问号钩端螺旋体鞘磷脂酶类溶血素基因功能分析及其感染细胞后转录水平变化

目的 了解问号钩端螺旋体(简称钩体)鞘磷脂酶类溶血素基因sph1～sph4产物溶血活性及其感染细胞后转录水平的变化.方法 以致病性问号钩体黄疸出血群赖型赖株、波摩那群波摩那型罗株和非致病性双曲钩体三宝垄群Patoc型Patoc Ⅰ株基因组DNA为模板,采用PCR扩增全长sph1～spl4基因片段,扩增产物T-A克隆后测序.构建sph1～sph4基因原核表达系统,采用SDS-PAGE检测目的 重组蛋白rSph1～rSph4的表达情况,Ni-NTA亲和层析柱提纯rSph1～rSpM.采用绵羊血平板对rSph1～rSph4溶血活性进行鉴定,实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测问号钩体赖株感染J774A.1细胞前后sph1～sph4基因转录水平的变化.结果 问号钩体赖株和罗株基因组DNA中均能扩增sph1～sph4基因,双曲钩体Patoc Ⅰ株则否.与报道的相应基因序列比较,所克隆的sph1～sph4基因核苷酸序列相似性均为100%.所构建的原核表达系统能分别表达目的蕈组蛋白rSph1～rSph4.rSph1～rSph4均有溶血活性,其中以rSph2溶血活性最强.问号钩体赖株感染J774A.1细胞后,sph1～sph4基因转录水平均上调,其中sph2和sph4基因mRNA水平上调更为明显.结论 sph1～sph4基因仅存在于致病性问号钩体中,其表达产物有溶血活性.问号钩体赖株感染细胞后sph1～sph4基因转录水平的上调,提示此类鞘磷脂酶类溶血素可能在问号钩体感染宿主过程中有重要作用.     

钩端螺旋体毒性蛋白VapC核酸酶活性及其对宿主细胞毒性作用的研究

目的 了解钩端螺旋体毒素-抗毒素系统中毒性蛋白VapC的功能及其对宿主细胞的毒性作用.方法 以致病性问号钩体黄疸出血群赖型赖株基因组DNA为模板,采用PCR扩增全长vapB、vapC、vapBC基因并构建其原核表达系统.采用SDS-PAGE检测目的重组蛋白rVapB和rVapC 表达情况,Ni-NTA亲和层析柱提纯rVapB和rVapC.检测rVapB和rVapC有无水解问号钩体赖株及THP-1细胞DNA或RNA活性.分别采用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot试验,检测问号钩体赖株感染THP-1细胞前后vapB和vapC基因转录及表达水平的变化.构建vapB和vapC基因真核表达载体并转染细胞,采用CCK-8试剂检测VapB和VapC蛋白对细胞活性的影响.结果 所克隆的vapB和vapC基因核苷酸及氨基酸序列与文献报道完全相同.所构建的原核表达系统能分别表达rVapB 和rVapC.rVapC可水解RNA,但不水解DNA.问号钩体赖株感染THP-1细胞后,vapB和vapC基因 转录及表达水平均显著上调,部分毒性蛋白VapC外分泌.转染vapC基因的人肾小管上皮细胞HEK293大量死亡.结论 问号钩体赖株VapC蛋白为RNA酶,可在感染宿主细胞过程中外分泌并对细胞有明显毒性.     

