-Navarra Government), Avda. Pamplona 123, 31192 Mutilva, Navarra, Spain
| | - Renee M Tsolis
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, 95616 USA
| | - María-Jesús Grilló
- Animal Health Department, Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB; CSIC-Navarra Government), Avda. Pamplona 123, 31192 Mutilva, Navarra, Spain.
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Zavattieri L, Muñoz González F, Ferrero MC, Baldi PC. Immune Responses Potentially Involved in the Gestational Complications of Brucella Infection. Pathogens 2023; 12:1450. [PMID: 38133333 PMCID: PMC10747693 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection by Brucella species in pregnant animals and humans is associated with an increased risk of abortion, preterm birth, and transmission of the infection to the offspring. The pathogen has a marked tropism for the placenta and the pregnant uterus and has the ability to invade and replicate within cells of the maternal-fetal unit, including trophoblasts and decidual cells. Placentitis is a common finding in infected pregnant animals. Several proinflammatory factors have been found to be increased in both the placenta of Brucella-infected animals and in trophoblasts or decidual cells infected in vitro. As normal pregnancies require an anti-inflammatory placental environment during most of the gestational period, Brucella-induced placentitis is thought to be associated with the obstetric complications of brucellosis. A few studies suggest that the blockade of proinflammatory factors may prevent abortion in these cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Zavattieri
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina; (L.Z.); (F.M.G.); (M.C.F.)
- Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (IDEHU), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina
| | - Florencia Muñoz González
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina; (L.Z.); (F.M.G.); (M.C.F.)
- Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (IDEHU), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina
| | - Mariana C. Ferrero
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina; (L.Z.); (F.M.G.); (M.C.F.)
- Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (IDEHU), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina
| | - Pablo C. Baldi
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina; (L.Z.); (F.M.G.); (M.C.F.)
- Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (IDEHU), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina
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Alavi M, Nokhodchi A. Micro- and nanoformulations of antibiotics against Brucella. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103809. [PMID: 37923166 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103809] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Brucellosis, a zoonotic intracellular bacterial infection primarily transmitted through the consumption of unpasteurized milk from infected animals, remains a challenging condition to clinically control. This is mainly because of the limited effectiveness of conventional antibiotics in targeting intracellular Brucella. Micro- and nanoformulations of antibiotics, whether used as a mono- or combination therapy, have the potential to reduce the antibiotic doses required and treatment duration. Extensive research has been conducted on various organic, semiorganic, and inorganic nanomaterials with different morphologies, such as nanoparticles (NPs), nanotubes, nanowires, and nanobelts. Metal/metal oxide, lipidic, polymeric, and carbonic NPs have been widely explored to overcome the limitations of traditional formulations. In this review, we discuss the advances and challenges of these novel formulations based on recent investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehran Alavi
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran.
| | - Ali Nokhodchi
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK; Lupin Research Inc, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Coral Springs, FL, USA; Daru Vira Iranian Pharmaceutical Group, Isfahan, Iran.
