猪链球菌2型毒力因子研究进展

猪链球菌2型(SS2)是一种重要的人兽共患病病原菌,其主要毒力因子包括荚膜多糖、溶菌酶释放蛋白、溶血素、纤连蛋白结合蛋白、谷氨酸脱氢酶等,但是这些经典的毒力因子不足以解释猪链球菌病发病的临床症状,而且毒力表型往往与实际毒力及临床症状不符。近年来随着研究的深入,鉴定出一系列毒力相关元件,主要有Sao蛋白、存在于89K毒力岛的双信号转导系统(salk-salR)、dltA基因、pgdA基因、srtA基因、Ⅳ型二肽基肽酶(dipeptidyl peptidaseⅣ,DPPⅣ)、毒力调控子R(control of virulence R,CovR)、烯醇酶(enolase)、谷氨酰胺合成酶(glutamine synthetase,GlnA)等。论文对以上毒力因子研究进展进行综述,以期为SS2毒力因子及致病机制研究提供参考。     

Sortase anchored proteins of Streptococcus uberis play major roles in the pathogenesis of bovine mastitis in dairy cattle

Streptococcus uberis, strain 0140J, contains a single copy sortase A (srtA), encoding a transamidase capable of covalently anchoring specific proteins to peptidoglycan. Unlike the wild-type, an isogenic mutant carrying an inactivating ISS1 insertion within srtA was only able to infect the bovine mammary gland in a transient fashion. For the first 24 h post challenge, the srtA mutant colonised at a similar rate and number to the wild type strain, but unlike the wild type did not subsequently colonise in higher numbers. Similar levels of host cell infiltration were detected in response to infection with both strains, but only in those mammary quarters infected with the wild type strain were clinical signs of disease evident. Mutants that failed to express individual sortase substrate proteins (sub0135, sub0145, sub0207, sub0241, sub0826, sub0888, sub1095, sub1154, sub1370, and sub1730) were isolated and their virulence determined in the same challenge model. This revealed that mutants lacking sub0145, sub1095 and sub1154 were attenuated in cattle. These data demonstrate that a number of sortase anchored proteins each play a distinct, non-redundant and important role in pathogenesis of S. uberis infection within the lactating bovine mammary gland.     

Characterization of the invasion of porcine endothelial cells by Streptococcus suis serotype 2

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is an important swine pathogen associated mainly with meningitis. In a previous study, we demonstrated the ability of S. suis serotype 2 to adhere to and invade immortalized porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells (PBMECs) forming the blood-brain barrier. The aim of the current work was to further characterize the mechanism(s) by which S. suis invades porcine endothelial cells. The ability of several S. suis strains to interact with PBMECs was not found to correlate with their geographic origin, virulence, host of origin, or suilysin production. Characterization studies demonstrated that proteinaceous adhesins/invasins, cell wall components, lipoteichoic acid, and serum components (including fibronectin) were involved in interactions between S. suis and PBMECs. In addition to PBMECs, S. suis was able to adhere to and invade 2 porcine aortic endothelial cell lines and primary PBMECs.     

猪链球菌2型srtA基因缺失菌株的构建及生物学特性

扩增了srtA基因的上、下游同源臂P1和P2及其全长序列,利用温度敏感型"自杀性"质粒pSET4s构建了重组质粒pSET4s-P1-P2,并将该质粒电转化入野生菌株SS2(SC21)中,通过抗生素和温度双重筛选,得到srtA基因缺失菌株,命名SC211.同时,将srtA基因定向插入穿梭质粒pAT18,构建穿梭质粒pAT18-srtA,并将该质粒电转入srtA基因缺失菌株SC211中,通过抗生素筛选,得到质粒介导的srtA基因互补菌株SC212.通过PCR、South-ern blotting等对缺失突变菌株和互补菌株进行了鉴定.对基因缺失突变菌株和回复菌株传代培养遗传稳定性试验结果显示,缺失突变菌株和互补菌株能够稳定遗传.比较了基因缺失突变菌株、互补菌株及野生菌株的生长特性、溶血活性、细胞粘附特性,结果表明,3个菌株的生长速度、溶血活性没有明显差异.基因缺失后SS2对Hep2细胞的粘附能力明显下降,只有野毒菌株的49%,互补菌株粘附能力几乎达到野毒菌株的水平,是野毒菌株的89%.CD1小鼠毒力试验结果显示,srtA基因缺失株SC211的LD_(50)(4.93×10~7)约为野毒菌株SC21的LD_(50)(8.21×10~6)的6倍,质粒介导的互补菌株SC212的LD_(50)(1.43×10~7)是野生菌株SC21的1.7倍,接近野毒菌株的水平,说明srtA基因缺失后SS2毒力显著下降.     

