Mutants of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin and cholera toxin as mucosal adjuvants

Mucosal vaccination has been getting more and more recognition because of its compliance and low risk of spreading infectious disease by contaminated syringes used in subcutaneous immunization. However, most vaccines are unable to induce immune responses when given mucosally, and require the use of strong adjuvant for effective delivery systems. Heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) and Cholera toxin(CT) are powerful mucosal adjuvants when co-administered with soluble antigens. But high toxicity hampers their use in humans. Thanks to the fine knowledge of the structure-function relationship of LT and CT, many nontoxic or low toxic mutants have been generated, part of them retain high adjuvanticity of mucosal immunization. Among these mutants, LTS63K, LTA72R, LTR192G and CTE29H, CTE112K have been widely investigated. LTS63K and CTE112K are fully non toxic, whereas LTA72R and CTE29H are low toxic, and LTR192G is nontoxic in vitro(it remains the same toxicity as wild type LT in vivo). These mutants are extremely active as mucosal adjuvants when co-administrated with a variety of antigens in different animal models. They will be investigated more widely and deeply in the future. Some of them will be tested soon in human bodies.

Expression of E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit in transgenic tobacco plants

Objective: To construct plant transformation vector containing Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit(LT-B) gene and generate LT-B transgenic tobacco plants. Methods: The LT-B coding sequence was amplified from pMMB68 by PCR, subcloned into middle vector pUCmT and binary vector pBI121 to obtain plant expression vector pBI-LTB, in which LT-B expression was controlled under the Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. The tobacco plants (Nicotiana tobacum L.Cuttivar Xanthi) were transformed by co-cultivating leaf discs method via Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 harboring the plant expression vector. The regenerated transgenic tobacco plants were selected by kanamycin and confirmed by PCR, Southern blot, Western blot and ELISA. Results:LT-B gene integrated in the tobacco genomic DNA and were expressed in 9 strains of transgenic tobacco plants. The yield was varied from 3.36-10.56 ng/mg total soluble tobacco leaf protein. Conclusion: The plant binary expression vector pBI-LTB was constructed successfully, and transgenic LT-B tobacco plants was generated, and confirmed by Southern blot. The protein LT-B expressed by engineered plants was identified by Western blot analysis and had the expected molecular weight of LT-B pentamer protein. This result is an important step close to developing an edible vaccine and supplying a mucasal immunoajuvant, which will contribute to the prevention of mucosa-route evading pathogen.

Enhanced immunization after intranasal coadministration of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit and human papillomavirus 16-L1 DNA vaccine

Human papillomavirus （HPV）, mainly types 16 and 18, are the most important initiating agents of cervical cancer. Prevention of high-risk HPV infections is a potentially effective approach to control HPV associated cervical cancer.

Activating Effect of Staphylococcal Enterotoxins

The effect of enterotoxins is to induce the production of endogenous IF. St. aureus enteropathogenic proteins (enterotoxins) possess an antitumour effect. After intraperitoneal inoculation, they decrease the size and, in some cases, prevent the development of the human hypernephroma in the cheek pouch of golden hamsters. The effect of enteropathgenic proteims may possibly consist in inducing the production of endogenous immune interferon which activates the host immune system and enhances the rejection of heterologous tumour cells.

Electrochemical and colorimetric dual-signal detection of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B based on AuPt bimetallic nanoparticles loaded Fe-N-C single atom nanocomposite

Sensitive detection of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B(SEB)is of importance for preventing food poisoning from threatening human health.In this work,an electrochemical and colorimetric dual-signal detection assay of SEB was developed.The probe(Ab2/AuPt@Fe-N-C)was bound to SEB captured by Ab1,where the Ab2/AuPt@Fe-N-C triggered methylene blue degradation and resulted in the decrease of electrochemical signal.Furthermore,the probe catalyzed the oxidation of 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethyl biphenyl to generate a colorimetric absorbance at 652 nm.Once the target was captured and formed a sandwich-like complex,the color changed from colorless to blue.SEB detection by colorimetric and electrochemical methods showed a linear relationship in the concentration ranges of 0.0002-10.0000 and 0.0005-10.0000 ng/mL,with limits of detection of 0.0667 and 0.1670 pg/mL,respectively.The dual-signal biosensor was successfully used to detect SEB in milk and water samples,which has great potential in toxin detection in food and the environment.

