Translocation of surface-localized effectors in type III secretion

Pathogenic Yersinia species suppress the host immune response by using a plasmid-encoded type III secretion system (T3SS) to translocate virulence proteins into the cytosol of the target cells. T3SS-dependent protein translocation is believed to occur in one step from the bacterial cytosol to the target-cell cytoplasm through a conduit created by the T3SS upon target cell contact. Here, we report that T3SS substrates on the surface of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis are translocated into target cells. Upon host cell contact, purified YopH coated on Y. pseudotuberculosis was specifically and rapidly translocated across the target-cell membrane, which led to a physiological response in the infected cell. In addition, translocation of externally added YopH required a functional T3SS and a specific translocation domain in the effector protein. Efficient, T3SS-dependent translocation of purified YopH added in vitro was also observed when using coated Salmonella typhimurium strains, which implies that T3SS-mediated translocation of extracellular effector proteins is conserved among T3SS-dependent pathogens. Our results demonstrate that polarized T3SS-dependent translocation of proteins can be achieved through an intermediate extracellular step that can be reconstituted in vitro. These results indicate that translocation can occur by a different mechanism from the assumed single-step conduit model.     

Caspase-3 cleavage of Salmonella type III secreted effector protein SifA is required for localization of functional domains and bacterial dissemination

SifA is a bi-functional Type III Secretion System (T3SS) effector protein that plays an important role in Salmonella virulence. The N-terminal domain of SifA binds SifA-Kinesin-Interacting-Protein (SKIP), and via an interaction with kinesin, forms tubular membrane extensions called Sif filaments (Sifs) that emanate from the Salmonella Containing Vacuole (SCV). The C-terminal domain of SifA harbors a WxxxE motif that functions to mimic active host cell GTPases. Taken together, SifA functions in inducing endosomal tubulation in order to maintain the integrity of the SCV and promote bacterial dissemination. Since SifA performs multiple, unrelated functions, the objective of this study was to determine how each functional domain of SifA becomes processed. Our work demonstrates that a linker region containing a caspase-3 cleavage motif separates the two functional domains of SifA. To test the hypothesis that processing of SifA by caspase-3 at this particular site is required for function and proper localization of the effector protein domains, we developed two tracking methods to analyze the intracellular localization of SifA. We first adapted a fluorescent tag called phiLOV that allowed for type-III secretion system (T3SS) mediated delivery of SifA and observation of its intracellular colocalization with caspase-3. Additionally, we created a dual-tagging strategy that permitted tracking of each of the SifA functional domains following caspase-3 cleavage to different subcellular locations. The results of this study reveal that caspase-3 cleavage of SifA is required for the proper localization of functional domains and bacterial dissemination. Considering the importance of these events in Salmonella pathogenesis, we conclude that caspase-3 cleavage of effector proteins is a more broadly applicable effector processing mechanism utilized by Salmonella to invade and persist during infection.     

Identifying strains that contribute to complex diseases through the study of microbial inheritance

It has been 35 y since Carl Woese reported in PNAS how sequencing ribosomal RNA genes could be used to distinguish the three domains of life on Earth. During the past decade, 16S rDNA sequencing has enabled the now frequent enumeration of bacterial communities that populate the bodies of humans representing different ages, cultural traditions, and health states. A challenge going forward is to quantify the contributions of community members to wellness, disease risk, and disease pathogenesis. Here, we explore a theoretical framework for studies of the inheritance of bacterial strains and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various study designs for assessing the contribution of strains to complex diseases.     

A new approach for therapeutic vaccination against chronic HBV infections

There are currently about 257 million people suffering from chronic HBV infection worldwide. In many cases, an insufficient T cell response is causative for establishment of a chronic infection. To ensure a robust cellular immune response and induction of neutralizing antibodies a novel vaccine platform based on modified cell–permeable HBV capsids was utilized. Cell permeability was achieved by fusion of the membrane–permeable TLM-peptide to HBV core monomers, assembling the capsids. Insertion of a Strep-tagIII into the spike tip domain that protrudes from the capsid surface enables flexible loading with antigens that are fused to streptavidin. In this study, HBV surface antigen-derived PreS1PreS2 domain, fused to monomeric streptavidin, served as cargo antigen. Binding between antigen and capsids was characterized by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, electron microscopy and density gradient centrifugation. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and in vivo imaging of immunized mice demonstrated membrane permeability of cargo-loaded carriers and spread of antigen over the whole organism. Immunization experiments of mice revealed a robust induction of a specific cellular immune response, leading to destruction of HBV-positive cells and induction of HBV-specific neutralizing antibodies. Membrane permeability of these carriers allows needle-free application of antigen-loaded capsids as evidenced by induction of an HBV-specific CTL response and HBV-specific B cell response after oral or transdermal vaccination.These data indicate that cell–permeable antigen carriers, based on HBV capsids and loaded with HBV antigen, have the capacity to induce a cellular and a neutralizing humoral immune response. In addition, cell permeability of the vaccine platform enables antigen transfer across several cell layers, that could allow oral or transdermal immunization.     