问号钩端螺旋体ompA基因分析及其重组表达产物的免疫学鉴定

目的 了解我国15群15株问号钩端螺旋体(简称问号钩体)参考标准株携带ompA基因情况,重组表达OmpA(rOmpA)并鉴定rOmpA的免疫原性和免疫保护性.方法 采用酚-氯仿法提取问号钩体基因组DNA,PCR扩增全长ompA基因,T-A克隆后测序.构建问号钩体黄疸出血群赖型56601株ompA基因的原核表达系统,采用SDS-PAGE及Bio-Rad凝胶}冬{像分析系统检测rOmpA表达情况及其产鼍.rOmpA免疫家兔以获得抗血清,采用免疫扩散试验检测抗血清效价.采用Western blot检测rOmpA与其抗血清和问号钩体56601株全菌抗血清的免疫反应性,显微镜凝集试验(MAT)检测rOmpA抗血清对15株问号钩体的交叉凝集情况.分别采用问号钩体黏附J774A.1细胞模型和豚鼠感染模型,了解rOmpA兔抗血清黏附阻断及rOmpA免疫保护作用.结果 15株问号钩体均含有序列保守的ompA基因,双曲钩体Patocl株则否.rOmpA表达量约占细菌总蛋白的20%.rOmpA能诱导家兔产生抗体,其抗血清免疫扩散效价为1:4.兔抗血清及问号钩体56601株全菌抗血清均能与rOmpA产生阳性Western blot信号.rOmpA抗血清对15株问号钩体的MAT效价为1:20～1:320.1:10～1:160稀释的rOmpA抗血清均能阻断问号钩体黏附J774A.1细胞,100μg和200μg rOmpA对豚鼠的免疫保护率分别为50.0%和75.0%.结论 ompA基因仅存在于不同血清群致病性问号钩体基因组中.rOmpA具有较好的抗原性,多种免疫学方法 检测显示,有可能作为通用型问号钩体基因上程疫苗的候选抗原.     

我国主要问号钩端螺旋体血清群lipL21基因序列及其产物免疫反应性分析

目的 分析我国15群15型问号钩端螺旋体（简称钩体）参考标准株外膜脂蛋白lipL21基因序列，构建该基因原核表达系统并鉴定表达产物的免疫原性，了解lipL21基因自然表达状况。方法 高保真PCR扩增上述问号钩体株及双曲钩体Paloc型PalocⅠ株基因组DNA中全长lipL21基因片段，T-A克隆后测序并构建其原核表达系统。分别用钩体TR/PatocⅠ和rLipL21兔抗血清为一抗的Western blot鉴定目的重组蛋白rLipL21的免疫原性，显微镜凝集试验（MAT）检测rLipL21兔抗血清的交叉凝集效价。以盐变-去垢剂处理法提取钩体外膜蛋白，用SDS-PAGE和免疫印迹法检测上述钩体株lipL21基因自然表达情况。结果 上述钩体株均存在序列高度保守的lipL21基因，其核苷酸和氨基酸序列相似性分别为98．75％～99．82％和99．46％～100％。rLipL21能与TR/PatocⅠ及rLipL21兔抗血清发生结合反应。rLipL21免疫家兔能产生抗体，该抗体对上述15株问号钩体MAT效价为1：16～1：128。问号钩体外膜标本中均可检出LipL21，双曲钩体则否。结论 我国钩体群参考标准株均含有序列保守的lipL21基因并自然表达于外膜，双曲钩体PatocⅠ株虽含有lipL21基因但未表达。rLipL21具有良好的抗原性和免疫反应性，有可能作为新型钩体疫苗或检测试剂盒的候选属特异性表面抗原之一。     

问号钩端螺旋体T和B细胞表位联合基因的原核表达及其产物免疫性分析

目的 构建问号钩端螺旋体(简称钩体)LipL32、OmpL1和LipL21蛋白的优势T-和B-细胞联合表位融合基因及其原核表达系统,并对表达产物的免疫原性进行鉴定.方法 人工合成多表位联合基因并构建其原核表达系统.采用SDS-PAGE检测重组蛋白;采用MAT检测重组蛋白兔抗血清与我国钩体标准参考株的凝集效价;Western blot和ELISA检测重组蛋白的免疫原性.结果 获得了多表位融合基因并构建了原核表达系统.表达产物的相对分子质量约为23×103,且主要以可溶性形式存在;重组蛋白兔抗血清免疫双扩散效价为1∶8,该抗血清能与我国15群的钩体标准参考株发生凝集反应,ELISA证明该重组蛋白能检测不同群型钩体感染患者血清中的抗钩体抗体.结论 成功构建了包含钩体LipL32、OmpL1和LipL21蛋白的优势T和B细胞联合表位基因及其原核表达系统,表达产物具有良好的抗原性和交叉免疫反应性,可作为研制通用型问号钩体基因工程疫苗及血清学检测的抗原.     

