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Pang M, Tu T, Wang Y, Zhang P, Ren M, Yao X, Luo Y, Yang Z. Design of a multi-epitope vaccine against Haemophilus parasuis based on pan-genome and immunoinformatics approaches. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1053198. [PMID: 36644533 PMCID: PMC9835091 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1053198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glässer's disease, caused by Haemophilus parasuis (HPS), is responsible for economic losses in the pig industry worldwide. However, the existing commercial vaccines offer poor protection and there are significant barriers to the development of effective vaccines. Methods In the current study, we aimed to identify potential vaccine candidates and design a multi-epitope vaccine against HPS by performing pan-genomic analysis of 121 strains and using a reverse vaccinology approach. Results The designed vaccine constructs consist of predicted epitopes of B and T cells derived from the outer membrane proteins of the HPS core genome. The vaccine was found to be highly immunogenic, non-toxic, and non-allergenic as well as have stable physicochemical properties. It has a high binding affinity to Toll-like receptor 2. In addition, in silico immune simulation results showed that the vaccine elicited an effective immune response. Moreover, the mouse polyclonal antibody obtained by immunizing the vaccine protein can be combined with different serotypes and non-typable Haemophilus parasuis in vitro. Conclusion The overall results of the study suggest that the designed multi-epitope vaccine is a promising candidate for pan-prophylaxis against different strains of HPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maonan Pang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Teng Tu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yin Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China,*Correspondence: Yin Wang
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Meishen Ren
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xueping Yao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zexiao Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Razew A, Schwarz JN, Mitkowski P, Sabala I, Kaus-Drobek M. One fold, many functions-M23 family of peptidoglycan hydrolases. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1036964. [PMID: 36386627 PMCID: PMC9662197 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1036964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial cell walls are the guards of cell integrity. They are composed of peptidoglycan that provides rigidity to sustain internal turgor and ensures isolation from the external environment. In addition, they harbor the enzymatic machinery to secure cell wall modulations needed throughout the bacterial lifespan. The main players in this process are peptidoglycan hydrolases, a large group of enzymes with diverse specificities and different mechanisms of action. They are commonly, but not exclusively, found in prokaryotes. Although in most cases, these enzymes share the same molecular function, namely peptidoglycan hydrolysis, they are leveraged to perform a variety of physiological roles. A well-investigated family of peptidoglycan hydrolases is M23 peptidases, which display a very conserved fold, but their spectrum of lytic action is broad and includes both Gram- positive and Gram- negative bacteria. In this review, we summarize the structural, biochemical, and functional studies concerning the M23 family of peptidases based on literature and complement this knowledge by performing large-scale analyses of available protein sequences. This review has led us to gain new insight into the role of surface charge in the activity of this group of enzymes. We present relevant conclusions drawn from the analysis of available structures and indicate the main structural features that play a crucial role in specificity determination and mechanisms of latency. Our work systematizes the knowledge of the M23 family enzymes in the context of their unique antimicrobial potential against drug-resistant pathogens and presents possibilities to modulate and engineer their features to develop perfect antibacterial weapons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Izabela Sabala
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kaus-Drobek
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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Gahlot DK, Wai SN, Erickson DL, Francis MS. Cpx-signalling facilitates Hms-dependent biofilm formation by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:13. [PMID: 35351893 PMCID: PMC8964730 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00281-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria often reside in sessile communities called biofilms, where they adhere to a variety of surfaces and exist as aggregates in a viscous polymeric matrix. Biofilms are resistant to antimicrobial treatments, and are a major contributor to the persistence and chronicity of many bacterial infections. Herein, we determined that the CpxA-CpxR two-component system influenced the ability of enteropathogenic Yersinia pseudotuberculosis to develop biofilms. Mutant bacteria that accumulated the active CpxR~P isoform failed to form biofilms on plastic or on the surface of the Caenorhabditis elegans nematode. A failure to form biofilms on the worm surface prompted their survival when grown on the lawns of Y. pseudotuberculosis. Exopolysaccharide production by the hms loci is the major driver of biofilms formed by Yersinia. We used a number of molecular genetic approaches to demonstrate that active CpxR~P binds directly to the promoter regulatory elements of the hms loci to activate the repressors of hms expression and to repress the activators of hms expression. Consequently, active Cpx-signalling culminated in a loss of exopolysaccharide production. Hence, the development of Y. pseudotuberculosis biofilms on multiple surfaces is controlled by the Cpx-signalling, and at least in part this occurs through repressive effects on the Hms-dependent exopolysaccharide production.
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Novel RNA Extraction Method for Dual RNA-seq Analysis of Pathogen and Host in the Early Stages of Yersinia pestis Pulmonary Infection. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9102166. [PMID: 34683487 PMCID: PMC8539884 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102166] [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: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumonic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is a rapidly progressing lethal infection. The various phases of pneumonic plague are yet to be fully understood. A well-established way to address the pathology of infectious diseases in general, and pneumonic plague in particular, is to conduct concomitant transcriptomic analysis of the bacteria and the host. The analysis of dual RNA by RNA sequencing technology is challenging, due the difficulties of extracting bacterial RNA, which is overwhelmingly outnumbered by the host RNA, especially at the critical early time points post-infection (prior to 48 h). Here, we describe a novel technique that employed the infusion of an RNA preserving reagent (RNAlater) into the lungs of the animals, through the trachea, under deep anesthesia. This method enabled the isolation of stable dual mRNA from the lungs of mice infected with Y. pestis, as early as 24 h post-infection. The RNA was used for transcriptomic analysis, which provided a comprehensive gene expression profile of both the host and the pathogen.
