金黄色葡萄球菌isdb基因的克隆表达及其小鼠免疫试验

为了研究金黄色葡萄球菌表面Isdb蛋白的免疫原性,应用PCR方法扩增出金黄色葡萄球菌Wood46株的isdb 基因并进行序列分析,再将isdb 基因插入到pET32-a(+) 载体上,构建了pET32-a(+)-isdb重组质粒,将重组质粒转化到宿主菌大肠埃希菌BL21中并诱导表达和纯化Isdb蛋白。用纯化的Isdb蛋白免疫小鼠,检测小鼠血清中抗体水平;在二次免疫之后的第2周,用金黄色葡萄球菌Wood46、HLJ23-1株对小鼠攻毒,每组8只小鼠。研究结果发现：isdb基因在不同菌株中高度保守;Isdb蛋     

金黄色葡萄球菌重组GapC蛋白的GAPDH活性及免疫原性分析

为研究金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)表面GapC蛋白的GAPDH活性、免疫原性及免疫保护作用, 应用PCR方法扩增出S. aureus的gapC基因, 插入到pQE-30载体相应位点, 构建重组质粒pQE/gapC。将其导入宿主菌E.coli M15(pREP4)后, IPTG诱导表达。重组蛋白纯化后进行GAPDH活性检测, 并与灭活全菌体分别免疫健康家兔。然后, 应用ELISA方法检测血清中IgG抗体水平及IFN-g、IL-4细胞因子浓度, 并用1.0×108CFU/mL S. aureus菌株Wood46对免疫家兔攻毒。SDS-PAGE结果显示, GapC蛋白在E. coli M15(pREP4)中获得表达; 经GAPDH活性检测及Western Blot检测, 重组蛋白具有较高的GAPDH活性和抗原特异性; 经ELISA检测, GapC蛋白及全菌体组兔血清中IgG抗体水平迅速升高, 并在加强免疫后第28天达到最高(1:64 000), 加强免疫后第14 d, 血清中细胞因子IFN-g和IL-4浓度与对照组相比, 显著升高(P<0.05), 而全菌体免疫组升高不明显(P>0.05); 攻毒结果为蛋白免疫组家兔获得一定的免疫保护(4/5)。以上结果表明, 表达的重组GapC蛋白具有GAPDH活性、较好的免疫原性及免疫保护力, 可作为深入研究S. aureus基因工程疫苗的良好靶向。     

金黄色葡萄球菌重组GapC蛋白的GAPDH活性及免疫原性分析

为研究金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)表面GapC蛋白的GAPDH活性、免疫原性及免疫保护作用, 应用PCR方法扩增出S. aureus的gapC基因, 插入到pQE-30载体相应位点, 构建重组质粒pQE/gapC。将其导入宿主菌E.coli M15(pREP4)后, IPTG诱导表达。重组蛋白纯化后进行GAPDH活性检测, 并与灭活全菌体分别免疫健康家兔。然后, 应用ELISA方法检测血清中IgG抗体水平及IFN-g、IL-4细胞因子浓度, 并用1.0×108CFU/mL S. aureus菌株Wood46对免疫家兔攻毒。SDS-PAGE结果显示, GapC蛋白在E. coli M15(pREP4)中获得表达; 经GAPDH活性检测及Western Blot检测, 重组蛋白具有较高的GAPDH活性和抗原特异性; 经ELISA检测, GapC蛋白及全菌体组兔血清中IgG抗体水平迅速升高, 并在加强免疫后第28天达到最高(1:64 000), 加强免疫后第14 d, 血清中细胞因子IFN-g和IL-4浓度与对照组相比, 显著升高(P<0.05), 而全菌体免疫组升高不明显(P>0.05); 攻毒结果为蛋白免疫组家兔获得一定的免疫保护(4/5)。以上结果表明, 表达的重组GapC蛋白具有GAPDH活性、较好的免疫原性及免疫保护力, 可作为深入研究S. aureus基因工程疫苗的良好靶向。     

