Molecular and cellular interactions between Brucella abortus antigens and host immune responses

Host protection against Brucella abortus, is thought to be mediated primarily by a Th1 type immune response. Unfortunately, only few specific bacterial antigens involved in stimulating protective cellular immunity against Brucella are known. Therefore, identifying bacterial proteins that induce a T-lymphocyte mediated response is critical to determine Brucella immunity. Several library screening methods are discussed that have been used to identify Brucella proteins that stimulate T lymphocytes including cellular immunoblotting, Escherichia coli expressed Brucella proteins, green fluorescence reporter systems, and signature tagged mutagenesis. Future studies would likely examine how bacterial proteins expressed within host cells aid pathogen survival and/or induce host responses. Some of these newly identified bacterial gene products may serve as antigens to activate a protective host immune response. Also, identifying Brucella proteins expressed at particular times during infection will also yield insights into Brucella pathogenesis.     

The innate immune response against Brucella in humans

Pathogens have developed different strategies to survive and multiply within their host. Among them is the ability to control phagocyte apoptosis while another is to affect the expression of cytokines which is necessary for a normal protective function of the immune response. To establish themselves and cause chronic disease in humans and animals, Brucella spp. invade and proliferate within monocytic phagocytes. We have established that in humans, Brucella suis impairs the apoptosis of monocytes and macrophages, thus preventing its host cell elimination. In mice, which are not naturally colonized by the bacteria, Brucella infection results in Type1 (Th1) cellular immune response which promotes a clearance of the bacterial organism. The development of this response is under the control of major cytokines like TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-12 produced at the onset of infection. We have observed that in humans, B. suis-infected macrophages which produce IL-1, IL-6, IL-10 and several chemokines including IL-8, do not secrete TNF-alpha. By constructing null mutants, we demonstrated that this inhibition involves the outer membrane protein Omp25 of Brucella, however the mechanism regulating the inhibition has not yet been clearly defined. It is likely that the Omp25-induced effect on TNF-alpha production assists bacterial evasion of antimicrobial defences at different levels. Firstly, by preventing the autocrine activation of macrophages thus inhibiting innate immunity and secondly by impairing the production of IL-12 and the development of a Th1 type specific immunity. In addition to the central role of the macrophage in Brucella infection, others cells of the innate immune response are recruited and influenced by the interactions between bacteria and host. For instance, human Vgamma9Vdelta2 T-cells play an important role in the early response to infection with intracellular pathogens. Evidence has been presented that their number dramatically increased in the peripheral blood of patients with acute brucellosis. We have shown that human Vgamma9Vdelta2 T-cells can be specifically activated by non-peptidic low molecular weight compound(s) from B. suis lysate or by soluble factors produced by B. suis-infected macrophages. Under these conditions, they produce TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma and reduce the bacterial multiplication inside infected autologous macrophages. This impairment of B. suis multiplication is due to both soluble factors released from activated gammadeltaT-cells (including TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma) and to a contact-dependent cytotoxicity directed against the infected cells. The interactions between the bacteria and these cells can counteract the intramacrophagic development of the bacteria and finally influence the further development of the host defense. We hypothesize that the chronicity or the elimination of the infection will depend on the balance between contradictory effects induced by the bacteria which favor either the host or the pathogen. Moreover, the interrelationship between the different cells must be taken into account in the analysis of the virulence of the bacteria and in the development of in vitro models of human macrophage infection.     

Hepatic and splenic immune response during acute vs. chronic Brucella melitensis infection using in situ microscopy

Brucella melitensis is an intracellular bacteria causing disease in humans as an incidental host. The infection initiates as acute flu-like symptoms and may transform into a chronic cyclic infection. This cyclic infection may be partly due to the bacteria’s ability to persist within antigen presenting cells and evade the CD8 + T cell response over long periods of time. This research aims to characterize the immune response of the acute and chronic forms of brucellosis in the murine liver and spleen. We also sought to determine if the exhaustion of the CD8 + T cells was a permanent or temporary change. This was accomplished by using adoptive transfer of acutely infected CD8 + T cells and chronically infected CD8 + T cells into a naïve host followed by re-infection. The histological examination presented supports the concept that exhausted T-cells can regain function through evidence of granulomatous inflammation after virulent challenge in a new host environment.     