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Owain MS, Hasan MS, Atiyah AG. The Effect of Erythritol Injection in Decreasing of Abortion Rate in Local Breed Ewes. Vet Med Int 2023; 2023:8197703. [PMID: 37143528 PMCID: PMC10154093 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8197703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This study designed to evaluate the effect of Erythritol injection in decreasing of abortion rate in local breed ewes. Fifty pregnant ewes from local breed aged 2-4 years with a history of abortion except G1, were fed ad libitum hay and grains with water. The study was carried out in Salah Aldein province at special farm at a period of July-November 2022. These animals were tests for brucella by using rose Bengal and ELISA at zero day for confirmation; these animals were divided into 5 groups: G1 was brucella -ve and pregnant at 60 days, G2 was brucella +ve and pregnant at 60 days, G3 brucella+ve pregnant animals and treated by antibiotics gentamicin 10%, 3 ml/animal for 3 days, G4 brucella +ve and pregnant and giving erythritol, 10 ml S/C of 10% solution (solve in water and glycerol), and G5 was brucella +ve, and all pregnant and giving Erythritol+ gentamycin 10%, 3 ml/animal for 3 days. The experiment takes 12 weeks. Blood was withdrawn at different times of experiment (0, 2 weeks and end of experiment). The seroprevalence of brucellosis was shown that all animals at G4 and G5 where seropositive after 14 days of experiment, at end of pregnancy the seropositivity were highly significantly in G4 and G5 as compared with another groups. The current results showed that percentages of abortion were higher in G2, followed by G3, while it has been reduced significantly in G4 and G1. In conclusion, Erythritol alone can decrease the rate of abortion by making the bacteria extracellular far from placenta and evading of infection by immunity and/or gentamicin injection. Also, erythritol can be used as elicit diagnosis of brucellosis in latent infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maher Saber Owain
- Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tikrit, Tikrit, Iraq
| | - Mustafa Salah Hasan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Fallujah, Fallujah, Iraq
- Taqaddam Foundation for Research and Strategic Studies, Fallujah, Iraq
| | - Ali Ghazi Atiyah
- Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tikrit, Tikrit, Iraq
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Mena-Bueno S, Poveda-Urkixo I, Irazoki O, Palacios L, Cava F, Zabalza-Baranguá A, Grilló MJ. Brucella melitensis Wzm/Wzt System: Changes in the Bacterial Envelope Lead to Improved Rev1Δwzm Vaccine Properties. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:908495. [PMID: 35875565 PMCID: PMC9306315 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.908495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-polysaccharide (O-PS) is the main virulence factor in Brucella. After synthesis in the cytoplasmic membrane, O-PS is exported to the periplasm by the Wzm/Wzt system, where it is assembled into a LPS. This translocation also engages a bactoprenol carrier required for further biosynthesis pathways, such as cell wall biogenesis. Targeting O-PS export by blockage holds great potential for vaccine development, but little is known about the biological implications of each Wzm/Wzt moiety. To improve this knowledge and to elucidate its potential application as a vaccine, we constructed and studied wzm/wzt single- and double-deletion mutants, using the attenuated strain Brucella melitensis Rev1 as the parental strain. This allowed us to describe the composition of Brucella peptidoglycan for the first time. We observed that these mutants lack external O-PS yet trigger changes in genetic transcription and in phenotypic properties associated with the outer membrane and cell wall. The three mutants are highly attenuated; unexpectedly, Rev1Δwzm also excels as an immunogenic and effective vaccine against B. melitensis and Brucella ovis in mice, revealing that low persistence is not at odds with efficacy. Rev1Δwzm is attenuated in BeWo trophoblasts, does not infect mouse placentas, and is safe in pregnant ewes. Overall, these attributes and the minimal serological interference induced in sheep make Rev1Δwzm a highly promising vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mena-Bueno
- Animal Health Department, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB, CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra), Pamplona, Spain
- Agronomy, Biotecnology and Food Department, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Irati Poveda-Urkixo
- Animal Health Department, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB, CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Oihane Irazoki
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Leyre Palacios
- Animal Health Department, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB, CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Felipe Cava
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ana Zabalza-Baranguá
- Animal Health Department, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB, CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra), Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Jesús Grilló
- Animal Health Department, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB, CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra), Pamplona, Spain
- *Correspondence: María Jesús Grilló,
