scholarly journals Development of DNA Vaccines against Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome in a Murine Model

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 3971-3978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra V. E. Capozzo ◽  
Virginia Pistone Creydt ◽  
Graciela Dran ◽  
Gabriela Fernández ◽  
Sonia Gómez ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2) produced by Escherichia coli O:157H7 can cause hemolytic-uremic syndrome in children, a disease for which there is neither a vaccine nor an effective treatment. This toxin consists of an enzymatically active A subunit and a pentameric B subunit responsible for the toxin binding to host cells, and also found to be immunogenic in rabbits. In this study we developed eukaryotic plasmids expressing the B subunit gene of Stx2 (pStx2B) and the B subunit plus the gene coding for the A subunit with an active-site deletion (pStx2ΔA). Transfection of eukaryotic cells with these plasmids produced proteins of the expected molecular weight which reacted with specific monoclonal antibodies. Newborn and adult BALB/c mice immunized with two intramuscular injections of each plasmid, either alone or together with the same vector expressing the granulocyte and monocyte colony-stimulating factor (pGM-CSF), elicited a specific Th1-biased humoral response. The effect of pGM-CSF as an adjuvant plasmid was particularly notable in newborn mice and in pStx2B-vaccinated adult mice. Stx2-neutralizing activity, evaluated in vitro on VERO cell monolayers, correlated with in vivo protection. This is the first report using plasmids to induce a neutralizing humoral immune response against the Stx2.

Blood ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 978-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
PM Mannucci ◽  
R Lombardi ◽  
A Lattuada ◽  
P Ruggenenti ◽  
GL Vigano ◽  
...  

To examine whether enhanced in vivo proteolysis of von Willebrand factor (vWF) would account for the reported loss of larger multimers in acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS), we studied eight patients with acute TTP/HUS whose blood samples were collected into an anticoagulant containing a cocktail of protease inhibitors to impede in vitro proteolysis. In all, enhanced proteolytic degradation of vWF was expressed as a relative decrease in the intact 225-Kd subunit of vWF and a relative increase in the 176-Kd fragment. However, instead of the loss of larger forms of normal multimers reported by other investigators, the plasma of all but one of our patients (whether they had TTP or HUS) contained a set of larger than normal (supranormal) multimers. Hence, although proteolytic fragmentation of vWF was enhanced during acute TTP/HUS, this phenomenon was not associated with the loss of larger multimers. In the five patients who survived the acute disease and underwent plasma exchange (three with HUS and two with chronic relapsing TTP), subunits and fragments returned to normal values, and supranormal multimers were no longer detected in plasma. In conclusion, even though vWF proteolysis is enhanced in acute TTP/HUS, it does not lead to loss of larger multimers.


2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 712-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia V. Bentancor ◽  
Marcos Bilen ◽  
Romina J. Fernández Brando ◽  
María Victoria Ramos ◽  
Luis C. S. Ferreira ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Production of verocytotoxin or Shiga-like toxin (Stx), particularly Stx2, is the basis of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a frequently lethal outcome for subjects infected with Stx2-producing enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains. The toxin is formed by a single A subunit, which promotes protein synthesis inhibition in eukaryotic cells, and five B subunits, which bind to globotriaosylceramide at the surface of host cells. Host enzymes cleave the A subunit into the A1 peptide, endowed with N-glycosidase activity to the 28S rRNA, and the A2 peptide, which confers stability to the B pentamer. We report the construction of a DNA vaccine (pStx2ΔAB) that expresses a nontoxic Stx2 mutated form consisting of the last 32 amino acids of the A2 sequence and the complete B subunit as two nonfused polypeptides. Immunization trials carried out with the DNA vaccine in BALB/c mice, alone or in combination with another DNA vaccine encoding granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, resulted in systemic Stx-specific antibody responses targeting both A and B subunits of the native Stx2. Moreover, anti-Stx2 antibodies raised in mice immunized with pStx2ΔAB showed toxin neutralization activity in vitro and, more importantly, conferred partial protection to Stx2 challenge in vivo. The present vector represents the second DNA vaccine so far reported to induce protective immunity to Stx2 and may contribute, either alone or in combination with other procedures, to the development of prophylactic or therapeutic interventions aiming to ameliorate EHEC infection-associated sequelae.