基于荧光生物传感技术检测牛奶中金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素B

目的利用纳米金粒子(gold nanoparticles,AuNPs)荧光猝灭性能和核酸适配体的高亲和力,构建一种简便、灵敏的纳米金“Turn-on”型荧光生物传感方法检测牛奶中金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素B(staphylococcal enterotoxins B,SEB)的方法。方法以AuNPs作为荧光体的能量受体(猝灭剂),荧光素-单链DNA(fluorescein-ssDNA,FAM-ssDNA)作为荧光能量供体,冷冻法制备AuNPs-SEB适配体复合物,基于AuNPsSEB适配体复合物/SEB/FAM-ssDNA的竞争性结合,构建纳米金“Turn-on”型荧光生物传感检测方法。对缓冲体系pH和反应时间等条件进行优化,以牛奶为代表对方法检测性能进行验证。结果在优化好的实验条件(pH 7.5、反应时间15 min和反应温度25℃)下,在10^(-1)~10^(4)ng/mL范围内,荧光强度与SEB质量浓度之间呈现良好的线性关系,其相关系数为0.995,检出限为0.062 ng/mL。应用于牛奶样品中SEB的测定,方法回收率为91.2%~108.0%,相对标准偏差在2.6%~5.2%范围之间。结论该纳米金“Turn-on”型荧光生物传感检测技术具有简便、灵敏和准确等优点,可为食品中污染物的检测提供一种可行的新方法。

新疆乌鲁木齐市周边乳源金黄色葡萄球菌的污染和致病力评价

为了评价新疆乌鲁木齐市周边乳源金黄色葡萄球菌污染和致病力,从奶牛养殖场和挤奶厅采集了414份样品,共分离鉴定出51株金黄色葡萄球菌(总分离率为12.3%),其中粪样、吸奶器拭子、体表拭子、乳样、饲料的分离率分别为8.4%、22.8%、14.8%、18.9%、9.8%。采用PCR检测毒力基因的携带情况,SEs的总检出率为60.8%,其中sec、seh和sel的检出率为51.0%、43.1%和23.5%。其他毒力基因hla和hlb、clfa的检出率为52.9%和84.3%、90.2%。菌株耐药率较高的抗生素是阿奇霉素(86.3%)、磺胺二甲嘧啶(84.3%)、万古霉素(49.0%)、环丙沙星(29.4%)、阿莫西林-克拉维酸钾(27.5%)。其中多重耐药有34株,最高可达6重耐药。乌鲁木齐市周边乳源金黄色葡萄球菌的污染较严重,且肠毒素基因携带率较高和耐药严重,需要重视金黄色葡萄球菌的污染和减少抗菌药物的使用。

Preparation and activity of conjugate of monoclonal antibody HAb18 against hepatoma F( ab′ )_2 fragment and staphylococcal enterotoxin A

AIM To prepare the conjugate of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) protein which is a bacterial SAg and the F(ab')2 fragment of mAb HAbl8 against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and identify its activity in order to use SAg in the targeting therapy of HCC.METHODS MAb HAbl8 was extracted from the abdominal dropsy of Balb/ c mice, and was purified through chromatography column SP-40HR with Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) system. The F(ab')2 fragment of mAb HAb18 was prepared by papainic digestion method. The conjugate of mAb HAb18 F(ab')2fragment and SEA was prepared with chemical conjugating reagent N-succinimidyl-3-( 2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP) and purified through chromatography column Superose 12with FPLC system. The molecular mass and purity of each collected peak were identified with SDS-PAGE assay. The protein content was assayed by Lowry's method. The antibody activity of HAb18 F (ab')2 against HCC in the conjugate was identified by indirect immunocytochemical ABC method, and the activity of SEA in the conjugate to activate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was identified with MTT assay.RESULTS The lgG mAb HAb18 was extracted,and purified successfully. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that it reacted with most of HHCC cells of human HCC cell line. There were two peaks in the process of purification of the prepared HAb18 F(ab)2-SEA conjugate. SDS-PAGE assay demonstrated that the molecular mass of the first peak was about 130 ku, and the second peak was the mixture of about 45 ku and a little 100 ku proteins. The immunocytochemical staining was similar in HAb18 F (ab ')2-SEAconjugate and HAb18 F (ab ')2, i.e., thecytoplasm and/or cell membranes of most HHCC cells were positively stained. The MTT assay showed that the optical absorbance (A) value at 490 nm of HAb18 F (ab')2-SEA conjugate was 0.182 ± 0.012, that of negative control was 0.033± 0.009, and there was significant difference between them ( P < 0.05).CONCLUSION SPDP is a good proteinconjugating reagent and can be used in preparing protein conjugate. The conjugate of mAb HAb18F(ab')2 fragment and SEA protein was preparedsuccessfully in present study and can be used in the experimental study of HCC targeting therapy with the conjugate of SAg and anti-HCC mAbs or their fragments.