Characterization of porcine dendritic cell response to Streptococcus suis

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus suis is a major swine pathogen and important zoonotic agent causing mainly septicemia and meningitis. However, the mechanisms involved in host innate and adaptive immune responses toward S. suis as well as the mechanisms used by S. suis to subvert these responses are unknown. Here, and for the first time, the ability of S. suis to interact with bone marrow-derived swine dendritic cells (DCs) was evaluated. In addition, the role of S. suis capsular polysaccharide in modulation of DC functions was also assessed. Well encapsulated S. suis was relatively resistant to phagocytosis, but it increased the relative expression of Toll-like receptors 2 and 6 and triggered the release of several cytokines by DCs, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p40 and TNF-α. The capsular polysaccharide was shown to interfere with DC phagocytosis; however, once internalized, S. suis was readily destroyed by DCs independently of the presence of the capsular polysaccharide. Cell wall components were mainly responsible for DC activation, since the capsular polysaccharide-negative mutant induced higher cytokine levels than the wild-type strain. The capsular polysaccharide also interfered with the expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD80/86 and MHC-II on DCs. To conclude, our results show for the first time that S. suis interacts with swine origin DCs and suggest that these cells might play a role in the development of host innate and adaptive immunity during an infection with S. suis serotype 2.     

The role of toll-like receptors in the pathogenesis of Streptococcus suis

Streptococcus suis is an important agent of swine and human meningitis. Sequence type (ST) 7 emerged in China and was responsible for the human epidemic caused by S. suis in 2005. The virulence of S. suis ST7 is greater than the wild type pathogenic S. suis, ST1; however, the mechanisms for this increased pathogenicity are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the role of different toll-like receptors (TLRs) involved in regulating the host response to the S. suis infection and to speculate on differing mechanisms used by ST7 strains to induce disease. Here we compared two ST7 strains isolated in the 2005 Sichuan outbreak to two ST1 strains. Our data show TLR2, 6 and 9 are involved in the recognition of heat-killed S. suis independent of the ST type. We found the TLR-dependent cytokine production differed between the two types of strains using whole cell lysate proteins. TLR6 played a greater role in cytokine production induced by the whole cell lysate proteins from the ST7 strain than in that induced by the ST1 strain lysates. The data suggest that mechanisms of inflammation induced by S. suis strains differ where this will be useful in designing efficient strategies in combating streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome caused by the S. suis ST7 strains.     

猪链球菌2型血清混浊因子基因的鉴定及其结构特征分析

猪链球菌是猪的主要病原,也可导致人感染,其致病机理尚未明确.作者设计了1对特异性引物,采用特异性PCR从2株猪链球菌血清2型606中国分离株和607日本分离株的基因组中,分离出2种血清混浊因子(of)基因,全长3 016 bp,编码938个氨基酸,其中日本分离株607的ofs基因序列与已知基因完全相同.中国分离株606的ofs基因与已知基因相差7个碱基,导致3个氨基酸替换,其中1个突变(Asp353Gly)位于蛋白的N端功能区,可能影响其血清混浊功能；另外2个氨基酸突变位于蛋白的C端重复区内.从2种OFS蛋白中,找出了细菌黏附因子共有的结构特征,2种OFS蛋白C端区含有保守的LPXTG结构,使OFS蛋白可固定于细菌的表面,但其中的3个重复序列与纤黏蛋白结合蛋白A等的相似性很低,两种OFS蛋白可能通过特殊的途径协助猪链球菌的黏附.猪链球菌ofs基因中重复序列和突变使得编码的蛋白表现出丰富的长度多态性.本研究获得的2种OFS属于中等长度的蛋白,均来自强毒力型猪链球菌.这些结果提示菌株606和607携带的ofs基因可能是猪链球菌的毒力基因,对猪链球菌的致病机理及其防治具有重要的意义.     

