Global analysis of outer membrane proteins from Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai

Recombinant leptospiral outer membrane proteins (OMPs) can elicit immunity to leptospirosis in a hamster infection model. Previously characterized OMPs appear highly conserved, and thus their potential to stimulate heterologous immunity is of critical importance. In this study we undertook a global analysis of leptospiral OMPs, which were obtained by Triton X-114 extraction and phase partitioning. Outer membrane fractions were isolated from Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai grown at 20, 30, and 37 degrees C with or without 10% fetal calf serum and, finally, in iron-depleted medium. The OMPs were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Gel patterns from each of the five conditions were compared via image analysis, and 37 gel-purified proteins were tryptically digested and characterized by mass spectrometry (MS). Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight MS was used to rapidly identify leptospiral OMPs present in sequence databases. Proteins identified by this approach included the outer membrane lipoproteins LipL32, LipL36, LipL41, and LipL48. No known proteins from any cellular location other than the outer membrane were identified. Tandem electrospray MS was used to obtain peptide sequence information from eight novel proteins designated pL18, pL21, pL22, pL24, pL45, pL47/49, pL50, and pL55. The expression of LipL36 and pL50 was not apparent at temperatures above 30 degrees C or under iron-depleted conditions. The expression of pL24 was also downregulated after iron depletion. The leptospiral major OMP LipL32 was observed to undergo substantial cleavage under all conditions except iron depletion. Additionally, significant downregulation of these mass forms was observed under iron limitation at 30 degrees C, but not at 30 degrees C alone, suggesting that LipL32 processing is dependent on iron-regulated extracellular proteases. However, separate cleavage products responded differently to changes in growth temperature and medium constituents, indicating that more than one process may be involved in LipL32 processing. Furthermore, under iron-depleted conditions there was no concomitant increase in the levels of the intact form of LipL32. The temperature- and iron-regulated expression of LipL36 and the iron-dependent cleavage of LipL32 were confirmed by immunoblotting with specific antisera. Global analysis of the cellular location and expression of leptospiral proteins will be useful in the annotation of genomic sequence data and in providing insight into the biology of Leptospira.     

Characterization of outer membrane and secreted proteins of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona

Outer membrane and secreted proteins were isolated from Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona and characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblot and radioimmunoprecipitation techniques. The L. interrogans outer membranes were extracted with Triton X-114 and contained several proteins. The major cellular protein with a molecular mass of 31 kDa was associated exclusively with the L. interrogans outer membrane. Using a whole cell immunoprecipitation method, five hydrophobic, Triton X-114 extractable proteins (22, 26, 31, 36 and 42 kDa) were exposed on the surface of L. interrogans. The 31 kDa protein was heat labile and was a potent antigen in animals experimentally infected with L. interrogans serovar pomona. Several proteins were secreted by L. interrogans including a 60 kDa protein tentatively identified as the L. interrogans hemolysin.     

Heat stability of protective antigen of Leptospira interrogans serovar lai.

Protective antigen (PAg; glycolipid antigen; molecular size, 23 to 30 kilodaltons), the serogroup-specific antigen partially purified from leptospiral cells, is one of the most important protective antigens. The heat stability of PAg was compared with that of whole-cell (WC) antigen by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, protective activity, opsonin-inducing activity, agglutinating antibody-inducing activity, and an inhibition test in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A band of 23 to 30 kilodaltons of PAg, which was seen in untreated PAg and WC, shifted to a position with a molecular size of ca. 20 kilodaltons after heat treatment of PAg at 80 degrees C for 30 min and WC at 100 degrees C for 30 min. In the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition test with monoclonal antibody LW2 and a sonicated antigen of WC, the inhibition rate of PAg and WC to sonicated WC was reduced by heat treatment at 80 degrees C for 30 min and at 100 degrees C for 30 min, respectively. Agglutinating antibody-inducing activities and opsonin-inducing activities of PAg and WC in mice were reduced by heat treatment under the same conditions; these activities were assayed by a microscopic agglutination test and by chemical luminescence response in serum from immunized mice, respectively. Protective activity of heated PAg and heated WC in cyclophosphamide-pretreated mice agreed with the results of immunogenicity in mice. These results indicate that the Leptospira PAg is one of the important protective antigens and is altered by heat treatment at 80 degrees C. Furthermore, the immunogenicity and antigenicity of the PAg present in WC are more stable than that of the extracted PAg, and the coexistence of other cellular components with PAg might protect and stabilize PAg from the heat treatment.     

