Transferrin Binding Protein Research Articles

Transcriptome Analysis of Neisseria meningitidis in Human Whole Blood and Mutagenesis Studies Identify Virulence Factors Involved in Blood Survival

During infection Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) encounters multiple environments within the host, which makes rapid adaptation a crucial factor for meningococcal survival. Despite the importance of invasion into the bloodstream in the meningococcal disease process, little is known about how Nm adapts to permit survival and growth in blood. To address this, we performed a time-course transcriptome analysis using an ex vivo model of human whole blood infection. We observed that Nm alters the expression of ≈30% of ORFs of the genome and major dynamic changes were observed in the expression of transcriptional regulators, transport and binding proteins, energy metabolism, and surface-exposed virulence factors. In particular, we found that the gene encoding the regulator Fur, as well as all genes encoding iron uptake systems, were significantly up-regulated. Analysis of regulated genes encoding for surface-exposed proteins involved in Nm pathogenesis allowed us to better understand mechanisms used to circumvent host defenses. During blood infection, Nm activates genes encoding for the factor H binding proteins, fHbp and NspA, genes encoding for detoxifying enzymes such as SodC, Kat and AniA, as well as several less characterized surface-exposed proteins that might have a role in blood survival. Through mutagenesis studies of a subset of up-regulated genes we were able to identify new proteins important for survival in human blood and also to identify additional roles of previously known virulence factors in aiding survival in blood. Nm mutant strains lacking the genes encoding the hypothetical protein NMB1483 and the surface-exposed proteins NalP, Mip and NspA, the Fur regulator, the transferrin binding protein TbpB, and the L-lactate permease LctP were sensitive to killing by human blood. This increased knowledge of how Nm responds to adaptation in blood could also be helpful to develop diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to control the devastating disease cause by this microorganism.

Structural Variations within the Transferrin Binding Site on Transferrin-binding Protein B, TbpB

Pathogenic bacteria acquire the essential element iron through specialized uptake pathways that are necessary in the iron-limiting environments of the host. Members of the Gram-negative Neisseriaceae and Pasteurellaceae families have adapted to acquire iron from the host iron binding glycoprotein, transferrin (Tf), through a receptor complex comprised of transferring-binding protein (Tbp) A and B. Because of the critical role they play in the host, these surface-exposed proteins are invariably present in clinical isolates and thus are considered prime vaccine targets. The specific interactions between TbpB and Tf are essential and ultimately might be exploited to create a broad-spectrum vaccine. In this study, we report the structure of TbpBs from two porcine pathogens, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and suis. Paradoxically, despite a common Tf target, these swine related TbpBs show substantial sequence variation in their Tf-binding site. The TbpB structures, supported by docking simulations, surface plasmon resonance and hydrogen/deuterium exchange experiments with wild-type and mutant TbpBs, explain why there are structurally conserved elements within TbpB homologs despite major sequence variation that are required for binding Tf.

Immune response to dna vaccine expressing transferrin binding protein a gene of Pasteurella multocida

Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS), an acute and fatal disease of cattle and buffalo is primarily caused by serotype B:2 or E:2 of Pasteurella multocida. The transferrin binding protein A (TbpA) has been found to act as immunogen and potent vaccine candidate in various Gram negative bacteria including P. multocida. The present study was carried out to evaluate the potential of this antigen as a DNA vaccine against HS in mice model. The tbpA gene of P. multocida serotype B:2 was cloned in a mammalian expression vector alone and along with murine IL2 gene as immunological adjuvant to produce monocistronic and bicistronic DNA vaccine constructs, respectively. The immune response to DNA vaccines was evaluated based on serum antibody titres and lymphocyte proliferation assay. A significant increase in humoral and cell mediated immune responses was observed in mice vaccinated with DNA vaccines as compared to non immunized group. Additionally, the bicistronic DNA vaccine provided superior immune response and protection level following challenge as compared to monocistronic construct. The study revealed that DNA vaccine presents a promising approach for the prevention of HS.

