The Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi type IVB self-association pili are detached from the bacterial cell by the PilV minor pilus proteins

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and some strains (Vi+) of serovar Dublin use type IVB pili to facilitate bacterial self-association, but only when the PilV proteins (potential minor pilus proteins) are not synthesized. Pilus-mediated self-association may be important in the pathogenesis of enteric fever. We have shown previously that the extent of DNA supercoiling controls the rate of Rci-catalyzed inversion of a DNA fragment which includes the C-terminal portions of the PilV proteins. This inversion therefore controls PilV synthesis as a high inversion rate prohibits transcription of pilV-encoding DNA. Here, we describe the manner in which PilV protein expression inhibits bacterial self-association and present data which suggest that incorporation of one or a few PilV protein molecules into a growing pilus, comprised of PilS subunits, causes the pilus to detach at the bacterial membrane. The bacteria are then unable to self-associate. We suggest that this phenomenon may be relevant to the pathogenesis of typhoid fever.

Complete amino acid sequence and location of Omp-28, an important immunogenic protein from Salmonella enterica serovar typhi

Omp-28 isolated from Salmonella enterica serovar typhi presented a subunit molecular mass of 9,632 Da by MALDI-TOF MS. It was denatured, S-alkylated, and 1) directly submitted to Edman sequencing, 2) cleaved with CNBr, and 3) hydrolyzed either with endoproteinase Glu-C or Asp-N. The major CNBr peptide containing the C-terminal portion of Omp-28 was isolated by tricine-SDS-PAGE and electroblotted whereas Omp-28 enzymatic peptides were isolated by C18-RP-HPLC. All peptides were sequenced. This approach allowed the elucidation of the complete primary structure of Omp-28. Its amino acid sequence is identical to that deduced from part of the DNA of the "putative periplasmic transport protein" of either S. enterica serovar typhimurium and a multiple drug resistant S. enterica serovar typhi. Omp-28 homologous protein sequences were also deduced from Escherichia coli and Yersinia pestis genomic DNA. All proteins had their secondary structures predicted. Immunogold cytochemistry indicated that Omp-28 is found on the bacterium outer membrane.

Physical limitations on Salmonella typhi entry into cultured human intestinal epithelial cells

Kinetic studies of Salmonella typhi invasion of INT407 cells at different multiplicities of infection (MOIs) have revealed a strict physical limitation on S. typhi entry at MOIs of >/=40. Staining of infected monolayers to distinguish intracellular from extracellular bacteria revealed that all monolayer cells are susceptible to infection and that internalized bacteria are typically contained in one to three separate clusters per cell during the first 60 min. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic analyses of time course-infected monolayers showed that at early times postinfection, bacteria bind to shortened, coalesced microvilli in one to three focal aggregate structures per host cell surface. As reported previously for S. typhimurium, focal aggregates progress to conical membrane ruffles that appear to engulf one or a few centrally contained S. typhi cells by a macropinocytic process, which enhanced the entry of simultaneously added Escherichia coli HB101 about 30-fold. Additionally, kinetic studies showed that at an MOI of approximately 400, maximal S. typhi entry is virtually completed within 30 to 35 min. Monolayers pretreated with S. typhi for 30 min to saturate the entry process were severely reduced in the ability to internalize subsequently added kanamycin-resistant strains of S. typhi or S. typhimurium, but E. coli HB101(pRI203) expressing the cloned Yersinia inv gene was not reduced in entry. In invasion inhibition assays, anti-beta1 integrin antibodies markedly reduced E. coli HB101(pRI203) invasion efficiency but did not reduce S. typhi entry. Collectively, these data provide direct physical and visual evidence which indicates that S. typhi organisms are internalized at a limited number (i.e., two to four) of sites on host cells. S. typhi and S. typhimurium likely share INT407 cell entry receptors which do not appear to be members of the beta1 integrin superfamily.