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Rossetti CA, Maurizio E, Rossi UA. Comparative Review of Brucellosis in Small Domestic Ruminants. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:887671. [PMID: 35647101 PMCID: PMC9133814 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.887671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella melitensis and Brucella ovis are the primary etiological agents of brucellosis in small domestic ruminants. B. melitensis was first isolated in 1887 by David Bruce in Malta Island from spleens of four soldiers, while B. ovis was originally isolated in Australia and New Zealand in early 1950's from ovine abortion and rams epididymitis. Today, both agents are distributed worldwide: B. melitensis remains endemic and associated with an extensive negative impact on the productivity of flocks in -some regions, and B. ovis is still present in most sheep-raising regions in the world. Despite being species of the same bacterial genus, B. melitensis and B. ovis have extensive differences in their cultural and biochemical characteristics (smooth vs. rough colonial phases, serum and CO2 dependence for in vitro growth, carbohydrate metabolism), host preference (female goat and sheep vs. rams), the outcome of infection (abortion vs. epididymitis), and their zoonotic potential. Some of these differences can be explained at the bacterial genomic level, but the role of the host genome in promoting or preventing interaction with pathogens is largely unknown. Diagnostic techniques and measures to prevent and control brucellosis in small ruminants vary, with B. melitensis having more available tools for detection and prevention than B. ovis. This review summarizes and analyzes current available information on: (1) the similarities and differences between these two etiological agents of brucellosis in small ruminants, (2) the outcomes after their interaction with different preferred hosts and current diagnostic methodologies, (3) the prevention and control measures, and (4) alerting animal producers about the disease and raise awareness in the research community for future innovative activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alberto Rossetti
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), N. Repetto y de Los Reseros, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Estefanía Maurizio
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), N. Repetto y de Los Reseros, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (Conicet), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ursula Amaranta Rossi
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), N. Repetto y de Los Reseros, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (Conicet), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Moreno E, Blasco JM, Moriyón I. Facing the Human and Animal Brucellosis Conundrums: The Forgotten Lessons. Microorganisms 2022; 10:942. [PMID: 35630386 PMCID: PMC9144488 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is a major zoonotic disease caused by Brucella species. Historically, the disease received over fifty names until it was recognized as a single entity, illustrating its protean manifestations and intricacies, traits that generated conundrums that have remained or re-emerged since they were first described. Here, we examine confusions concerning the clinical picture, serological diagnosis, and incidence of human brucellosis. We also discuss knowledge gaps and prevalent confusions about animal brucellosis, including brucellosis control strategies, the so-called confirmatory tests, and assumptions about the primary-binding assays and DNA detection methods. We describe how doubtfully characterized vaccines have failed to control brucellosis and emphasize how the requisites of controlled safety and protection experiments are generally overlooked. Finally, we briefly discuss the experience demonstrating that S19 remains the best cattle vaccine, while RB51 fails to validate its claimed properties (protection, differentiating infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA), and safety), offering a strong argument against its current widespread use. These conundrums show that knowledge dealing with brucellosis is lost, and previous experience is overlooked or misinterpreted, as illustrated in a significant number of misguided meta-analyses. In a global context of intensifying livestock breeding, such recurrent oversights threaten to increase the impact of brucellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgardo Moreno
- Tropical Disease Research Program, National University, Heredia 40104, Costa Rica;
| | | | - Ignacio Moriyón
- Institute for Tropical Health and Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Medical School, University of Navarra and IdISNA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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The Retrospective on Atypical Brucella Species Leads to Novel Definitions. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10040813. [PMID: 35456863 PMCID: PMC9025488 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10040813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Brucella currently comprises twelve species of facultative intracellular bacteria with variable zoonotic potential. Six of them have been considered as classical, causing brucellosis in terrestrial mammalian hosts, with two species originated from marine mammals. In the past fifteen years, field research as well as improved pathogen detection and typing have allowed the identification of four new species, namely Brucella microti, Brucella inopinata, Brucella papionis, Brucella vulpis, and of numerous strains, isolated from a wide range of hosts, including for the first time cold-blooded animals. While their genome sequences are still highly similar to those of classical strains, some of them are characterized by atypical phenotypes such as higher growth rate, increased resistance to acid stress, motility, and lethality in the murine infection model. In our review, we provide an overview of state-of-the-art knowledge about these novel Brucella sp., with emphasis on their phylogenetic positions in the genus, their metabolic characteristics, acid stress resistance mechanisms, and their behavior in well-established in cellulo and in vivo infection models. Comparison of phylogenetic classification and phenotypical properties between classical and novel Brucella species and strains finally lead us to propose a more adapted terminology, distinguishing between core and non-core, and typical versus atypical brucellae, respectively.