Ceftriaxone-ResistantNeisseria gonorrhoeae, Japan

Ceftriaxone-Resistant<i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i>, Japan

Molecular Pathogenesis of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

Molecular Pathogenesis of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

Development and Characterization of Protective Haemophilus parasuis Subunit Vaccines Based on Native Proteins with Affinity to Porcine Transferrin and Comparison with Other Subunit and Commercial Vaccines

Haemophilus parasuis is the agent responsible for causing Glässer's disease, which is characterized by fibrinous polyserositis, polyarthritis, and meningitis in pigs. In this study, we have characterized native outer membrane proteins with affinity to porcine transferrin (NPAPT) from H. parasuis serovar 5, Nagasaki strain. This pool of proteins was used as antigen to developed two vaccine formulations: one was adjuvanted with a mineral oil (Montanide IMS 2215 VG PR), while the other was potentiated with a bacterial neuraminidase from Clostridium perfringens. The potential protective effect conferred by these two vaccines was compared to that afforded by two other vaccines, consisting of recombinant transferrin-binding protein (rTbp) A or B fragments from H. parasuis, Nagasaki strain, and by a commercially available inactivated vaccine. Five groups of colostrum-deprived piglets immunized with the vaccines described above, one group per each vaccine, and a group of nonvaccinated control animals were challenged intratracheally with a lethal dose (3 × 10⁸ CFU) of H. parasuis, Nagasaki strain. The two vaccines containing rTbps yielded similar results with minimal protection against death, clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions, and H. parasuis invasion. In contrast, the two vaccines composed of NPAPT antigen and commercial bacterin resulted in a strong protection against challenge (without deaths and clinical signs), mild histopathological changes, and no recovery of H. parasuis, thus suggesting their effectiveness in preventing Glässer's disease outbreaks caused by serovar 5.

Acquisition of haemoglobin-bound iron by strains of the Actinobacillus minor/“ porcitonsillarum” complex

Members of the Actinobacillus minor/“ porcitonsillarum” complex are common inhabitants of the swine respiratory tract. Although avirulent or of low virulence for pigs, these organisms, like pathogens, do grow in vivo and must, therefore, be able to acquire iron within the host. Here, we investigated the abilities of six members of the A. minor/“ porcitonsillarum” complex to acquire iron from transferrin and various haemoglobins. Using growth assays, all six strains were shown to acquire iron from porcine, bovine and human haemoglobins but not from porcine transferrin. Analyses of whole genome sequences revealed that A. minor strains NM305 T and 202, unlike the swine-pathogenic actinobacilli, A. pleuropneumoniae and A. suis, lack not only the transferrin-binding protein genes, tbpA and tbpB, but also the haemoglobin-binding protein gene, hgbA. Strains NM305 T and 202, however, were found to possess other putative haemin/haemoglobin-binding protein genes that were predicted to encode mature proteins of ∼72 and ∼75 kDa, respectively. An affinity procedure based on haemin-agarose allowed the isolation of ∼65 and ∼67 kDa iron-repressible outer membrane polypeptides from membranes derived from strains NM305 T and 202, respectively, and mass spectrometry revealed that these polypeptides were the products of the putative haemin/haemoglobin-binding protein genes. PCR approaches allowed the amplification and sequencing of homologues of both haemin/haemoglobin-binding protein genes from each of the other four strains, strains 33PN and 7ATS of the A. minor/“ porcitonsillarum” complex and “ A. porcitonsillarum” strains 9953L55 and 0347, suggesting that such proteins are involved in the utilization of haemoglobin-bound iron, presumably as surface receptors, by all six strains investigated.