2002 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 5896-5899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Mukherjee ◽  
Kerry Chios ◽  
Dianne Fishwild ◽  
Deborah Hudson ◽  
Susan O'Donnell ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a serious complication which is predominantly associated in children with infection by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). By using HuMAb-Mouse (Medarex) animals, human monoclonal antibodies (Hu-MAbs) were developed against Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) for passive immunotherapy of HUS. Ten stable hybridomas comprised of fully human heavy- and light-chain immunoglobulin elements and secreting Stx1-specific Hu-MAbs (seven immunoglobulin M(κ) [IgM(κ)] elements [one specific for the A subunit and six specific for the B subunit] and three IgG1(κ) elements specific for subunit B) were isolated. Two IgM(κ) Hu-MAbs (2D9 and 15G9) and three IgG1(κ) Hu-MAbs (5A4, 10F4, and 15G2), all specific for subunit B, demonstrated marked neutralization of Stx1 in vitro and significant prolongation of survival in a murine model of Stx1 toxicosis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (11) ◽  
pp. 1621-1630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine A. Pellino ◽  
Sayali S. Karve ◽  
Suman Pradhan ◽  
Alison A. Weiss

ABSTRACTShiga toxin (Stx)-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) is a major cause of foodborne illness, including the life-threatening complication hemolytic-uremic syndrome. The German outbreak in 2011 resulted in nearly 4,000 cases of infection, with 54 deaths. Two forms of Stx, Stx1 and Stx2, differ in potency, and subtype Stx2a is most commonly associated with fatal human disease. Stx is considered to be an AB5toxin. The single A (enzymatically active) subunit inhibits protein synthesis by cleaving a catalytic adenine from the eukaryotic rRNA. The B (binding) subunit forms a homopentamer and mediates cellular association and toxin internalization by binding to the glycolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). Both subunits are essential for toxicity. Here we report that unlike other AB5toxin family members, Stx is produced by STEC as unassembled A and B subunits. A preformed AB5complex is not required for cellular toxicity orin vivotoxicity to mice, and toxin assembly likely occurs at the cell membrane. We demonstrate that disruption of A- and B-subunit association by use of A-subunit peptides that lack enzymatic activity can protect mice from lethal doses of toxin. Currently, no treatments have been proven to be effective for hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Our studies demonstrate that agents that interfere with A- and B-subunit assembly may have therapeutic potential. Shiga toxin (Stx) produced by pathogenicEscherichia coliis considered to be an AB5heterohexamer; however, no known mechanisms ensure AB5assembly. Stx released byE. coliis not in the AB5conformation and assembles at the receptor interface. Thus, unassembled Stx can impart toxicity. This finding shows that preventing AB5assembly is a potential treatment for Stx-associated illnesses.IMPORTANCEComplications due to Shiga toxin are frequently fatal, and at present, supportive care is the only treatment option. Furthermore, antibiotic treatment is contraindicated due to the ability of antibiotics to amplify bacterial expression of Shiga toxin. We report, contrary to prevailing assumptions, that Shiga toxin produced by STEC circulates as unassembled A and B subunits at concentrations that are lethal to mice. Similar to the case for anthrax toxin, assembly occurs on receptors expressed on the surfaces of mammalian target cells. Disruption of Shiga toxin assembly by use of A-subunit peptides that lack enzymatic activity protects mice from lethal challenge with Shiga toxin, suggesting a new approach for development of therapeutics.


1994 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole C A J Van De Kar ◽  
Victor W M Van Hinsbergh ◽  
Emile J P Brommer ◽  
Leo A H Monnens

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Di Wang ◽  
Hui Hong ◽  
Xiao-Xia Li ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Zhi-Qun Zhang

Abstract Background The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease of newborns, has been paradoxically rising despite medical advances. Histone deacetylase 3 (Hdac3) has been reported to be a crucial regulator in alveologenesis. Hence, this study aims to investigate the mechanism of Hdac3 in the abnormal pulmonary angiogenesis and alveolarization of BPD. Methods A hyperoxia-induced BPD model of was developed in newborn mice, and primary lung fibroblasts were isolated from adult mice. Hdac3 was knocked out in vivo and knocked down in vitro, while microRNA (miR)-17 was downregulated in vivo and in vitro to clarify their roles in abnormal pulmonary angiogenesis and alveolarization. Mechanistic investigations were performed on the interplay of Hdac3, miR-17-92 cluster, enhancer of zeste homolog 1 (EZH1), p65 and placental growth factor (Pgf). Results Hdac3 was involved in abnormal alveolarization and angiogenesis in BPD mice. Further, the expression of the miR-17-92 cluster in BPD mice was downregulated by Hdac3. miR-17 was found to target EZH1, and Hdac3 rescued the inhibited EZH1 expression by miR-17 in lung fibroblasts. Additionally, EZH1 augmented Pgf expression by recruiting p65 thus enhancing the progression of BPD. Hdac3 augmented the recruitment of p65 in the Pgf promoter region through the miR-17/EZH1 axis, thus enhancing the transcription and expression of Pgf, which elicited abnormal angiogenesis and alveolarization of BPD mice. Conclusions Altogether, the present study revealed that Hdac3 activated the EZH1-p65-Pgf axis through inhibiting miR-17 in the miR-17-92 cluster, leading to accelerated abnormal pulmonary angiogenesis and alveolarization of BPD mice.


