Immunoproteomic assay of surface proteins of Streptococcus suis serotype 9

Streptococcus suis is an important swine pathogen responsible for a diverse group of diseases. Studies on vaccines have focused on S. suis serotype 2 strains, which are the most invasive isolates worldwide. However, in China S. suis serotype 9 (SS9) is also a prevalent serotype, which is frequently isolated from diseased pigs. Little is known about immunogenic proteins for SS9. Therefore, an immunoproteomic-based approach was developed to identify immunogenic proteins of SS9. Cell wall proteins extracted from SS9 strain GZ0565 isolated from a diseased pig with meningitis were screened by two-dimensional Western blotting using anti-SS9 sera pooled from specific pathogen-free mice. Protein spots were excised from preparative gels and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MS (MALDI-TOF-MS) or MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS, which led to the identification of eight immunogenic proteins (arginine deiminase, extracellular solute-binding protein, translation elongation factor Ts, neprilysin, peptide ATP-binding cassette transporter peptide-binding protein, pyruvate kinase, phosphate acetyltransferase, and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase). These immunogenic proteins, which are encoded by genes that are reasonably conserved among SS9 strains, could be developed as vaccine candidates.     

猪链球菌2型烯醇化酶的分子克隆与免疫学特性

对新近测定的猪链球菌2型(S. suis 2) 05ZYH33全基因序列进行生物信息学分析, 并与相关家族蛋白进行同源性比较, 设计合成引物, PCR法扩增出约1.3 kb的烯醇化酶编码基因 (enolase, eno), 将其克隆入pMD-18T载体中, 进一步亚克隆入表达载体pET32a。将重组表达质粒pET32a::eno转化E. coli BL21 (DE3), 经IPTG诱导表达后, SDS-PAGE初步检测到分子量约为75kD的蛋白带。通过His-Tag亲和层析纯化, 获得融合蛋白His-ENO。Western-blot表明该表达产物具有免疫原性。基于ELISA进行的细胞定位实验证实了Enolase可以部分存在S. suis 2 05ZYH33细菌的表面。这提示了Enolase作为一种新发现的抗原对于引发猪链球菌相关疾病可能发挥着重要的作用。     

猪链球菌2型烯醇化酶的分子克隆与免疫学特性

对新近测定的猪链球菌2型(S.suis 2)05ZYH33全基因序列进行生物信息学分析,并与相关家族蛋白进行同源性比较,设计合成引物,PCR法扩增出约1.3 kb的烯醇化酶编码基因(enolase,eno),将其克隆入pMD-18T载体中,进一步亚克隆入表达载体pET32a.将重组表达质粒pET32a::eno转化E.coli BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导表达后,SDS-PAGE初步检测到分子量约为75kD的蛋白带.通过His-Tag亲和层析纯化,获得融合蛋白His-ENO.Western-blot表明该表达产物具有免疫原性.基于ELISA进行的细胞定位实验证实了Enolase可以部分存在S.suis 2 05ZYH33细菌的表面.这提示了Enolase作为一种新发现的抗原对于引发猪链球菌相关疾病可能发挥着重要的作用.     

猪链球菌2型次黄嘌呤核苷酸脱氢酶基因的克隆与鉴定

根据GenBank猪链球菌2型(SS2)报道序列,对江苏分离株SS2-H部分测序,发现位于已知毒力基因orf2与mrp之间存在两个新的开放阅读框序列。选取可能含有抗原决定簇肽段对应的核酸序列,该阅读框(2738~3694)编码319个氨基酸残基,分子量为33.5kDa,与已知任何基因无同源性。通过InterPro、PHD、DNAstar分析阅读框,并定向克隆至pET-32α( )载体中,转化至大肠杆菌BL21,表达出分子量为48kDa的融合蛋白,蛋白免疫转印可被SS2的抗血清识别,具有免疫原性;并且含有IMP dehydrogenase结构域,催化IMP生成XMP;流式细胞仪检测该蛋白可明显影响HEp-2细胞周期。     

Myocilin promotes substrate adhesion,spreading and formation of focal contacts in podocytes and mesangial cells

