scholarly journals The Structure of Neisseria meningitidis Lipid A Determines Outcome in Experimental Meningococcal Disease

2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 3177-3186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Floris Fransen ◽  
Hendrik Jan Hamstra ◽  
Claire J. Boog ◽  
Jos P. van Putten ◽  
Germie P. J. M. van den Dobbelsteen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Acyl Chain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Toll Like Receptor 4 ◽  
Lipid A Structure

ABSTRACTLipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of the meningococcal outer membrane, is sensed by the host through activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Recently, we demonstrated that a surprisingly large fraction ofNeisseria meningitidisdisease isolates are lipid A mutants, due to inactivating mutations in thelpxL1gene. ThelpxL1mutants activate human TLR4 much less efficiently than wild-type bacteria, which may be advantageous by allowing them to escape from the innate immune system. Here we investigated the influence of lipid A structure on virulence in a mouse model of meningococcal sepsis. One limitation, however, is that murine TLR4 recognizeslpxL1mutant bacteria much better than human TLR4. We show that anlpxL2mutant, another lipid A mutant lacking an acyl chain at a different position, activates murine TLR4 less efficiently than thelpxL1mutant. Therefore, thelpxL2mutant in mice might be a better model for infections withlpxL1mutants in humans. Interestingly, we found that thelpxL2mutant is more virulent in mice than the wild-type strain, whereas thelpxL1mutant is actually much less virulent than the wild-type strain. These results demonstrate the crucial role ofN. meningitidislipid A structure in virulence.

scholarly journals Lipooligosaccharide Structure Contributes to Multiple Steps in the Virulence of Neisseria meningitidis

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 1360-1367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Plant ◽  
Johanna Sundqvist ◽  
Susu Zughaier ◽  
Lena Lövkvist ◽  
David S. Stephens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Inner Core ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Proinflammatory Response

ABSTRACT Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of Neisseria meningitidis has been implicated in meningococcal interaction with host epithelial cells and is a major factor contributing to the human proinflammatory response to meningococci. LOS mutants of the encapsulated N. meningitidis serogroup B strain NMB were used to further determine the importance of the LOS structure in in vitro adherence and invasion of human pharyngeal epithelial cells by meningococci and to study pathogenicity in a mouse (CD46 transgenic) model of meningococcal disease. The wild-type strain [NeuNAc-Galβ-GlcNAc-Galβ-Glcβ-Hep2 (GlcNAc, Glcα) 3-deoxy-d-manno-2-octulosonic acid (KDO2)-lipid A; 1,4′ bisphosphorylated], although poorly adherent, rapidly invaded an epithelial cell layer in vitro, survived and multiplied early in blood, reached the cerebrospinal fluid, and caused lethal disease in the mouse model. In contrast, the Hep2 (GlcNAc) KDO2-lipid A (pgm) mutant, which was highly adherent to cultured epithelial cells, caused significantly less bacteremia and mortality in the mouse model. The Hep2-KDO2-lipid A (rfaK) mutant was shown to be moderately adherent and to cause levels of bacteremia and mortality similar to those caused by the wild-type strain in the mouse model. The KDO2-lipid A (gmhB) mutant, which lacks the heptose disaccharide in the inner core of LOS, avidly attached to epithelial cells but was otherwise avirulent. Disease development correlated with expression of specific LOS structures and was associated with lower adherence but rapid meningococcal passage to and survival in the bloodstream, induction of proinflammatory cytokines, and the crossing of the blood-brain barrier. Taken together, the results of this study further define the importance of the LOS structure as a virulence component involved in multiple steps in the pathogenesis of N. meningitidis.

scholarly journals The (α2→8)-Linked Polysialic Acid Capsule and Lipooligosaccharide Structure Both Contribute to the Ability of Serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis To Resist the Bactericidal Activity of Normal Human Serum

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 5939-5947 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Kahler ◽  
L. E. Martin ◽  
G. C. Shih ◽  
M. M. Rahman ◽  
R. W. Carlson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Bactericidal Activity ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Polysialic Acid ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Classical Complement Pathway ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Α Chain