1982 ◽  
Vol 156 (2) ◽  
pp. 522-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Okada ◽  
S Strober

We added spleen cells from adult BALB/c mice treated with total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) to the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) using a variety of responder and stimulator cells. The spleen cells nonspecifically suppressed the uptake of [3H]-thymidine and the generation of cytolytic cells regardless of the responder-stimulator combination used. We also examined the effect of the spleen cells on the generation of antigen-nonspecific and antigen-specific suppressor cells in the MLR. The experimental results suggest that the spleen cells from TLI-treated mice inhibit the generation of nonspecific suppressor cells, but do not inhibit the generation of antigen-specific suppressor cells. Thus, alloantigenic stimulation of normal responder cells in vitro in the presence of spleen cells from TLI-treated mice generates large numbers of antigen-specific suppressor cells, but few cytolytic cells or nonspecific suppressor cells. Similar nonspecific inhibition of the MLR was observed with neonatal spleen cells. This in vitro system provides a regulatory model for the induction and maintenance of tolerance in vivo, in which adult mice given TLI or neonatal mice accept allogeneic bone marrow transplants without graft-vs.-host disease.


2006 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 488-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Morinaga ◽  
Kinnosuke Yahiro ◽  
Gen Matsuura ◽  
Masaharu Watanabe ◽  
Fumio Nomura ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Subtilase cytotoxin (SubAB) is a recently identified AB5 subunit toxin produced by Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli. The A subunit is thought to be a subtilase-like, serine protease, whereas the B subunit binds to the toxin receptor on the cell surface. We cloned the genes from a clinical isolate; the toxin was produced as His-tagged proteins. SubAB induced vacuolation at concentrations greater than 1 μg/ml after 8 h, in addition to the reported cytotoxicity induced at a ng/ml level after 48 h. Vacuolation was induced with the B, but not the A, subunit and was dependent on V-type ATPase. The cytotoxicity of SubAB at low concentrations was associated with the inhibition of protein synthesis; the 50% inhibitory dose was ∼1 ng/ml. The A subunit, containing serine 272, which is thought to be a part of the catalytic triad of a subtilase-like serine protease, plus the B subunit was necessary for this activity, both in vivo and in vitro. SubAB did not cleave azocasein, bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin, or synthetic peptides. These data suggest that SubAB is a unique AB toxin: first, the B subunit alone can induce vacuolation; second, the A subunit containing serine 272 plus the B subunit inhibited protein synthesis, both in vivo and in vitro; and third, the A subunit proteolytic activity may have a strict range of substrate specificity.


1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 636-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Karpman ◽  
Anders Håkansson ◽  
Maria-Thereza R. Perez ◽  
Christina Isaksson ◽  
Eric Carlemalm ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT This study examined apoptotic cell death associated with Shiga-like toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli. Renal cortices from three children with postenteropathic hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) and from mice infected with E. coli O157:H7 and pediatric renal tubular epithelial cells stimulated with Stx and E. coli O157:H7 extracts were examined for apoptotic changes. Apoptotic cells were detected by terminal dUTP nick end labeling of tubuli and glomeruli from HUS patients and from mice inoculated with Stx-2-positive and Stx-negative strains. Apoptosis was more extensive and severe ultramorphological nuclear and cytoplasmic changes were seen in the Stx-2-positive group. Stx caused DNA fragmentation and ultramorphological changes indicating apoptosis in cultured pediatric tubular cells. DNA fragmentation increased when cells were prestimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha. Polymyxin extracts from Stx-2-positive and Stx-negative strains induced DNA fragmentation, but only extracts from Stx-2-positive strains caused ultramorphological changes and extensive DNA fragmentation. The results indicate that HUS is accompanied by increased apoptosis of kidney cells and that bacterial factors, possibly together with host cytokines in vivo, may activate apoptotic tissue injury.


Blood ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 978-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
PM Mannucci ◽  
R Lombardi ◽  
A Lattuada ◽  
P Ruggenenti ◽  
GL Vigano ◽  
...  

Abstract To examine whether enhanced in vivo proteolysis of von Willebrand factor (vWF) would account for the reported loss of larger multimers in acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS), we studied eight patients with acute TTP/HUS whose blood samples were collected into an anticoagulant containing a cocktail of protease inhibitors to impede in vitro proteolysis. In all, enhanced proteolytic degradation of vWF was expressed as a relative decrease in the intact 225-Kd subunit of vWF and a relative increase in the 176-Kd fragment. However, instead of the loss of larger forms of normal multimers reported by other investigators, the plasma of all but one of our patients (whether they had TTP or HUS) contained a set of larger than normal (supranormal) multimers. Hence, although proteolytic fragmentation of vWF was enhanced during acute TTP/HUS, this phenomenon was not associated with the loss of larger multimers. In the five patients who survived the acute disease and underwent plasma exchange (three with HUS and two with chronic relapsing TTP), subunits and fragments returned to normal values, and supranormal multimers were no longer detected in plasma. In conclusion, even though vWF proteolysis is enhanced in acute TTP/HUS, it does not lead to loss of larger multimers.


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