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Darbandi A, Koupaei M, Navidifar T, Shahroodian S, Heidary M, Talebi M. Brucellosis control methods with an emphasis on vaccination: a systematic review. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2022; 20:1025-1035. [PMID: 35416090 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2022.2066521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Brucellosis is considered as one of the main zoonotic infections and a major public health concern worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate various strategies for controlling brucellosis with an especial emphasis on efficacy of vaccination. AREAS COVERED International databanks (Web of Science, PubMed, Embase) were searched for potentially relevant studies published from January 1, 2011 to March 25, 2021 using the following keywords: "Brucella", "Brucella abortus", "Brucella melitensis", "Brucella canis", "Brucella suis", "brucellosis", "Bang disease", "undulant fever", "Malta fever", "vaccination", "vaccine", and "immunization". The literature search was restricted to original articles published in English. EXPERT OPINION Various methods are employed to prevent and control brucellosis, such as removing sick animals by slaughtering, separating sick animals from the herd, and vaccination. Preventing, controlling, and eradicating brucellosis requires a lot of financial support, perseverance, and time. In order to conduct a detailed study, it is recommended that more studies be conducted in developing countries and different parts of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atieh Darbandi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Koupaei
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | | | - Soheila Shahroodian
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Heidary
- Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran.,Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Malihe Talebi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
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Poveda-Urkixo I, Ramírez GA, Grilló MJ. Kinetics of Placental Infection by Different Smooth Brucella Strains in Mice. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030279. [PMID: 35335603 PMCID: PMC8955611 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Abortion and reproductive failures induced by Brucella are the main symptoms of animal brucellosis. Laboratory animal models are essential tools of research to study the Brucella pathogenesis before experimentation in natural hosts. To extend the existing knowledge, we studied B. melitensis 16M (virulent) and Rev1 (attenuated) as well as B. suis bv2 infections in pregnant mice. Here, we report new information about kinetics of infection (in spleens, blood, placentas, vaginal shedding, and foetuses), serum cytokine profiles, and histopathological features in placentas and the litter throughout mice pregnancy. Both B. melitensis strains showed a marked placental tropism and reduced viability of pups (mainly in 16M infections), which was preceded by an intense Th1-immune response during placental development. In contrast, B. suis bv2 displayed lower placental tropism, mild proinflammatory immune response, and scarce bacterial transmission to the litter, thus allowing foetal viability. Overall, our studies revealed three different smooth Brucella patterns of placental and foetal pathogenesis in mice, providing a useful animal model for experimental brucellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irati Poveda-Urkixo
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB, CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra), Avda. Pamplona 123, 31192 Mutilva, Spain;
| | - Gustavo A. Ramírez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
| | - María-Jesús Grilló
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB, CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra), Avda. Pamplona 123, 31192 Mutilva, Spain;
- Correspondence:
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Das JK, Guo F, Hunt C, Steinmeyer S, Plocica JA, Kobayashi KS, Ding Y, Jayaraman A, Ficht TA, Alaniz RC, de Figueiredo P, Song J. A metabolically engineered bacterium controls autoimmunity and inflammation by remodeling the pro-inflammatory microenvironment. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2143222. [PMID: 36404471 PMCID: PMC9683044 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2143222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has led to impressive advances in the treatment of autoimmune and pro-inflammatory disorders; yet, its clinical outcomes remain limited by a variety of factors including the pro-inflammatory microenvironment (IME). Discovering effective immunomodulatory agents, and the mechanisms by which they control disease, will lead to innovative strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of current immunotherapeutic approaches. We have metabolically engineered an attenuated bacterial strain (i.e., Brucella melitensis 16M ∆vjbR, Bm∆vjbR::tnaA) to produce indole, a tryptophan metabolite that controls the fate and function of regulatory T (Treg) cells. We demonstrated that treatment with Bm∆vjbR::tnaA polarized macrophages (Mφ) which produced anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-10) and promoted Treg function; moreover, when combined with adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of Treg cells, a single treatment with our engineered bacterial strain dramatically reduced the incidence and score of autoimmune arthritis and decreased joint damage. These findings show how a metabolically engineered bacterium can constitute a powerful vehicle for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy, defeating autoimmunity, and reducing inflammation by remodeling the IME and augmenting Treg cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jugal Kishore Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Fengguang Guo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Carrie Hunt
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Shelby Steinmeyer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Julia A Plocica
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Koichi S. Kobayashi
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yufang Ding
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Thomas A Ficht
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Robert C. Alaniz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Paul de Figueiredo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
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Use of Agriculturally Important Animals as Models in Biomedical Research. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1354:315-333. [PMID: 34807449 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-85686-1_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Livestock have contributed significantly to advances in biomedicine and offer unique advantages over rodent models. The human is the ideal biomedical model; however, ethical reasons limit the testing of hypotheses and treatments in humans. Rodent models are frequently used as alternatives to humans due to size, low cost, and ease of genetic manipulation, and have contributed tremendously to our understanding of human health and disease. However, the use of rodents in translational research pose challenges for researchers due to physiological differences to humans. The use of livestock species as biomedical models can address these challenges as livestock have several similarities to human anatomy, physiology, genetics, and metabolism and their larger size permits collection of more frequent and often larger samples. Additionally, recent advances in genetics in livestock species allow for studies in genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, which have the added benefit of applications to both humans in biomedical research and livestock in improving production. In this review, we provide an overview of scientific findings using livestock and benefits of each model to the livestock industry and to biomedical research.
