Optimal Detection of Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection by Combined Heparin-Binding Hemagglutinin (HBHA) and Early Secreted Antigenic Target 6 (ESAT-6) Whole-Blood Interferon Gamma Release Assays.

Optimal detection of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) remains a challenge, although it is essential to reach the goal of TB elimination. Our objective was to develop and clinically evaluate a user-friendly, 24-h, whole-blood (WB) interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assay (IGRA) improving the detection of LTBI, compared to available tests. One milliliter of blood was divided into four aliquots and in vitro stimulated for 24 h with two different stage-specific mycobacterial antigens, i.e., heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA) and early secreted antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6), a latency-associated antigen and a bacterial replication-related antigen, respectively, in addition to positive and negative controls. Clinical evaluation was performed on two independent cohorts of carefully selected subjects, i.e., a training cohort of 83 individuals and a validation cohort of 69 individuals. Both cohorts comprised LTBI subjects (asymptomatic people with a positive tuberculin skin test result and potential exposure to TB index cases), patients with active TB (aTB), and noninfected controls. The sensitivity and specificity of the WB-HBHA-IGRA to identify LTBI subjects among asymptomatic individuals were 93%. Combining the results in response to HBHA and ESAT-6 allowed us to identify LTBI subgroups. One group, with IFN-γ responses to HBHA only, was easily differentiated from patients with aTB. The other group, responding to both antigens like the aTB group, is likely at risk to reactivate the infection and should be prioritized for prophylactic anti-TB treatment. The combined WB-IGRA may be offered to clinicians for the selection of LTBI subjects to benefit from prophylactic treatment.

Balance between Coiled-Coil Stability and Dynamics Regulates Activity of BvgS Sensor Kinase in Bordetella.

UNLABELLED: The two-component system BvgAS controls the expression of the virulence regulon of Bordetella pertussis. BvgS is a prototype of bacterial sensor kinases with extracytoplasmic Venus flytrap perception domains. Following its transmembrane segment, BvgS harbors a cytoplasmic Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain and then a predicted 2-helix coiled coil that precede the dimerization-histidine-phosphotransfer domain of the kinase. BvgS homologs have a similar domain organization, or they harbor only a predicted coiled coil between the transmembrane and the dimerization-histidine-phosphotransfer domains. Here, we show that the 2-helix coiled coil of BvgS regulates the enzymatic activity in a mechanical manner. Its marginally stable hydrophobic interface enables a switch between a state of great rotational dynamics in the kinase mode and a more rigid conformation in the phosphatase mode in response to signal perception by the periplasmic domains. We further show that the activity of BvgS is controlled in the same manner if its PAS domain is replaced with the natural α-helical sequences of PAS-less homologs. Clamshell motions of the Venus flytrap domains trigger the shift of the coiled coil's dynamics. Thus, we have uncovered a general mechanism of regulation for the BvgS family of Venus flytrap-containing two-component sensor kinases. IMPORTANCE: The two-component system BvgAS of the whooping cough agent Bordetella pertussis regulates the virulence factors necessary for infection in a coordinated manner. BvgS is the prototype of a family of sensor kinase proteins found in major bacterial pathogens. When BvgS functions as a kinase, B. pertussis is virulent, and the bacterium shifts to an avirulent phase after BvgS senses chemicals that make it switch to phosphatase. Our goal is to decipher the signaling mechanisms of BvgS in order to understand virulence regulation in Bordetella, which may lead to new antimicrobial treatments targeting those two-component systems. We discovered that the activity of BvgS is regulated in a mechanical manner. A short region of the protein that precedes the enzymatic domain switches between two states in response to signal perception by other BvgS domains. This switch region is conserved among BvgS homologs, and thus, the regulation uncovered here will likely be relevant for the family.

In search of acceptable alternatives to the murine histamine sensitisation test (HIST): what is possible and practical?

The 'International Workshop on Alternatives to the Murine Histamine Sensitization Test for Acellular Pertussis Vaccines: In Search of Acceptable Alternatives to the Murine Histamine Sensitization Test (HIST): What is Possible and Practical?' was held on 4 and 5 March 2015 in London, United Kingdom. Participants discussed the results of the data generated from an international collaborative study (BSP114 Phase 2) sponsored by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Health Care (EDQM) to determine if a modified Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell-based clustering assay is a suitable alternative to replace HIST. Workshop participants agreed that protocol transferability demonstrated in the collaborative study indicates that a standardised CHO cell assay is adequate for measuring pure PTx in reference preparations. However, vaccine manufacturers would still need to demonstrate that the method is valid to detect or measure residual PTx in their specific adjuvanted products. The 2 modified CHO cell protocols included in the study (the Direct and the Indirect Methods) deserve further consideration as alternatives to HIST. Using the CHO cell assay, an in vitro alternative, for acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine batch release testing would reduce the number of animals used for aP vaccine safety testing. A strategic, stepwise adoption plan was proposed, in which the alternative test would be used for release purposes first, and then, once sufficient confidence in its suitable performance has been gained, its use would be extended to stability testing.