钩端螺旋体属特异性外膜蛋白抗原的分析

致病性问号钩端螺旋体(简称钩体)血清群众多,各群间交叉保护作用较弱或无,目前国内外均采用当地流行的钩体血清群来制备多价钩体疫苗,但对疫苗中未包含钩体血清群感染的保护作用极其有限,易造成钩体病的暴发流行。已知80℃灭活、生理盐水回收的腐生性双曲钩体PatocⅠ株全细胞抗原(TR PatocⅠ)能与所有钩体病人血清发生凝集反应,但其抗血清能否凝集不同血清群的问号钩端螺旋体尚不清楚。本研究中,我们采用TR PatocⅠ免疫的兔抗血清与我国15群17型问号钩体参考标准株、2群2型双曲钩体国际标准株进行了显微镜凝集试验(MAT) ,发现该抗血清能…     

问号钩端螺旋体在体外诱导细胞凋亡及相关信号通路的研究

目的 了解问号钩端螺旋体诱导不同宿主细胞凋亡的作用及相关胞内信号传导通路.方法 建立问号钩体黄疸出血群赖型赖株小鼠单核-巨噬样细胞J774A.1、人脐静脉内皮细胞EVC304和人Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞A549感染模型.采用FITC-Annexin V/PI荧光标记流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡或坏死情况.分别采用荧光比色法和Western blot检测感染的J774A.1细胞caspase-3,-8,-9活性和凋亡相关蛋白FADD(Fas-associated death domain)表达水平.结果 问号钩体赖株感染1～6 h后,36.70%～63.70%的J774A.1细胞可H{现明显的早期凋亡,感染12 h时转变为晚期凋亡或坏死为主(53.68%).78.52%问号钩体赖株感染的A549细胞仪出现晚期凋亡或坏死.问号钩体赖株感染的EVC304细胞无细胞凋亡或坏死现象.感染的J774A.1细胞caspase-3和-8最大活性分别为(1453.41±36.07)和(1402.15±59.09)Fu,是未感染细胞的16.38和29.99倍.感染的J774A.1细胞caspase-9虽略有升高为(89.42±5.08)Fu,但明显低于caspase-3和-8(P<0.001).随着感染时间的延长,感染的J774A.1细胞FADD蛋白表达量逐步增加.结论 问号钩体诱导宿主细胞凋亡的效应町因细胞种类不同而有明显差异,FADD→caspase-8→caspase-3是介导问号钩体感染J774A.1细胞凋亡的主要信号通路.     

问号钩端螺旋体鞭毛蛋白相关蛋白FliH/Ⅰ/Y/N基因原核表达和膜定位

目的 克隆问号钩端螺旋体(简称钩体)鞭毛相关蛋白编码jliH、fliⅠfliH、和fliN并构建其原核表达系统,制备表达产物抗血清并了解其蛋白的定位.方法 以苯酚-氯仿法提取的问号钩体黄疸出血群赖型赖株基凶组DNA为模板,用PCR扩增全长fliH,fliⅠ,firY和flfliN基因片段,T-A克隆后测序,继而构建上述目的 基因克隆的原核表达系统.采用SDS-PAGE和BioRad凝胶图像分析系统检查重组蛋白rFliH、rFliI、rFliY和rHiN的表达情况,Ni-NTA亲和层析法提纯目的 表达产物.皮下免疫家兔获得4种目的 重组蛋白抗血清,用ELISA和Western blot分别检测抗血清效价并了解抗血清与相应抗原结合的能力.采用免疫电镜技术对FliH、FliⅠ、FliY和FliN进行定位.结果 PCR扩增获得大小分别为924、1365、1065和318 bp的全长fliH,fliⅠ,fliY和fliN基因片段,与报道的序列比较.其核苷酸和氨基酸序列相似性均为100%.所构建的原核表达系统均能有效地表达目的 重组蛋白,其产量均约为20%.rFliH、rFliⅠ、rFliY和rHiN蛋白免疫家兔后能产生抗体,其兔抗血清ELISA效价达到1:100 000以上,并分别识别钩体相应重组蛋白和膜蛋白提取物而出现明显的Westem杂交条带.FiH、FliⅠ、FliY和FliN蛋白分布于问号钩体内膜、外膜或内外膜之间.结论 本研究成功地构建了能高效表达问号钩体鞭毛相关蛋白FliH、FliⅠ、FIiY和HiN的原核表达系统,并获得了能有效识别上述蛋白抗原的高效价抗血清.鞭毛相关蛋白HiH、Flil、FliY和FIiN是问号钩体内膜或外膜蛋白成分.     

