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Girgis MM, Christodoulides M. Vertebrate and Invertebrate Animal and New In Vitro Models for Studying Neisseria Biology. Pathogens 2023; 12:782. [PMID: 37375472 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The history of Neisseria research has involved the use of a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate animal models, from insects to humans. In this review, we itemise these models and describe how they have made significant contributions to understanding the pathophysiology of Neisseria infections and to the development and testing of vaccines and antimicrobials. We also look ahead, briefly, to their potential replacement by complex in vitro cellular models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael M Girgis
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
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2
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Shaughnessy J, Chabeda A, Lewis LA, Ram S. Alternative pathway amplification and infections. Immunol Rev 2023; 313:162-180. [PMID: 36336911 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The alternative pathway (AP) is the phylogenetically oldest arm of the complement system and may have evolved to mark pathogens for elimination by phagocytes. Studies using purified AP proteins or AP-specific serum showed that C3b amplification on bacteria commenced following a lag phase of about 5 min and was highly dependent on the concentration of complement. Most pathogens have evolved several elegant mechanisms to evade complement, including expressing proteases that degrade AP proteins and secreting proteins that block function of C3 convertases. In an example of convergent evolution, many microbes recruit the AP inhibitor factor H (FH) using molecular mechanisms that mimic FH interactions with host cells. In most instances, the AP serves to amplify C3b deposited on microbes by the classical pathway (CP). The role of properdin on microbes appears to be restricted to stabilization of C3 convertases; scant evidence exists for its role as an initiator of the AP on pathogens in the context of serum. Therapeutic complement inhibition carries with it an increased risk of infection. Antibody (Ab)-dependent AP activation may be critical for complement activation by vaccine-elicited Ab when the CP is blocked, and its molecular mechanism is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Aleyo Chabeda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lisa A Lewis
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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3
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Shaughnessy J, Chabeda A, Tran Y, Zheng B, Nowak N, Steffens C, DeOliveira RB, Gulati S, Lewis LA, Maclean J, Moss JA, Wycoff KL, Ram S. An optimized Factor H-Fc fusion protein against multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Front Immunol 2022; 13:975676. [PMID: 36110842 PMCID: PMC9468773 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.975676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel therapeutics against the global threat of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae are urgently needed. Gonococci evade killing by complement by binding factor H (FH), a key inhibitor of the alternative pathway. FH comprises 20 short consensus repeat (SCR) domains organized as a single chain. Gonococci bind FH through domains 6 and 7, and C-terminal domains 18 through 20. Previously, we showed that a chimeric protein comprising (from the N- to C-terminus) FH domains 18-20 (containing a point mutation in domain 19 to prevent lysis of host cells) fused to human IgG1 Fc (called FH*/Fc1) killed gonococci in a complement-dependent manner and reduced the duration and bacterial burden in the mouse vaginal colonization model of gonorrhea. Considering the N. gonorrhoeae-binding FH domains 18-20 are C-terminal in native FH, we reasoned that positioning Fc N-terminal to FH* (Fc1/FH*) would improve binding and bactericidal activity. Although both molecules bound gonococci similarly, Fc1/FH* displayed a 5-fold lower IC50 (the concentration required for 50% killing in complement-dependent bactericidal assays) than FH*/Fc1. To further increase complement activation, we replaced human IgG1 Fc in Fc1/FH* with Fc from human IgG3, the most potent complement-activating IgG subclass, to obtain Fc3/FH*. Bactericidal activity was further increased ~2.3-fold in Fc3/FH* compared to Fc1/FH*. Fc3/FH* killed (defined by <50% survival) 45/45 (100%) diverse PorB1B-expessing gonococci, but only 2/15 PorB1A-expressing isolates, in a complement-dependent manner. Decreased Fc3/FH* binding accounted for the limited activity against PorB1A strains. Fc3/FH* was efficacious against all four tested PorB1B gonococcal strains in the mouse vaginal colonization model when administered at a dose of 5 µg intravaginally, daily. Furthermore, Fc3/FH* retained bactericidal activity when reconstituted following lyophilization or spray-drying, suggesting feasibility for formulation into intravaginal rings. In conclusion, Fc3/FH* represents a promising prophylactic immunotherapeutic against multidrug-resistant gonococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Aleyo Chabeda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Y. Tran
- Planet Biotechnology, Inc., Hayward, CA, United States
| | - Bo Zheng
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Nancy Nowak
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Carolynn Steffens
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Rosane B. DeOliveira
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sunita Gulati
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Lisa A. Lewis
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - James Maclean
