TassC结合过氧化物酶体对早期受染巨噬细胞内的鼠伤寒沙门菌的影响

探讨鼠伤寒沙门菌在感染鼠巨噬细胞早期与细胞器的相互作用。用pTassC-GFP质粒转染鼠巨噬细胞RAW264.7,结合多抗的溶酶体标志物溶酶体相关膜蛋白-1用键合了Alexa594的羊抗鼠二抗显色,以观察标记了绿色荧光蛋白的TassC与溶酶体的关系;用pTassC-GFP和pDsRed2-Perxi质粒共转染RAW264.7细胞,以观察TassC-GFP与过氧化物酶体的关系;用SYTO42标记鼠伤寒沙门菌,感染用pTassC-GFP和pDsRed2-Perxi质粒共转染的RAW264.7细胞,以观察细菌与TassC和过氧化物酶体的关系。免疫荧光显示TassC-GFP不与鼠巨噬细胞RAW264.7中的溶酶体结合,但与标记了红色荧光的过氧化物酶体共定位;感染1 h的RAW264.7胞内SYTO42标记的鼠伤寒沙门菌吞噬泡可招募TassC-GFP和过氧化物酶体。这些发现提示在鼠伤寒沙门菌感染早期过氧化物酶体携带杀菌成分通过TassC介导可参与发挥一定的杀菌作用。     

鼠伤寒沙门菌rtsB基因缺失株的构建及其生物学特性

【背景】鼠伤寒沙门菌(Salmonella typhimurium)是一种重要的人畜共患病原菌,严重危害养殖业及人类健康。调控蛋白在病原菌的生存及感染过程中发挥重要作用。【目的】构建鼠伤寒沙门菌调控基因rtsB缺失株和互补株,分析调控蛋白RstB对鼠伤寒沙门菌生物学特性和致病性的影响。【方法】利用Red同源重组的方法构建鼠伤寒沙门菌SAT52的rtsB基因缺失株,并利用互补质粒构建互补株。然后比较分析野生株SAT52、缺失株?rtsB和互补株C?rtsB的生长特性、运动性、生物被膜形成能力、黏附入侵能力、胞内存活能力及致病性的差异。【结果】缺失rtsB基因不影响SAT52的生长速度,但导致运动能力增强,生物被膜形成能力减弱。细胞感染试验结果表明,rtsB基因有助于鼠伤寒沙门菌对Hela细胞的黏附入侵及RAW264.7细胞内的存活。动物试验结果表明rtsB基因缺失显著降低鼠伤寒沙门菌的致病力。【结论】rtsB基因在鼠伤寒沙门菌感染过程中发挥重要作用,可为阐释鼠伤寒沙门菌的致病机制提供参考。     

表达乙型脑炎病毒E蛋白重组减毒沙门菌活载体疫苗株的构建

目的:构建表达乙型脑炎病毒(JEV)E蛋白的口服重组减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌活载体疫苗株。方法:克隆JEV E基因,将其插入表达载体pYA3341中,构建重组质粒pYA3341-E,将重组质粒电转入鼠伤寒沙门菌疫苗株X4550(缺失asd、cya、crp基因),获得重组疫苗菌株X4550(pYA3341-E);鉴定重组菌E蛋白的表达,测定重组菌的稳定性、生长曲线、安全性,以及小鼠的免疫试验和血清中和试验。结果:酶切鉴定和序列测定证实重组质粒构建成功;SDS-PAGE检测有目的蛋白条带;Western印迹证实表达的E蛋白能与猪抗JEV阳性血清特异性结合;重组菌株在体外营养选择压力下,可稳定地携带重组质粒传代繁殖,在体内可较稳定地定居于肠系膜淋巴结和脾脏;小鼠口服试验证实重组菌无毒性作用,安全可靠;小鼠口服重组菌免疫,ELISA检测产生了抗JEV抗体;中和试验表明产生的抗体具有中和活性。结论:构建了能稳定表达JEV E蛋白的口服减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌疫苗株X4550(pYA3341-E),为研究乙型脑炎口服基因工程疫苗奠定基础。     