问号钩端螺旋体血清群LipL41基因型分析及其表达产物的免疫学鉴定

目的 确定我国15群15株问号钩端螺旋体(简称钩体)参考标准株和2群2株双曲钩体国际标准株携带LipL41基因情况，构建该基因的原核表达系统，鉴定表达产物的免疫原性。方法 常规酚—氯仿法提取上述17株钩体基因组DNA，高保真PCR扩增全长LipL41基因片段，T—A克隆后测序分型。构建LipL41基因原核表达系统，SDS-PAGE检测重组目的蛋白(rLipL41)表达情况。分别用钩体属特异性TP/patoe Ⅰ抗原、rLipL41兔抗血清的Western blot鉴定其免疫反应性和抗原性。分别用显微镜凝集试验(MAT)、钩体黏附J774A．1细胞模型检测兔抗rLipL41血清的交叉凝集效价和黏附阻断作用。结果 15株问号钩体均有LipL41基因，并可分为LipL41／1和LipL41／2两种基因型，2株双曲钩体则否。11个LipL41／1基因和4个LipL41／2基因克隆之间的核苷酸和氨基酸序列相似性分别为88．61％—88．67％和93．24％—97．18％。所构建的原核表达系统rLipL41／1和rLipL41／2的表达量分别占钩体总蛋白的30％和40％。rLipL41／1和rLipL41／2均能与TP/patoe Ⅰ抗血清发生结合反应，免疫家兔能产生抗体。rLipL41／1和rLipL41／2兔抗血清对上述15株问号钩体MAT效价为1：8，1：128、1：16～1：2．S6稀释时均能有效地阻断钩体对细胞的黏附。结论 我国主要的15群问号钩体代表株均有LipL41／1或LipL41／2基因。所构建原核表达系统能高效表达rLipL41／1和rLipL41／2。rLipL41／1和rLipL41／2是具有良好抗原性和免疫反应性、广泛存在于不同血清群问号钩体表面的蛋白抗原。     

钩端螺旋体vwA1和vwA2基因原核表达产物功能的初步研究

目的 构建致病性问号钩端螺旋体(简称钩体)黄疸出血群赖型赖株vwA1和vwA2基因原核表达系统,初步了解目的重组表达产物rVwA1和rVwA2与血小板性出血相关性.方法 采用高保真PCR扩增问号钩体赖株vwA1和vwA2基因并测序,常规方法构建vwA1和vwA2基因原核表达系统.采用SDS-PAGE联合Bio-Rad凝胶图像分析系统检查rVwA1和rVwA2表达情况及其可溶性,Ni-NTA亲和层析柱提纯rVwA1和rVwA2.采用实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测问号钩体赖株感染人脐静脉内皮细胞株HUVEC前后vwAl-mRNA和vwA2-mRNA水平变化.采用流式细胞术检测rVwA1与人血小板膜糖蛋白结合能力.采用酶切试验及SDS-PAGE观察人血管性血友病因子裂解酶ADAMTS13水解rVwA2的情况.结果 所克隆的钩体vwA1和vwA2基因与报道的相应基因比较,其核苷酸和氨基酸序列相似性均为100％.所构建的vwA1和vwA2基因原核表达系统能分别表达可溶性rVwA1和rVwA2.问号钩体赖株感染HUVEC 8 h后,钩体vwAl-mRNA和vwA2-mRNA水平均显著上调(P＜0.05).流式细胞术检测结果显示,钩体rVwA1与人血小板结合率为60.8％.人ADAMTS13可水解重组人vWF-A2( rhvWF-A2),但不能水解钩体rVwA2.结论 vwA1和vwA2基因可能在钩体感染中发挥作用,其中vwA1基因产物功能与钩体病出血密切相关.     