Live pertussis vaccines: will they protect against carriage and spread of pertussis?

Pertussis is a severe respiratory disease that can be fatal in young infants. Its main aetiological agent is the Gram-negative micro-organism Bordetella pertussis. Vaccines against the disease have been in use since the 1950s, and global vaccination coverage has now reached more than 85%. Nevertheless, the disease has not been controlled in any country, and has even made a spectacular come-back in the industrialized world, where the first-generation whole-cell vaccines have been replaced by the more recent, less reactogenic, acellular vaccines. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain these observations, including the fast waning of acellular vaccine-induced protection. However, recent mathematical modelling studies have indicated that asymptomatic transmission of B. pertussis may be the main reason for the current resurgence of pertussis. Recent studies in non-human primates have shown that neither whole-cell, nor acellular vaccines prevent infection and transmission of B. pertussis, in contrast to prior exposure. New vaccines that can be applied nasally to mimic natural infection without causing disease may therefore be useful for long-term control of pertussis. Several vaccine candidates have been proposed, the most advanced of which is the genetically attenuated B. pertussis strain BPZE1. This vaccine candidate has successfully completed a first-in-man phase I trial and was shown to be safe in young male volunteers, able to transiently colonize the nasopharynx and to induce antibody responses to B. pertussis antigens in all colonized individuals. Whether BPZE1 will indeed be useful to ultimately control pertussis obviously needs to be assessed by carefully conducted human efficacy trials.

Early cellular immune response to a new candidate mycobacterial vaccine antigen in childhood tuberculosis.

The search for novel vaccines against tuberculosis (TB) would benefit from in-depths knowledge of the human immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Here, we characterised in a low TB incidence country, the immune responses to a new candidate vaccine antigen against TB, the heparin-binding haemagglutinin (HBHA), in young children in contact with an active TB case (aTB). Children with no history of BCG vaccination were compared to those vaccinated at birth to compare the initial immune responses to HBHA with secondary immune responses. Fifty-eight children with aTB and 76 with latent TB infection (LTBI) were included and they were compared to 90 non-infected children. Whereas Mtb-infected children globally secreted more interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in response to HBHA compared to the non-infected children, these IFN-γ concentrations were higher in previously BCG-vaccinated compared to non-vaccinated children. The IFN-γ concentrations were similar in LTBI and aTB children, but appeared to differ qualitatively. Whereas the IFN-γ secretion induced by native methylated and recombinant non-methylated HBHA were well correlated for aTB, this was not the case for LTBI children. Thus, Mtb-infected young children develop IFN-γ responses to HBHA that are enhanced by prior BCG vaccination, indicating BCG-induced priming, thereby supporting a prime-boost strategy for HBHA-based vaccines. The qualitative differences between aTB and LTBI in their HBHA-induced IFN-γ responses may perhaps be exploited for diagnostic purposes.

Attenuated Bordetella pertussis BPZE1 protects against allergic airway inflammation and contact dermatitis in mouse models.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that prior nasal administration of highly attenuated Bordetella pertussis BPZE1 provides effective and sustained protection against lethal challenge with influenza A viruses. The protective effect was mediated by suppressing the production of major pro-inflammatory mediators. To further explore the anti-inflammatory properties of BPZE1, we investigated the effect of BPZE1 nasal pretreatment on two mouse models of allergic disease, allergic airway inflammation, and contact hypersensitivity (CHS). METHODS: Allergic reactions were induced in mice nasally pretreated with live attenuated BPZE1 bacteria using the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic airway inflammation and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced CHS models. RESULTS: Prior BPZE1 nasal treatment suppressed OVA-induced lung inflammation and inflammatory cell recruitment and significantly reduced IgE levels and cytokine production. Similarly, BPZE1 nasal pretreatment markedly inhibited ear swelling, skin inflammation, and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the DNCB-induced CHS model. For both models, we showed that BPZE1 pretreatment does not affect the sensitization phase. Upon challenge, BPZE1 pretreatment selectively reduced the level of cytokines whose production is increased and did not affect the basal level of other cytokines. Together, our observations suggest that BPZE1 pretreatment specifically targets those cytokine-producing effector cells that are recruited and involved in the inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the broad anti-inflammatory properties of the attenuated B. pertussis BPZE1 vaccine candidate and supports its development as a promising agent to prevent and/or treat allergic diseases.