金黄色葡萄球菌黏附素ClfA，FnBPA-A，FnBPA-BCD联合免疫的免疫生物学特性

摘要:【目的】为比较金黄色葡萄球菌黏附素分子聚集因子(ClfA)与纤连蛋白结合蛋白A(FnBPA)A区(FnBPA-A)及BCD区(FnBPA-BCD)的抗原性、抗体的黏附抑制特性及其免疫保护力。【方法】分别表达了ClfA蛋白、FnBPA-A和FnBPA-BCD蛋白,并将表达纯化后得到ClfA、FnBPA-A和FnBPA-BCD重组蛋白单独或联合免疫小鼠,收集免疫血清对其进行抗原性及免疫保护力的比较分析。【结果】结果显示,重组蛋白FnBPA-BCD对Fn的结合能力高于其对Fg的结合,而重组蛋白ClfA及FnBPA-A对Fg的结合能力高于FnBPA-BCD。血清抗体的检测结果表明,ClfA蛋白及FnBPA-A蛋白免疫组诱导抗体的水平均优于FnBPABCD组。3种蛋白联合免疫组的血清抗体效价及抗体抗黏附能力明显优于单一蛋白免疫组(P＜0.05)。3种蛋白联合免疫组与ClfA蛋白免疫组免疫保护率为100%,FnBPA-A组与FnBPA-BCD组免疫保护率分别为80%与50%。【结论】重组蛋白ClfA及FnBPA-A的免疫原性优于FnBPA-BCD,三者联合免疫较单一蛋白免疫在抗细菌的黏附、抗体诱导和免疫保护方面具有优势,提示这3种蛋白联合免疫有利于达到更好的免疫效果。     

牛源金黄色葡萄球菌粘附因子Efb与ClfA的免疫生物学特性比较

为评价与比较金黄色葡萄球菌的粘附因子Efb(Extracellular fibrinogen-binding protein)和Clf A(Clumping factor A)的抗原性、粘附特性及其抗血清对金黄色葡萄球菌菌体的识别能力、抗粘附能力及免疫保护力等免疫生物学特性,分别构建Efb和Clf A的重组表达载体,并用纯化的重组蛋白免疫实验动物,分别检测家兔抗血清对菌体的识别能力、抗粘附能力以及小鼠抗血清的抗体效价和免疫保护作用。结果显示,Efb和Clf A均有与纤维蛋白原(Fibrinogen,Fg)结合的能力,且Efb蛋白对纤连蛋白(Fibronectin,Fn)的结合能力优于Clf A(P0.01),Clf A免疫组抗血清对全细菌的识别能力优于Efb免疫组(P0.01)。与对照组相比Efb和Clf A免疫组的抗血清均能显著抑制金黄色葡萄球菌对Fg和Fn的粘附(P0.01),Efb免疫组对金黄色葡萄球菌的粘附抑制优于Clf A,两种粘附因子免疫小鼠后产生的血清抗体效价与对照组比较有显著的升高,抗体滴度可达1∶40 500,攻毒结果显示Efb与Clf A免疫组均对小鼠具有良好的保护效果。该研究结果对Efb在金黄色葡萄球菌的亚单位疫苗的应用奠定了基础。     

牛乳源金黄色葡萄球菌EsxA蛋白的表达及免疫原性分析

为分析牛乳源金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)EsxA蛋白的免疫原性,构建EsxA-p ET-28a重组表达质粒,重组质粒经诱导表达后进行SDS-PAGE和Western blotting鉴定。用纯化后重组EsxA蛋白免疫小鼠,用间接ELISA检测免疫小鼠血清中的IgG、IgG1和IgG2a水平;免疫小鼠经S.aureus菌株攻击后,检测小鼠肝、脾、肾组织荷菌数和免疫保护率,观察S.aureus菌株攻击后小鼠肝、脾、肾病理组织学变化。结果表明,成功诱导表达了EsxA重组蛋白,该重组蛋白免疫小鼠后血清抗体效价可达1∶900,与对照相比,重组蛋白免疫后可减少小鼠肝、脾、肾组织的荷菌数,减轻这些脏器的病理损伤,对免疫小鼠保护率达75%。上述结果表明,该重组Esx A蛋白具有良好的免疫原性。     