钩端螺旋体溶血素Sph2表达模式及诱导巨噬细胞和肝细胞凋亡活性

目的 了解问号钩端螺旋体(简称钩体)感染细胞前后sph2基因表达水平变化,确定鞘磷脂酶类溶血素Sph2及诱导细胞凋亡的活性.方法 采用PCR从黄疸出血群赖型赖株钩体基因组DNA中扩增全长sph2基因片段,T-A克隆后测序.构建sph2基因原核表达系统,采用SDS-PAGE检查重组Sph2(rSph2)的表达情况,Ni-NTA亲和层析法提纯rSph2.采用绵羊血平板溶血试验及血红蛋白分光光度法测定rSph2的溶血活性.采用流式细胞术检测rSph2诱导小鼠单核-巨噬样细胞株J774A.1和肝细胞株IAR20凋亡的活性,实时荧光定量PCR检测赖株钩体感染J774A.1和IAR20细胞前后sph2基因mRNA水平变化.结果 与GenBank中sph2基因比较,所克隆的sph2基因序列相似性为100%.所构建的原核表达系统能高效表达rSph2.rSph2以浓度依赖方式溶解绵羊红细胞.10 μg/ml rSph2可诱导J774A.1和IAR20细胞凋亡,凋亡率峰值分别为23.96%和32.92%.赖株钩体感染J774A.1和IAR20细胞后0.5～2 h内sph2基因mRNA水平显著升高,2 h后mRNA水平迅速下降.结论 钩体sph2基因呈宿主细胞接触式瞬时表达.rSph2有溶解绵羊红细胞及诱导巨噬细胞和肝细胞凋亡的活性,因而Sph2是钩体致病过程中重要的毒力因子.     

Detection of leptospiral antibodies in animal sera by means of fractionated antigenic extracts

Sodium dodecyl sulphate extracts of the reference strains Mus 127, Castellón 3 and Arborea of the Ballum agglutinogenic serogroup of Leptospira interrogans (the species of pathogenic leptospira), of strain Patoc 1 of the saprophytic species of L. biflexa, and of strain 3055 of illini serotype, the sole representative of L. illini, were each fractionated by ultracentrifugation in a sucrose density gradient into 10 fractions. The fractions were tested by complement fixation and immunodiffusion against the sera of animals during the process of immunisation and during the course of naturally occurring infections. The fractions could be divided into three main pools of serological activity: pool I (fractions 1, 2 and 3), pool II (fractions 4, 5 and 6), pool III (fractions 7, 8 and 9). Pool I was species/genus specific; fraction 1 tended to be species specific while fraction 2 reacted with antisera to all strains whether pathogenic or saprophytic. Pool II was serogroup specific and reacted only with antisera to members of the same serogroup. Pool III was serotype (serovar) specific and revealed the identity of the infecting strain at an early stage of infection.     