The protoxin Cry1Ac of Bacillus thuringiensis improves the protection conferred by intranasal immunization with Brucella abortus RB51 in a mouse model

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease affecting many people and animals worldwide. Preventing this infection requires improving vaccination strategies. The protoxin Cry1Ac of Bacillus thuringiensis is an adjuvant that, in addition to increasing the immunogenicity of different antigens, has shown to be protective in different models of parasitic infections. The objective of the present study was to test whether the intranasal co-administration of pCry1Ac with the RB51 vaccine strain of Brucella abortus confers protection against an intranasal challenge with the virulent strain B. abortus 2308 in BALB/c mice. The results showed that co-administration of pCry1Ac and RB51, increased the immunoprotection conferred by the vaccine as evidenced by the following: (1) decrease of the splenic bacterial load when challenged intranasally with the virulent strain; (2) greater in vivo cytotoxic activity in response to the transference of previously infected cells; (3) further proliferation of cytotoxic TCD8+ cells in response to stimulation with heat-inactivated bacteria; (4) increased production of TNF-α and IFN-γ; and (5) significant IgG2a response. These results indicate that the use of the Cry1Ac protein as a mucosal adjuvant via the intranasal route can be a promising alternative for improving current RB51 vaccine against brucellosis.     

Usefulness of the murine model to study the immune response against Histoplasma capsulatum infection

The present paper is an overview of the primary events that are associated with the histoplasmosis immune response in the murine model. Valuable data that have been recorded in the scientific literature have contributed to an improved understanding of the clinical course of this systemic mycosis, which is caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Data must be analyzed carefully, given that misinterpretation could be generated because most of the available information is based on experimental host–parasite interactions that used inappropriate proceedings, i.e., the non-natural route of infection with the parasitic and virulent fungal yeast-phase, which is not the usual infective phase of the etiological agent of this mycosis.     

Temporal changes in the populations of immune cells at the site of experimental Dermatophilus congolensis infection in mice and sheep

