An evolutionary analysis of nitric oxide reductase gene norV in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157

A novel virulence gene, norV, that encodes nitric oxide (NO) reductase, was examined to investigate the emergence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157 subgroup C clusters 2 and 3 from subgroup C cluster 1. Deletion of norV occurred at a point between cluster 1 and cluster 2 just after or at the same time that an stx2 bacteriophage, which retains Shiga toxin 2 gene, was inserted into wrbA, which encodes a novel multimeric flavodoxin-like protein, in EHEC O157. Sensitivity of NO to anaerobic growth was correlated with the deletion of norV in all EHEC O157 individuals tested. The C467A mutation of fimH, which encodes minor component of type 1 fimbriae, occurred within cluster 1, not as a transition from cluster 1 to cluster 2, indicating that there is a cluster 1 minority branch that leads to cluster 2. These data refine the evolutionary history of an emerging EHEC O157.     

Exploiting the power of OMICS approaches to produce E. coli O157 vaccines

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains are well-documented human pathogens and causative agents of diarrheal episodes and hemorrhagic colitis. The serotype O157:H7 is highly virulent and responsible for both outbreaks and sporadic cases of diarrhea. Because antibiotic treatment is contraindicated against this pathogen, development of a human vaccine could be an effective intervention in public health. In our recent Infection and Immunity paper, we applied integrated approaches of in silico genome wide search combined with bioinformatics tools to identify and test O157 vaccine candidates for their protective effect on a murine model of gastrointestinal infection. Using genomic/immunoinformatic approaches that are further described here, we categorized vaccine candidates as high, medium, and low priorities, and demonstrate that some high priority candidates were able to significantly induce Th2 cytokines and reduce EHEC colonization. Using the STRING database, we have recently evaluated the vaccine candidates and predict functional protein interactions, determining whether correlations exist for the development of a multi-subunit vaccine, targeting different pathways against EHEC O157:H7. The overall approach is designed to screen potential vaccine candidates against EHEC; however, the methodology can be quickly applied to many other intestinal pathogens.     

Differing roles of protein kinase C-zeta in disruption of tight junction barrier by enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and enterohemorrhagic E. coli harbor highly homologous pathogenicity islands yet show key differences in their mechanisms of action. Both disrupt host intestinal epithelial tight junctions, but the effects of enteropathogenic E. coli are more profound than those of enterohemorrhagic E. coli. The basis for this is not understood. The atypical protein kinase C isoform, protein kinase C-zeta, associates with and regulates the tight junction complex. The aim of this study was to compare the role of protein kinase C-zeta in the disruption of tight junctions after infection with enteropathogenic E. coli and enterohemorrhagic E. coli. METHODS: Model intestinal epithelial monolayers infected by enteropathogenic E. coli or enterohemorrhagic E. coli were used for these studies. RESULTS: Neither bisindolylmaleimide nor G?6976, which block several protein kinase C isoforms but not protein kinase C-zeta, protected against the decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance after enteropathogenic E. coli infection. Rottlerin at concentrations that block novel and atypical isoforms, including protein kinase C-zeta, significantly attenuated the decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance. The specific inhibitory peptide, myristoylated protein kinase C-zeta pseudosubstrate, also significantly decreased the enteropathogenic E. coli -associated decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance and redistribution of tight junction proteins. In contrast to enteropathogenic E. coli, the level of protein kinase C-zeta enzyme activity stimulated by enterohemorrhagic E. coli was transient and minor, and protein kinase C-zeta inhibition had no effect on the decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance or the redistribution of occludin. CONCLUSIONS: The differential regulation of protein kinase C-zeta by enteropathogenic E. coli and enterohemorrhagic E. coli may in part explain the less profound effect of the latter on the barrier function of tight junctions.     

Interaction of Shiga toxin 2 with complement regulators of the factor H protein family

Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) is believed to be a major virulence factor of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) contributing to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The complement system has recently been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of EHEC-associated HUS. Stx2 was shown to activate complement via the alternative pathway, to bind factor H (FH) at short consensus repeats (SCRs) 6–8 and 18–20 and to delay and reduce FH cofactor activity on the cell surface.     