A novel signature-tagged mutagenesis system for Streptococcus suis serotype 2

Streptococcus suis is an economically important, zoonotic pathogen causing death and disease in swine. The objectives of this study were to develop a signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) system for S. suis serotype 2 and to identify genes required for in vivo virulence. Identification of such candidate genes may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of S. suis and may provide substrate for the discovery of new vaccines. A novel STM approach was designed to allow for a higher throughput assay of mutants using the Luminex xMAP system. Additionally, to speed the identification process, a direct genomic DNA sequencing method was developed that overcomes the problems associated with the presence of repetitive insertion sequences. Approximately 2600 mutants were screened through both mouse and caesarian-derived, colostrum-deprived (CDCD) pig models. The disrupted ORF was identified for each potential attenuated mutant, and mutants with distinct and unique mutated ORFs were analyzed individually for attenuation in mouse and CDCD pig models. A variety of genes were identified, including previously known genes essential to the virulence of other organisms, genes involved in capsule biosynthesis, a regulator of suilysin expression, and several conserved or predicted genes. Of the 22 mutants identified as attenuated in either animal model, eight insertion mutants caused no mortality in both mouse and pig models.     

IgA1 protease contributes to the virulence of Streptococcus suis

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a major swine pathogen and emerging zoonotic agent. However, the current understanding of the S. suis pathogenesis of infection remains limited. In the present study, the contribution to the pathogenesis of S. suis was evaluated on IgA1 protease (or iga gene), which has been regarded as a virulence factor of gram-negative pathogenic bacteria and of certain gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. In contrast to the wild type (WT) strain of S. suis serotype 2, the isogenic iga mutant (Δiga) constructed by allelic replacement showed significantly decreased lethality to pigs. The present study suggests that IgA1 protease might contribute to S. suis pathogenesis.     

猪链球菌毒力因子的研究进展

猪链球菌病是一种重要的人畜共患病,给人类和养猪业的健康发展造成极大的危害。猪链球菌的毒力因子包括荚膜多糖(CPS)、溶菌酶释放蛋白(MRP)、胞外因子(EF)、溶血素(SLY)、毒力相关序列(ORF2)、纤连蛋白和血纤蛋白原结合蛋白(FBPS)、谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)、IgG结合蛋白等,它们与猪链球菌的致病性有着密切的关系。笔者通过总结毒力因子对猪链球菌致病机理的影响,以期为猪链球菌病疫苗的研制和治疗提供理论基础。     

Polysaccharide capsule and suilysin contribute to extracellular survival of Streptococcus suis co-cultivated with primary porcine phagocytes

Streptococcus suis is a major cause of meningitis, sepsis and arthritis in piglets and a zoonotic agent. Survival in the blood circulation system represents a major step in pathogenesis of S. suis infections. To get further insights into the mechanisms of S. suis survival in the host, we compared a highly virulent S. suis serotype 2 strain with its non-encapsulated and suilysin-deficient mutants in their abilities to resist phagocytosis and killing by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and mononuclear cells. PMNs displayed a higher capacity to take up encapsulated bacteria than mononuclear cells, whereas both cell types internalized efficiently non-encapsulated S. suis. Differentiation of extracellular and intracellular survival of the WT strain revealed that in PMNs the majority of the cell-associated streptococci were intracellular, whereas in mononuclear cells the majority remained attached to the cell surface. S. suis survived mainly extracellularly, since both cells killed intracellular bacteria to a similar extent. As a consequence of different resistance to phagocytosis, only the encapsulated S. suis strains survived co-cultivation with PMNs. Comparison of the WT strain with its encapsulated suilysin-deficient mutant revealed reduced survival of the mutant after co-cultivation with PMNs. Involvement of suilysin in inhibition of phagocytosis was further confirmed by the use of anti-suilysin antibodies and recombinant suilysin. Kinetic experiments with PMNs suggested that reduced survival of the mutant strain was mainly associated with an increased uptake, whilst both strains adhered similarly. Concluding, our results indicate that the capsule and the suilysin play important roles in S. suis survival in the host by interfering with phagocytic uptake.     

Decrease of the adhesion of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 mutants to embryonic bovine tracheal cells and porcine tracheal rings.

Streptococcus suis is an important swine pathogen that may be present in the tonsils of pigs that show no signs of illness. Because adhesion to host cells may be important in the carrier state, this study was undertaken to investigate adhesion to host cells by S. suis mutant strains defective in expression of a 39-kDa protein. Mutant strains of S. suis were generated by transposon Tn916 mutagenesis and were tested for adhesion to embryonic bovine tracheal cells and porcine tracheal rings. Compared with the parent strain, there was a significant reduction in adherence of 3 mutant strains to both bovine tracheal cells and porcine tracheal rings.     

