Pseudomonas aeruginosa Protease IV: A Corneal Virulence Factor of Low Immunogenicity |
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| Authors: | Brett A. Thibodeaux Armando R. Caballero Joseph J. Dajcs Mary E. Marquart Lee S. Engel Richard J. O'Callaghan |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA;2. Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, Parasitology, and Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA;3. Department of Ophthalmology, LSU Eye Center, New Orleans, LA, USA |
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| Abstract: | Purpose: To study antibody production to Pseudomonas aeruginosa protease IV (PIV) for immunoassay development and to assess the possible role of antibody in arresting corneal damage. Methods: Rabbits were immunized with PIV, urea-soluble recombinant PIV (rPIV), or precipitated rPIV. Antibody was analyzed by ELISA and Western blotting. Antibody-mediated inhibition of PIV activity was tested by colorimetric assay and during keratitis by slit-lamp examination of infected eyes. Results: Antibody was not produced after PIV immunization but was induced by rPIV. Rabbits immunized first with soluble and then precipitated rPIV produced high titers (log10) to rPIV (4.28 ± 0.09) and significantly higher titers to PIV (3.90 ± 0.06) compared to the other immunized groups. Antibody to rPIV reacted with PIV, but neither neutralized enzyme activity in vitro nor protected infected rabbits in vivo. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that PIV is a virulence factor which can escape a protective immune response. |
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| Keywords: | Proteinases Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis antibody |
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