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。     

Expression and characterization of an iron-regulated hemin-binding protein, HbpA, from Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai

In an earlier study, based on the ferric enterobactin receptor FepA of Escherichia coli, we identified and modeled a TonB-dependent outer membrane receptor protein (LB191) from the genome of Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai. Based on in silico analysis, we hypothesized that this protein was an iron-dependent hemin-binding protein. In this study, we provide experimental evidence to prove that this protein, termed HbpA (hemin-binding protein A), is indeed an iron-regulated hemin-binding protein. We cloned and expressed the full-length 81-kDa recombinant rHbpA protein and a truncated 55-kDa protein from L. interrogans serovar Lai, both of which bind hemin-agarose. Assay of hemin-associated peroxidase activity and spectrofluorimetric analysis provided confirmatory evidence of hemin binding by HbpA. Immunofluorescence studies by confocal microscopy and the microscopic agglutination test demonstrated the surface localization and the iron-regulated expression of HbpA in L. interrogans. Southern blot analysis confirmed our earlier observation that the hbpA gene was present only in some of the pathogenic serovars and was absent in Leptospira biflexa. Hemin-agarose affinity studies showed another hemin-binding protein with a molecular mass of approximately 44 kDa, whose expression was independent of iron levels. This protein was seen in several serovars, including nonpathogenic L. biflexa. Sequence analysis and immunoreactivity with specific antibodies showed this protein to be LipL41.     

Identification of pathogenic Leptospira genospecies by continuous monitoring of fluorogenic hybridization probes during rapid-cycle PCR.

Partial sequences of 23S rRNA gene PCR products from 23 strains of 6 pathogenic Leptospira genospecies and from 8 strains of the saprophytic Leptospira biflexa were determined. Sequence analyses enabled Leptospira genus-specific amplification primers and pathogen-specific fluorogenic adjacent hybridization probes to be designed and synthesized. A PCR protocol was developed in which changes in fluorescence emission resulting from specific annealing of fluorogenic adjacent hybridization probes to the target DNA were continuously monitored. Nine strains of the pathogenic Leptospira genospecies could be differentiated from Leptonema illini, Escherichia coli, and eight strains of Leptospira biflexa. The PCR method was rapid, requiring 18 min for the completion of 45 cycles. It was also simple and flexible, as DNA templates prepared by four different methods, including the simple boiling method, could be used without adverse effects. Two hundred copies of target, equivalent to 100 cells, could be detected.     

Chemotaxis of leptospires to hemoglobin in relation to virulence.

A guinea pig-lethal line of Leptospira interrogans serovar copenhageni strain Shibaura, but not an avirulent line of the same strain, moved in larger numbers toward hemoglobin than toward distilled water (control) in a U-shaped polypropylene tube. L. interrogans serovar lai strains 017 and KH-1, which were also guinea pig lethal, showed a similar move to hemoglobin. No such move toward hemoglobin was shown by 14 avirulent strains of L. interrogans (with one exception) or any of the 8 strains of L. biflexa tested.     

Broadly reacting precipitating and agglutinating antigen of leptospirae.

A saprophytic Leptospira biflexa strain of equine origin was found which cross-reacts with immune rabbit antisera to 14 pathogenic Leptospira interrogans serotypes. Sera from goats experimentally inoculated with the saprophyte showed multiple low-level cross-agglutination reactions against a battery of live L. interrogans serotypes. Sonically treated and saline-extracted suspensions of the L. biflexa strain and serotypes canicola, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona yielded a common precipitating protein antigen that was detected by immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis with all of the antileptospiral sera examined. In cross-absorption and gel diffusion tests, the precipitinogen from each of the strains was shown to be identical. Formaldehyde treatments and heating at 100 degree C suggest that the cellular location of the common antigen is either somatic or subsurface, and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration enabled the isolation of the active fraction of the L. biflexa antigen. Monoprecipitin sera against the common antigen of L. biflexa were produced by immunizing rabbits with specific precipitates in agar. In gel diffusion and immunoelectrophoresis tests the antisera with each of the soluble antigens developed a single precipitin formation, and the antisera agglutinated formolized and heated whole-cell suspensions of serotypes canicola, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona at low dilutions. The soluble L. biflexa antigen was evaluated as an immunogen and in passive immunity tests for protection against death and kidney infection in hamsters. No cross-protection occurred when the hamsters were challenged with virulent leptospires. In contrast, the animals vaccinated or administered hamster immune serum before challenge died earlier than the control animals.