BCG vaccination of guinea pigs modulates Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced CCL5 (RANTES) production in vitro and in vivo

Abstract Background A hallmark symptom of active pulmonary tuberculosis vital for disease transmission is cough. The current paradigm for tuberculosis-related cough is that it results from airway damage or irritation. However, there is limited experimental data to support this theory, and whether Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) induces cough to facilitate its own transmission has not been explored. The cough reflex is a complex and coordinated event involving both the nervous and musculoskeletal systems initiated by particulate or chemical molecules activating nociceptive neurons, which sense pain or irritation. This activation induces a signaling cascade ultimately resulting in a cough. Respiratory nociceptive neurons innervate the airway of humans and most mammals, and thus are poised to respond to noxious molecules to help protect the lung from damage. Because Mtb is a lung pathogen, cough is a primary mechanism of Mtb transmission, and respiratory nociceptive neurons activate cough, we hypothesized that Mtb produces molecules that stimulate cough, thereby facilitating its spread from infected to uninfected individuals. Methods We used an in vitro neuronal activation bioassay to fractionate, identify, and characterize Mtb cough-inducing molecules. We also measured cough in vivo in response to pure Mtb-derived cough molecules and during Mtb infection using a guinea pig model. Results We found that an acellular organic extract of Mtb triggers and activates nociceptive neurons in vitro with a neuronal response that is as robust as the response to capsaicin, an established nociceptive and cough-inducing molecule. Using analytical chemistry and our neuronal bioassay, we then isolated 2 molecules produced by Mtb that activate nociceptive neurons. Both the organic Mtb extract and purified molecules alone were sufficient to induce cough in a conscious guinea pig cough model. Finally guinea pigs infected with wild-type Mtb cough much more frequently than guinea pigs infected with Mtb strains unable to produce nociceptive molecules. Conclusion We conclude that Mtb produces molecules that activate nociceptive neurons and induce cough. These findings have significant implications for our understanding of Mtb transmission. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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Examination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigma factor mutants using low-dose aerosol infection of guinea pigs suggests a role for SigC in pathogenesis

Microbiology ◽

10.1099/mic.0.28591-0 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 152 (6) ◽

pp. 1591-1600 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Russell K. Karls ◽

Jeannette Guarner ◽

David N. McMurray ◽

Kristin A. Birkness ◽

Frederick D. Quinn

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

Sigma Factor ◽

Guinea Pigs ◽

Low Dose ◽

Sigma Factors ◽

Respiratory Pathogen ◽

Growth Deficiency ◽

Aerosol Infection

Secondary sigma factors in bacteria direct transcription of defence regulons in response to specific stresses. To identify which sigma factors in the human respiratory pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis are important for adaptive survival in vivo, defined null mutations were created in individual sigma factor genes. In this study, in vitro growth virulence and guinea pig pathology of M. tuberculosis mutants lacking functional sigma factors (SigC, SigF, or SigM) were compared to the parent strain, H37Rv. None of the mutant strains exhibited a growth deficiency in Middlebrook 7H9 broth, nor were any impaired for intracellular replication in the human monocytic macrophage cell-line THP-1. Following low-dose aerosol infection of guinea pigs, however, differences could be detected. While a SigM mutant resulted in lung and spleen granulomas of comparable composition to those found in H37Rv-infected animals, a SigF mutant was partially attenuated, exhibiting necrotic spleen granulomas and ill-defined lung granulomas. SigC mutants exhibited attenuation in the lung and spleen; notably, necrotic granulomas were absent. These data suggest that while SigF may be important for survival in the lung, SigC is likely a key regulator of pathogenesis and adaptive survival in the lung and spleen. Understanding how SigC mediates survival in the host should prove useful in the development of anti-tuberculosis therapies.