Immunological characteristics of the glycolipid antigen of Leptospira interrogans serovar lai.

The protective antigen (PAg), a glycolipid substance, was extracted from Leptospira interrogans serovar lai strain 017 with a chloroform-methanol-water (1:2:0.8 [vol/vol/vol]) solution and partially purified by silica gel column chromatography. The PAg was not detected by Coomassie brilliant blue staining in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis but was observed as a smearlike band, which corresponded to a 24- to 30-kilodalton standard protein, by silver staining. The outer envelope (OE) fraction showed the same band, suggesting that the PAg was one of the chemical components of the OE. The immunogenicity and protective activity of the PAg were compared with those of the OE. The PAg as well as the OE and whole cells was able to induce agglutinating antibody against L. interrogans. Furthermore, the immune sera exhibited opsonic activity against L. interrogans, as observed by measurement of chemical luminescence derived from reactive oxygen. The PAg exhibited protective activity in hamsters challenged with lethal doses of L. interrogans. Therefore, the antigen may be useful as a component vaccine against leptospiral infection.     

Immunoprotection of recombinant leptospiral immunoglobulin-like protein A against Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona infection

We previously reported the cloning and characterization of leptospiral immunoglobulin-like proteins LigA and LigB of Leptospira interrogans. LigA and LigB are conserved at the amino-terminal region but are variable at the carboxyl-terminal region. Here, we evaluate the potential of recombinant LigA (rLigA) as a vaccine candidate against infection by L. interrogans serovar Pomona in a hamster model. rLigA was truncated into conserved (rLigAcon) and variable (rLigAvar) regions and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (rLigA). Golden Syrian hamsters were immunized at 3 and 6 weeks of age with rLigA (rLigAcon and rLigAvar) with aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant. Hamsters given recombinant glutathione-S-transferase (rGST)-adjuvant and phosphate-buffered saline-adjuvant served as nonvaccinated controls. Three weeks after the last vaccination, all animals were challenged intraperitoneally with 10(8) L. interrogans serovar Pomona bacteria (NVSL 1427-35-093002). All hamsters immunized with recombinant LigA survived after challenge and had no significant histopathological changes. In contrast, nonimmunized and rGST-immunized hamsters were subjected to lethal doses, and the hamsters that survived showed severe tubulointerstitial nephritis. All vaccinated animals showed a rise in antibody titers against rLigA. Results from this study indicate that rLigA is a potential vaccine candidate against L. interrogans serovar Pomona infection.     

赖型钩端螺旋体及澳洲型钩端螺旋体的ompL1和flaB2抗原基因序列分析

目的：构建棘型钩端螺旋体017及澳洲型钩端螺旋体607株外膜蛋白抗原基因ompL1和内鞭毛抗原基因flaB2的重组质粒，并分别对ompL1及flaB2基因进行序列分析。方法：通过聚合酶链反应扩增ompL1及flaB2，并将其分别克隆到pcDNA3.1/Myc-His(＋）载体T7启动子下游，构建抗原基因表达质粒，进行序列测定分析。结果：序列分析显示赖型钩体017株与澳洲型钩体607株的ompL1相同碱基949个（98．85％），碱基变异11个（1．15％）；flaB2的相同碱基823个（96．94％），碱基变异26个（3．06％），呈很高的保守性。结论：赖型钩体017株与澳洲型钩体607株的ompL1及flaB2分别具有高度同源性。     