Effect of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin on gastric cancer cells SGC7901 which highly expressed claudin-4 protein

AIM To investigate the effects of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin(CPE) on gastric cancer cells which highly expressed claudin-4(CL4) protein.METHODS In this study, we detected expression of CL4 protein in different gastric cancer cell lines. Then, we investigated the effects of CPE on SGC7901 cells which highly expressed CL4 protein and the effects of CPE on sub-cutaneous tumor in nude mice models.RESULTS CL4 are highly expressed in SGC7901 cells. CPE expressedsignificant cytotoxicity in SGC7901 cells. Suppression of CL4 expression significantly decreased CPE-mediated cytotoxicity. CPE also inhibited tumor growth in subcutaneous tumor xenograft models.CONCLUSION CPE showed CL4 mediated cytotoxicity on gastric cancer cells SGC7901 and inhib-ited tumor growth in nude mice models.

Predictive Modeling for Growth and Enterotoxin Production of Staphylococcus aureus in Milk

Predictive microbiology was utilized to model Staphylococcus aureus （S. aureus） growth and staphylococcal enterotoxin A （SEA） production in milk in this study. The modifed logistic model, modifed Gompertz model and Baranyi model were applied to model growth data of S. aureus between 15℃ and 37℃. Model comparisons indicated that Baranyi model described the growth data more accurately than two others with a mean square error of 0.0129. Growth rates generated from Baranyi model matched the observed ones with a bias factor of 0.999 and an accuracy factor of 1.01, and ft a square root model with respect to temperature; other two modifed models both overestimated the observed ones. SEA amount began to be detected when the cell number reached106.4 cfu ？ mL-1, and showed the linear correlation with time. Besides, the rate of SEA production ftted an exponential relationship as a function of temperature. Predictions based on the study could be applied to indicate possible growth of S. aureus and prevent the occurrence of staphylococcal food poisoning.

Studies on Enterotoxins and Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Various Sources

Staphylococcus aureus represents a public health challenge all over the world. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the prevalence of five genes (sea, seb, sec, see and seg) encoding the staphylococcal enterotoxins in S. aureus isolated from different sources and to evaluate the association of these toxins in comparison to susceptibility towards 12 antimicrobials;antimicrobial susceptibility was conducted by disc diffusion method. Detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins was performed by PCR and the ability to express these genes was assessed among isolates by RT-PCR. The most common enterotoxin gene was sea gene (66%), followed by seb, sec, see and seg (38%, 23%, 19% and 5%) respectively. Expression of sea, seb and seg genes was variable. However, sec and see genes were not expressed by any of the tested isolates. No statistically significant association exists between (seb, sec and see) and isolation sources, while the sea was significantly associated with clinical isolates. High significant correlation was found between elevated sea expression and multidrug-resistance. Our findings indicate that the pathogenic potential of S. aureus may be greater than previously thought. This emphasizes the utmost need to implement proactive measures and more emphasis will be placed on the application of hygiene practices in hospitals to control S. aureus infection and enterotoxins production.

Bacteroides fragilis enterotoxin upregulates heme oxygenase-1 in dendritic cells via reactive oxygen species-,mitogen-activated protein kinase-,and Nrf2-dependent pathway

BACKGROUND Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis(ETBF)causes colitis and diarrhea,and is considered a candidate pathogen in inflammatory bowel diseases as well as colorectal cancers.These diseases are dependent on ETBF-secreted toxin(BFT).Dendritic cells(DCs)play an important role in directing the nature of adaptive immune responses to bacterial infection and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)is involved in the regulation of DC function.AIM To investigate the role of BFT in HO-1 expression in DCs.METHODS Murine DCs were generated from specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 and Nrf2−/−knockout mice.DCs were exposed to BFT,after which HO-1 expression and the related signaling factor activation were measured by quantitative RT-PCR,EMSA,fluorescent microscopy,immunoblot,and ELISA.RESULTS HO-1 expression was upregulated in DCs stimulated with BFT.Although BFT activated transcription factors such as NF-κB,AP-1,and Nrf2,activation of NF-κB and AP-1 was not involved in the induction of HO-1 expression in BFT-exposed DCs.Instead,upregulation of HO-1 expression was dependent on Nrf2 activation in DCs.Moreover,HO-1 expression via Nrf2 in DCs was regulated by mitogenactivated protein kinases such as ERK and p38.Furthermore,BFT enhanced the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and inhibition of ROS production resulted in a significant decrease of phospho-ERK,phospho-p38,Nrf2,and HO-1 CONCLUSION These results suggest that signaling pathways involving ROS-mediated ERK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases-Nrf2 activation in DCs are required for HO-1 induction during exposure to ETBF-produced BFT.