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Ji X, Lu P, Xue J, Zhao N, Zhang Y, Dong L, Zhang X, Li P, Hu Y, Wang J, Zhang B, Liu J, Lv H, Wang S. The lipoprotein NlpD in Cronobacter sakazakii responds to acid stress and regulates macrophage resistance and virulence by maintaining membrane integrity. Virulence 2021; 12:415-429. [PMID: 33459158 PMCID: PMC7834084 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1870336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cronobacter sakazakii, an emerging opportunistic pathogen, is implicated in severe foodborne outbreak infections in premature and full-term infants. Generally, acid tolerance is vital for the pathogenesis of foodborne pathogens; however, its role in C. sakazakii virulence remains largely unknown. To screen out acid-tolerance determinants from transposon mutants, anovel counterselection method using gentamicin and acid was developed. Using the counterselection method and growth assay, we screened several acid-sensitive mutants and found that nlpD encodes an acid-resistance factor in C. sakazakii. Compared to the wild-type strain, the nlpD mutant exhibited attenuated virulence in a rat model. Using macrophage THP-1 cells and a pH probe, we verified that nlpD enables bacteria to resist macrophages by resisting acidification. Finally, we confirmed that nlpD maintains C. sakazakii membrane integrity in acid using propidium iodide permeabilization assays via flow cytometry. Our results confirm that nlpD is a novel virulence factor that permits C. sakazakii to survive under acid stress conditions. Considering that NlpD is a conserved lipoprotein located in the bacterial outer membrane, NlpD could be used as a target for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemeng Ji
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Ping Lu
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical Collage , Tianjin, China
| | - Juan Xue
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine , Shiyan, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Lu Dong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Xuejiao Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Ping Li
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology , Tianjin, China
| | - Yaozhong Hu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Bowei Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Jingmin Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Huan Lv
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
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Gur D, Chitlaru T, Mamroud E, Zauberman A. Screening of an FDA-Approved Library for Novel Drugs against Y. pestis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10010040. [PMID: 33401634 PMCID: PMC7823876 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10010040] [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: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Yersinia pestis is a Gram-negative pathogen that causes plague, a devastating disease that kills millions worldwide. Although plague is efficiently treatable by recommended antibiotics, the time of antibiotic therapy initiation is critical, as high mortality rates have been observed if treatment is delayed for longer than 24 h after symptom onset. To overcome the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains, we attempted a systematic screening of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs to identify alternative compounds which may possess antibacterial activity against Y. pestis. Here, we describe a drug-repurposing approach, which led to the identification of two antibiotic-like activities of the anticancer drugs bleomycin sulfate and streptozocin that have the potential for designing novel antiplague therapy approaches. The inhibitory characteristics of these two drugs were further addressed as well as their efficiency in affecting the growth of Y. pestis strains resistant to doxycycline and ciprofloxacin, antibiotics recommended for plague treatment.
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Searching for putative virulence factors in the genomes of Shewanella indica and Shewanella algae. Arch Microbiol 2020; 203:683-692. [PMID: 33040180 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-020-02060-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens are a major threat to both humans and animals worldwide. It is crucial to understand the mechanisms of various disease processes at the molecular level. Shewanella species are widespread in the environment and some are considered as emerging opportunistic human and marine mammal pathogens. In this study, putative virulence factors on the genome of Shewanella indica BW, a bacterium isolated from the Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni), were determined. Additionally, for comparative purposes, putative virulence factors from two other S. indica and ten S. algae strains were also determined using the Pathosystems Resource Integration Center (PATRIC) pipeline. We confirmed the presence of previously reported virulence factors and we are proposing several new candidate virulence factors. Interestingly, the putative virulence factors were very similar between the two species with the exception of microbial collagenase which was present in all S. algae genomes, but absent in all S. indica genomes.
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Gao X, Wang M, Liu Z, Bi Y, Song Y, Yang R, Han Y. Altered Yersinia pestis virulence is associated with the small regulatory RNA HmsA encoded on the plasmid pPCP1. Future Microbiol 2020; 15:1207-1215. [PMID: 33026884 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0319] [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: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to access the effect of HmsA, a 65-nt small regulatory RNA encoded by the pPCP1 plasmid, on Yersinia pestis virulence. Materials & methods: Survival and the competition index were determined in mice infected with wild-type Y. pestis and an hmsA deletion mutant. RNA-seq was used to identify HmsA-regulated genes. Results: HmsA deletion enhanced Y. pestis virulence. However, there was no overlap between 18 upregulated genes associated with pathogenicity and potential direct HmsA targets, based on gene expression screening after HmsA-pulse overexpression. Conclusion: HmsA inhibits Y. pestis virulence, but this effect may be mediated by indirect effects on pathogenesis, iron homeostasis and/or other cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen & Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology & Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China.,Microbiology Laboratory, Jiading Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen & Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology & Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Zizhong Liu
- China Astronaut Research & Training Center, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Yujing Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen & Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology & Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yajun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen & Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology & Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Ruifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen & Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology & Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yanping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen & Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology & Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
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