携带HCV核心蛋白原核表达质粒与真核表达质粒的减毒伤寒沙门菌诱导小鼠免疫应答之比较

丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)核心蛋白是丙肝疫苗的重要候选抗原,然而,该蛋白因具有免疫调控作用而影响免疫应答的诱导。构建了HCV核心蛋白的两种表达质粒,一种是体内激活型原核表达质粒pZW-C,另一种是真核表达质粒pCI-C。将该两种质粒转化减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌SL7207,得到重组菌SL7207/pZW-C和SL7207/pCI-C,分别将重组菌口服接种小鼠,检测小鼠的免疫应答,结果发现:①SL7207/pCI-C免疫鼠的CD3 CD4 T细胞持续降低,而SL7207/pZW-C免疫鼠的CD3 CD4 T细胞无明显改变;②SL7207/pCI-C免疫只诱导低水平抗HCV核心蛋白抗体,加强免疫对抗体阳转率及抗体水平无明显影响,而SL7207/pZW-C免疫组所有小鼠均产生较高水平的抗核心蛋白抗体。③SL7207/pCI-C免疫鼠脾细胞的体外增殖活性、细胞毒性T细胞活性以及加强免疫对细胞免疫应答的增强作用均明显不及SL7207/pZW-C免疫鼠。结果提示:携带真核表达质粒pCI-C的沙门菌因在小鼠细胞内表达天然形式(结构以及磷酸化修饰)的HCV核心蛋白,可能通过对T细胞的免疫抑制作用而弱化免疫应答。而以携带原核表达质粒pZW-C的沙门菌免疫可避免这一问题,并具有接种方便,成本低廉等优点,从而可望作为基于HCV核心蛋白为靶抗原的HCV疫苗的候选免疫方式。     

鼠伤寒沙门氏菌ybiH基因缺失株的构建及其生物学特性

【背景】鼠伤寒沙门氏菌(Salmonella typhimurium)是一种重要的人兽共患病原菌,能够引起多种食源性疾病。ybiH基因在鼠伤寒沙门氏菌中的生物学功能尚未确定。【目的】构建鼠伤寒沙门氏菌ybiH基因的缺失株和回补株,研究ybiH基因在鼠伤寒沙门氏菌中的生物学功能。【方法】采用λ-Red同源重组系统构建鼠伤寒沙门氏菌CVCC541 ybiH基因缺失株STΔybiH,同时构建该基因缺失株的回补株STΔybi H/pybiH,并对缺失株STΔybiH的生长特性、运动性、生化特性和毒力情况等生物学特性进行比较分析。【结果】与标准株和回补株相比,缺失株STΔybiH生长速率略快,而其运动性、生化特性、耐药性均无明显差别。但是,ybiH基因的缺失明显提高了鼠伤寒沙门菌对IEC-6细胞和RAW264.7细胞的黏附力和侵袭力,qRT-PCR实验结果显示,缺失株中Inv H基因的表达量明显提高,表明ybiH基因的缺失使鼠伤寒沙门氏菌的侵袭力也有所提高。此外,在胞内存活实验中,标准株与缺失株在胞内的增长率变化不明显,表明ybiH基因的缺失对沙门氏菌在RAW 264.7细胞中存活的影响不大。【结论】ybiH基因介导鼠伤寒沙门氏菌的黏附侵袭力,本文为进一步阐明ybiH基因的功能提供基础。     

肿瘤生物治疗的新方法——减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌的应用

减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌由于具有肿瘤靶向性,能在肿瘤组织中复制并产生抗肿瘤效果的能力,使肿瘤治疗获得了新契机。减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌作为细菌载体使目的基因在肿瘤组织内特异表达,表现出良好治疗效果。近期研究发现,单独使用突变后的菌株A1-R在裸鼠模型上治疗乳腺癌和前列腺癌分别可达到40％和50％的治愈率;在小鼠肿瘤转移模型中也展现出良好的治疗效果。鼠伤寒沙门菌作为肿瘤治疗制剂有诱人的前景。本文就这些研究的最新进展做一综述。     