Myocilin, a secreted glycoprotein of the olfactomedin family, is constitutively expressed in podocytes of the rat kidney and induced in mesangial cells during mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis. As myocilin has been found to be associated with fibrillar components of the extracellular matrix, and adhesive properties have been shown for other members of the olfactomedin family, we hypothesized that myocilin might play a role in cell-matrix interactions in the glomerulus. To elucidate functional properties of myocilin, recombinant myocilin was expressed in 293 EBNA cells and purified by Ni-chelate and heparin chromatography. Culture plates were coated with myocilin, and primary rat mesangial cells and cells from an immortal murine podocyte cell line were seeded onto the plates in serum free conditions. Both cell types showed concentration-dependant attachment to myocilin, an effect that was statistically significant and could be blocked with specific antibodies. When compared to equal amounts of fibronectin or collagen 1, myocilin was less effective in promoting substrate adhesion. Synergistic effects in substrate adhesion were observed when myocilin was added to low concentrations of fibronectin. Twenty-five percent of cells that had attached to myocilin substrates showed spreading and expressed focal contacts which were labeled by vinculin/phalloidin staining. Comparable findings were observed when human or murine trabecular meshwork cells were seeded on myocilin substrates. Adhesive properties of myocilin required multimer formation, and were not observed when culture plates were coated with a C-terminal fragment of myocilin, containing the olfactomedin domain. We conclude that myocilin promotes substrate adhesion of podocytes and mesangial cells, and might contribute to cell-matrix adhesion of both cell types in vivo.     

Collagen type I together with fibronectin provide a better support for endothelialization

Endothelialization of vascular implants is limited by the inability of cells to retain adhesion when exposed to flow. Extracellular matrix proteins, including fibronectin and collagen, enhance cell adherence on materials. This study investigated the behaviour of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) on extracellular matrix coated polystyrene. Collagen and fibronectin were coated as single and double layers to analyse differences in cell proliferation, morphology, and cell-protein interactions. Significantly higher endothelial cell proliferation and migration rates were observed on the collagen and collagen+fibronectin coating compared to the uncoated or fibronectin-coated sample. Immmunofluorescent microscopy showed evidence of extracellular matrix remodelling in the double, collagen+fibronectin coating. These results strongly suggest that a double coating of collagen+fibronectin provides a better support structure for endothelial cell growth and contributes to improve the ability of vascular implants to become and remain endothelialized.     

2型猪链球菌新毒力因子PlcR的发现

<正>2型猪链球菌(SS2)是一种重要的人畜共患传染病病原体。SS2感染不仅可致猪急性败血症、脑膜炎、关节炎、心内膜炎及急性死亡,并且可通过伤口和呼吸道等传播途径,导致人的感染发病和死亡。1998年和2005年在我国江苏\"苏中\"地区和四川资阳等市县人群中曾先后两次暴发大规模SS2感染人的事件。人感染病例中出现了从未报道过的链球菌中毒性休克综合征(Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome,STSS),病死率高达80%以上,已成为重要的新发传染病病原体[1-4]。     

高致病性2型猪链球菌截短型类枯草杆菌丝氨酸蛋白酶基因的鉴定和功能研究

【目的】克隆表达高致病性2型猪链球菌05ZYH33株的SspA截短型基因,验证其是否具有酶学活性,并构建该基因的缺失突变株细菌,探讨其在2型猪链球菌致病过程中所起的作用【。方法】构建SS2的SspA截短型基因05SSU0811原核表达质粒,表达并纯化05SSU0811蛋白,运用丝氨酸蛋白酶底物Succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide(pNa),通过显色反应检测表达产物的酶学活性;运用同源重组技术敲除05SSU0811基因,多重交叉PCR筛选敲除株并测序鉴定,动物试验分析05SSU0811基因缺失对细菌毒力的影响。【结果】成功表达并纯化05SSU0811蛋白,浓度约为3.5 g/L。丝氨酸蛋白酶活性测定试验证实其具有酶学活性;获得05SSU0811基因缺失突变株,小鼠攻毒试验表明,野生株攻毒的20只小鼠全部死亡,基因缺失突变株攻毒组死亡9只,死亡率45%,两组间死亡率有显著性差异。表明05SSU0811基因缺失的菌株毒力较野生株明显下降。【结论】05SSU0811基因编码的截短型丝氨酸蛋白酶仍然具有酶学活性,SS2的截短型基因SspA在高致病性2型猪链球菌的致病性方面具有一定作用。     

