结核分枝杆菌可视化抗体检测蛋白芯片的制备

目的：利用克隆表达的7种结核分枝杆菌优势表位抗原,建立可视化抗体检测蛋白芯片,用于结核病辅助诊断。方法：将7种结核分枝杆菌优势表位抗原,即38kD、ESAT-6、CFP10、MPT64、Mtb8、Mtb8.4和Mtb16.3点于修饰的基片上,制备可检测7种结核抗体的多靶点蛋白微阵列,建立免疫金银染色检测系统;使用该芯片对48例临床结核病患者血液样品进行检测,并与“金标准”痰涂片（48例）和痰培养（其中的29例）检测结果进行比较,分析其敏感性;对30名献血员血液样品进行检测,分析其特异性。结果：可视化抗体检测蛋白芯片的敏感性分别为98.5％和96.6％,而痰涂片和痰培养检测方法的敏感性分别为35.4％和48.3％;可视化抗体检测蛋白芯片的特异性为93.3％。结论：建立的结核分枝杆菌可视化抗体检测蛋白芯片检测敏感性显著高于痰涂片和痰培养方法,可用于结核病的临床辅助诊断,提高痰涂片和痰培养假阴性的检出率。     

结核分枝杆菌Rv3425特异性蛋白片段与CFP10-ESAT6融合蛋白在结核抗体检测中的应用价值

目的:对结核分枝杆菌Rv3425蛋白进行生物信息学分析及抗原表位预测,评价Rv342519-176重组蛋白与CFP10-ESAT6融合蛋白在结核抗体检测中的应用。方法:PCR扩增结核杆菌Rv3425蛋白19～176位的编码基因片段,原核表达并纯化Rv342519-176重组蛋白(rRv342519-176)和CFP10-ESAT6融合蛋白(rCFP10-ESAT6),建立以重组蛋白为抗原的ELISA方法,评价2种蛋白在结核抗体检测中的联合应用价值。结果:具有抗原表位的rRv342519-176与rCFP10-ESAT6在大肠杆菌中高效表达;ELISA结果显示,rRv342519-176的敏感性为39%,特异性为97.5%;rCFP10-ESAT6的敏感性为37%,特异性为95%;2种蛋白联合检测,敏感性提高到57%,特异性为95%。结论:生物信息学预测Rv3425的优势抗原表位,表达并纯化的rRv342519-176和rCFP10-ESAT6在结核抗体检测中具有一定的抗原互补性,在保持特异性的基础上可显著提高检测敏感性。     

结核分枝杆菌抗体双抗原夹心ELISA检测方法的建立及初步应用

目的:建立2种结核分枝杆菌(Mtb)抗体的双抗原夹心ELISA检测方法,并初步评价其在Mtb血清学临床辅助诊断中的应用价值。方法:采用Mtb融合抗原38k D+ESAT6+CFP10作为包被抗原,分别以辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)和生物素(Bio)标记的38k D+ESAT6+CFP10作为标记抗原,建立2种Mtb双抗原夹心ELISA法,即HRP-ELISA法和Bio-ELISA法;采用所建立的2种方法对结核患者和健康对照血清进行检测。结果:经过一系列的反应条件优化,确定HRP-ELISA法和Bio-ELISA法的最佳抗原包被浓度分别为2、0.25μg/m L,最适加样量均为100μL血清原液,最佳标记抗原稀释率分别为1∶500、1∶2000,检测的灵敏度分别为43.66%、52.11%,特异性均为100%。结论:建立了2种Mtb双抗原夹心ELISA法,它们均适用于Mtb血清学的临床辅助诊断。     

结核分枝杆菌4种抗原的基因克隆、表达、纯化和抗原性初步检测

目的:克隆38kD、ESAT-6、CFP10和MPT64等4种结核分枝杆菌抗原基因,利用大肠杆菌表达系统分别表达重组蛋白,纯化并初步评价其抗原性。方法:通过PCR方法从结核分枝杆菌H37Rv株基因组中扩增38kD、ESAT-6、CFP10和MPT64抗原的基因,连接入pBVIL1表达载体,在大肠杆菌HB101株中进行表达,以间接ELISA方法初步评价其抗原性。结果:获得了结核分枝杆菌抗原38kD、ESAT-6、CFP10和MPT64的基因,并在大肠杆菌中进行了高效表达,初步验证所纯化获得的抗原具有良好的抗原性。结论:pBVIL1表达载体可以高效表达多种结核分枝杆菌抗原,38kD、ESAT-6和CFP10抗原均可作为结核病血清学诊断的候选抗原。     