问号钩端螺旋体属特异性外膜蛋白OmpL1和LipL21抗原表位预测及鉴定

目的 筛选问号钩端螺旋体(简称钩体)属特异性外膜蛋白OmpL1和LipL21有效T和B细胞联合抗原表位,为研制多抗原肽(multiple antigenic peptide,MAP)疫苗提供基础.方法 采用生物信息学方法预测OmpL1和LipL21分子中T和B细胞联合抗原表位.采用PCR扩增候选联合抗原表位片段并分别构建其噬菌体展示系统.分别以rOmpL1或rLipL21、黄疸出血群赖株、钩体患者抗血清为一抗,采用Western blot检测各抗血清与目的表位的免疫反应性及其强度.结果 通过抗原表位预测,选择了高分值的4个OmpLl和2个LipL21联合表位.经扩增获得了预期的各抗原表位片段,各目的表位序列均准确插入噬菌体PⅢ蛋白N端并有效表达.各抗血清均能识别上述6个联合表位.其中LipL21的97～112和176-184表位对任一抗血清均显示相似强度的杂交条带.综合4个OmpL1表位对3种抗血清的不同Western blot结果及其实际意义,杂交信号从强到弱依次为173～191、87～98、297～320和59～78表位.结论 所研究的6个联合表位均分别为LipL21和OmpL1的有效抗原表位,其中LipL21的97～112、176～184和OmpL1的87～98、173～191表位可应用于钩体MAP疫苗研制.     

Characterization of the outer membrane proteome of Leptospira interrogans expressed during acute lethal infection

Pathogenic Leptospira species adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions during disease transmission and infection. While the proteome of in vitro cultivated Leptospira has been characterized in several studies to date, relatively little is known of the proteome as expressed by Leptospira during disease processes. Isolates of Leptospira obtained from patients suffering the severe pulmonary form of leptospirosis cause acute lethal infection in guinea pigs and chronic asymptomatic infection in rats. Recent studies have demonstrated that protein and lipopolysaccharide constituents of Leptospira recovered from acutely infected guinea pig tissue differ from that of Leptospira in chronically infected rat tissue and in vitro cultivated Leptospira (J. E. Nally, E. Chow, M. C. Fishbein, D. R. Blanco, and M. A. Lovett, Infect. Immun. 73:3251-3260, 2005). In the current study, the proteome of Leptospira expressed during disease processes was characterized relative to that of in vitro cultivated Leptospira (IVCL) after enrichment for hydrophobic membrane proteins with Triton X-114. Protein samples were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and antigens expressed during infection were identified by immunoblotting with monospecific antiserum and convalescent rat serum in addition to mass spectrometry. Results suggest a significant increase in the expression of the outer membrane protein Loa22 during acute infection of guinea pigs relative to other outer membrane proteins, whose expression is generally diminished relative to expression in IVCL. Significant amounts of LipL32 are also expressed by Leptospira during acute infection of guinea pigs.     

Plate Assay for Detection of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona Hemolysin

A plate assay which utilizes the addition of a blood agar overlay for detection of hemolysin by colonies of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona is described.     

Putative outer membrane proteins of Leptospira interrogans stimulate human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECS) and express during infection

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are surface receptors present in eukaryotic cells that mediate cell–cell or cell–extracellular matrix interactions. Vascular endothelium stimulation in vitro that lead to the upregulation of CAMs was reported for the pathogenic spirochaetes, including rLIC10365 of Leptospira interrogans. In this study, we report the cloning of LIC10507, LIC10508, LIC10509 genes of L. interrogans using Escherichia coli as a host system. The rational for selecting these sequences is due to their location in L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni genome that has a potential involvement in pathogenesis. The genes encode for predicted lipoproteins with no assigned functions. The purified recombinant proteins were capable to promote the upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin on monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECS). In addition, the coding sequences are expressed in the renal tubules of animal during bacterial experimental infection. The proteins are probably located at the outer membrane of the bacteria since they are detected in detergent-phase of L. interrogans Triton X-114 extract. Altogether our data suggest a possible involvement of these proteins during bacterial infection and provide new insights into the role of this region in the pathogenesis of Leptospira.     