携带HCV核心蛋白原核表达质粒与真核表达质粒的减毒伤寒沙门菌诱导小鼠免疫应答之比较

丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）核心蛋白是丙肝疫苗的重要候选抗原,然而,该蛋白因具有免疫调控作用而影响免疫应答的诱导。构建了HCV核心蛋白的两种表达质粒,一种是体内激活型原核表达质粒pZW-C,另一种是真核表达质粒pCI-C。将该两种质粒转化减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌SL7207,得到重组菌SL7207/pZW-C和SL7207/pCI-C,分别将重组菌口服接种小鼠,检测小鼠的免疫应答,结果发现：① SL7207/pCI-C免疫鼠的CD3⁺CD4⁺ T细胞持续降低,而SL7207/pZW-C免疫鼠的CD3⁺CD4⁺ T细胞无明显改变;② SL7207/pCI-C免疫只诱导低水平抗HCV核心蛋白抗体,加强免疫对抗体阳转率及抗体水平无明显影响,而SL7207/pZW-C免疫组所有小鼠均产生较高水平的抗核心蛋白抗体。③ SL7207/pCI-C免疫鼠脾细胞的体外增殖活性、细胞毒性T细胞活性以及加强免疫对细胞免疫应答的增强作用均明显不及SL7207/pZW-C免疫鼠。结果提示：携带真核表达质粒pCI-C的沙门菌因在小鼠细胞内表达天然形式（结构以及磷酸化修饰）的HCV核心蛋白,可能通过对T细胞的免疫抑制作用而弱化免疫应答。而以携带原核表达质粒pZW-C的沙门菌免疫可避免这一问题,并具有接种方便,成本低廉等优点,从而可望作为基于HCV核心蛋白为靶抗原的HCV疫苗的候选免疫方式。     

减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌三型分泌表达系统的构建及其特性

为开发新型重组减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌口服活疫苗载体,本研究以pYA3493质粒为基础,用鼠伤寒沙门菌sopE_(Nt100)基因及其启动子替代原有的P_(trc)启动子,构建沙门菌三型分泌表达载体pYA-sopE_(Nt100);再将质粒pYA-sopE_(Nt100)电转入沙门菌ΔcrpΔasd SL1344,构建减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌ΔcrpΔasd SL1344(p YA-sop E_(Nt100))三型分泌表达系统,研究其生物学特性,进一步将报告基因egfp克隆入sop E基因下游,构建重组菌株ΔcrpΔasd SL1344(p YA-sop E_(Nt100)-egfp),感染Vero细胞,用Western blotting分析该系统递呈外源抗原的能力。PCR、酶切及测序结果表明,减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌ΔcrpΔasd SL1344(p YA-sop E_(Nt100))三型分泌表达系统构建成功;生物学特性鉴定结果表明,其血清型与亲本株Δcrp SL1344及野生株SL1344保持一致;其生化特性与亲本株基本相近,但与野毒株相比发生明显变化;生长速度也更为缓慢;重组菌株ΔcrpΔasd SL1344(p YA-sop E_(Nt100))的LD50较野生株SL1344降低了7.0×104倍;Western blotting结果发现,重组菌培养上清中能检测到Sop E_(Nt100)-egfp融合蛋白(37 k Da);重组菌株感染Vero细胞后,可以同时检测到Sop E_(Nt100)-egfp融合蛋白(37 k Da)和EGFP蛋白(27 k Da)。以上结果证实,本研究成功构建了新型减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌ΔcrpΔasd(p YA-sop E_(Nt100))三型分泌表达系统,其能够有效递呈外源抗原,该重组菌株有潜力作为安全、稳定、高效表达外源基因的口服重组活疫苗载体。     

携带HBV包膜大蛋白DNA疫苗的减毒沙门菌在小鼠诱导免疫应答

探索一种简便、有效的乙型肝炎病毒DNA疫苗免疫方法。将编码绿色荧光蛋白的真核表达质粒pEGFPN1转化到减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌SL7207,灌胃饲服BALB/c小鼠,流式细胞术检测出小鼠脾细胞内表达的绿色荧光蛋白;构建编码HBV包膜大蛋白的DNA疫苗pCIS1S2S,分别以SL7207为载体的口服途径或直接肌肉注射途径免疫BALB/c小鼠,检测小鼠的血清抗体、T细胞增殖和细胞毒性T淋巴细胞反应,结果表明两种免疫途径均能在小鼠体内诱生细胞和体液免疫应答,但口服途径诱导免疫应答的强度明显强于肌肉注射途径。口服携带HBV DNA疫苗的减毒伤寒沙门菌可能代表一种简便、有效的治疗乙型肝炎的新方法。      