猪链球菌2型不同mrp基因型与毒力的关系

【目的】猪链球菌2型(Streptococcus suis serotype 2,SS2)是重要的人畜共患病病原,且有强弱毒株之分,但至今仍缺少合适的毒力标志基因来鉴定致病性SS2。本文旨在研究mrp基因型与SS2毒力的关系。【方法】通过PCR方法鉴定不同SS2菌株的mrp基因型。再通过\"内标\"化的斑马鱼感染模型和实时荧光定量PCR,分别测定不同mrp基因型菌株的毒力水平和mrp转录水平。【结果】根据PCR结果可将53株SS2分为mrp-A型(27株)和mrp-B型(26株)两种基因型;mrp-A型菌株比mrp-B菌株毒力偏强,且A型菌株中mrp转录水平更高。【结论】发现mrp基因在SS2中分布广泛,但不同菌株中mrp基因型不同,mrp-A型菌株的致病力更强。而且,以mrp非保守区域作为诊断靶点能有效鉴定SS2强毒株。     

Vaccination with Streptococcus suis serotype 2 recombinant 6PGD protein provides protection against S. suis infection in swine

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 ( S. suis 2 or SS2) is the causative agent of several diseases in both pigs and humans. 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) is a cell surface protein in SS2. In this study, the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of recombinant 6PGD (r6PGD) from SS2 was evaluated in piglets. Immunization with an r6PGD-containing adjuvant induced a vigorous immunoglobulin G (IgG) response, with the titer of IgG2 being higher than that of IgG1. Immunization of piglets with r6PGD yielded 50% survival upon an intravenous challenge with a lethal dose of SS2. Piglets immunized with the r6PDG vaccine were better protected than those immunized with the adjuvant control. The clinical signs and histopathological changes in the piglets were recorded. Collectively, these results suggest that r6PGD can confer partial protection against SS2 infection and could be useful for the development of subunit vaccines against SS2.     

Biological activity and identification of a peptide inhibitor of LuxS from Streptococcus suis serotype 2

The virulence of bacterial communities may be regulated by mechanisms involving the synthesis of the quorum-sensing signal autoinducer 2 (AI-2), which allows both intra- and interspecies communication. AI-2 is produced in bacteria that express the gene luxS . In the present study, expressed and purified LuxS from Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) was used to catalyze the substrate S -ribosylhomocysteine in a reaction that leads to the production of AI-2. The biological activity of the in vitro synthesized AI-2 was demonstrated in a Vibrio harveyi strain BB170 bioassay; real-time PCR results showed that biosynthesis of AI-2 can increase the virulence of SS2. Phage-encoded peptides that specifically interact with the LuxS enzyme were selected following three rounds of phage display. One such peptide inhibitor (TNRHNPHHLHHV) of LuxS was shown to partially inhibit the activity of the enzyme. Furthermore, 14 peptides containing the consensus sequence HSIR showed high affinity with LuxS. The selected and characterized specific inhibitor as well as the high-affinity ligands may facilitate the identification of new vaccination targets, opening up new approaches to the development of therapeutic drugs.     

猪链球菌2型菌毛样结构蛋白SSU2101原核表达及其免疫保护性

为了研究猪链球菌2型(Streptococcus suis serotype 2,S.suis 2)05ZYH33株预测的菌毛样结构蛋白(Pili-like protein,PLP)SSU2101的免疫保护性作用,本试验通过PCR扩增出plp基因片段,进一步将目的基因克隆到表达载体pET32a中,IPTG诱导重组蛋白表达,亲和层析法纯化目的蛋白.Western blot分析表明该重组蛋白具有良好的免疫原性,动物试验结果证实PLP蛋白对S.suis 2强致病株感染小鼠具有显著的免疫保护作用,提示菌毛样结构蛋白SSU2101是理想的猪链球菌 2型亚单位疫苗的候选分子.     