问号状赖型钩端螺旋体LAg42膜蛋白基因的克隆及真核表达研究

目的:构建赖型钩端螺旋体lag42基因真核表达载体并转染哺乳动物细胞,为进一步研究奠定基础。方法:分别以问号状赖型钩体017株,56601株及双曲钩体PatocI株基因组为模板PCR扩增目的基因。构建lag42基因与质粒pcDNA3.1A 的重组真核表达质粒,克隆筛选并测序;通过脂质体介导将重组质粒转染入COS7细胞,用RT-PCR检测转染结果。结果:不同毒力赖型钩体均能扩增出约1100 bp的片段,而PatocI株则未能扩增出目的片段;PCR、双酶切及测序证实pcDNA3.1A -lag42构建成功;经RT-PCR检测证实重组质粒转染成功。结论:赖型钩体具有编码LAg42膜蛋白的基因,构建完成真核表达载体pcD-NA3.1A -lag42,并成功转染COS7细胞。     

Putative outer membrane proteins of Leptospira interrogans stimulate human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECS) and express during infection

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are surface receptors present in eukaryotic cells that mediate cell–cell or cell–extracellular matrix interactions. Vascular endothelium stimulation in vitro that lead to the upregulation of CAMs was reported for the pathogenic spirochaetes, including rLIC10365 of Leptospira interrogans. In this study, we report the cloning of LIC10507, LIC10508, LIC10509 genes of L. interrogans using Escherichia coli as a host system. The rational for selecting these sequences is due to their location in L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni genome that has a potential involvement in pathogenesis. The genes encode for predicted lipoproteins with no assigned functions. The purified recombinant proteins were capable to promote the upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin on monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECS). In addition, the coding sequences are expressed in the renal tubules of animal during bacterial experimental infection. The proteins are probably located at the outer membrane of the bacteria since they are detected in detergent-phase of L. interrogans Triton X-114 extract. Altogether our data suggest a possible involvement of these proteins during bacterial infection and provide new insights into the role of this region in the pathogenesis of Leptospira.     

赖型钩端螺旋体外膜蛋白LipL32基因真核表达载体的构建及表达的初步研究

目的:构建赖型钩端螺旋体外膜蛋白LipL32基因真核表达载体并在COS-7细胞中表达,为钩端螺旋体DNA疫苗的研究和开发奠定基础.方法:从赖型钩端螺旋体017株全基因组中PCR扩增出目的基因,双酶切构建重组质粒pcDNA3.1-LipL32.脂质体转染法将重组质粒转染COS-7细胞,通过RT-PCR、Western blot检测目的基因的表达.结果:成功构建了LipL32基因的真核表达载体,并在COS-7细胞中获得瞬时和稳定表达.结论:赖型钩端螺旋体外膜蛋白LipL32基因真核表达载体能在哺乳动物细胞内表达,为钩端螺旋体DNA疫苗的应用提供了实验依据.     

Copurification of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona hemolysin and sphingomyelinase C.

The hemolytic and sphingomyelinase C activities of supernatants of cultures of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona tended to copurify when isoelectric fractionation was carried out. Both activities focused primarily at pH 8.1. Considered in conjunction with other circumstantial evidence, the results led to the conclusion that sphingomyelinase C is responsible for hemolysis.     

Opsonic monoclonal antibodies against lipopolysaccharide antigens of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo

Six monoclonal antibodies produced from mice immunised with Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo were directed against determinants in the leptospiral lipopolysaccharide, as indicated by immunodiffusion and enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and opsonised leptospires for phagocytosis by mouse macrophages. Their specificities were studied by agglutination and EIA. Five antibodies reacted with some, but not all, members of the Sejroe and Hebdomadis serogroups, and one antibody agglutinated exclusively members of the Sejroe group thus indentifying a serogroup-specific epitope. None of the six antibodies reacted with representative serovars of any other serogroup.     

Cloning of a hemolysin gene from Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo.

A DNA fragment encoding both hemolysin and sphingomyelinase C activity was cloned from the pathogenic bacterium Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo. Initial clones were obtained by screening a genomic library in EMBL3 for hemolytic activity. Both hemolytic and sphingomyelinase C activities were coded for by a 3.9-kilobase BamHI fragment. The hemolysin was expressed from its own promoter in Escherichia coli K-12. Similar DNA sequences were also present in the serovars tarassovi and ballum.     

Growth, survival, antigenic stability, and virulence of Leptospira interrogans serotype canicola.