ABSTRACT The molecular basis for the resistance of serogroup BNeisseria meningitidis to the bactericidal activity of normal human sera (NHS) was examined with a NHS-resistant, invasive serogroup B meningococcal isolate and genetically and structurally defined capsule-, lipooligosaccharide (LOS)-, and sialylation-altered mutants of the wild-type strain. Expression of the (α2→8)-linked polysialic acid serogroup B capsule was essential for meningococcal resistance to NHS. The very NHS-sensitive phenotype of acapsular mutants (99.9 to 100% killed in 10, 25, and 50% NHS) was not rescued by complete LOS sialylation or changes in LOS structure. However, expression of the capsule was necessary but not sufficient for a fully NHS-resistant phenotype. In an encapsulated background, loss of LOS sialylation by interrupting the α2,3 sialyltransferase gene,lst, increased sensitivity to 50% NHS. In contrast, replacement of the lacto-N-neotetraose α-chain (Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc) with glucose extensions (GlcN) in a galE mutant resulted in a strain resistant to killing by 50% NHS at all time points. Encapsulated meningococci expressing a Hep2(GlcNAc)→KDO2→lipid A LOS without an α-chain demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to 50% NHS (98% killed at 30 min) mediated through the antibody-dependent classical complement pathway. Encapsulated LOS mutants expressing truncated Hep2→KDO2→lipid A and KDO2→lipid A structures were also sensitive to 50% NHS (98 to 100% killed at 30 min) but, unlike the wild-type strain and mutants with larger oligosaccharide structures, they were killed by hypogammaglobulinemic sera. These data indicate that encapsulation is essential but that the LOS structure contributes to the ability of serogroup B N. meningitidis to resist the bactericidal activity of NHS.

scholarly journals Role Of Selected Fimbrial Adheins In Pathogenesis Of Acid-Induced Eneterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli 0157:H7

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahnaz Haque
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acid ◽  
Acid Stress ◽  
Chain Fatty Acid ◽  
Short Chain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Food Borne

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) 0157:H7 is a food-borne pathogen that causes hemolytic uremic syndrome and hemorrhagic colitis. The mechanisms underlying the adhesion of EHEC 0157:H7 to intestinal epithelial cells are not well understood. Like other food-borne pathogens, ECEC 0157:H7 must survive the acid stress of the gastric juice in the stomach and short chain fatty acid in the intestine in order to colonize the large intestine. We have found that acid stress and short chain fatty acid stress significantly enhance host-adhesion of EHEC 0157:H7 and also upregulates expression of EHEC fimbrial genes, lpfA1, lpfA2 and yagZ, as demonstrated by our DNA microarray. We now report that disruption of the yagZ (also known as the E. coli common pilus A) gene results in loss of the acid-induced and short chain fatty acid-induced adhesion increase seen for the wild type strain. When the yagZ mutant is complemented with yagZ, the sress-induced and short chain fatty acid-induced adhesion increase seen for the wild type strain. When the yagZ mutant is complemented with yagZ, the stress-induced adhesion pehnotype is restored, confirming the role of yagZ in the acid as well as short chain fatty acid induced adhesion to HEp-2 cells. On the other hand, neither disruption in the long polar fimbria genes lpfA1 or lpfA2 in the wild type showed any effect in adherence to HEp-2 cells; rather displaying a hyperadherant phenotype to HEp-2 cells after acid-induced or short chain fatty acid-induced stress. The results also indicate that acid or short chain fatty acid stress, which is a part of the host's natural defense mechanism against pathogens, may regulate virulence factors resulting in enhanced bacteria-host attachment during colonization in the human or bovine host.

scholarly journals Role of CpALS4790 and CpALS0660 in Candida parapsilosis Virulence: Evidence from a Murine Model of Vaginal Candidiasis

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Marina Zoppo ◽  
Fabrizio Fiorentini ◽  
Cosmeri Rizzato ◽  
Mariagrazia Di Luca ◽  
Antonella Lupetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Murine Model ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Candida Parapsilosis ◽  
Vaginal Candidiasis ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mutant Strains

The Candida parapsilosis genome encodes for five agglutinin-like sequence (Als) cell-wall glycoproteins involved in adhesion to biotic and abiotic surfaces. The work presented here is aimed at analyzing the role of the two still uncharacterized ALS genes in C. parapsilosis, CpALS4790 and CpALS0660, by the generation and characterization of CpALS4790 and CpALS066 single mutant strains. Phenotypic characterization showed that both mutant strains behaved as the parental wild type strain regarding growth rate in liquid/solid media supplemented with cell-wall perturbing agents, and in the ability to produce pseudohyphae. Interestingly, the ability of the CpALS0660 null mutant to adhere to human buccal epithelial cells (HBECs) was not altered when compared with the wild-type strain, whereas deletion of CpALS4790 led to a significant loss of the adhesion capability. RT-qPCR analysis performed on the mutant strains in co-incubation with HBECs did not highlight significant changes in the expression levels of others ALS genes. In vivo experiments in a murine model of vaginal candidiasis indicated a significant reduction in CFUs recovered from BALB/C mice infected with each mutant strain in comparison to those infected with the wild type strain, confirming the involvement of CpAls4790 and CpAls5600 proteins in C. parapsilosis vaginal candidiasis in mice.