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T-Cell Recognition of the HspX Protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Correlates with Latent M. tuberculosis Infection but Not with M. bovis BCG Vaccination

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.01990-06 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 75 (6) ◽

pp. 2914-2921 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

Annemieke Geluk ◽

May Young Lin ◽

Krista E. van Meijgaarden ◽

Eliane M. S. Leyten ◽

Kees L. M. C. Franken ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

T Cell ◽

T Cell Responses ◽

Cell Recognition ◽

T Cell Epitopes ◽

Bcg Vaccination ◽

T Cell Recognition ◽

Cell Responses

ABSTRACT During stationary growth or in vitro conditions mimicking relevant aspects of latency, the HspX protein (Rv2031c) is specifically upregulated by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In this study we compared T-cell responses against HspX and the secreted M. tuberculosis protein Ag85B (Rv1886c) in tuberculosis (TB) patients, tuberculin skin test-positive individuals, M. bovis BCG-vaccinated individuals, and healthy negative controls. Gamma interferon responses to HspX were significantly higher in M. tuberculosis-exposed individuals than in M. tuberculosis-unexposed BCG vaccinees. In contrast, no such differences were found with respect to T-cell responses against Ag85B. Therefore, BCG-based vaccines containing relevant fragments of HspX may induce improved responses against this TB latency antigen. To identify relevant major histocompatibility complex class I- and class II-restricted HspX-specific T-cell epitopes, we immunized HLA-A2/Kb and HLA-DR3.Ab0 transgenic (tg) mice with HspX. Two new T-cell epitopes were identified, p91-105 and p31-50, restricted via HLA-A*0201 and HLA-DRB1*0301, respectively. These epitopes were recognized by human T cells as well, underlining the relevance of HspX T-cell recognition both in vivo and in vitro. In line with the data in humans, BCG immunization of both tg strains did not lead to T-cell responses against HspX-derived epitopes, whereas nonlatency antigens were efficiently recognized. These data support the notion that BCG vaccination per se does not induce T-cell responses against the latency antigen, HspX. Thus, we suggest that subunit vaccines incorporating HspX and/or other latency antigens, as well as recombinant BCG strains expressing latency antigens need to be considered as new vaccines against TB.

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IN VIVO AND IN VITRO BOOSTING EFFECTS OF TUBERCULIN SKIN TESTS IN GUINEA-PIGS IMMUNIZED WITH LIVING BCG OR WITH KILLED MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS

Acta Pathologica Microbiologica Scandinavica Series C Immunology ◽

10.1111/j.1699-0463.1984.tb00059.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 92C (1-6) ◽

pp. 101-106

Author(s):

KAARE HASLØV ◽

SUSANNE MØLLER ◽

MICHAEL WEIS BENTZON

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

Guinea Pigs ◽

Skin Tests

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Tuberkulose - Screening

Therapeutische Umschau ◽

10.1024/0040-5930/a000181 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 68 (7) ◽

pp. 381-387

Author(s):

Otto Schoch

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

Interferon Gamma ◽

Wird Eine ◽

Interferon Gamma Release Assays

Das primäre Ziel der Aktivitäten zur bevölkerungsbezogenen Tuberkulosekontrolle ist die Identifizierung von Patienten mit sputummikroskopisch positiver Lungentuberkulose. Wenn diese Patienten umgehend therapiert werden, haben sie nicht nur eine optimale Heilungschance, sondern übertragen auch den Krankheitserreger nicht weiter auf andere Personen. Das Screening, die systematische Suche nach Tuberkulose, erfolgt in der Regel radiologisch bei der Suche nach Erkrankten, während immunologische Teste bei der Suche nach einer Infektion mit Mycobacterium tuberculosis zur Anwendung kommen. Diese Infektion, die ein erhöhtes Risiko für die Entwicklung einer Tuberkulose-Erkrankung mit sich bringt, wird im Rahmen der Umgebungsuntersuchungen oder bei Hochrisikogruppen gesucht. Neben dem traditionellen in vivo Mantoux Hauttest stehen heute die neueren in vitro Blutteste, die sogenannten Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRA) zur Verfügung, die unter anderem den Vorteil einer höheren Spezifität mit sich bringen, weil die verwendeten Antigene der Mykobakterien-Wand beim Impfstamm Bacille Calmitte Guerin (BCG) und bei den meisten atypischen Mykobakterien nicht vorhanden sind. Zudem kann bei Immunsupprimierten dank einer mitgeführten Positivkontrolle eine Aussage über die Wahrscheinlichkeit eines falsch negativen Testresultates gemacht werden. Bei neu diagnostizierter Infektion mit Mycobacterium tuberculosis wird eine präventive Chemotherapie mit Isoniazid während 9 Monaten durchgeführt.