结核分枝杆菌CFP10、ESAT6、Ag85A和Ag85B抗原真核共表达载体的构建与表达

CFP10、ESAT6、Ag85A和Ag85B是结核分枝杆菌的主要免疫优势抗原。为了构建一种可同时表达这4种抗原的真核多基因共表达载体pcDNA-CFP10-ESAT6-Ag85A-Ag85B(pcDNA-CEAB),并利用HEK 293T细胞对其体外表达进行检测。采用酶切、连接的方法,将CFP10和ESAT6编码基因以(Gly4Ser)3蛋白Linker连接,插入至质粒pcDNA3.1(+)多克隆位点CMV启动子与加尾信号BGH pA之间,使两者融合表达,将Ag85A和Ag85B编码基因以内部核糖体进入位点(Internal ribosome entry site,IRES)序列连接,并赋予RSV启动子和加尾信号BGH pA,使两者在RSV启动子作用下独立表达。重组质粒经酶切及测序验证后转染至HEK 293T细胞中进行体外表达实验,48 h后提取总蛋白,利用CFP10、ESAT6、Ag85A和Ag85B特异性抗体进行Western blotting检测。结果显示多基因共表达载体pcDNA-CEAB在真核细胞HEK 293T中得到表达,且CFP10、ESAT6、Ag85A和Ag85B抗原能被相应的特异性抗体所识别,表明质粒pcDNA-CEAB构建正确,这为进一步研究其免疫原性和免疫保护效果奠定了基础。     

结核杆菌可溶性细胞壁抗原与重组38Kd蛋白用于结核病血清学诊断的价值

目的探讨结核杆菌CW抗原和rTPA38蛋白用于结核病血清学诊断的价值。方法以CW和rTPA38蛋白为抗原,LAM为对照,用DICFA检测血清中的抗结核抗体。结果191例肺结核病人血清,用CW、rTPA38和LAM检测的敏感性分别为78．0％、65．5％和72．3％,特异性分别为95．9％、98．4％和95．9％。统计分析显示CW和rTPA38检测肺结核病人血清抗结核抗体的敏感性差异有非常显著性（χ^2=16．230,P〈0．01）。两者检测健康人和非结核组病人血清的特异性差异有显著性（χ^2=3．972,P〈0．05）。检测痰涂片阳性血清86例,发现CW和rTPA38与痰阳的一致率分别为84．9％和69．8％,CW抗原与痰涂片的阳性反应明显高于rTPA38。结论CW抗原有较好的敏感性和特异性,且与痰涂片有较高的符合率,有助于结核病的血清学诊断。     