Human Transferrin Confers Serum Resistance against Bacillus anthracis

The innate immune system in humans consists of both cellular and humoral components that collaborate to eradicate invading bacteria from the body. Here, we discover that the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, does not grow in human serum. Fractionation of serum by gel filtration chromatography led to the identification of human transferrin as the inhibiting factor. Purified transferrin blocks growth of both the fully virulent encapsulated B. anthracis Ames and the non-encapsulated Sterne strain. Growth inhibition was also observed in serum of wild-type mice but not of hypotransferrinemic mice that only have approximately 1% circulating transferrin levels. We were able to definitely assign the bacteriostatic activity of transferrin to its iron-binding function: neither iron-saturated transferrin nor a recombinant transferrin mutant unable to bind iron could inhibit growth of B. anthracis. Additional iron could restore bacterial growth in human serum. The observation that other important gram-positive pathogens are not inhibited by transferrin suggests they have evolved effective mechanisms to circumvent serum iron deprivation. These findings provide a better understanding of human host defense mechanisms against anthrax and provide a mechanistic basis for the antimicrobial activity of human transferrin.

Delineating the regions of human transferrin involved in interactions with transferrin binding protein B from Neisseria meningitidis

Pathogenic bacteria in the Neisseriaceae possess a surface receptor mediating iron acquisition from human transferrin (hTf) that consists of a transmembrane iron transporter (TbpA) and a surface-exposed lipoprotein (TbpB). In this study, we used hydrogen/deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry (H/DX-MS) to elucidate the effects on hTf by interaction with TbpB or derivatives of TbpB. An overall conserved interaction was observed between hTf and full-length or N-lobe TbpB from Neisseria meningitidis strains B16B6 or M982 that represent two distinct subtypes of TbpB. Changes were observed exclusively in the C-lobe of hTf and were caused by the interaction with the N-lobe of TbpB. Regions localized to the 'lip' of the C1 and C2 domains that flank the interdomain cleft represent sites of direct contact with TbpB whereas the peptides within the interdomain cleft that encompass iron binding ligands are inaccessible in the closed (holo) conformation. Although substantial domain separation upon binding TbpB cannot be excluded by the H/DX-MS data, the preferred model of interaction involves binding hTf C-lobe in the closed conformation. Alternate explanations are provided for the substantial protection from deuteration of the peptides encompassing iron binding ligands within the interdomain cleft but cannot be differentiated by the H/DX-MS data.

Cadmium suppresses the proliferation of piglet Sertoli cells and causes their DNA damage, cell apoptosis and aberrant ultrastructure

ObjectiveVery little information is known about the toxic effects of cadmium on somatic cells in mammalian testis. The objective of this study is to explore the toxicity of cadmium on piglet Sertoli cells.MethodsSertoli cells were isolated from piglet testes using a two-step enzyme digestion and followed by differential plating. Piglet Sertoli cells were identified by oil red O staining and Fas ligand (FasL) expression as assayed by immunocytochemistry and expression of transferrin and androgen binding protein by RT-PCR. Sertoli cells were cultured in DMEM/F12 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum in the absence or presence of various concentrations of cadmium chloride, or treatment with p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190 and with cadmium chloride exposure. Apoptotic cells in seminiferous tubules of piglets were also performed using TUNEL assay in vivo.ResultsCadmium chloride inhibited the proliferation of Piglet Sertoli cells as shown by MTT assay, and it increased malondialdehyde (MDA) but reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. Inhibitor SB202190 alleviated the proliferation inhibition of cadmium on piglet Sertoli cells. Comet assay revealed that cadmium chloride caused DNA damage of Piglet Sertoli cells and resulted in cell apoptosis as assayed by flow cytometry. The in vivo study confirmed that cadmium induced cell apoptosis in seminiferous tubules of piglets. Transmission electronic microscopy showed abnormal and apoptotic ultrastructure in Piglet Sertoli cells treated with cadmium chloride compared to the control.Conclusioncadmium has obvious adverse effects on the proliferation of piglet Sertoli cells and causes their DNA damage, cell apoptosis, and aberrant morphology. This study thus offers novel insights into the toxicology of cadmium on male reproduction.