Assessment of the inhibitory effects of sodium nitrite, nisin, potassium sorbate, and sodium lactate on Staphylococcus aureus growth and staphylococcal enterotoxin A production in cooked pork sausage using a predictive growth model

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of sodium nitrite,nisin,potassium sorbate,and sodium lactate against Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)growth and staphylococcal enterotoxins(SEs)production in cooked pork sausage by inoculating sausage samples containing preservative with an S.aureus strain producing staphylococcal enterotoxin A(SEA)and then storing them at 37℃ for 36 h.Samples were analyzed every 3 h to count the S.aureus colonies and to detect SEA.The modified Gompertz model was used to describe S.aureus growth in the samples under various conditions,and the preservatives with a significant antimicrobial effect were selected.In addition,the antimicrobial effects of the selected preservatives under various concentrations were tested.Results showed that sodium nitrite,nisin,and potassium sorbate had a weak effect against S.aureus growth and had no effect against SEA production,whereas sodium lactate could significantly inhibit S.aureus growth and SEA production.Moreover,the antimicrobial effect of sodium lactate was concentration-dependent,wherein sodium lactate concentration<12 g/kg showed no inhibitory effect,but when the concentration was increased to 24 g/kg,sodium lactate could effectively inhibit S.aureus growth and SEA production,and at 48 g/kg,sodium lactate had a significant inhibitory effect.

Effect and Mechanism of Superantigen Staphylococcal Enterotoxin Therapy for Mouse Gastric Tumor

The anti-tumor effect and mechanism of the staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) were studied. The mouse gastric tumor model was produced by subcutaneously inoculating gastric tumor ceils (MGC80-3). The experimental group was treated with SEA, and the control group was treated with normal saline. The percentage of tumor generation and tumor mass was measured. The results showed that the percentage of the tumor generation in the SEA-treated mice was lower than in the control group, but there was no significant difference (P>0. 05). However, the tumor mass in the experimental group was significantly lighter than in the control group, with the difference being very significant (P<0. 001). There were more CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in the tumor of the mice treated with SEA than those of the control group. SEA has an obvious anti-tumor effect on mice gastric tumor. The mechanism might be that SEA induces the effect of superantigen-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity to the tumor cells.

Detection and Analysis on StaphylococcalEnterotoxins in Raw Cow Milk from DifferentRegions of Jinan, China

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the pollution caused by staphylococcal enterotoxins(SE) in raw milk and the safety of dairy products in Jinan, and to provide a scientific basis for food safety risk analysis. [Method] A total of 130 raw milk samples were collected from different regions of Jinan, and detected for Staphylococcus aureus by referring to GB4789.10-2010. Then, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect whether the S.aureus strains produced enterotoxins, and the enterotoxin type was identified using colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic test strips. [Result] Fiftyseven of the raw milk samples were polluted by S.aureus, so the detection rate of S.aureus was 43.85%; and 11 of the strains produced enterotoxins. Among the 11 enterotoxin-producing strains, seven produced SEB, only one produced SEC, and the SE type of other three strains was not identified. [Conclusion] Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic test strips can be used in combination to rapidly detect staphylococcal enterotoxins and identify enterotoxin type, although there are some limitations. SEB is the main type of staphylococcal enterotoxin causing pollution in milk of Shandong Province.

THE EFFECT OF SUPERANTIGEN STAPHYLOCOCCALENTEROTOXIN B AND D-GALACTOSAMINE ON BALB/CMOUSE HEPATOCYTES

Objective To observe the role of superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B(SEB) andD - galactosamine (D - GalN) on Balb/c mouse hepatocytes and its mechanism. Methods After Balb/c mice wereinjected intraperitoneally with SEB, D- GalN or both, blood samples were collected and livers were removed at 2,6, 12, 24h. Patterns of hepatocellular death were studied morphologically and biochemically, circulating cytokines(TNF, IFN-γ) were determined, and mice mortality within 24h was assessed. Results SEB could induce thetypical apoptotic changes of hepatocytes morphologically and biochemically. The mechanism is probably associatedwith the production and release of Cytokines (such as TNF, IFN- γ, etc).D - GalN could induce hepatocytesapoptosis and degeneration at the same time. Besides this, we confirmed hepatocytes of the mice which wereadministered SEB and D - GalN developing apoptosis at 2, 6h, but after 12h hepatocytes were characterized bysevere injury, the mice mortality within 24h is 50%. Conclusion SEB or D - GalN alone could induce the typicalapoptotic changes of hepatocytes. SEB+D-GalN developed hepatocytes apoptosis in the early stage and necrosisin the later. It suggests that there is some relationship between hepatic cell apoptosis and necrosis, and massivehepatocyte apoptosis is the probably initiating step of acute hepatic necrosis in mice.