Salmonella typhi uses CFTR to enter intestinal epithelial cells

Homozygous mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) cause cystic fibrosis (CF). In the heterozygous state, increased resistance to infectious diseases may maintain mutant CFTR alleles at high levels in selected populations. Here we investigate whether typhoid fever could be one such disease. The disease is initiated when Salmonella typhi enters gastrointestinal epithelial cells for submucosal translocation. We found that S. typhi, but not the related murine pathogen S. typhimurium, uses CFTR for entry into epithelial cells. Cells expressing wild-type CFTR internalized more S. typhi than isogenic cells expressing the most common CFTR mutation, a phenylalanine deleted at residue 508 (delta508). Monoclonal antibodies and synthetic peptides containing a sequence corresponding to the first predicted extracellular domain of CFTR inhibited uptake of S. typhi. Heterozygous deltaF508 Cftr mice translocated 86% fewer S. typhi into the gastrointestinal submucosa than wild-type Cftr mice; no translocation occurred in deltaF508 Cftr homozygous mice. The Cftr genotype had no effect on the translocation of S. typhimurium. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that more CFTR bound to S. typhi in the submucosa of Cftr wild-type mice than in deltaF508 heterozygous mice. We conclude that diminished levels of CFTR in heterozygotes may decrease susceptibility to typhoid fever.

Purification and characterization of type 1 fimbriae of Salmonella typhi

Type 1 fimbriae have been purified from a Salmonella typhi strain of clinical origin. Purified fimbriae retained their ability to bind to erythrocytes in a mannose-inhibitable fashion and, in doing so, behaved preferentially as a monovalent adhesin. SDS-PAGE analysis of the fimbrial preparation showed the presence of a 20-kDa major polypeptide component (fimbrillin) and of additional larger polypeptides present in smaller amounts. The amino-terminal sequence of fimbrillin was determined and turned out to be very similar but not identical to that of type 1 fimbrillins of other Salmonella serovars. A Western blot analysis of the purified fimbrial preparation using an antiserum raised against native fimbriae suggested that fimbrial proteins did not carry any major sequential epitope and that, in native fimbriae, conformational epitopes, possibly generated between different subunits, might provide for the major immunogenic epitopes. Analysis of different S. typhi clinical isolates using the anti-fimbrial antiserum showed an overall immunological similarity of these structures within this serovar.

Cell wall structures which may be important for successful immunization with Salmonella-Shigella hybrid vaccines

Three separate lots of S. typhi/S. sonnei hybrid (Ty/Shig) live oral vaccine strain 5076-1C were tested for efficacy in human volunteers challenged with virulent S. sonnei. Two lots (2 and 5) protected volunteers, a third lot (8) did not. The three lots were evaluated by immunological tests and electron microscopy. Lots 2 and 5, which protected, contained bacteria that reacted with anti-flagellar serum and had observable attached flagella and pili. Lot 8, which failed to protect, did not react with anti-flagellar serum, and had no observable pili. There was no correlation between vaccine efficacy and the reaction of IgG in patient's sera in western blot analysis. Surface structures on the Ty-Shig hybrid may be important for generating a protective immune response.

Surface co-expression of Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella typhi O-antigens on Ty21a clone EX210

In an attempt to construct a bivalent, live, oral cholera-typhoid vaccine, genes specifying the biosynthesis of Vibrio cholerae O-antigen have been transferred into a modified version of the attenuated, oral typhoid vaccine strain Salmonella typhi Ty21a. The present report investigates the production of V. cholerae and S. typhi O-antigens by one such clone, EX210. When cultured without galactose supplementation EX210 produces surface O-antigen of V. cholerae type, as detected by haemagglutination-inhibition and bactericidal assays, and by immuno-electron microscopy. However, the protective efficacy of Ty21a depends upon growth in the presence of exogenous galactose and under these conditions only S. typhi O-antigen is detectable on the surface of EX210. Subsequent experiments revealed that the proportion of polysaccharide of S. typhi type is dependent upon the level of galactose supplementation, and identified a limiting sugar concentration which results in surface co-expression of both O-antigens. Visualization of the two polysaccharides on silver-stained polyacrylamide gels indicates that S. typhi O-antigen subunits are polymerized into longer sidechains, suggesting that at higher galactose concentrations their predominance results in a masking of the shorter V. cholerae O-antigen.