Inactivation of the sodA gene of Streptococcus suis type 2 encoding superoxide dismutase leads to reduced virulence to mice

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a virulence factor of certain pathogenic bacteria by diminishing the effect of oxidative burst of phagocytic cells. Earlier reports indicated the presence of manganese-cofactored SOD in Streptococcus suis type 2 (SS2). However, the biological role of SOD and its coding sequence in SS2 has not yet been characterized. The SSU1356-ORF of a clinical SS2 strain ZJ081101 encodes a protein of 201 amino acids with 81-88% identity to SodA of other Streptococcus spp. A sod deletion mutant (Δsod) from the clinical strain was constructed. SOD activity was absent in the cell extract from the Δsod mutant, but present in that from the wild-type or the sod-complemented (CΔsod) strain. The Δsod mutant was more susceptible to oxidative stresses induced by hydrogen peroxide or paraquat. Survival of the sod deletion mutant in RAW264.7 macrophages was only half of that of the wild-type strain. Deletion of sod significantly attenuated virulence of SS2 to mice. Effects of such genetic deletion were complementable using the strain CΔsod. The co-inoculation experiment in mice revealed that the Δsod mutant was far more easily cleared from the body than the wild-type strain as shown by about 3-log reduction of its infection potential in blood and tissues. In summary, we reveal an important role of SOD in pathogenesis of S. suis type 2, most probably by scavenging reactive oxygen species from macrophages.     

猪附红细胞体对不同宿主红细胞的体外感染试验

本试验在猪附红细胞体体外培养的基础上,用猪附红细胞体的阳性血液体外感染家兔、昆明小白鼠、犬、羊、牛及人的健康红细胞。结果表明,上述宿主的健康红细胞均可不同程度地发生感染,其中体外感染家兔红细胞,在第36小时感染率最高,为45.0%;感染昆明小白鼠红细胞,在第24小时感染率最高,为40.3%;感染人红细胞,在第48小时感染率最高,为30.0%,呈现轻度感染;而对其他宿主红细胞,呈现一过性感染。     

Production of muraminidase-released protein (MRP), extracellular factor (EF) and suilysin by field isolates of Streptococcus suis capsular types 2, 1/2, 9, 7 and 3 isolated from swine in France

A total of 323 isolates of Streptococcus suis recovered from diseased or healthy pigs in France were serotyped. The presence of virulence-related proteins, Muraminidase-Released Protein (MRP), Extracellular Factor (EF) and Suilysin was also studied in 122 isolates of capsular types 2, 1/2, 9, 7 and 3 to evaluate their implication in virulence of S. suis. Capsular types 2, 1/2, 9, 7 and 3 were the most frequently detected (93%), with 69% for the capsular type 2 alone. Capsular types 2, 1/2, 9, 7, 3, 1, 4, 8, 18, 10 and 12 were isolated from diseased pigs, whereas types 2, 7, 9, 1/2, and 3 originated from the nasal cavities or tonsils of healthy animals. Most of the S. suis type 2 isolates recovered from diseased pigs carried MRP+ EF- Suilysin- (46%) or MRP+ EF+ Suilysin+ (28%) phenotypes. The MRP+ EF- Suilysin- phenotype was also detected in 67% of S. suis type 2 strains isolated from healthy pigs. The production of the virulence-related proteins was less frequently found in S. suis types 1/2, 9, 7 and 3 recovered either from diseased or healthy pigs. In this study, all the capsular type 1/2 strains were MRP+ EF- Suilysin- and all the S. suis type 7 harboured an MRP- EF- Suilysin- phenotype. The MRP- EF- Suilysin- phenotype was found in S. suis types 2, 3, 7 and 9 isolated from septicaemia, meningitis, pneumonia, and pleurisy. These results suggest that the presence of these proteins should not be used as a single condition for classifying the virulence of a field isolate in France.     

Isolation and identification of a bacteriophage capable of infecting Streptococcus suis type 2 strains

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) type 2 infection is considered to be a major problem worldwide in the swine industry. Studying phages of S. suis type 2 would be crucial for understanding the ecology and evolution of the Gram-positive bacteria. However, at the present, very little is known about them. An S. suis type 2 bacteriophage, named SMP, was isolated from nasal swabs of healthy Bama minipigs and was characterized at the microbiological and molecular levels. Phage SMP had an isometric head of 50 nm, a noncontractile tail of approximately 135 nm, and a linear double-stranded DNA genome. The host range of phage SMP was limited to 2 of 24 S. suis type 2 strains tested. The genome of phage SMP contained 36,216 bp with an average G+C content of 41.6%.     