Leptospira interrogans serotype canicola (strain NADL A-13) grew from inocula as small as two cells in liquid polysorbate 80 medium (P-80 medium, in P-60, P-40 and P-20 media, and in P-80 medium from which polysorbate, NH4C1 or thiamine had been omitted. It grew well initially in vitamin B12-deleted P-80 medium, but only with inocula as large as 26 x 10(4) cells per ml. P-80 medium lacking both polysorbate and NH4Cl supported light growth from small inocula, but the omission of thiamine and vitamin B12 in addition seriously affected the properties of the medium. Where readily detectable growth did not develop in liquid nutrient-deleted medium, viable ortanisms could often be demonstrated indirectly by subculture to semisolid medium, and their occurrence was influenced by the presence of albumin, thiamine, and vitamin B12. Growth on semisolid media was comparable with that in liquid media of similar composition. The absence of polysorbate 80, thiamine, or vitamin B12 prevented the appearance of Dinger's zones of growth from small inocula. Antigenic composition as measured by microscopic agglutination tests with homologous and heterologous antisera was not appreciably affected by repeated subculturing in various complete and incomplete media. Homogenates of infected-hamster-kidney tissue in bovine serum-albumin diluent still contained viable organisms after 60 days' storage at 23-25 degrees C. Organisms derived from this material after 3 and 16 days' storage showed no loss of virulence. Organisms grown in artificial culture showed no loss of virulence after storage in bovine albumin diluent or phosphate buffer for 7 days at 23-25 degrees C. Cultures of the organism survived without loss of virulence for 15 months in 13 semisolid media of differing complexity. Single colonies derived from five different solid media were grown in semisolid forms of the parent media and stored at 23-25 degrees C for 10 months without loss of virulence.     

感染人单核细胞THP-1前后钩端螺旋体外膜蛋白抗原表达差异性

目的 了解感染人单核细胞THP-1前后钩端螺旋体(简称钩体)外膜蛋白表达变化,为选择钩体基因工程疫苗候选抗原提供依据.方法 采用Triton X-114法提取感染THP-1细胞前后问号钩体黄疸出血群赖型赖株外膜蛋白.采用双向电泳技术分离钩体外膜蛋白,银染色法检测感染前后钩体外膜蛋白表达量及其差异.感染细胞后4个表达显著上调和4个表达显著下调的钩体蛋白点胰酶水解后,采用LC-MS/MS方法进行鉴定.应用生物信息学软件分析靶蛋白跨膜区和信号肽,采用实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测感染细胞前后靶基因mRNA水平变化.构建靶基因原核表达系统,采用钩体感染豚鼠模型了解重组靶蛋白的免疫保护作用.结果 感染THP-1细胞60 min后,问号钩体赖株外膜蛋白中Loa22、GroEL、F0F1 ATP合成酶α和β亚单位表达水平均显著升高(P＜0.05),FluB2、LigB、OmpA和OmpA家族蛋白表达显著下降(P＜0.05),实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测结果与之基本一致.生物信息学分析结果显示,上述8个外膜蛋白中,OmpA和OmpA家族蛋白为跨膜蛋白,其余均无跨膜结构,Loa22、LigB和OmpA家族蛋白含有信号肽.200 μg重组表达的靶蛋白 rLoa22或rGroEL对豚鼠的免疫保护率均为75.0％.结论 问号钩体赖株感染细胞时外膜蛋白表达谱可发生明显变化.感染后高表达的钩体外膜蛋白尤其是GroEL和Loa22,可作为钩体基因工程疫苗侯选抗原.     

Classification of Leptospira interrogans serovar lai strain 017 by using monoclonal antibodies

Leptospira interrogans serovar lai was identified in China in 1966 as a new serovar of the icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup by cross-absorption tests. In this study, we established three hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) of the immunoglobulin G3 subclass (LW1, LW2, and LW3) and of the immunoglobulin M class (LW4a) against serovar lai strain 017 by the cell fusion technique. Immunological reactivities of the MAbs were determined by the microscopic agglutination test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and indirect immunofluorescence assay. MAbs LW1 and LW3 agglutinated cells of serovars lai, birkini, and gem of serogroup icterohaemorrhagiae. LW2 agglutinated various serovars of serogroup icterohaemorrhagiae, except for serovar tonkini. LW4a reacted positively with various Leptospira species, including a new species, Leptospira parva, in the ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence assay. However, LW4a did not react with Leptonema illini 3055. The results of an inhibition ELISA with heated outer envelope (OE) or periodate-oxidized OE suggested that these MAbs recognize a carbohydrate moiety of the OE as the antigenic determinant.