Characterization of a recombinant transferrin-binding protein A (TbpA) fragment from Haemophilus parasuis serovar 5

Haemophilus parasuis, the etiological agent of Glässer's disease in pigs, possesses iron acquisition pathways mediated by a surface receptor that specifically bind porcine transferrin. This receptor is composed of transferrin-binding protein A (TbpA) and TbpB. As it has been reported for other gram-negative organisms, H. parasuis TbpA could be useful as a candidate target for H. parasuis vaccination. In this study, a 600-bp tbpA fragment of the gene encoding TbpA from H. parasuis serovar 5, the Nagasaki strain, was amplified by PCR and cloned into a pBAD/Thio-TOPO expression vector, generating the pBAD-Thio-TbpA-V5-His (TbpA-His) construction. Escherichia coli LMG194-competent cells were transformed with this construction, followed by the induction of protein expression with arabinose. A band (38.5 kDa) corresponding to a 200-amino acid recombinant TbpA (rTbpA) fragment was seen on the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and confirmed by immunoblotting. Polyclonal antibodies raised against this fragment were specific for H. parasuis and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, reacted at the cell surface with H. parasuis, and a significant bactericidal activity was also detected. Therefore, this rTbpA fragment induces an immunological response and might be useful as an antigen for vaccination against Glässer's disease.

Insights into the Bacterial Transferrin Receptor: The Structure of Transferrin-Binding Protein B from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

Pathogenic bacteria from the Neisseriaceae and Pasteurellacea families acquire iron directly from the host iron-binding glycoprotein, transferrin (Tf), in a process mediated by surface receptor proteins that directly bind host Tf, extract the iron, and transport it across the outer membrane. The bacterial Tf receptor is comprised of a surface exposed lipoprotein, Tf-binding protein B (TbpB), and an integral outer-membrane protein, Tf-binding protein A (TbpA), both of which are essential for survival in the host. In this study, we report the 1.98 A resolution structure of TbpB from the porcine pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, providing insights into the mechanism of Tf binding and the role of TbpB. A model for the complex of TbpB bound to Tf is proposed. Mutation of a single surface-exposed Phe residue on TbpB within the predicted interface completely abolishes binding to Tf, suggesting that the TbpB N lobe comprises the sole high-affinity binding region for Tf.

The expression of transferrin binding protein in the turtle nervous system

Transferrin binding protein (TfBP) is a cytoplasmic glycoprotein that was originally isolated from the chick oviduct. As we previously demonstrated the constitutive expression of TfBP in the avian nervous system, in this study we examined whether TfBP is expressed in the reptilian nervous system. In accordance with previous findings in the chicken, oligodendrocytes were most prominently labeled by antiserum to TfBP. Great variability was observed between different regions of the central nervous system (CNS) in terms of TfBP-labeled oligodendrocyte numbers. In the retina, TfBP was localized specifically in the cells that are morphologically oligodendrocytes and present in the optic nerve and the ganglion cell layer. TfBP staining was also seen in the Schwann cells of peripheral nerves. Furthermore, choroid plexus cells and capillary endothelial cells similarly exhibited strong reactions. These results may reflect the fact that the homology of nervous system genes is conserved between close phylogenetic lines, and proove the potential of TfBP as a marker for oligodendrocytes in avian as well as reptile.

Hijacking transferrin bound iron: protein-receptor interactions involved in iron transport in N. gonorrhoeae.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae has the capacity to acquire iron from its human host by removing this essential nutrient from serum transferrin. The transferrin binding proteins, TbpA and TbpB constitute the outer membrane receptor complex responsible for binding transferrin, extracting the tightly bound iron from the host-derived molecule, and transporting iron into the periplasmic space of this Gram-negative bacterium. Once iron is transported across the outer membrane, ferric binding protein A (FbpA) moves the iron across the periplasmic space and initiates the process of transport into the bacterial cytosol. The results of the studies reported here define the multiple steps in the iron transport process in which TbpA and TbpB participate. Using the SUPREX technique for assessing the thermodynamic stability of protein-ligand complexes, we report herein the first direct measurement of periplasmic FbpA binding to the outer membrane protein TbpA. We also show that TbpA discriminates between apo- and holo-FbpA; i.e. the TbpA interaction with apo-FbpA is higher affinity than the TbpA interaction with holo-FbpA. Further, we demonstrate that both TbpA and TbpB individually can deferrate transferrin and ferrate FbpA without energy supplied from TonB resulting in sequestration by apo-FbpA.