肠出血性大肠杆菌O157胶体金免疫层析试纸条的研制

目的建立一种简便实用的胶体金免疫层析检测方法用于食品样品中肠出血性大肠杆菌O157的快速筛查。方法采用柠檬酸三钠还原法制备胶体金,以抗EHEC O157 LPS单克隆抗体标记,以兔抗O157多克隆抗体固定于硝酸纤维素膜作为捕获抗体,利用双抗夹心法,制成O157胶体金免疫层析检测试纸条,并进行了特异性和敏感性试验。结果该试纸条仅与O157反应,与其他受试菌株均不反应。检测敏感性为106CFU/mL,对人工污染EHEC O157模拟牛肉样品增菌后检测,敏感性为56 CFU/g。结论成功研制出EHEC O157胶体金免疫层析试纸条,敏感性高,特异性强,检测速度快,10min可出结果,操作简便,可用于现场大量样品的检测。     

The role of inflammation in regulating platelet production and function: Toll-like receptors in platelets and megakaryocytes

Platelets have been extensively studied as hemostatic regulators, stopping uncontrolled flow of blood from an injured vessel and allowing for repair. However, multiple studies have shown that platelets can interact with bacterial proteins, particularly seen during sepsis and inflammation. Immune cells recognize pathogens through Toll-like Receptors (TLRs). These same receptors allow platelets to recognize bacterial proteins and regulate platelet immunity and function. This review examines the TLRs expressed on platelets and megakaryocytes and how these receptors affect the function of these cells. Through TLRs, platelets go beyond hemostatic regulation and play a pivotal role in inflammation and infection.     

致泻大肠埃希菌实验室检测工作的探讨与分析

致泻大肠埃希菌引发的肠道感染疾病越来越多，在肠道病原菌中所占比重已超过志贺菌成为最常见的腹泻病原菌。近年来，嘉兴市陆续出现了多起由该菌引起的食物中毒和门诊病例，2002年本市所辖某县检出了一例由O157：H7（EHEC）引起的病例，2005年在本市食物中毒和门诊病例的腹泻病人标本中陆续检出3株与腹泻有关的O125：K70（EPEC）、O164：K？（EIEC）、O25：K19（ETEC），这引起了笔者的高度重视。为了更好地认识致泻大肠埃希菌的生物学特性，整理了检测工作中的记录，查阅了相关资料，并结合工作体会，从实验室角度对致泻大肠埃希菌的检测工作及其注意事项作了分析与探讨。     

肠出血性大肠杆菌O157:H7的紧密黏附素基因eae的测序及生物信息学分析

目的 克隆编码肠出血型大肠杆菌O157:H7的紧密黏附素eae基因,并对其进行测序及生物信息学分析,为研究EHEC与宿主细胞相互作用奠定基础.方法 利用PCR技术扩增eae基因,经过纯化,将其定向插入克隆载体PMD19-T simple vector并进行测序,应用生物信息学软件分析其生物学特性.结果 用PCR方法扩增eae基因,大小为2802 bp,编码934个氨基酸,用DNAstar5.0软件分析紧密黏附素(Intimin)蛋白的生物活性,在202～210、510～520、716～735个氨基酸残基的肽链上,显示该蛋白具有良好的亲水性,在175～220、300～315、550～610、710～780、825～880个氨基酸残基的肽链上具有良好的柔韧性,在220～300、615～710个氨基酸残基的肽链上,显示该蛋白具有良好的抗原性.结论 本研究用PCR法扩增出了O157:H7的eae基因,成功构建了肠出血性大肠杆菌O157:H7紧密黏附素eae基因的重组质粒,并分析了黏附素蛋白的亲水性、柔韧性、抗原性,为进一步研究大肠杆菌O157:H7黏附素的致病机制奠定了基础,为下一步表达出Intimin蛋白,进一步研究该蛋白与宿主细胞的粘附、免疫原性、抗原抗体反应提供了理论依据.