猪链球菌2型毒力因子研究新进展

猪链球菌是一种传染性革兰氏阳性菌,是严重影响养猪业发展的重要人畜共患病原体,造成人类死亡率在5%~20%。其毒力因子在致病过程中发挥着重要作用。近年来对猪链球菌2型的毒力因子研究有诸多新的进展,对其致病机制的了解和对该病有效防控都有新的认识。对近些年研究2型猪链球菌毒力相关因子,对蛋白质类、酶类研究的新进展,同时对毒力因子基因表达双组分系统、与宿主免疫系统相互作用的Ⅳ型分泌系统的进展进行总结和分析,以期为猪链球菌病的治疗和疫苗的研制提供新参考。     

Involvement of H- and N-Ras isoforms in transforming growth factor-beta1-induced proliferation and in collagen and fibronectin synthesis

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) has a relevant role in the origin and maintenance of glomerulosclerosis and tubule-interstitial fibrosis. TGF-beta and Ras signaling pathways are closely related: TGF-beta1 overcomes Ras mitogenic effects and Ras counteracts TGF-beta signaling. Tubule-interstitial fibrosis is associated to increases in Ras, Erk, and Akt activation in a renal fibrosis model. We study the role of N- and H-Ras isoforms, and the involvement of the Ras effectors Erk and Akt, in TGF-beta1-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and proliferation, using embrionary fibroblasts from double knockout (KO) mice for H- and N-Ras (H-ras(-/-)/N-ras(-/-)) isoforms and from heterozygote mice (H-ras(+/-)/N-ras(+/-)). ECM synthesis is increased in basal conditions in H-ras(-/-)/N-ras(-/-) fibroblasts, this increase being higher after stimulation with TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1-induced fibroblast proliferation is smaller in H-ras(-/-)/N-ras(-/-) than in H-ras(+/-)/N-ras(+/-) fibroblasts. Erk activation is decreased in H-ras(-/-)/N-ras(-/-) fibroblasts; inhibition of Erk activation reduces fibroblast proliferation. Akt activation is higher in double KO fibroblasts than in heterozygotes; inhibition of Akt activation also inhibits ECM synthesis. We suggest that H- and N-Ras isoforms downregulate ECM synthesis, and mediate proliferation, in part through MEK/Erk activation. PI3K-Akt pathway activation may be involved in the increase in ECM synthesis observed in the absence of H- and N-Ras.     

高致病性2型猪链球菌plcR基因敲除株的构建及其相关生物学特性的研究

【目的】构建高致病性2型猪链球菌05ZYH33菌株plcR基因敲除株,通过比较突变株与野生株生物学特性的差异,研究plcR基因在2型猪链球菌致病过程中的作用。【方法】利用同源重组技术敲除plcR基因,多重交叉PCR及RT-PCR鉴定并测序验证。比较野生株与突变株基本生物学特性的差异,小鼠攻毒实验分析plcR基因缺失对细菌毒力的影响。【结果】经RT-PCR证实05SSU0241与05SSU0242共转录,通过多重交叉PCR及RT-PCR证实成功构建plcR基因缺失突变株,基本生物学特性显示突变株的生长速率、菌落形态、溶血活性均无显著改变,小鼠致病性试验结果显示,野生株攻毒的小鼠死亡率为70%,突变株攻毒的小鼠死亡率为40%,毒力较野生株显著降低。【结论】plcR基因作为2型猪链球菌有毒株基因组中特有的外源基因,在细菌致病过程中具有重要作用。     

Immunocytochemical localization of collagen types I,III, IV,and fibronectin in the human dermis

Summary The distribution of collagen types I, III, IV, and of fibronectin has been studied in the human dermis by light and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry, using affinity purified primary antibodies and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate-conjugated secondary antibodies. Type I collagen was present in all collagen fibers of both papillary and reticular dermis, but collagen fibrils, which could be resolved as discrete entities, were labeled with different intensity. Type III collagen codistributed with type I in the collagen fibers, besides being concentrated around blood vessels and skin appendages. Coexistence of type I and type III collagens in the collagen fibrils of the whole dermis was confirmed by ultrastructural double-labelling experiments using colloidal immunogold as a probe. Type IV collagen was detected in all basement membranes. Fibronectin was distributed in patches among collagen fibers and was associated with all basement membranes, while a weaker positive reaction was observed in collagen fibers. Ageing caused the thinning of collagen fibers, chiefly in the recticular dermis. The labeling pattern of both type I and III collagens did not change in skin samples from patients of up to 79 years of age, but immunoreactivity for type III collagen increased in comparison to younger skins. A loss of fibronectin, likely related to the decreased morphogenetic activity of tissues, was observed with age.