scholarly journals The RcsCB His-Asp Phosphorelay System Is Essential To Overcome Chlorpromazine-Induced Stress in Escherichia coli

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (10) ◽  
pp. 2850-2853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Conter ◽  
Rachel Sturny ◽  
Claude Gutierrez ◽  
Kaymeuang Cam
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Induced Stress ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Molecular Nature

ABSTRACT The RcsCB His-Asp phosphorelay system regulates the expression of several genes of Escherichia coli, but the molecular nature of the inducing signal is still unknown. We show here that treatment of an exponentially growing culture of E. coli with the cationic amphipathic compound chlorpromazine (CPZ) stimulates expression of a set of genes positively regulated by the RcsCB system. This induction is abolished in rcsB or rcsC mutant strains. In addition, treatment with CPZ inhibits growth. The wild-type strain is able to recover from this inhibition and resume growth after a period of adaptation. In contrast, strains deficient in the RcsCB His-Asp phosphorelay system are hypersensitive to CPZ. These results suggest that cells must express specific RcsCB-regulated genes in order to cope with the CPZ-induced stress. This is the first report of the essential role of the RcsCB system in a stress situation. These results also strengthen the notion that alterations of the cell envelope induce a signal recognized by the RcsC sensor.

scholarly journals Differential Activation of Human and Mouse Toll-Like Receptor 4 by the Adjuvant Candidate LpxL1 of Neisseria meningitidis

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 3801-3807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana Steeghs ◽  
A. Marijke Keestra ◽  
Andries van Mourik ◽  
Heli Uronen-Hansson ◽  
Peter van der Ley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Meningococcal Vaccine ◽  
Toll Like Receptor ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Toll Like Receptor 4 ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Human And Mouse ◽  
Dc Maturation

ABSTRACT Neisseria meningitidis LpxL1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) bearing penta-acylated lipid A is considered a promising adjuvant candidate for inclusion in future N. meningitidis vaccines, as it elicits a markedly reduced endotoxic response in human macrophages relative to that in wild-type (hexa-acylated) LPS, while it is an equally effective adjuvant in mice. As dendritic cells (DC) and Toll-like receptors (TLR) are regarded as central mediators in the initiation of an immune response, here we evaluated the ability of LpxL1 LPS to mature and to activate human DC and examined its TLR4-/MD-2-activating properties. Unexpectedly, purified LpxL1 LPS displayed minimal human DC-stimulating properties compared to wild-type LPS. Although whole bacteria induced DC maturation and activation irrespective of their type of LPS, the LpxL1 mutant failed to activate the human recombinant TLR4/MD-2 complex expressed in HeLa cells. Similarly, purified LpxL1 LPS was unable to activate human TLR4/MD-2 and it even acted as an antagonist of wild-type LPS. Both wild-type and LpxL1 LPSs activated the murine TLR4/MD-2 complex, consistent with their abilities to induce maturation and activation of murine DC. Assays with cells transfected with different combinations of human and murine TLR4 and MD-2 indicated that TLR4 was a more-major determinant of the LPS response than MD-2. The species-specific activation of the TLR4/MD-2 complex by LpxL1 LPS may have an impact on the use of LpxL1 LPS as an adjuvant and the use of murine immunization models in human meningococcal vaccine development.

scholarly journals Role of Calcineurin in Stress Resistance, Morphogenesis, and Virulence of a Candida albicans Wild-Type Strain

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 4366-4369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Bader ◽  
Klaus Schröppel ◽  
Stefan Bentink ◽  
Nina Agabian ◽  
Gerwald Köhler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Pulmonary Infection ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Selection Marker ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Environmental Signals ◽  
Successful Infection ◽  
Strain Sc5314

ABSTRACT By generating a calcineurin mutant of the Candida albicans wild-type strain SC5314 with the help of a new recyclable dominant selection marker, we confirmed that calcineurin mediates tolerance to a variety of stress conditions but is not required for the ability of C. albicans to switch to filamentous growth in response to hypha-inducing environmental signals. While calcineurin was essential for virulence of C. albicans in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis, deletion of CMP1 did not significantly affect virulence during vaginal or pulmonary infection, demonstrating that the requirement for calcineurin for a successful infection depends on the host niche.

scholarly journals Modification of Lipooligosaccharide with Phosphoethanolamine by LptA in Neisseria meningitidis Enhances Meningococcal Adhesion to Human Endothelial and Epithelial Cells