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Chen S, Zhang D, Roberts AJ, Lu HC, Cannon CL, Qin QM, de Figueiredo P. Host Protease Activity on Bacterial Pathogens Promotes Complement and Antibiotic-Directed Killing. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111506. [PMID: 34832660 PMCID: PMC8618517 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of how the host immune system thwarts bacterial evasive mechanisms remains incomplete. Here, we show that host protease neutrophil elastase acts on Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to destroy factors that prevent serum-associated, complement-directed killing. The protease activity also enhances bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics in sera. These findings implicate a new paradigm where host protease activity on bacteria acts combinatorially with the host complement system and antibiotics to defeat bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaorong Chen
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (S.C.); (D.Z.); (A.-J.R.); (H.-C.L.); (C.L.C.)
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (S.C.); (D.Z.); (A.-J.R.); (H.-C.L.); (C.L.C.)
| | - Alexandria-Jade Roberts
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (S.C.); (D.Z.); (A.-J.R.); (H.-C.L.); (C.L.C.)
| | - Hsueh-Chung Lu
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (S.C.); (D.Z.); (A.-J.R.); (H.-C.L.); (C.L.C.)
| | - Carolyn L. Cannon
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (S.C.); (D.Z.); (A.-J.R.); (H.-C.L.); (C.L.C.)
| | - Qing-Ming Qin
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (S.C.); (D.Z.); (A.-J.R.); (H.-C.L.); (C.L.C.)
- Correspondence: (Q.-M.Q.); (P.d.F.)
| | - Paul de Figueiredo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (S.C.); (D.Z.); (A.-J.R.); (H.-C.L.); (C.L.C.)
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Correspondence: (Q.-M.Q.); (P.d.F.)
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Roop RM, Barton IS, Hopersberger D, Martin DW. Uncovering the Hidden Credentials of Brucella Virulence. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2021; 85:e00021-19. [PMID: 33568459 PMCID: PMC8549849 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00021-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria in the genus Brucella are important human and veterinary pathogens. The abortion and infertility they cause in food animals produce economic hardships in areas where the disease has not been controlled, and human brucellosis is one of the world's most common zoonoses. Brucella strains have also been isolated from wildlife, but we know much less about the pathobiology and epidemiology of these infections than we do about brucellosis in domestic animals. The brucellae maintain predominantly an intracellular lifestyle in their mammalian hosts, and their ability to subvert the host immune response and survive and replicate in macrophages and placental trophoblasts underlies their success as pathogens. We are just beginning to understand how these bacteria evolved from a progenitor alphaproteobacterium with an environmental niche and diverged to become highly host-adapted and host-specific pathogens. Two important virulence determinants played critical roles in this evolution: (i) a type IV secretion system that secretes effector molecules into the host cell cytoplasm that direct the intracellular trafficking of the brucellae and modulate host immune responses and (ii) a lipopolysaccharide moiety which poorly stimulates host inflammatory responses. This review highlights what we presently know about how these and other virulence determinants contribute to Brucella pathogenesis. Gaining a better understanding of how the brucellae produce disease will provide us with information that can be used to design better strategies for preventing brucellosis in animals and for preventing and treating this disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Martin Roop
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ian S Barton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dariel Hopersberger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Daniel W Martin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
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