Abstract The temporal patterns of dermal immune cell influx were compared in mice and sheep, species reputedly resistant and susceptible, respectively, to infection with Dermatophilus congolensis. In both species, the response involved early mast cell degranulation, vasodilatation and an influx of dendritic cells which accumulated and apparently differentiated beneath the infected epidermis. A concomitant dermal invasion by neutrophils and T and B lymphocytes led to epidermal infiltration, particularly by neutrophils and thence to the formation of the surface scab. Hypertrophy of the epidermis also indicates keratinocyte involvement in the host response. The duration of the response, however, was considerably shorter in the mouse (about 5 days) and B cells' were the predominant lymphocyte under and adjacent to the lesion. During the more protracted response in the sheep (> 21 days), T cells, including T19 antigen +γδ T cells, outnumbered B cells. Résumé— Des modifications dans les populations des cellules immunes dans le derme sont comparées chez la souris et le mouton, espèces respectivement résistantes et sensibles à Dermatophilus congolensis. Dans ces deux espèces, la réponse fait intervenir d'abord la dégranulation des mastocytes, la vasodilatation et l'arrivée de cellules dendritiques qui s'accumulent et se différencient apparemment sous l'épiderme infecté. Une invasion concomittente dermique par des neutrophiles, des lymphocytes T et B est observée et aboutit à l'infiltration épidermique, particulièrement par les neutrophiles et pour cette raison, à la formation de croûtes superficielles. L'hypertrophie de l'épiderme indique aussi l'implication du kératinocyte dans la réponse de l'hôte. Cependant, la durée de cette réponse, est bien plus courte chez la souris (environ 5 jours) et les lymphocytes B sont les lymphocytes prédominants, sous-jacents à la lésion. Chez le mouton, la réponse est prolongée (plus de 21 jours) et les lymphocytes T, incluant les lymphocytes CD 19 et γδ surpassent en nombre les lymphocytes B. [Sasiak, A.B., Lloyd, D.H., McEwan Jenkinson, D., Kitson, S., Elder, H. Y. Temporal changes in the populations of immune cells at the site of experimental Dermatophilus congolensis infection in mice and sheep (Particularités de la population cellulaire immunitaire aux sites d'infections expérimentales à Dermatophilus congolensis chez la souris et le mouton). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 59–66.] ResumeAn Se compararon los patrones temporales de llegada de células inmunitarias en el ratón y en la oveja, especies consideradas resistentes y susceptibles, respectivamente a la infección por Dermatophilus congolensis. En ambas especies la respuesta implicó degranulación temprana de mastocitos, vasodilatación y llegada de células dendríticas que se acumulaban y aparentemente diferenciaban bajo la epidermis infectada. La invasión dérmica concomitante por netrófilos y linfocitos T y B llevó a una infiltración epidérmica, especialmente por neutrófilos y consecuentemente a la formación de una costra superficial. La hipertrofi de la epidermis también indica la implicación de queratinocitos en la respuesta del huésped. Sin embargo, la duración de la respuesta fue considerablemente más corta en el ratón (unos 5 dias) y los linfocitos B fueron la célula predominante en la zona adyacente a la lesión y debajo de ella. Durante la respuesta más prolongada en la oveja (> 21 días), las células T, incluyendo el antigeno T19, células T γδ, superaban en número las células B. [Sasiak, A.B., Lloyd, D.H., McEwan Jenkinson, D., Kitson, S., Elder, H. Y. Temporal changes in the populations of immune cells at the site of experimental Dermatophilus congolensis infection in mice and sheep (Alteraciones temporales en las poblaciones de celulas inmunitarias en zonas cutaneas de infeccion experimental por Dermatophilus congolensis en raton y en la oveja). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 59–66.] Zusammenfassung— Die temporären Muster des Influx dermaler Immunzellen wurden bei Maus und Schaf verglichen, Tierarten, die angeblich resistent und empfänglich speziell für die Infektion mit Dermatophilus congolensis sind. Bei beiden Spezies bezog die Reaktion eine frühe Mastzelldegranulation ein, weiterhin Vasodilatation und einen Influx dendritischer Zellen, die sich unter der infizierten Epidermis anhäuften und offensichtlich differenzierten. Eine begleitende Invasion der Dermis durch Neutrophile, T- und B-Lymphozyten führte zu einer epidermalen Infiltration, besonders durch Neutrophile und von dort an zur Bildung von Oberflächenschorf. Die Hypertrophic der Epidermis zeigt außerdem eine Beteiligung der Keratinozyten bei der Antwort des Wirtstieres. Die Dauer der Reaktion jedoch war bei der Maus beträchtlich kürzer (etwa 5 Tage) und die B-Zellen waren die vorherrschenden Lymphozyten unter und angrenzend an die Läsion. Während der mehr protrahierten Reaktion beim Schaf (> 21 Tage) übertrafen die T-Zellen einschließlich T19-Antigen und gamma-delta-T-Zellen die Anzahl der B-Zellen. [Sasiak, A. B., Lloyd, D. H., McEwan Jenkinson, Kitson, S., Elder, H. Y. Temporal chnges in the populations of immune cells at the site of experimental Dermatophilus congolensis infection in mice and sheep (Temporäre Veränderungen in den Populationen von Immunzellen an der Stelle experimenteller Infektionen mit Dermatophilus congolensis bei Maus und Schaf). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 59–66.]     

Quantitative analysis of the antigen-specific IFNgamma+ T cell-mediated immune response in conventional outbred pigs: kinetics and duration of the DNA-induced IFNgamma+ CD8+ T cell response

It is now well established that antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells play a major role in vaccine-induced immunity against intracellular pathogens and tumor cells. The detection of these immune cells in outbred animals has been hampered mainly by the need to generate individual autologous antigen-presenting cells (APCs) due to the high degree of polymorphism of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I loci. We used individually derived immature porcine dendritic cells infected with a pox-based recombinant viral vector to ex vivo stimulate PBMCs from vaccinated conventional pigs. The frequencies of antigen-specific T cells was determined by the number of IFNγ-secreting cells in a quantitative enzyme-linked immune spot (ELISPOT) assay. Using this approach we were able to rank different pseudorabies virus (PRV) vaccines strategies for their ability to prime viral-specific IFNγ⁺ T cells. Plasmid DNA has recently emerged as a promising tool with multiple applications in the field of infectious diseases, allergy and cancer. We showed for the first time in this study that DNA immunization induced a long-lived antigen-specific IFNγ⁺ T cells response in conventional pigs. Additional studies allowed us to show that these virus-specific IFNγ⁺ responding cells detected in this ELISPOT assay were MHC-restricted and comprised in the CD8^bright pig T cell subset. These new data confirm the usefulness of DNA vaccines to control diseases requiring cellular immunity in pigs.     