Experimental infection of specific pathogen free piglets with French strains of Streptococcus suis capsular type 2.

A standardized model of Streptococcus suis type 2 infection in specific-pathogen-free piglets, housed in high-security barns, was used to compare the virulence of 3 French field strains of S. suis serotype 2 isolated from tonsils of a healthy pig (strain 65) or from diseased pigs (meningitis, strain 166', or septicemia, strain 24). In one of the 2 trials, 7-week-old pigs, in 3 groups of 8, were inoculated intravenously with 2 x 10(8) colony-forming units of S. suis type 2. In each group, 1 uninfected animal was a sentinel. Eight animals were also used as negative control group. The experiment was repeated under similar conditions with strains 65 and 166'. Virulence differed markedly among these S. suis strains when clinical signs, zootechnical performances, lesions, and bacteriological data were analyzed. Strain 65 did not induce clinical signs in inoculated pigs. In contrast, pigs infected with the other 2 strains exhibited clinical signs and typical lesions of S. suis type 2 infections. Differences in virulence were also observed between the 2 virulent strains. Sentinel animals exhibited the same manifestations as those recorded in inoculated piglets. Results were similar in the second trial, indicating that under the present experimental conditions, results were reproducible. The standardized conditions described in this study could be a useful tool to further study about the S. suis infection.     

Intracellular invasion and persistence: survival strategies of Streptococcus suis and Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis

Streptococcus (S.) suis and Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) differ substantially in their host specificity and tissue tropism. S. suis is a facultative pathogen in swine, which mainly colonises the upper respiratory tract and can cause meningitis, septicemia, arthritis and pneumonia. In contrast, MAP is an obligatory pathogen causing paratuberculosis in ruminants, and shows high tropism for the intestinal tract. Both pathogens are able to invade and persist in host cells. In S. suis, the significance of invasion for pathogenesis is a matter of controversial discussions. In vitro it has been shown that S. suis is internalized by epithelial cells and survives intracellularly for at least 24 h. However, at present there is no evidence that S. suis invades epithelial cells also in vivo. In MAP, on the other hand, persistence in macrophages is generally considered a crucial step in pathogenesis, but it remains to be elucidated, how it contributes to pathophysiology of the disease. The two pathogens exemplify how intracellular invasion and persistence might play different roles in pathogenesis. In S. suis, intracellular life may represent only a transient retreat phase, whereas in MAP it is the predominant in vivo niche of the pathogen.     

pGh9:ISS1 transpositional mutations in Streptococcus uberis UT888 causes reduced bacterial adherence to and internalization into bovine mammary epithelial cells

Streptococcus uberis is an important mastitis pathogen that affects dairy cows worldwide. In spite of the economic impact caused by the high prevalence of S. uberis intramammary infections (IMI) in many well-managed dairy herds, pathogenic strategies and associated virulence factors of S. uberis are not well understood. It has been shown that S. uberis attaches to and internalizes into mammary epithelial cells and can survive inside cells for extended periods of time. We hypothesize that early attachment to and internalization into mammary epithelial cells is a critical step for the establishment of intramammary infection. The aim of this study is to identify and characterize chromosomally encoded virulence factors of S. uberis that allow early bacterial attachment to and internalization into mammary epithelial cells. A common approach used to identify virulence factors is by generating random insertion mutants that are defective in adherence to and internalization into mammary epithelial cells using pGh9:ISS1 mutagenesis system. A random insertion mutant library of S. uberis strain UT888 was created using a thermo-sensitive plasmid pGh9:ISS1 carrying ISS1 insertion sequence. Integration of the insertion sequence into the chromosome of these mutant clones was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot. Southern blot analysis of mutant clones also showed that insertional integration was random. Of 1000 random chromosomal insertion mutants of S. uberis strain UT888 screened, 32 had significantly reduced ability to adhere to and internalize into mammary epithelial cells. Chromosomal mapping of insertion sequence integration sites in some of these defective mutants showed integration into penicillin binding protein 2A (pbp2A), sensor histidine kinase, tetR family regulatory protein, phosphoribosylaminoimidazole carboxylase catalytic subunit (purE), lactose phosphotransferase, phosphoribosylamine glycine ligase (purD), and other genes involved in metabolic activities. These proteins may have a significant role in early bacterial colonization of the mammary gland during infection.