以结核杆菌hsp70为载体的“通用型”禽流感疫苗构建及免疫效力研究

化学合成H5N1亚型禽流感病毒M2蛋白N端胞外域基因序列3拷贝基因(3M2e),与人结核杆菌hsp70蛋白基因融合,克隆至原核表达载体pET-32a(+),构建表达载体pET-3M2e 与pET-3M2e-hsp70。重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21,经IPTG诱导重组蛋白获得表达,通过镍亲和层析获得纯化的融合蛋白,利用Western blot鉴定重组蛋白免疫原性。将纯化的重组蛋白免疫20日龄的禽流感非免鸡,以人工合成的M2e与KLH偶联后免疫鸡作为阳性对照,以pET-32a(+)载体蛋白注射组作为阴性对照,初免后2周加强免疫。通过抗M2e抗体检测、 细胞病变抑制试验与间接免疫荧光试验评价重组蛋白免疫后产生的体液免疫反应; 利用流式细胞分群及细胞因子产量检测评价重组蛋白免疫后产生的细胞免疫反应。加强免疫后4周用100EID50的H9N2亚型AIV攻毒,通过Real-time PCR检测攻毒后3、5、7天免疫鸡泄殖腔棉拭子中病毒的含量。结果表明,重组蛋白3M2e hsp70免疫组能够刺激免疫鸡产生较高的抗体水平及细胞免疫应答,并且攻毒后泄殖腔棉拭子中病毒含量明显降低。     

金黄色葡萄球菌LDH多克隆抗体制备及其交叉反应性

目的:在原核载体中表达、纯化金黄色葡萄球菌乳酸脱氢酶,免疫小鼠获得多克隆抗体,使用多克隆抗体分析与其它菌种的交叉反应性。方法:复苏p ET28a-ldh/Bl21重组菌,IPTG诱导重组融合蛋白表达、以抗HIS标签的单克隆抗体进行western-blot鉴定重组蛋白。使用纯化的重组蛋白以及相应的佐剂免疫小鼠,利用ELISA测定血清抗体效价,并使用小鼠抗血清进行免疫印迹法鉴定重组蛋白的反应原性及其与金黄色葡萄球菌、表皮葡萄球菌、肺炎链球菌、粪肠球菌、大肠埃希菌的交叉反应性。结果:SDS-PAGE电泳在39 KDa处可见目的条带,免疫印迹法验证了重组LDH的表达,纯化后获得2.8 mg重组蛋白。纯化蛋白免疫小鼠能诱导产生特异性体液免疫应答,ELISA检测特异性Ig G效价为1:50000,western-blot鉴定显示所制备的多克隆抗血清能分别识别金黄色葡萄球菌重组及天然乳酸脱氢酶,但不识别表皮葡萄球菌、肺炎链球菌、粪肠球菌、大肠埃希菌中天然乳酸脱氢酶。结论:纯化的LDH具有良好的免疫活性,免疫小鼠获得高滴度的多克隆抗体。使用多克隆抗体western-blot显示与其它菌种LDH不存在交叉反应性,为后续使用该重组蛋白进行金黄色葡萄球菌感染的诊断研究奠定基础。     

B型肉毒毒素重组Hc亚单位疫苗的免疫原性研究

目的:用大肠杆菌表达重组B型肉毒毒素受体结合区Hc抗原(BHc)作为亚单位疫苗,并研究其免疫原性。方法:构建pTIG-Trx-BHc原核表达载体,用大肠杆菌表达并纯化重组BHc抗原;免疫BALB/c小鼠以研究它的免疫原性。结果:大肠杆菌表达并纯化获得了重组BHc抗原,免疫小鼠后能刺激机体产生高效价的抗BHc抗体和保护性免疫反应。该重组BHc亚单位疫苗1μg剂量2次免疫小鼠即可产生对104LD50剂量B型肉毒毒素攻毒的完全保护,血清中和效价可达1.33 IU/m L。结论:大肠杆菌表达的重组BHc抗原具有良好的免疫原性,能够有效地保护小鼠抵抗B型肉毒毒素的攻击,该BHc抗原能够作为亚单位候选疫苗预防B型肉毒毒素中毒。     

罗非鱼无乳链球菌Sip基因的克隆、表达及免疫原性分析

表面免疫原性蛋白(Surface Immunogenic Protein,Sip)是B群链球菌(Group B Streptococcus,GBS)的一种表面蛋白,在GBS多种血清型的菌株中均有表达。研究从实验室分离到的罗非鱼无乳链球菌广东株的基因组DNA中扩增出Sip基因,构建原核表达载体pColdII-Sip,转化大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)BL21(DE3)菌株。经诱导表达、SDS-PAGE电泳检测显示重组蛋白主要以可溶形式表达。重组蛋白用亲和层析的方法纯化,蛋白纯度达98%。纯化后的重组蛋白免疫罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus,GIFT strain)以分析其免疫原性。受免鱼免疫14d后进行人工攻毒试验,免疫组的相对保护率为70%—87%。酶联免疫吸附试验(Elisa)显示受免鱼对重组蛋白产生了较好的免疫应答,免疫剂量为3μg/g和5μg/g时受免鱼血清抗体滴度可达1:128000。研究结果显示重组蛋白Sip具有较强的免疫原性和保护作用,Sip基因可作为罗非鱼链球菌基因工程亚单位疫苗候选基因。     