结核分枝杆菌CFP10和ESAT6对巨噬细胞RAW264.7凋亡及AIM2/ASC/Caspase-8通路的影响

【背景】10 kD培养滤液蛋白(culture filtrate protein 10,CFP10)和6 kD早期分泌性抗原靶蛋白(early secretary antigenic target-6 kD,ESAT6)是结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Mtb)重要的毒力因子,能引起巨噬细胞的凋亡。【目的】探讨CFP10和ESAT6对巨噬细胞RAW264.7凋亡及AIM2/ASC/Caspase-8信号通路的影响。【方法】利用大肠杆菌表达并纯化获得了CFP10和ESAT6蛋白,重组蛋白处理巨噬细胞RAW264.7后,利用CCK8试剂盒检测细胞存活率,确定重组蛋白处理细胞浓度,利用Western blotting技术检测细胞凋亡相关蛋白及AIM2和ASC炎性小体的变化,利用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率。【结果】SDS-PAGE和Western blotting结果表明重组蛋白CFP10和ESAT6表达正确,不同浓度的CFP10和ESAT6处理RAW264.7后,对细胞的增殖能力具有明显的抑制作用,当CFP10和ESAT6单独处理且浓度为5 μg/mL时,细胞存活率较对照组有显著下降(P<0.001),且随着蛋白浓度的增加细胞存活率显著下降(P<0.001)。Western blotting结果表明,CFP10和ESAT6蛋白单独处理巨噬细胞24 h后均能引起巨噬细胞发生凋亡。当终浓度为5 μg/mL的CFP10和ESAT6共处理巨噬细胞时,共处理组凋亡相关蛋白BAD、CHOP、Caspase-8和Caspase-3较ESAT6单独处理组有极显著差异(P<0.001),说明CFP10和ESAT6共处理显著降低了ESAT6单独处理引起的巨噬细胞的凋亡,进一步研究发现ESAT6能激活AIM2、ASC炎性小体。【结论】结核分枝杆菌CFP10和ESAT6处理RAW264.7后均能引起巨噬细胞发生凋亡,当二者共处理时,CFP10会显著降低ESAT6单独处理引起的细胞的凋亡,进一步的研究表明,ESAT6可能通过激活AIM2/ASC/Caspase-8信号通路从而引起巨噬细胞发生凋亡。研究结果为进一步探究Mtb感染过程中CFP10和ESAT6蛋白对巨噬细胞凋亡的调控作用及其分子机制奠定了基础。     

结核分枝杆菌组合DNA疫苗的免疫效果

以编码结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白Ag85B、ESAT 6和MPT6 3的基因为插入片段 ,构建核酸疫苗联合免疫小鼠。以原核表达纯化的抗原为检测物 ,检测了抗原特异性的抗体和γ 干扰素的形成。研究表明 ,组合核酸疫苗第 3次免疫后 2 1天 ,实验小鼠血清中Ag85B抗体滴度达到 10 5以上 ,Ag85B抗原刺激产生的特异性γ 干扰素达到 (17.0± 7.0 )u/ml。组合疫苗虽然没有提高小鼠血清中ESAT 6及MPT6 3蛋白的特异性抗体滴度 ,但仍显著刺激产生了两种特异性的 γ 干扰素。攻毒实验表明 ,经组合疫苗免疫后小鼠肺部结核杆菌数量显著下降。肺部切片显示 ,免疫小鼠病理状况较对照组有明显改善。因此 ,研究提示Ag85B等组合核酸疫苗具有较好的结核病预防效果。     

结核分枝杆菌脂阿拉伯甘露聚糖的提纯及活性初步鉴定

目的:提取纯化结核分枝杆菌(MTB)脂阿拉伯甘露聚糖(LAM)。方法:MTB菌体彻底破碎后,去脂,去蛋白,上清液经苯酚萃取,酒精沉淀,得到LAM;以提取的LAM作为包被抗原检测血清中的LAM抗体。结果和结论:提取到LAM抗原,免疫印迹表明,LAM迁移范围相对分子质量为25×103~40×103,主要集中在35×103处。在64例肺结核患者中,有43例LAM-ELISA检测阳性(敏感性为67.19%);在67例健康志愿者中,有64例LAM-ELISA检测阴性(特异性为95.52%)。     

结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白Ag85B、Hsp16.3和ESAT6在血清学检测中 的初步应用

目的:探讨结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白Hsp16.3、Ag85B以及融合蛋白ESAT6-CFP10、Ag85B-Hsp16.3和Ag85B-ESAT6用于TB病人血清学检测的意义。方法:将已构建的含5种目的基因的表达载体(pProEXHTb-Hsp16.3、pProEXHTa-Ag85B、pProEXHTb-ESAT6-CFP10、pProEXHTa-Ag85B-Hsp16.3、pProEXHTa-Ag85B-ESAT6),分别转入宿主菌E.coli DH5α中,诱导表达后分别获得Hsp16.3、Ag85B、ESAT6-CFP10、Ag85B-Hsp16.3和Ag85B-ESAT6五种蛋白,采用Ni2+亲和层析柱进行纯化,并用透析方法进行目的蛋白的复性。将经过复性的5种蛋白分别作为抗原,采用间接ELISA方法检测待测的血清样本,经OPD显色,测定各孔OD490值并判定结果。结果:五种蛋白被成功纯化并复性,通过ELISA方法共检测了22例TB病人血清、10例非结核病人血清和6例正常对照血清,Hsp16.3、Ag85B、ESAT6-CFP10、Ag85B-Hsp16.3和Ag85B-ESAT6这5种抗原的灵敏度分别为36.4%、90.9%、77.3%、95.5%、100%,特异性分别为100%、75%、100%、93.8%、93.8%。统计分析显示,ESAT6-CFP10和Ag85B、Ag85B-Hsp16.3、Ag85B-ESAT6这三种蛋白ELISA检测的结果无差异,而与Hsp16.3和痰涂片检测结果有显著差异。结论:Ag85B-Hsp16.3和Ag85B-ESAT6可作为结核分枝杆菌ELISA检测的初选抗原。     