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
pp. 5777-5789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideyuki Takahashi ◽  
Russel W. Carlson ◽  
Artur Muszynski ◽  
Biswa Choudhury ◽  
Kwang Sik Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Inner Core ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Flight Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Epithelial Cell Lines

ABSTRACT The lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of Neisseria meningitidis can be decorated with phosphoethanolamine (PEA) at the 4′ position of lipid A and at the O-3 and O-6 positions of the inner core of the heptose II residue. The biological role of PEA modification in N. meningitidis remains unclear. During the course of our studies to elucidate the pathogenicity of the ST-2032 (invasive) meningococcal clonal group, disruption of lptA, the gene that encodes the PEA transferase for 4′ lipid A, led to a approximately 10-fold decrease in N. meningitidis adhesion to four kinds of human endothelial and epithelial cell lines at an multiplicity of infection of 5,000. Complementation of the lptA gene in a ΔlptA mutant restored wild-type adherence. By matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis, PEA was lost from the lipid A of the ΔlptA mutant compared to that of the wild-type strain. The effect of LptA on meningococcal adhesion was independent of other adhesins such as pili, Opc, Opa, and PilC but was inhibited by the presence of capsule. These results indicate that modification of LOS with PEA by LptA enhances meningococcal adhesion to human endothelial and epithelial cells in unencapsulated N. meningitidis.

scholarly journals Fructose Utilization and Phytopathogenicity of Spiroplasma citri

2000 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1145-1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrice Gaurivaud ◽  
Jean-Luc Danet ◽  
Frédéric Laigret ◽  
Monique Garnier ◽  
Joseph M. Bové
Keyword(s):  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Spiroplasma Citri ◽  
Companion Cells ◽  
Transmission Period ◽  
Sieve Tubes ◽  
Sucrose Loading

Spiroplasma citri is a plant-pathogenic mollicute. Recently, the so-called nonphytopathogenic S. citri mutant GMT 553 was obtained by insertion of transposon Tn4001 into the first gene of the fructose operon. Additional fructose operon mutants were produced either by gene disruption or selection of spontaneous xylitol-resistant strains. The behavior of these spiroplasma mutants in the periwinkle plants has been studied. Plants infected via leafhoppers with the wild-type strain GII-3 began to show symptoms during the first week following the insect-transmission period, and the symptoms rapidly became severe. With the fructose operon mutants, symptoms appeared only during the fourth week and remained mild, except when reversion to a fructose+ phenotype occurred. In this case, the fructose+ revertants quickly overtook the fructose¯ mutants and the symptoms soon became severe. When mutant GMT 553 was complemented with the fructose operon genes that restore fructose utilization, severe pathogenicity, similar to that of the wild-type strain, was also restored. Finally, plants infected with the wild-type strain and grown at 23°C instead of 30°C showed late symptoms, but these rapidly became severe. These results are discussed in light of the role of fructose in plants. Fructose utilization by the spiroplasmas could impair sucrose loading into the sieve tubes by the companion cells and result in accumulation of carbohydrates in source leaves and depletion of carbon sources in sink tissues.

scholarly journals Evidence for Contribution of Neutral Trehalase in Barotolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2000 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 5182-5185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Iwahashi ◽  
Solomon Nwaka ◽  
Kaoru Obuchi
Keyword(s):  
Hydrostatic Pressure ◽  
Stationary Phase ◽  
Type Strain ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Glucose Repression ◽  
Logarithmic Phase ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Neutral Trehalase ◽  
I Gene

ABSTRACT In yeast, trehalose accumulation and its hydrolysis, which is catalyzed by neutral trehalase, are believed to be important for thermotolerance. We have shown that trehalose is one of the important factors for barotolerance (resistance to hydrostatic pressure); however, nothing is known about the role of neutral trehalase in barotolerance. To estimate the contribution of neutral trehalase in resisting high hydrostatic pressure, we measured the barotolerance of neutral trehalase I and/or neutral trehalase II deletion strains. Under 180 MPa of pressure for 2 h, the neutral trehalase I deletion strain showed higher barotolerance in logarithmic-phase cells and lower barotolerance in stationary-phase cells than the wild-type strain. Introduction of the neutral trehalase I gene (NTH1) into the deletion mutant restored barotolerance defects in stationary-phase cells. Furthermore, we assessed the contribution of neutral trehalase during pressure and recovery conditions by varying the expression ofNTH1 or neutral trehalase activity with a galactose-inducible GAL1 promoter with either glucose or galactose. The low barotolerance observed with glucose repression of neutral trehalase from the GAL1 promoter was restored during recovery with galactose induction. Our results suggest that neutral trehalase contributes to barotolerance, especially during recovery.

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