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Conjugate Vaccine Composed of Staphylococcus aureus Poly-N-Acetyl-Glucosamine and Clumping Factor A

The increasing frequency, severity and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus infections has made the development of immunotherapies against this pathogen more urgent than ever. Previous immunization attempts using monovalent antigens resulted in at best partial levels of protection against S. aureus infection. We therefore reasoned that synthesizing a bivalent conjugate vaccine composed of two widely expressed antigens of S. aureus would result in additive/synergetic activities by antibodies to each vaccine component and/or in increased strain coverage. For this we used reductive amination, to covalently link the S. aureus antigens clumping factor A (ClfA) and deacetylated poly-N-β-(1-6)-acetyl-glucosamine (dPNAG). Mice immunized with 1, 5 or 10 μg of the dPNAG-ClfA conjugate responded in a dose-dependent manner with IgG to dPNAG and ClfA, whereas mice immunized with a mixture of ClfA and dPNAG developed significantly lower antibody titers to ClfA and no antibodies to PNAG. The dPNAG-ClfA vaccine was also highly immunogenic in rabbits, rhesus monkeys and a goat. Moreover, affinity-purified, antibodies to ClfA from dPNAG-ClfA immune serum blocked the binding of three S. aureus strains to immobilized fibrinogen. In an opsonophagocytic assay (OPKA) goat antibodies to dPNAG-ClfA vaccine, in the presence of complement and polymorphonuclear cells, killed S. aureus Newman and, to a lower extent, S. aureus Newman ΔclfA. A PNAG-negative isogenic mutant was not killed. Moreover, PNAG antigen fully inhibited the killing of S. aureus Newman by antisera to dPNAG-ClfA vaccine. Finally, mice passively vaccinated with goat antisera to dPNAG-ClfA or dPNAG-diphtheria toxoid conjugate had comparable levels of reductions of bacteria in the blood 2 h after infection with three different S. aureus strains as compared to mice given normal goat serum. In conclusion, ClfA is an immunogenic carrier protein that elicited anti-adhesive antibodies that fail to augment the OPK and protective activities of antibodies to the PNAG cell surface polysaccharide.     

Fibrinogen binding sites P336 and Y338 of clumping factor A are crucial for Staphylococcus aureus virulence

We have earlier shown that clumping factor A (ClfA), a fibrinogen binding surface protein of Staphylococcus aureus, is an important virulence factor in septic arthritis. When two amino acids in the ClfA molecule, P(336) and Y(338), were changed to serine and alanine, respectively, the fibrinogen binding property was lost. ClfAP(336)Y(338) mutants have been constructed in two virulent S. aureus strains Newman and LS-1. The aim of this study was to analyze if these two amino acids which are vital for the fibrinogen binding of ClfA are of importance for the ability of S. aureus to generate disease. Septic arthritis or sepsis were induced in mice by intravenous inoculation of bacteria. The clfAP(336)Y(338) mutant induced significantly less arthritis than the wild type strain, both with respect to severity and frequency. The mutant infected mice developed also a much milder systemic inflammation, measured as lower mortality, weight loss, bacterial growth in kidneys and lower IL-6 levels. The data were verified with a second mutant where clfAP(336) and Y(338) were changed to alanine and serine respectively. When sepsis was induced by a larger bacterial inoculum, the clfAP(336)Y(338) mutants induced significantly less septic death. Importantly, immunization with the recombinant A domain of ClfAP(336)SY(338)A mutant but not with recombinant ClfA, protected against septic death. Our data strongly suggest that the fibrinogen binding activity of ClfA is crucial for the ability of S. aureus to provoke disease manifestations, and that the vaccine potential of recombinant ClfA is improved by removing its ability to bind fibrinogen.     