Expression and purification of recombinant antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for application in serodiagnosis

Accurate diagnosis is essential for the treatment, prevention, and control of tuberculosis. Poor specificity of the tuberculin skin test in BCG-vaccinated populations and constraints to implementation of PCR and CMI-based diagnostic assays in developing countries warrant development of easy-to perform robust serological tests. Due to great heterogeneity in humoral response in TB patients, it will be necessary to include several antigens in any diagnostic assay to achieve useful levels of sensitivity and specificity. This needs production of recombinants, soluble versions of mycobacterial antigens in high yields. We have cloned, expressed, and purified a number of mycobacterial proteins in Escherichia coli. This paper describes the expression and purification of four promising sero-reactive proteins namely, ESAT6, CFP10, MTC28, and 14-kDa antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The protocol involves regulated and slow expression of proteins by using a T7 promoter-based expression vector for obtaining soluble protein followed by a three-step column chromatography procedure employing media with high binding capacity and flow characteristics. The yields of these proteins obtained were several folds higher than previously reported. The purified proteins were useful in detecting antibodies in sera of TB patients (smear positive, smear negative, and extra-pulmonary categories) and in combination with other immunodominant antigens will be useful in increasing the sensitivity to detect M. tuberculosis specific antibodies.     

结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白Ag85B、Hsp16.3和ESAT6在血清学检测中的初步应用

目的：探讨结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白Hsp16.3、Ag85B以及融合蛋白ESAT6-CFP10、Ag85B-Hsp16.3和Ag85B-ESAT6用于TB病人血清学检测的意义。方法：将已构建的含5种目的基因的表达载体（pProEXHTb-Hsp16.3、pProEXHTa-Ag85B、pProEXHTb-ESAT6-CFP10、pProEXHTa-Ag85B-Hsp16.3、pProEXHTa-Ag85B-ESAT6）,分别转入宿主菌E.coli DH5α中,诱导表达后分别获得Hsp16.3、Ag85B、ESAT6-CFP10、Ag85B-Hsp16.3和Ag85B-ESAT6五种蛋白,采用Ni2＋亲和层析柱进行纯化,并用透析方法进行目的蛋白的复性。将经过复性的5种蛋白分别作为抗原,采用间接ELISA方法检测待测的血清样本,经OPD显色,测定各孔OD490值并判定结果。结果：五种蛋白被成功纯化并复性,通过ELISA方法共检测了22例TB病人血清、10例非结核病人血清和6例正常对照血清,Hsp16.3、Ag85B、ESAT6-CFP10、Ag85B-Hsp16.3和Ag85B-ESAT6这5种抗原的灵敏度分别为36.4%、90.9%、77.3%、95.5%、100%,特异性分别为100%、75%、100%、93.8%、93.8%。统计分析显示,ESAT6-CFP10和Ag85B、Ag85B-Hsp16.3、Ag85B-ESAT6这三种蛋白ELISA检测的结果无差异,而与Hsp16.3和痰涂片检测结果有显著差异。结论：Ag85B-Hsp16.3和Ag85B-ESAT6可作为结核分枝杆菌ELISA检测的初选抗原。     