用体内激活的启动子调控HCV核心抗原表达可增强重组鼠伤寒沙门氏菌的免疫原性

为提高抗原表达质粒在重组伤寒沙门氏菌中的稳定性以增强重组伤寒沙门氏菌诱导的免疫应答 ,克隆鼠伤寒沙门氏菌pagC基因启动子 ,以其为转录调控元件构建HCV核心抗原表达质粒 ,转化到减毒鼠伤寒沙门氏菌中。体外培养时 ,Mg2 能够剂量依赖性抑制该重组菌表达HCV核心抗原。将该重组菌和组成性表达的重组菌分别口服接种BALB/c小鼠 ,观察质粒的稳定性和小鼠的免疫应答。结果表明 ,体内激活的pagC基因启动子能明显提高质粒在重组鼠伤寒沙门氏菌中的稳定性和增强重组菌诱导的体液和细胞免疫应答 ,这为发展高效免疫、成本低廉的口服丙肝疫苗提供了一个新思路     

Relationship between immune system and gram-negative bacteria. IV. T lymphocytes from Lpsd mice possess binding site(s) for Rb Salmonella

We have previously shown that Salmonella minnesota R345 (Rb) spontaneously binds to 50 to 55% of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In the present study, we have compared Rb cytoadherence to lymphoid cells from various tissues of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) hyporesponsive (Lpsd) and LPS responsive (Lpsn) mouse strains. A higher number of spleen cells from Lpsd mice (C3H/HeJ and C57BL/10ScN) bound Rb bacteria (22 to 30%) than cells from Lpsn mice (4 to 9%). Rb bound mainly to T cells, and cytoadherence occurred in both Lyt-1+ and Lyt-2+ T cell subsets. By contrast, purified splenic B cells from Lpsd and Lpsn mice gave less than 4% Rb cytoadherence. In both mouse strains, cytoadherence was mediated by the homologous LPS structure, because purified Rb-LPS blocked Rb Salmonella binding to T cells. On the other hand, smooth Salmonella typhimurium LT-2 LPS (S-LPS) and Salmonella R595 (Re) LPS (Re-LPS), which contain mainly lipid A, were without effect on Rb binding. Increased Rb binding was seen with T cells from Peyer's patches (PP), mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and peripheral blood than from spleen of C3H/HeN (Lpsn) mice; however, greater cytoadherence was always seen with T cells of these tissues from C3H/HeJ mice. Interestingly, treatment of whole spleen or purified T cells from C3H/HeN mice with neuraminidase enhanced cytoadherence to levels seen with C3H/HeJ cells. The observed Rb binding to PP, MLN, and PBMC cells in both mouse strains suggests that gut microbial environment may play an important role in Rb cytoadherence. This is also supported by the evidence that when spleen cells of germfree and conventional mice were tested for Rb binding, higher cytoadherence was observed in conventional mice only. Taken together, these results indicate that T cells of Lpsd mice express binding site(s) for Salmonella, whereas Lpsn mice have T cells with these structure(s) in a cryptic configuration.     

Peyer's patches export lymphocytes throughout the lymphoid system in sheep

The lymphocyte output from small intestine containing either the long continuous ileal Peyer's patch (PP) or several smaller jejunal PP was examined in young lambs. Most studies were done in 2-mo-old lambs, 1 mo after removal of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). Extracorporeal perfusion of part of the intestine and addition of fluorescein isothiocyanate to the perfusate led to the labeling, in their normal microenvironment, of a regionally defined population of cells. One day later considerable numbers of emigrant lymphocytes were identified by fluorescence microscopy in the spleen, MLN and peripheral lymph nodes, jejunal PP, and bone marrow. In nonperfused ileal PP and thymus the labeling indexes were low. The highest labeling index was in the blood where 3.7% of the lymphocytes were labeled. A similar organ distribution of emigrant cells was found on day 3. When MLN were included in the perfused region more emigrants were identified. In some animals the intestinal lymphatic draining the perfused ileum was cannulated. Continual lymph drainage caused a dramatic decrease in the labeling indexes in other lymphoid organs. A substantial number of lymphocytes leave both ileal PP and jejunal PP via lymphatics and travel to all other lymphoid organs. However, the number of emigrant lymphocytes compared with the total number of labeled lymphocytes in the perfused tissue was about 10 times greater after perfusing gut with the jejunal PP than after ileal PP perfusion. We conclude that relatively more lymphocytes emigrate from the jejunal PP than from the ileal PP.     