Cytopathogenic effect of Salmonella typhi GIFU 10007 on M cells of murine ileal Peyer's patches in ligated ileal loops: an ultrastructural study

An electron microscopic study revealed that, within 30 min after inoculation into the ligated ileal loop of anesthetized mice, cells of Salmonella typhi GIFU 10007 adhered to the M cell surface of Peyer's patch lymphoid follicle epithelium, and induced almost complete destruction of M cells. The M cell cytoplasms were pinched off and extruded from the epithelial lining into the luminal space together with the lymphoid cells primarily enfolded into the corresponding M cells. When two or more M cells were destroyed, a large defect in the epithelial lining was apparent, and a number of bacteria appeared near the basal lamina of the epithelial lining. These findings suggest, as far as anesthetized murine ileal loops and strain 10007 are concerned, that ileal M cells are the target cell at an early stage of S. typhi infection and the infection may further progress to deeper tissues and to the general circulation.

[Ultrastructural study of intestinal bacteria grown on Endo- and Levine-type nutrient media based on nonfood raw materials]

The comparative electron-microscopic study of several test strains (Salmonella typhi H-901, Shigella flexneri la 8516, and Escherichia coli 055) grown in experimental Endo and Levine media prepared on the basis of raw materials unsuitable for human consumption and in commonly used similar media prepared on the basis of sprat hydrolysate has shown the test strains grown in media containing aminopeptide and fodder yeast hydrolysate to retain their typical ultrastructure, which confirms the possibility of using these protein bases for the preparation of Endo and Levine media.

[Ultrastructural aspects of the process of Salmonella typhi bacterial interaction with L929-line cells]

The study of the use of scanning electron microscopy and the analysis of the initial stages of interaction between S. typhi and eukaryotic cells by the method of three-dimensional reconstruction has revealed that the infective agent penetrates into the cytoplasm on the principle of internalization. The internalization of S. typhi occurs with the active participation of the eukaryotic cells which, at the beginning, envelopes the bacteria with its processes, and the infective agents firmly adhere to the glycocalyx of the host cell by means of special fimbria-like formations differing from fimbriae by their lesser rigidity and thickness; then the microbes fixed to the membrane penetrate inside the cell without destroying its cytoplasmic membrane. Differences in the processes of the interaction of eukaryotic cells with S. typhi initial strain 238 and its variant free from the plasmid with a molecular weight of 6 Md, characterized by its lower capacity for association with cells of continuous cell culture L929, have been revealed. The factors stimulating the ingestion of S. typhi by eukaryotic cells are under study at present.

[Attempts at demonstrating the Schistosoma-Salmonella relationship. In vivo and in vitro studies]

The optical microscopy (on histological preparations) and scanning observations of Schistosoma mansoni is conducted in the presence of various species of Salmonella. It is well-obtained that the Schistosoma maturity, its metabolic activity and the action of antibodies anti-salmonella have influenced the bacterian fixation on the worm. An hypothesis about the possible mechanism of this attachment is then developed and also an hypothesis about the protection of bacteria against antibiotherapy among patients infected with Schistosoma and carriers of salmonellosis.

Serological characteristics of pili determined by the plasmids R711b and F0lac

The plasmids R711b (at present IncX) and F0lac (IncFV) both determine pili morphologically like those of F (IncFI), and confer sensitivity to the F-specific filamentous bacteriophages, but not to the F-specific isometric RNA phages. Detailed serological studies show that the two pilus types are unrelated, and that neither is related to any of the previously defined F pilus serotypes. Adsorption of the isometric RNA phage MS2 to R711b pili occurs in the presence but not in the absence of formalin, which presumably prevents elution of reversibly adsorbed virions. No adsorption occurs with F0lac pili. MS2 multiplication, as measured by titre increase tests in liquid medium, is found with neither plasmid. The two plasmids are not incompatible. These observations indicate that R744b and F0lac are different both from one another and from the plasmids belonging to the incompatibility groups IncFI--IV.

[Morphologic characteristics of the large bodies in cultures of the L-forms of bacteria according to scanning electron microscope studies]

Large bodies appear at the time of protoplast and spheroplast formation and are revealed at all the L-transformation stages and at the initial stage of reversion. They can be represented both by a single giant cell and by a conglomerate of different cells connected with one another. They are not only spheroid, but can be of the most varied shape, and structurally they are connected with other L-colony elements: filamentous structures, spheroid cells, elementary bodies and the so-called acellular material. At the early L-transformation stage the large bodies probably appear as a result of coalescence of lysed cells and represent polygenome formations. Elementary bodies and spheroid cells form within the large bodies and on their surface at the late stage of L-transformation. In case of reversion bacterial cells form from them.