结核分枝杆菌重要诊断用抗原研究进展

血清学试验是结核诊断的重要依据。随着科学技术的进步,新的结核诊断用抗原不断被发现。我们简要综述了结核菌素蛋白衍生物、抗原85复合体、38kDa磷酸盐转运蛋白、6kDa早期分泌性蛋白、10kDa培养滤液蛋白、免疫性蛋白MPT64、主要分泌性免疫蛋白MPB70、表面脂蛋白MPB83等8种结核分枝杆菌重要抗原作为结核诊断用抗原的研究进展。     

结核分枝杆菌ESAT6-CFP10融合蛋白对小鼠巨噬细胞自噬功能的影响

目的研究结核分枝杆菌（MTB）ESAT6-CFP10融合蛋白对小鼠巨噬细胞自噬功能的影响。方法H37Rv菌株感染小鼠巨噬细胞后加入纯化的重组ESAT6-CFP10融合蛋白,通过透射电镜检测自噬体的形成。提取细胞总RNA和蛋白,以实时定量RT-PCR及Western blot方法检测自噬相关基因（atg）分子水平和蛋白表达水平。结果ESAT6-CFP10融合蛋白可抑制小鼠巨噬细胞自噬体的形成,并导致atg分子表达水平下降,其中atg8表达量下降最为明显。结论MTB ESAT6-CFP10融合蛋白通过调控atg分子表达水平影响小鼠巨噬细胞自噬功能。     

A three-hybrid system to probe in vivo protein-protein interactions: application to the essential proteins of the RD1 complex of M. tuberculosis

Background

Protein-protein interactions play a crucial role in enabling a pathogen to survive within a host. In many cases the interactions involve a complex of proteins rather than just two given proteins. This is especially true for pathogens like M. tuberculosis that are able to successfully survive the inhospitable environment of the macrophage. Studying such interactions in detail may help in developing small molecules that either disrupt or augment the interactions. Here, we describe the development of an E. coli based bacterial three-hybrid system that can be used effectively to study ternary protein complexes.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The protein-protein interactions involved in M. tuberculosis pathogenesis have been used as a model for the validation of the three-hybrid system. Using the M. tuberculosis RD1 encoded proteins CFP10, ESAT6 and Rv3871 for our proof-of-concept studies, we show that the interaction between the proteins CFP10 and Rv3871 is strengthened and stabilized in the presence of ESAT6, the known heterodimeric partner of CFP10. Isolating peptide candidates that can disrupt crucial protein-protein interactions is another application that the system offers. We demonstrate this by using CFP10 protein as a disruptor of a previously established interaction between ESAT6 and a small peptide HCL1; at the same time we also show that CFP10 is not able to disrupt the strong interaction between ESAT6 and another peptide SL3.

Conclusions/Significance

The validation of the three-hybrid system paves the way for finding new peptides that are stronger binders of ESAT6 compared even to its natural partner CFP10. Additionally, we believe that the system offers an opportunity to study tri-protein complexes and also perform a screening of protein/peptide binders to known interacting proteins so as to elucidate novel tri-protein complexes.     

Validation of the ALS assay in adult patients with culture confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis

Background

We have earlier shown that Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine-specific IgG Antibodies in Lymphocyte Supernatant (ALS) can be used for diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB) in adults and children.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The ALS method was validated in a larger cohort (n = 212) of patients with suspicion of pulmonary TB using multiple antigens (BCG, LAM, TB15.3, TB51A, CFP10-ESAT6-A, CFP, CW) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The sensitivity and specificity of the ALS assay was calculated using non-TB patients as controls. The sensitivity and the specificity were highest with BCG vaccine (90% and 88% respectively) followed by LAM (89% and 87% respectively). Simultaneous assessment of multiple antigen-specific antibodies increased sensitivity (91%) and specificity (88%). Using higher lymphocyte count in smaller volume of culture media increased detection and reduced the assay duration to ∼30 hrs. Twenty one patients with clinical findings strongly suggestive of TB finally diagnosed as non-TB patients were positive by the ALS assay, of which 9 (43%) were positive for 7 antigens and 19 (90%) for at least 3 antigens.

Conclusions/Significance

Our findings show that simultaneous detection of antigens improves the diagnostic potential of the ALS assay; the modified method increases sensitivity and can provide results in <48 hours, and enable detection of some cases of pulmonary TB that are not detectable by standard methods.