Pannexin 1 channels facilitate communication between T cells to restrict the severity of airway inflammation

1. Download : Download high-res image (165KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Expansion of human lymphocyte populations expressing specific immune reactivities. III. Specific colonies,either cytotoxic or proliferative,obtained from a population of responder cells primed in vitro. Preliminary immunogenetic analysis

Human alloreactive cell lines were maintained in culture over prolonged period of some using conditioned medium. Primed lymphocyte typing reactivity was observed in for only 1 mo, but these T cell lines have remained for more than 7 mo cytotoxic.Using as growth promoter an irradiated autologous feeder consisting of irradiated blood lymphocytes and the lectin leucoagglutinin, we have derived by limiting in vitro primed allogeneic combinations, primary colonies for primary immune reactivities either cytotoxic (the rarest observed) or PLT the colonies). Furthermore, each monofunctional primary colony when tested for PLT reactivity on a panel of unrelated PBL, always showed a restricted specificity when the original primed population. The PLT reactivity of each of the primary lasting in contrast to their growth potential. The CML reactivity of the primary the T cell lines, was long lasting as was their growth potential.     

Use of a self-generating percoll gradient and single cell cytotoxicity assay to identify tumor-lytic properties of inflammatory neutrophils

Within a murine model of regional immunotherapy, the cytolytic potential of peritoneal neutrophils could not be confirmed or quantified using routine techniques of cell separation and chromium release assays. We, therefore, developed procedures for the enrichment of neutrophils and estimation of the frequency of killer cells. Peritoneal exudate cells from mice injected with Corynebacterium parvum were fractionated on a self-generating Percoll gradient to enrich for neutrophils and deplete macrophages. A significant enrichment of neutrophils (greater than 90%) was obtained in a band corresponding to a density of 1.088 with a recovery of 35-50% of input. Neutrophil-enriched cell populations were then mixed with tumor cells to examine neutrophil-target interactions at the single cell level. Conjugates of neutrophils and tumor targets were obtained and the majority were lytic. With the aid of trypan blue staining and safranin counterstaining, it was possible to distinguish effector cells from targets and neutrophils from other host cells. The frequency of conjugates was dependent upon the effector to target cell ratio and was not affected by changes in temperature (range 4-30 degrees C). The post-binding lytic events were initiated rapidly after conjugation and tumor lysis was completed within 30 min. The lytic events occurred optimally between 25 degrees and 37 degrees C. The present studies support the role of neutrophils in tumor lysis following administration of an immunoadjuvant. The techniques described are important to further study the role of neutrophils in disease states as well as the underlying mechanisms of neutrophil-mediated tumor cytotoxicity.     

Increase in Ksp37-positive peripheral blood lymphocytes in mild extrinsic asthma

Killer-specific secretory protein of 37 kDa (Ksp37), identified as a Th1/Tc1 specific secretory protein is expressed preferentially in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells and might be involved in essential processes of CTL-mediated immunity. Although extrinsic asthma is linked currently to a Th2-dominated pathogenesis, there is increasing evidence for Th1/Tc1-mediated processes in the aetiopathology of asthma. CTL from patients with asthma have been shown to express cytokines and effector molecules which were different from healthy controls. We hypothesized that Ksp37 could indicate the involvement of CTL in the pathogenesis of extrinsic asthma. We therefore investigated Ksp37 expression in PBMC from patients with mild extrinsic asthma (n = 7) and healthy controls (n = 7). Flow cytometric analysis was used to quantify Ksp37+ cells and to investigate cellular Ksp37 expression as relative mean fluorescence intensities (MFI). We found a significantly (P = 0.016) higher percentage of Ksp37+ cells within the total lymphocyte population obtained from patients with mild extrinsic asthma compared with healthy controls. Subdifferentiation revealed a significant difference limited exclusively to the CD8+ subset (P = 0.010). In addition, Ksp37 secretion from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and MFI of Ksp37+ lymphocytes were increased in patients with asthma compared with healthy controls. We conclude that mild extrinsic asthma appears to be associated with an increased expression of the Tc1 related protein Ksp37. The functional role of Ksp37 in the pathogenesis of asthma remains to be elucidated.     

弓形虫诱导的黏膜细胞免疫应答研究进展

弓形虫经口感染可引起肠道黏膜诱导及效应部位的免疫应答，黏膜免疫研究对于研制弓形虫口服黏膜疫苗具有重要的指导作用。本文从细胞水平对弓形虫感染后肠道黏膜各类细胞的功能及作用机制的研究进展作了综述。     

A Fc engineering approach to define functional humoral correlates of immunity against Ebola virus

1. Download : Download high-res image (202KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image