The Akt Pathway Inhibitor Degeulin Prevents Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Induced Splenocyte Proliferation and Inflammation

Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) is considered a potential biological weapon. It is toxic by both inhalation and ingestion. Effects of ingestion include fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, while inhalation may additionally result in chest pain, dyspnoea, pulmonary oedema and respiratory failure. Severe exposure may be fatal and treatment relies on symptomatic support. At a cellular level, SEB up-regulates T-cell proliferation leading to a pathological inflammatory response. Deguelin, a rotenoid isolated from the African plant Mundulea sericea (Leguminosae), has been shown to reduce cellular proliferation by inhibiting the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signalling pathway. Using isolated murine splenocytes, we have demonstrated that treatment with deguelin reduces SEB inducing T cell proliferation by 60%. Deguelin treatment also decreased IL-2 and CCL2 secretion by splenocytes exposed to SEB. We demonstrate that targeting cellular proliferation can significantly reduce inflammation after SEB exposure and suggest that anti-proliferatives may have a role as potential generic medical counter measures if superantigens are used as biological weapons.

Immune reaction characteristics and the mechanism of anergy induced by recombinant enterotoxin a of Staphylococcus aureus

To study immune reactions and the mechanism of anergy induced by recombinant enterotoxin A (rSEA) of Staphylococcus aureus. The gene encoding SEA was cloned from standard strain of S. aureus and high efficiently expressed in E. coli. After immunization with purified rSEA, mice were examined for production of specific antibody, subtype of IgG, cytokine mRNA levels such as IFN-γ, IL-2 secretion and T-cell surface PD-1 expression. Results showed that high levels of specific antibodies were produced in two weeks of primary immunization shot. During this time, humoral immune reactions prevailed (IgG2a/ IgG1 【1). During the early phase, Th1 type cytokine mRNA is expressed at a higher level than Th2 type, indicating cellular immune reaction prevailed. Splen- ocyte IFN-γ secretion was significantly decreased after boosting immunization. The PD-1 expression was detected by a flow cytometry examination in the surface of T- lymphocytes which were induced by rSEA, and the expression of PD-1 molecules increased along with the number of boosting and the time after immunization.

Auto-presentation of Staphylococcal enterotoxin A by mouse CD4⁺T cells

The currently accepted model for superantigen (SAg) induced T cell activation suggests that SAg, without being processed, cross link both MHC class II, from Antigen Presenting Cells (APC), and V-β , from T-cell receptor (TCR), initi-ating nonspecific T-cell activation. This T-cell proliferation induces a massive cytokine release associated with several human diseases. It is thought that murine CD4+ T cells do not express MHC class-II molecules. However, we discov-ered that a subtype of mouse na?ve CD4+ T cells expresses MHC class II on their cell surface and that these CD4+ T cells can perform the role of both APC and T cells, able to present Staphy-lococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) to itself or neigh- boring CD4+ T cells via MHC class II, thus in-ducing massive CD4+ T cell proliferation. Treat- ment with neutralizing anti MHC class II anti-body inhibits this CD4+ T cell proliferation re-sponse. The fact that murine CD4+ T cells ex-press MHC class II offers new insight about SAg activity. Based on our findings, we propose re-vising and extending previous models for SAg induced T cell activation, altering previous models of MHC class II restriction of T cell re-sponses to SEA as well as the requirement for SAg processing.

基于裁剪适配体的纳米金比色法用于金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素A的可视化检测

目的:筛选适配体作为分子识别原件,基于纳米金的盐效应构建生物传感器,实现金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素A(staphylococcal enterotoxin A,SEA)的快速定量检测。方法:采用分子对接和分子动力学模拟对SEA适配体进行截短指导和结果预测,利用纳米金显色法验证模拟结果,对SEA适配体优化并将其作为分子识别原件,优化反应体系,探讨SEA质量浓度与吸光度比值间的关系,构建一种可视化的SEA快速检测分析方法,并对方法的准确度、精密度和特异性进行评价。结果:筛选出一条序列短、亲和力高、特异性强且稳定的SEA适配体,建立了一种基于纳米金比色的SEA可视化检测方法,检出限低,加标回收结果满意。结论:采用分子模拟能有效提高适配体筛选效率,本方法可用于SEA快速检测。