[Effect of antibiotic action on the submicroscopic structure of Salmonella. The action of monomycin on S. typhi]

The effect of subinhibitory concentrations of monomycin on the submicroscopic structures of 2 strains of S. typhi, 5 and 799 was studied. It was shown that formation of filamentoue forms, separation of the cell wall, thinning out of the cytoplasm granular component, increasing of the size of the matter with low electron optic density of fine granular structure were common in the cell response of both strains. Formation of vacuoli containing the thinned out granular component, filterable elements and complex membrane structures followed by their liberation into the medium and formation of the forms devoid of the cell walls was a characteristic peculiar property of the cell response in strain 799. The cells of strain 5 were characterized by formation of large granular osmiefilic matters and their excretion from the cells.

Characteristics of lipopolysaccharides of Salmonella typhi isolated from carriers and patients suffering from typhoid fever

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Salmonella typhi strains, isolated from carriers and patients suffering from typhoid fever, were characterised according to their biochemical properties, morphological structure and degree of aggregation of complexes. All preparations of LPS, regardless of their origin, were morphologically heterogeneous. Free electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis demonstrated that LPS preparations were composed of components possessing different mobilities in electric fields. LPS of bacterial strains isolated from both carriers and patients, split upon reaction in immunoelectrophoresis with specific antiserum 73, rabbit antiserum to Salmonella typhi Vi Bhatnagar and 0-901 split into anodic and cathodic fractions. The anodic fraction reacted similarly as Vi antigen. LPS from Salmonella typhi Ty-2 yielded only the cathodic fraction, typical for O antigen. LPS from strains which were passaged twice in nutritional medium possessed identical properties as LPS from fresh cultures of Salmonella typhi. Electron microscopy revealed that LPS appears as long bands, rods, ellipsoid forms and amorphous material. Contrary to amorphous material, the bands, rods and ellipsoid forms possessed three-layer structure.

[Study of the process of interaction of the causative agent with the cells of the body and with a macrophage culture in experimental typhoid infection and carrier state]

Experiments were conducted on 117 rabbits and cells of the macrophage cultures in vitro by the methods of clinico-laboratory, quantitative microbiological, immunological, electron microscopic and microcinematographic examination; a study was made of the interaction of the typhoid causative agent with the cells of the organism and the macrophage cultures and also of some aspects of the immune response during acute typhoid infection and carrier state. Infection was modelled by the enteral, subconjunctival and intrabonemarrow infection with 24-hour culture of the typhoid bacillus (strain Ty2 4446). Experiments demonstrated that structural reconstruction of both the causative agent and of the cells of the organism, of the culture macrophages and their organoids occurred in the course of the first hour after the infection. Homogenates of the lymphoid and myeloid tissues and also of the macrophages and polymorphonuclears possessed bactericidal activity against S. typhi. The degree of this activity largely depended on the pH of the medium. It was also shown that under conditions of the macrophage culture sodium aside inhibited the bactericidal activity of macrophages obtained from the intact and immune animals.

[The ultrastructure of L-forms. III. The L-forms of S. typhi and Pr. vulgaris]

A marked polymorphism was revealed in the colonies of 5--7 day L-forms of S. typhi and Pr. vulgaris: among different types of the cells there prevailed spherical or oval forms with a distinct nucleoid. Three-layer cytoplasmic membranes--the site of formazan TNBT deposition in the reaction for succinic dehydrogenase--were detected on the greater part of the cell surface. Sometimes there were revealed on the surface of the membrane residues of the cell wall in the form of structureless material of low electron density or pieces of external membrane. Myelin-like structures, mesosomes of ring or lamellar structure and two-contour vesicles located directly in the cytoplasm were found in the cytoplasm. L-form cells displayed binary fission or reproduced by budding; in the latter case there formed elementary bodies surrounded by a three-layer membrane, not infrequently with a visible nucleoid and structures resembling mesosomes of the lamellar type.