Expressed Salmonella antigens within macrophages enhance the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes by means of bystander dendritic cells

ATP-dependent Lon protease-deficient Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (strain CS2022) appeared to invade successfully the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and Peyer's patches (PP) of BALB/c mice and appeared to be easily eradicated by the host after oral immunization. As detected by flow cytometry, the population of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-expressing macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) was increased in the PP of mice immunized with CS2022 on day 6 after immunization. Thereafter, the population of splenic surface CD69(+) T lymphocytes prepared from mice immunized with CS2022 6 weeks prior to measurement increased as a result of the administration of the extracellular vesicles of RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells derived by Salmonella challenge. In addition, the proliferation of CD8(+) and even of CD4(+)T cells isolated from mouse spleens immunized with CS2022 was enhanced after cocultivation with naive DCs in the presence of the extracellular vesicles. These findings indicate that the extracellular vesicles prepared from the Salmonella-challenged macrophages carried salmonellae antigens to bystander DCs, thereby stimulating T-cell responses. Therefore, as antigen presentation after phagocytosis should be a central process in the T-cell activation that occurs in response to Salmonella infection, an oral immunization with CS2022 sufficiently induces T cell-mediated immunity in mice.     

以减毒沙门氏菌运送的H5亚型禽流感病毒DNA疫苗的构建及其对小鼠的免疫原性

根据GenBank中已发表的H5亚型禽流感病毒HA基因序列,设计一对引物,通过RTPCR扩增鹅源H5亚型高致病力禽流感病毒HA基因,测序确认后,将其克隆入真核表达载体pVAX1和asdpVAX1得到重组表达载体pVAX1HA和asdpVAX1HA。将重组质粒转染P815细胞,经间接免疫荧光试验证实,HA基因在细胞内得到了瞬时表达。进一步将重组质粒转化减毒鼠伤寒沙门氏菌X4550得到两种运送DNA疫苗的重组沙门氏菌X4550（pVAX1HA）和X4550（asdpVAX1HA）,以1×109CFU/只的剂量两次口服免疫BALB/c小鼠,免疫小鼠不仅可以检测到HA特异性的血清抗体应答,而且还能抵抗稳定表达H5亚型禽流感病毒HA基因的P815肥大细胞瘤的攻击,说明该运送DNA疫苗的减毒沙门氏菌系统在体内能够成功释放所携带的质粒,并且能够刺激机体产生保护性免疫应答。     

Differential cytokine response from dendritic cells to commensal and pathogenic bacteria in different lymphoid compartments in humans

Resident host microflora condition and prime the immune system. However, systemic and mucosal immune responses to bacteria may be divergent. Our aim was to compare, in vitro, cytokine production by human mononuclear and dendritic cells (DCs) from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to defined microbial stimuli. Mononuclear cells and DCs isolated from the MLN (n = 10) and peripheral blood (n = 12) of patients with active colitis were incubated in vitro with the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118 or Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 or the pathogenic organism Salmonella typhimurium UK1. Interleukin (IL)-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, and IL-10 cytokine levels were quantified by ELISA. PBMCs and PBMC-derived DCs secreted TNF-alpha in response to the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria, and Salmonella strains, whereas MLN cells and MLN-derived DCs secreted TNF-alpha only in response to Salmonella challenge. Cells from the systemic compartment secreted IL-12 after coincubation with Salmonella or Lactobacilli, whereas MLN-derived cells produced IL-12 only in response to Salmonella. PBMCs secreted IL-10 in response to the Bifidobacterium strain but not in response to the Lactobacillus or Salmonella strain. However, MLN cells secreted IL-10 in response to Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli but not in response to Salmonella. In conclusion, commensal bacteria induced regulatory cytokine production by MLN cells, whereas pathogenic bacteria induce T cell helper 1-polarizing cytokines. Commensal-pathogen divergence in cytokine responses is more marked in cells isolated from the mucosal immune system compared with PBMCs.     

Early intestinal Th1 inflammation and mucosal T cell recruitment during acute graft-versus-host reaction

Little is understood about the earliest cytokine responses and the role(s) of donor CD4 T cells in the intestine during the induced graft-vs-host reaction (GVHR). We investigated the activation and mucosal homing phenotype of the donor CD4 cells and the kinetics of cytokine responses within the intestine and associated lymphoid tissues during early GVHR. Significant frequencies of donor CD4 cells accumulated within recipient Peyer's patches (PP), mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), lamina propria (LP), and spleen (SP), during the first 9 days of GVHR. Many donor CD4 cells in SP, MLN, and LP expressed CD44 and also expressed de novo the mucosal homing integrin alpha(4)beta(7) (LPAM-1). A large IFN-gamma response occurred by day 3 in cells from PP and MLN, but much later (day 9) in SP and LP cells. IL-10 production by SP and MLN cells was elevated initially but declined substantially by day 9. IL-4 production by SP, MLN, and PP cells was low on day 3 and showed gradual decline in LP by day 9. IL-5 production by LP cells gradually increased in direct contrast to IL-5 production by MLN cells. The MLN CD4 cells showed the most dynamic changes, with high numbers of activated/effector donor CD4 cells and altered cytokine production consistent with a developing Th1 response. The IFN-gamma responses in PP and MLN preceded that of the SP, suggesting an intestinal origin for some Th1 effector cells in GVHR. Donor CD4 T cells apparently acquire the ability to home to the LP during early GVHR.     