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Inhibition of Human and Animal Platelet Adhesiveness to Glass Bead Columns by Adenosine, Dipyridamole, Chlorpromazine and Acetylsalicylic Acid

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1648055 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 36 (02) ◽

pp. 401-410 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Buichi Fujttani ◽

Toshimichi Tsuboi ◽

Kazuko Takeno ◽

Kouichi Yoshida ◽

Masanao Shimizu

Keyword(s):

Guinea Pig ◽

Acetylsalicylic Acid ◽

Guinea Pigs ◽

Glass Bead ◽

Animal Species ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Rabbit Platelet ◽

Platelet Adhesiveness

SummaryThe differences among human, rabbit and guinea-pig platelet adhesiveness as for inhibitions by adenosine, dipyridamole, chlorpromazine and acetylsalicylic acid are described, and the influence of measurement conditions on platelet adhesiveness is also reported. Platelet adhesiveness of human and animal species decreased with an increase of heparin concentrations and an increase of flow rate of blood passing through a glass bead column. Human and rabbit platelet adhesiveness was inhibited in vitro by adenosine, dipyridamole and chlorpromazine, but not by acetylsalicylic acid. On the other hand, guinea-pig platelet adhesiveness was inhibited by the four drugs including acetylsalicylic acid. In in vivo study, adenosine, dipyridamole and chlorpromazine inhibited platelet adhesiveness in rabbits and guinea-pigs. Acetylsalicylic acid showed the inhibitory effect in guinea-pigs, but not in rabbits.

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Kinase Targets for Mycolic Acid Biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Current Molecular Pharmacology ◽

10.2174/1874467211666181025141114 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 27-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Shahinda S.R. Alsayed ◽

Chau C. Beh ◽

Neil R. Foster ◽

Alan D. Payne ◽

Yu Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

Enzymatic Activity ◽

Bacterial Pathogen ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Mycolic Acid ◽

Adaptive Responses ◽

Mycolic Acids ◽

Hydroxylated Fatty Acids

Background:Mycolic acids (MAs) are the characteristic, integral building blocks for the mycomembrane belonging to the insidious bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). These C60-C90 long α-alkyl-β-hydroxylated fatty acids provide protection to the tubercle bacilli against the outside threats, thus allowing its survival, virulence and resistance to the current antibacterial agents. In the post-genomic era, progress has been made towards understanding the crucial enzymatic machineries involved in the biosynthesis of MAs in M.tb. However, gaps still remain in the exact role of the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of regulatory mechanisms within these systems. To date, a total of 11 serine-threonine protein kinases (STPKs) are found in M.tb. Most enzymes implicated in the MAs synthesis were found to be phosphorylated in vitro and/or in vivo. For instance, phosphorylation of KasA, KasB, mtFabH, InhA, MabA, and FadD32 downregulated their enzymatic activity, while phosphorylation of VirS increased its enzymatic activity. These observations suggest that the kinases and phosphatases system could play a role in M.tb adaptive responses and survival mechanisms in the human host. As the mycobacterial STPKs do not share a high sequence homology to the human’s, there have been some early drug discovery efforts towards developing potent and selective inhibitors.Objective:Recent updates to the kinases and phosphatases involved in the regulation of MAs biosynthesis will be presented in this mini-review, including their known small molecule inhibitors.Conclusion:Mycobacterial kinases and phosphatases involved in the MAs regulation may serve as a useful avenue for antitubercular therapy.