Kinetic analysis of ligand interaction with the gonococcal transferrin-iron acquisition system

The transferrin iron acquisition system of Neisseria gonorrhoeae consists of two dissimilar transferrin binding proteins (Tbp) A and B. TbpA is a TonB dependent transporter while TbpB is a lipoprotein that makes iron acquisition from transferrin (Tf) more efficient. In an attempt to further define the individual roles of these receptors in the process of Tf-iron acquisition, the kinetics of the receptor proteins in regards to ligand association and dissociation were evaluated. Tf association with TbpB was rapid as compared to TbpA. Tf dissociation from the wild-type receptor occurred in a biphasic manner; an initial rapid release was followed by a slower dissociation over time. Both TbpA and TbpB demonstrated a two-phase release pattern; however, TbpA required both TonB and TbpB for efficient Tf dissociation from the cell surface. The roles of TbpA and TbpB in Tf dissociation were further examined, utilizing previously created HA fusion proteins. Using a Tf-utilization deficient TbpA-HA mutant, we concluded that the slower rate of ligand dissociation demonstrated by the wild-type transporter was a function of successful iron internalization. Insertion into the C-terminus of TbpB decreased the rate of Tf dissociation, while insertion into the N-terminus had no effect on this process. From these studies, we propose that TbpA and TbpB function synergistically during the process of Tf iron acquisition and that TbpB makes the process of Tf-iron acquisition more efficient at least in part by affecting association and dissociation of Tf from the cell surface.

Cloning and Expression of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Gene Coding for TbpA and Development of an Indirect TbpA-ELISA

This study presents the cloning and expression of gene encoding transferrin-binding protein A from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in Escherichia coli expression system and the development of an indirect TbpA-ELISA. The gene coding TbpA was amplified from the A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 genome using polymerase chain reaction and cloned to pET-28b expression vector under the control of strong, inducible T7 promoter. The recombinant plasmid was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The expressed fusion protein was analyzed using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The diagnostic potential of recombinant TbpA (rTbpA) was evaluated through an antibody-detection indirect ELISA based on the purified rTbpA. The TbpA antibodies were detectable in mice on day 7 after vaccination with purified rTbpA protein or infection with A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 10 with the TbpA-based ELISA. In addition, the TbpA-ELISA was able to detect 12 serotyping rabbit antisera postinoculation (PI) with A. pleuropneumoniae 12 serotypes experimentally. The comparable result was obtained by detecting the 117 clinical serum samples using, respectively, the TbpA-ELISA and indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) based on multiplex antigen. The result indicates that the TbpA-ELISA was the more sensitive method compared with the Mix-IHA method because of its consistent presence in A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes. In conclusion, the conserved TbpA of A. pleuropneumoniae can be used for the development of a cross-serotype diagnostic method for the detection of antibodies against A. pleuropneumoniae.

Effects of intensive insulin therapy on insulin resistance and serum proteins after radical gastrectomy

To investigate the effects of intensive insulin therapy on insulin resistance(IR) and serum proteins after radical gastrectomy. Twenty-two gastric cancer patients were randomly divided into the control (n=11) and intensive insulin therapy group (n=11), and underwent distal radical subtotal gastrectomy under epidural anesthesia. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS) and serum proteins were assayed preoperatively and at day 1, 3, 7 postoperatively. Insulin resistance index was calculated using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). The length of hospital stay and postoperative complications were recorded respectively. (1)The levels of FBG, FINS, lnHOMA-IR (P<0.01,P<0.05) and the incidence of insulin resistance were remarkably decreased by intensive insulin therapy after the surgical procedure.(2)The levels of serum transferrin (TRF), prealbumin (PRE) and retinal binding protein (RBP) in the intensive insulin therapy group were significantly improved as compared to control group after operation(P<0.05). (3) The duration of fever, antibiotic use, passage of gas by anus, length of hospital stay and the occurrence of postoperative complications were also significantly lower than those in control group(P<0.01,P<0.05). Compared to routine therapy, the intensive insulin therapy has more beneficial effects on the patients undergone distal radical subtotal gastrectomy in decreasing the insulin resistance, improving the status of nutrition and preventing postoperative complications.