Proteomic analysis of porcine mesenteric lymph-nodes after Salmonella typhimurium infection

In this study we employed for the first time an in vivo approach coupled to DIGE-based proteomics to explore the response of porcine mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) to Salmonella typhimurium infection. MLN samples were collected from four control and twelve infected pigs (at 1, 2 and 6 days post infection) for histological analysis, protein and RNA purification. Afterwards, expressed proteins were screened by differential in gel analysis and data were analyzed by bioinformatic tools to generate interaction networks, and identify enriched signaling pathways and biological annotations. S. typhimurium labeling in tissue and phagocyte infiltration were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and RNA was employed to determine the relative expression of immune-related genes by quantitative RNA analysis. The proteome response of porcine MLN to infection was associated to the induction of processes such as phagocyte infiltration, cytoskeleton remodeling and pyroptosis. Moreover, our results suggest that S. typhimurium antigens are cross-presented via MHC-I in a proteasome-dependent manner in porcine MLN. Since pathogen burden in tissue was noticeably reduced at the end of the time course, we infer that host innate and adaptive immunity act in association in MLN to control S. typhimurium dissemination in swine infections.     

Antigen presentation capacity and cytokine production by murine splenic dendritic cell subsets upon Salmonella encounter

Salmonella typhimurium is an intracellular bacterium that replicates in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) of orally infected mice. However, little is known about the Ag presentation and cytokine production capacity of dendritic cells (DC), particularly CD8alpha(+), CD8alpha(-)CD4(-), and CD8alpha(-)CD4(+) DC, from these organs in response to SALMONELLA: Infection of purified splenic DC with S. typhimiurium expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and OVA revealed that all three splenic DC subsets internalize bacteria, and splenic as well as MLN DC process Salmonella for peptide presentation. Furthermore, presentation of Salmonella Ags on MHC-I and MHC-II was evident in both CD8alpha(+) and CD8alpha(-) splenic DC subsets. Direct ex vivo analysis of splenic DC from mice infected with GFP-expressing Salmonella showed that all three subsets harbored bacteria, and splenic DC purified from mice given Salmonella-expressing OVA presented OVA-derived peptides on MHC-I and MHC-II. Cytokine production analyzed by intracellular staining of splenic DC infected with GFP-expressing Salmonella revealed that TNF-alpha was produced by a large percentage of CD8alpha(-) DC, while only a minor proportion of CD8alpha(+) DC produced this cytokine following bacterial exposure. In contrast, the greatest number of IL-12p40-producing DC were among CD8alpha(+) DC. Experiments inhibiting bacterial uptake by cytochalasin D as well as use of a Transwell system revealed that bacterial contact, but not internalization, was required for cytokine production. Thus, DC in sites of Salmonella replication and T cell activation, spleen and MLN, respond to bacterial encounter by Ag presentation and produce cytokines in a subset-specific fashion.     

Effect of constitutively expressed phoP gene on the localization of Salmonella typhimurium within Mac-1 positive phagocytes

Intracellular localization of the wild-type (Spv+), the phoP-constitutively expressed strain (PhoPc), and the spv-deleted strain (Spv-) of Salmonella typhimurium was examined by the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis of immunostained sections of mouse spleens after oral or subcutaneous inoculation. Only 40% of salmonellae of both the PhoPc and the Spv- strains were detected intracellularly within Mac-1 positive cells at day five after oral or day four after subcutaneous inoculation. In contrast, over 85% of salmonellae of the Spv+ strain were detected inside Mac-1 positive cells. In both inoculation trials, the splenic colony-forming unit values for the PhoPc and Spv- strains were significantly lower than the corresponding value for the Spv+ strain. These findings suggest that the constitutively expressed phoP gene of S. typhimurium attenuated virulence by limiting intracellular proliferation within mouse spleen phagocytes, and that the lack of spv genes had the same effect.