Clumping factor A-mediated virulence during Staphylococcus aureus infection is retained despite fibrinogen depletion

Clumping factor A (ClfA), a fibrinogen-binding protein expressed on the Staphylococcus aureus cell surface, has previously been shown to act as a virulence factor in experimental septic arthritis. Although the interaction between ClfA and fibrinogen is assumed to be of importance for the virulence of S. aureus, this has not been demonstrated in any in vivo model of infection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of this interaction to ClfA-mediated virulence in murine S. aureus-induced arthritis. Ancrod, a serine protease with thrombin-like activity, was used to induce in vivo depletion of fibrinogen in mice. Ancrod treatment significantly aggravated septic arthritis following inoculation with a ClfA-expressing strain (Newman) compared to control treatment. Also, ancrod treatment tended to enhance the arthritis induced by a clfA mutant strain (DU5876), indicating that fibrinogen depletion exacerbates septic arthritis in a ClfA-independent manner. Most importantly, the ClfA-expressing strain was much more arthritogenic than the isogenic clfA mutant, following inoculation of fibrinogen-depleted mice. This finding indicates that the interaction between ClfA and free fibrinogen is not required for ClfA-mediated functions contributing to S. aureus virulence. It is conceivable that ClfA contributes to the virulence of S. aureus through interactions with other host ligands than fibrinogen.     

Identification of the ligand-binding domain of the surface-located fibrinogen receptor (clumping factor) of Staphylococcus aureus

The ability of Staphylococcus aureus to bind to fibrinogen and fibrin is believed to be an important factor in the initiation of foreign-body and wound Infections. Recently, we reported the cloning and sequencing of the gene clfA encoding the fibrinogen receptor (clumping factor, ClfA) of S. aureus strain Newman and showed that the gene product was responsible for the clumping of bacteria in soluble fibrinogen and for the adherence of bacteria to solid-phase fibrinogen. This was confirmed here by showing that antibodies raised against purified Region A inhibited both of these properties. Also, immunofluorescent microscopic analysis of wild-type Newman and a clfA::Tn917 mutant of Newman with anti-ClfA Region A sera confirmed that Region A is exposed on the bacterial cell surface. Furthermore, polystyrene beads coated with the Region A protein formed clumps in soluble fibrinogen showing that the ClfA protein alone is sufficient for the clumping phenotype. Western immunoblotting with anti-ClfA Region A antibodies identified the native ClfA receptor as a 185 kDa protein that was released from the cell wall of S. aureus by lysostaphin treatment. A single extensive ligand-binding site was located within Region A of the ClfA protein. Truncated ClfA proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli. Lysates of E. coli and proteins that had been purified by affinity chromatography were tested for (i) their ability to bind fibrinogen in Western ligand blotting experiments, (ii) for their ability to inhibit clumping of bacteria in fibrinogen solution and adherence of bacteria to solid-phase fibrinogen, and (iii) for their ability to neutralize the blocking activity of anti-ClfA Region A antibody. These tests allowed the ligand-binding domain to be localized to a 218-residue segment (residues 332-550) within Region A.     

Identification of residues in the Staphylococcus aureus fibrinogen-binding MSCRAMM clumping factor A (ClfA) that are important for ligand binding

Clumping factor A (ClfA) is a cell surface-associated protein of Staphylococcus aureus that promotes binding of this pathogen to both soluble and immobilized fibrinogen (Fg). Previous studies have localized the Fg-binding activity of ClfA to residues 221-559 within the A region of this protein. In addition, the C-terminal part of the A region (residues 484-550) has been implicated as being important for Fg binding. In this study, we further investigate the involvement of this part of ClfA in the interaction of this protein with Fg. Polyclonal antibodies generated against a recombinant protein encompassing residues 500-559 of the A region inhibited the interaction of both S. aureus and recombinant ClfA with immobilized Fg in a dose-dependent manner. Using site-directed mutagenesis, two adjacent residues, Glu(526) and Val(527), were identified as being important for the activity of ClfA. S. aureus expressing ClfA containing either the E526A or V527S substitution exhibited a reduced ability to bind to soluble Fg and to adhere to immobilized Fg. Furthermore, bacteria expressing ClfA containing both substitutions were almost completely defective in Fg binding. The E526A and V527S substitutions were also introduced into recombinant ClfA (rClfA-(221-559)) expressed in Escherichia coli. The single mutant rClfA-(221-559) proteins showed a significant reduction in affinity for both immobilized Fg and a synthetic fluorescein-labeled C-terminal gamma-chain peptide compared with the wild-type protein, whereas the double mutant rClfA-(221-559) protein was almost completely defective in binding to either species. Substitution of Glu(526) and/or Val(527) did not appear to alter the secondary structure of rClfA-(221-559) as determined by far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy. These data suggest that the C terminus of the A region may contain at least part of the Fg-binding site of ClfA and that Glu(526) and Val(527) may be involved in ligand recognition.     