Chronic pneumonia in calves after experimental infection with Mycoplasma bovis strain 1067: Characterization of lung pathology,persistence of variable surface protein antigens and local immune response

Background

Mycoplasma bovis is associated with pneumonia in calves characterized by the development of chronic caseonecrotic lesions with the agent persisting within the lesion. The purposes of this study were to characterize the morphology of lung lesions, examine the presence of M. bovis variable surface protein (Vsp) antigens and study the local immune responses in calves after infection with M. bovis strain 1067.

Methods

Lung tissue samples from eight calves euthanased three weeks after experimental infection with M. bovis were examined by bacteriology and pathology. Lung lesions were evaluated by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for wide spectrum cytokeratin and for M. bovis Vsp antigens and pMB67 antigen. IHC identification and quantitative evaluation of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes and immunoglobulin (IgG1, IgG2, IgM, IgA)-containing plasma cells was performed. Additionally, expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II) was studied by IHC.

Results

Suppurative pneumonic lesions were found in all calves. In two calves with caseonecrotic pneumonia, necrotic foci were surrounded by epithelial cells resembling bronchial or bronchiolar epithelium. In all calves, M. bovis Vsp antigens were constantly present in the cytoplasm of macrophages and were also present extracellularly at the periphery of necrotic foci. There was a considerable increase in numbers of IgG1- and IgG2-positive plasma cells among which IgG1-containing plasma cells clearly predominated. Statistical evaluation of the numbers of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, however, did not reveal statistically significant differences between inoculated and control calves. In M. bovis infected calves, hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) was characterized by strong MHC class II expression of lymphoid cells, but only few of the macrophages demarcating the caseonecrotic foci were positive for MHC class II.

Conclusions

The results from this study show that infection of calves with M. bovis results in various lung lesions including caseonecrotic pneumonia originating from bronchioli and bronchi. There is long-term persistence of M. bovis as demonstrated by bacteriology and immunohistochemistry for M. bovis antigens, i.e. Vsp antigens and pMB67. The persistence of the pathogen and its ability to evade the specific immune response may in part result from local downregulation of antigen presenting mechanisms and an ineffective humoral immune response with prevalence of IgG1 antibodies that, compared to IgG2 antibodies, are poor opsonins.     

Evaluation of the effect of Toxocara cati infection in the mouse model of allergic asthma: Exacerbation of allergic asthma symptoms and Th2 types of response

Toxocariasis is considered a neglected disease despite the importance of Toxocara spp. infections for human health and is little recognized as a significant problem by public health institutions in developing countries. Epidemiological studies suggest that infection with Toxocara cati contributes to the development of allergic asthma.In the present study, we investigated the effect of T. cati infection on experimental allergic airway inflammation using murine model. BALB/c mice were infected by oral administration with 500 embryonated T. cati eggs followed by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge to induce allergic airway inflammation. Infection with T. cati in combination with OVA treatment leads to exacerbation of pulmonary inflammation, eosinophilia, airway hyperresponsiveness, OVA specific IgE. Cytokines measurement in bronchoalveolar lavage indicated that the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 in BAL fluid significantly increased after T. cati infected, OVA treated or a combination of both. Increased level of IL-5 was measured in the lungs of T. cati-infected or OVA-treated mice compared with controls. Moreover, combining infection and OVA treatment significantly increase the level of these cytokines.A direct association between T. cati infection and asthma was found in murine model. Although a wide range of helminth species have been demonstrated to modulate allergic responses, most notably the intestinal nematode T. cati, increases airway hyperresponsiveness, lung histopathology, eosinophil recruitment, and Th2 cytokines in alum-sensitized models of airway allergy.