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Intracellular localisation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis affects efficacy of the antibiotic pyrazinamide

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-24127-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pierre Santucci ◽

Daniel J. Greenwood ◽

Antony Fearns ◽

Kai Chen ◽

Haibo Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

Host Cell ◽

Combination Chemotherapy ◽

In Vitro Activity ◽

In Vivo Efficacy ◽

Human Macrophages ◽

Ion Microscopy ◽

Intracellular Localisation

AbstractTo be effective, chemotherapy against tuberculosis (TB) must kill the intracellular population of the pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, how host cell microenvironments affect antibiotic accumulation and efficacy remains unclear. Here, we use correlative light, electron, and ion microscopy to investigate how various microenvironments within human macrophages affect the activity of pyrazinamide (PZA), a key antibiotic against TB. We show that PZA accumulates heterogeneously among individual bacteria in multiple host cell environments. Crucially, PZA accumulation and efficacy is maximal within acidified phagosomes. Bedaquiline, another antibiotic commonly used in combined TB therapy, enhances PZA accumulation via a host cell-mediated mechanism. Thus, intracellular localisation and specific microenvironments affect PZA accumulation and efficacy. Our results may explain the potent in vivo efficacy of PZA, compared to its modest in vitro activity, and its critical contribution to TB combination chemotherapy.

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Biofilm formation in the lung contributes to virulence and drug tolerance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-21748-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Poushali Chakraborty ◽

Sapna Bajeli ◽

Deepak Kaushal ◽

Bishan Dass Radotra ◽

Ashwani Kumar

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

Immune System ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Antimycobacterial Activity ◽

Drug Tolerance ◽

Host Immune System ◽

Tissue Sections ◽

Slow Growing

AbstractTuberculosis is a chronic disease that displays several features commonly associated with biofilm-associated infections: immune system evasion, antibiotic treatment failures, and recurrence of infection. However, although Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) can form cellulose-containing biofilms in vitro, it remains unclear whether biofilms are formed during infection in vivo. Here, we demonstrate the formation of Mtb biofilms in animal models of infection and in patients, and that biofilm formation can contribute to drug tolerance. First, we show that cellulose is also a structural component of the extracellular matrix of in vitro biofilms of fast and slow-growing nontuberculous mycobacteria. Then, we use cellulose as a biomarker to detect Mtb biofilms in the lungs of experimentally infected mice and non-human primates, as well as in lung tissue sections obtained from patients with tuberculosis. Mtb strains defective in biofilm formation are attenuated for survival in mice, suggesting that biofilms protect bacilli from the host immune system. Furthermore, the administration of nebulized cellulase enhances the antimycobacterial activity of isoniazid and rifampicin in infected mice, supporting a role for biofilms in phenotypic drug tolerance. Our findings thus indicate that Mtb biofilms are relevant to human tuberculosis.

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Comparative studies on Salmonella typhi grown in vivo and in vitro III. The immunizing potencies of acetone-killed vaccines prepared from in vivo and in vitro grown bacteria and the immunizing potency of substances isolated from infected organs

Journal of Hygiene ◽

10.1017/s0022172400039644 ◽

1963 ◽

Vol 61 (3) ◽

pp. 353-363 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. L. Olitzki ◽

Dina Godinger

Keyword(s):

Comparative Studies ◽

Guinea Pigs ◽

Peritoneal Fluid ◽

Parent Strain ◽

Salmonella Typhi ◽

Challenge Strain

1. Salmonella typhi, strain Ty2, grown in vivo and employed as acetone-dried vaccine possessed a higher immunizing potency than the descendants of the same parent strain grown in vitro and employed as vaccine.2. When 2 × 108in vitro-grown bacteria were employed as challenge, the immunizing effects of both types of vaccine were more marked than after administration of 2 × 108in vivo-grown bacteria as challenge.3. The higher potency of the in vivo-grown vaccine was apparent in all experiments, whether the challenge strain was grown in vivo or in vitro.4. Immunogenic substances were isolated from infected organs of mice and guinea-pigs, and an immunogenic substance from the peritoneal fluid of the infected guinea-pigs was concentrated by precipitation with ethanol.

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