Expression of staphylococcal clumping factor A impedes macrophage phagocytosis

Clumping factor A (ClfA), a fibrinogen-binding protein linked to the Staphylococcus aureus cell wall, is an important virulence factor in infection models, e.g., of septic arthritis. However, the mechanism(s) by which ClfA contributes to the virulence of the bacterium is unknown. In the present study, the impact of ClfA expression on the phagocytosis of S. aureus by macrophages was investigated using clfA-positive and clfA-negative isogenic strains. Furthermore, the possible contribution of ClfA to the proinflammatory and immunostimulatory activity of S. aureus was studied. Our results indicate that ClfA expression significantly protects S. aureus against macrophage phagocytosis. This protection does not require the presence of intact fibrinogen, a ligand for ClfA. ClfA expression by S. aureus enhanced the proliferative response of spleen cells. On the other hand, a clfA mutant strain caused more release of proinflammatory mediators by macrophages than its clfA-positive parental strain. Both the protection against phagocytosis and the enhanced immunostimulatory activity provided by ClfA expression are likely to contribute to the in vivo virulence of S. aureus.     

A new feasible method for fibrinogen purification based on the affinity of Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor A to fibrinogen

Plasma fibrinogen participates in several physiological and pathological events thus becoming a useful studying material in biomedical research. Here we report a new convenient method for fibrinogen purification based on the affinity of Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor A to fibrinogen. Clumping factor A (ClfA) is a cell wall-anchored surface protein of S. aureus bacteria that binds with a high affinity to the fibrinogen gamma chain C-terminus via a segment encompassing the residues 221-550. This activity of ClfA (ClfA(221-550)) was produced in fusion to the C-terminus of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) with recombinant technology and used as an affinity ligand to capture plasma fibrinogen. GST-ClfA(221-550) fusion protein was immobilized onto the glutathione-conjugated beads packed in a plastic column by its GST part. Then, this affinity column was loaded with citrated and heparinized human plasma. After washing out unbound proteins, column-captured fibrinogen was specifically eluted down with a citrate buffer solution (50mM, pH 5.6). Purified human fibrinogen exhibited the ability to support platelet adhesion and aggregation and formed fibrin clot by thrombin, indicating that ClfA(221-550)-purified human fibrinogen is a functionally active product. We also found that both the rat and mouse fibrinogens could be purified as well as human fibrinogen with this method. By virtue of its simplicity and feasibility, ClfA(221-550)-based method would be very useful to the investigators who need fibrinogen to perform their studies.     

Clumping factor B (ClfB), a new surface-located fibrinogen-binding adhesin of Staphylococcus aureus

The surface-located fibrinogen-binding protein (clumping factor; ClfA) of Staphylococcus aureus has an unusual dipeptide repeat linking the ligand binding domain to the wall-anchored region. Southern blotting experiments revealed several other loci in the S. aureus Newman genome that hybridized to a probe comprising DNA encoding the dipeptide repeat. One of these loci is analysed here. It also encodes a fibrinogen-binding protein, which we have called ClfB. The overall organization of ClfB is very similar to that of ClfA, and the proteins have considerable sequence identity in the signal sequence and wall attachment domains. However, the A regions are only 26% identical. Recombinant biotinylated ClfB protein bound to fibrinogen in Western ligand blots. ClfB reacted with the α- and β-chains of fibrinogen in the ligand blots in contrast to ClfA, which binds exclusively to the γ-chain. Analysis of proteins released from the cell wall of S. aureus Newman by Western immunoblotting using antibody raised against the recombinant A region of ClfB identified a 124 kDa protein as the clfB gene product. This protein was detectable only on cells that were grown to the early exponential phase. It was absent from cells from late exponential phase or stationary phase cultures. Using a clfB mutant isolated by allelic replacement alone and in combination with a clfA mutation, the ClfB protein was shown to promote (i) clumping of exponential-phase cells in a solution of fibrinogen, (ii) adherence of exponential-phase bacteria to immobilized fibrinogen in vitro, and (iii) bacterial adherence to ex vivo human haemodialysis tubing, suggesting that it could contribute to the pathogenicity of biomaterial-related infections. However, in wild-type exponential-phase S. aureus Newman cultures, ClfB activity was masked by the ClfA protein, and it did not contribute at all to interactions of cells from stationary-phase cultures with fibrinogen. ClfB-dependent bacterial adherence to immobilized fibrinogen was inhibited by millimolar concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺, which indicates that, like ClfA, ligand binding by ClfB is regulated by a low-affinity inhibitory cation binding site.