Identification and characterization of gonococcal iron transport systems as potential vaccine antigens.

Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported infectious disease in the USA, and incidence has been increasing in recent years. Antibiotic resistance among clinical isolates has reached a critical point at which the CDC currently recommends only a single class of antibiotic for treatment. These developments have hastened the search for a vaccine to protect against gonococcal infections. Vaccine efforts have been thwarted by the ability of the gonococcus to antigenically vary most surface structures. The transferrin-iron transport system is not subject to high-frequency phase or antigenic variation and is expressed by all pathogenic Neisseria. Vaccine formulations comprised of epitopes of the transferrin-binding proteins complexed with inactivated cholera toxin generated antibodies with potentially protective characteristics. These antigens, and others predicted from genome sequence data, could be developed into a vaccine that protects against neisserial infections.

Expression of Transferrin Binding Protein in the Capillaries of the Brain in the Developing Chick Embryo

Transferrin-binding protein (TfBP) has been shown to be a novel protein, structurally related to the chicken heat shock protein 108. The physiological function of this protein, however, has not yet been established. Antiserum to TfBP selectively stains transferrin- and iron-rich oligodendrocytes and choroidal epithelium in the adult and embryonic chick brain, suggesting a role for this protein in transferrin and iron storage in these cells. In this study, we further demonstrate TfBP-immunoreactivity (IR) in the blood vessels of the embryonic chick central nervous system. A strong TfBP-IR was present in blood vessels from E6, declined from E10 and was absent by E18. Thus, the expression of the TfBP in the blood vessels precedes its expression in the oligodendrocytes. At the subcellular level, TfBP-IR was confined to the cytoplasm of capillary pericytes while the Tf-receptor IR was associated with the capillary endothelium of the brain. The up-regulated expression of TfBP, together with the Tf-receptor of the brain capillaries, suggests that pericytes may be associated with the high iron uptake required for the metabolic demands of the developing brain.

Identification of TbpA residues required for transferrin-iron utilization by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae requires iron for survival in the human host and therefore expresses high-affinity receptors for iron acquisition from host iron-binding proteins. The gonococcal transferrin-iron uptake system is composed of two transferrin binding proteins, TbpA and TbpB. TbpA is a TonB-dependent, outer membrane transporter critical for iron acquisition, while TbpB is a surface-exposed lipoprotein that increases the efficiency of iron uptake. The precise mechanism by which TbpA mediates iron acquisition has not been elucidated; however, the process is distinct from those of characterized siderophore transporters. Similar to these TonB-dependent transporters, TbpA is proposed to have two distinct domains, a beta-barrel and a plug domain. We hypothesize that the TbpA plug coordinates iron and therefore potentially functions in multiple steps of transferrin-mediated iron acquisition. To test this hypothesis, we targeted a conserved motif within the TbpA plug domain and generated single, double, and triple alanine substitution mutants. Mutagenized TbpAs were expressed on the gonococcal cell surface and maintained wild-type transferrin binding affinity. Single alanine substitution mutants internalized iron at wild-type levels, while the double and triple mutants showed a significant decrease in iron uptake. Moreover, the triple alanine substitution mutant was unable to grow on transferrin as a sole iron source; however, expression of TbpB compensated for this defect. These data indicate that the conserved motif between residues 120 and 122 of the TbpA plug domain is critical for transferrin-iron utilization, suggesting that this region plays a role in iron acquisition that is shared by both TbpA and TbpB.