- Planet Biotechnology, Inc., Hayward, CA, United States
| | - John A. Moss
- Oak Crest Institute of Science, Monrovia, CA, United States
| | | | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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A Factor H-Fc fusion protein increases complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis and killing of community associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265774. [PMID: 35324969 PMCID: PMC8946749 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265774] [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: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus employs a multitude of immune-evasive tactics to circumvent host defenses including the complement system, a component of innate immunity central to controlling bacterial infections. With antibiotic resistance becoming increasingly common, there is a dire need for novel therapies. Previously, we have shown that S. aureus binds the complement regulator factor H (FH) via surface protein SdrE to inhibit complement. To address the need for novel therapeutics and take advantage of the FH:SdrE interaction, we examined the effect of a fusion protein comprised of the SdrE-interacting domain of FH coupled with IgG Fc on complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis and bacterial killing of community associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus. S. aureus bound significantly more FH-Fc compared to Fc-control proteins and FH-Fc competed with serum FH for S. aureus binding. FH-Fc treatment increased C3-fragment opsonization of S. aureus for both C3b and iC3b, and boosted generation of the anaphylatoxin C5a. In 5 and 10% serum, FH-Fc treatment significantly increased S. aureus killing by polymorphonuclear cells. This anti-staphylococcal effect was evident in 75% (3/4) of clinical isolates tested. This study demonstrates that FH-Fc fusion proteins have the potential to mitigate the protective effects of bound serum FH rendering S. aureus more vulnerable to the host immune system. Thus, we report the promise of virulence-factor-targeted fusion-proteins as an avenue for prospective anti-staphylococcal therapeutic development.
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Syed I, Wooten RM. Interactions Between Pathogenic Burkholderia and the Complement System: A Review of Potential Immune Evasion Mechanisms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:701362. [PMID: 34660335 PMCID: PMC8515183 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.701362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Burkholderia contains over 80 different Gram-negative species including both plant and human pathogens, the latter of which can be classified into one of two groups: the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex (Bpc) or the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). Bpc pathogens Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei are highly virulent, and both have considerable potential for use as Tier 1 bioterrorism agents; thus there is great interest in the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of these infections. While Bcc pathogens Burkholderia cenocepacia, Burkholderia multivorans, and Burkholderia cepacia are not considered bioterror threats, the incredible impact these infections have on the cystic fibrosis community inspires a similar demand for vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of these infections as well. Understanding how these pathogens interact with and evade the host immune system will help uncover novel therapeutic targets within these organisms. Given the important role of the complement system in the clearance of bacterial pathogens, this arm of the immune response must be efficiently evaded for successful infection to occur. In this review, we will introduce the Burkholderia species to be discussed, followed by a summary of the complement system and known mechanisms by which pathogens interact with this critical system to evade clearance within the host. We will conclude with a review of literature relating to the interactions between the herein discussed Burkholderia species and the host complement system, with the goal of highlighting areas in this field that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irum Syed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
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Bettoni S, Maziarz K, Stone MRL, Blaskovich MAT, Potempa J, Bazzo ML, Unemo M, Ram S, Blom AM. Serum Complement Activation by C4BP-IgM Fusion Protein Can Restore Susceptibility to Antibiotics in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Front Immunol 2021; 12:726801. [PMID: 34539665 PMCID: PMC8440848 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.726801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the etiological agent of gonorrhea, the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Reproductive sequelae of gonorrhea include infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain. Most antibiotics currently in clinical use have been rendered ineffective due to the rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance among gonococci. The developmental pipeline of new antibiotics is sparse and novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Previously, we utilized the ability of N. gonorrhoeae to bind the complement inhibitor C4b-binding protein (C4BP) to evade killing by human complement to design a chimeric protein that linked the two N-terminal gonococcal binding domains of C4BP with the Fc domain of IgM. The resulting molecule, C4BP-IgM, enhanced complement-mediated killing of gonococci. Here we show that C4BP-IgM induced membrane perturbation through complement deposition and membrane attack complex pore insertion facilitates the access of antibiotics to their intracellular targets. Consequently, bacteria become more susceptible to killing by antibiotics. Remarkably, C4BP-IgM restored susceptibility to azithromycin of two azithromycin-resistant clinical gonococcal strains because of overexpression of the MtrC-MtrD-MtrE efflux pump. Our data show that complement activation can potentiate activity of antibiotics and suggest a role for C4BP-IgM as an adjuvant for antibiotic treatment of drug-resistant gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Bettoni
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Karolina Maziarz
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - M Rhia L Stone
- Centre for Superbug Solutions, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark A T Blaskovich
- Centre for Superbug Solutions, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jan Potempa
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Oral Immunity and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Maria Luiza Bazzo
- Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Serology Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Magnus Unemo
- World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Anna M. Blom
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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7
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Connolly KL, Pilligua-Lucas M, Gomez C, Costenoble-Caherty AC, Soc A, Underwood K, Macintyre AN, Sempowski GD, Jerse AE. Preclinical Testing of Vaccines and Therapeutics for Gonorrhea in Female Mouse Models of Lower and Upper Reproductive Tract Infection. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:S152-S160. [PMID: 34396408 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Murine models of Neisseria gonorrhoeae lower reproductive tract infection are valuable systems for studying N. gonorrhoeae adaptation to the female host and immune responses to infection. These models have also accelerated preclinical testing of candidate therapeutic and prophylactic products against gonorrhea. However, because N. gonorrhoeae infection is restricted to the murine cervicovaginal region, there is a need for an in vivo system for translational work on N. gonorrhoeae pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Here we discuss the need for well-characterized preclinical upper reproductive tract infection models for developing candidate products against N. gonorrhoeae PID, and report a refinement of the gonorrhea mouse model that supports sustained upper reproductive tract infection. To establish this new model for vaccine testing, we also tested the licensed meningococcal 4CMenB vaccine, which cross-protects against murine N. gonorrhoeae lower reproductive tract infection, for efficacy against N. gonorrhoeae in the endometrium and oviducts following transcervical or vaginal challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie L Connolly
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Michelle Pilligua-Lucas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Carolina Gomez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Anthony Soc
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Knashka Underwood
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew N Macintyre
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gregory D Sempowski
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ann E Jerse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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8
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Syed I, Wooten RM. Interactions Between Pathogenic Burkholderia and the Complement System: A Review of Potential Immune Evasion Mechanisms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021. [PMID: 34660335 DOI: 10.1086/69216810.3389/fcimb.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Burkholderia contains over 80 different Gram-negative species including both plant and human pathogens, the latter of which can be classified into one of two groups: the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex (Bpc) or the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). Bpc pathogens Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei are highly virulent, and both have considerable potential for use as Tier 1 bioterrorism agents; thus there is great interest in the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of these infections. While Bcc pathogens Burkholderia cenocepacia, Burkholderia multivorans, and Burkholderia cepacia are not considered bioterror threats, the incredible impact these infections have on the cystic fibrosis community inspires a similar demand for vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of these infections as well. Understanding how these pathogens interact with and evade the host immune system will help uncover novel therapeutic targets within these organisms. Given the important role of the complement system in the clearance of bacterial pathogens, this arm of the immune response must be efficiently evaded for successful infection to occur. In this review, we will introduce the Burkholderia species to be discussed, followed by a summary of the complement system and known mechanisms by which pathogens interact with this critical system to evade clearance within the host. We will conclude with a review of literature relating to the interactions between the herein discussed Burkholderia species and the host complement system, with the goal of highlighting areas in this field that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irum Syed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - R Mark Wooten
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
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