Recombinant HBHA boosting effect on BCG-induced immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Heterologous prime-boost regimens are effective strategies to promote long-term memory and strong cellular Th1 responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, when BCG is used in the priming step. Subcutaneous or intranasal boosting of BCG-vaccinated newborn mice with native heparin-binding haemagglutinin (nHBHA) significantly enhances protection against M. tuberculosis. However, nHBHA is characterized by a complex methylation pattern in its C-terminal domain, which is important for protective immunogenicity in primary vaccination. In this study we addressed the question whether boosting with recombinant, non-methylated HBHA (rHBHA) produced in Escherichia coli may enhance protection of BCG-primed newborn mice. We found that while subcutaneous rHBHA boosting enhanced protection of BCG-primed mice against intranasal M. tuberculosis infection both in spleen and lungs, enhanced protection against aerosol infection was only seen in the spleen (0.72 logs; P < 0.05) but not in the lungs. Thus, in BCG-primed mice the methylation of the C-terminal domain of HBHA is dispensable for the induction of enhanced protection in the lungs against intranasal but not aerosol infection, whereas it enhances protection in the spleen in both challenge models. This report thus provides evidence that rHBHA may be considered as a booster vaccine against disseminated tuberculosis.

[New antituberculosis vaccines]. / Nouveaux vaccins antituberculeux.

Today, only one type of vaccine is available to protect against tuberculosis. This vaccine, called Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) was developed approximately 100 years ago and has been administered at least 3 billion times. Initial multicenter studies have indicated an up to 93% efficacy against childhood tuberculosis mortality. Subsequently, many studies on BCG efficacy have been carried out, with highly variable results, ranging from 0 to 90% efficacy. The reasons for this heterogeneity are not well understood. Large clinical studies have shown that booster vaccinations with BCG do not improve the BCG efficacy. Therefore, new vaccines are urgently needed. Today, there are essentially two lines of efforts being pursued in several laboratories. One of them aims at replacing BCG with superior vaccines. This strategy focuses either on improving existing BCG by constructing strains that overproduce certain protective antigens and/or by improving its immunogenicity, or on starting anew by genetically attenuating virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The second line of research aims at adding onto BCG vaccination, such as a heterologous prime-boost strategy. For this strategy BCG is used as a first vaccine, followed by individual antigens as a booster. These antigens can be presented in several different ways, and preference is currently given to the so-called latency antigens. Both approaches have yielded encouraging results in animal models, and some of them have now entered clinical trials. Although still far from human applications, it is hoped that these strategies will ultimately help to reduce the enormous burden that is caused by tuberculosis.

Report of the 2nd "French Clinical Vaccinology Meeting Jean-Gerard Guillet": immunization and respiratory diseases.

The 2nd French Clinical Vaccinology conference held on 20th April 2009 in Paris (France) was a unique opportunity to discuss basic and translational research in vaccinology and its implications for patients for respiratory diseases. This conference is organized by the Clinical Research Center Cochin-Pasteur, that has been involved for several years clinical research in vaccines. We report on here the key findings of the conference, especially the immunization of the chronic respiratory diseases, the clinical effectiveness of vaccines and the development of new vaccines in pulmonology.

Attenuated Bordetella pertussis vaccine strain BPZE1 modulates allergen-induced immunity and prevents allergic pulmonary pathology in a murine model.

BACKGROUND: Virulent Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, exacerbates allergic airway inflammation in a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization. A live genetically attenuated B. pertussis mucosal vaccine, BPZE1, has been developed that evokes full protection against virulent challenge in mice but the effect of this attenuated strain on the development of allergic responses is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of attenuated B. pertussis BPZE1 on OVA priming in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation. METHODS: Mice were challenged with virulent or attenuated strains of B. pertussis, and sensitized to allergen (OVA) at the peak of bacterial carriage. Subsequently, airway pathology, local inflammation and OVA-specific immunity were examined. RESULTS: In contrast to virulent B. pertussis, live BPZE1 did not exacerbate but reduced the airway pathology associated with allergen sensitization. BPZE1 immunization before allergen sensitization did not have an adjuvant effect on allergen specific IgE but resulted in a statistically significant decrease in airway inflammation in tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. BPZE1 significantly reduced the levels of OVA-driven IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 but induced a significant increase in IFN-gamma in response to OVA re-stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that, unlike virulent strains, the candidate attenuated B. pertussis vaccine BPZE1 does not exacerbate allergen-driven airway pathology. BPZE1 may represent an attractive T-helper type 1 promoting vaccine candidate for eradication of whooping cough that is unlikely to promote atopic disease.

Monocyte-derived interleukin-10 depresses the Bordetella pertussis- specific gamma interferon response in vaccinated infants.

Antigen-specific gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) has been demonstrated to participate in protection against Bordetella pertussis infection. Circulating mononuclear cells from B. pertussis-infected and from pertussis-vaccinated infants secrete high amounts of IFN-gamma after in vitro stimulation by B. pertussis antigens, but with a large variation in the secreted IFN-gamma levels between individuals. We show here that the inhibition of the specific IFN-gamma response can be at least partially attributed to IL-10 secretion by monocytes. This IL-10 secretion was not associated with polymorphisms at positions -1082, -819, and -592 of the IL-10 gene promoter, suggesting that other genetic or environmental factors affect IL-10 expression and secretion.

Role of DegP for two-partner secretion in Bordetella.

Sorting of proteins destined to the surface or the extracellular milieu is mediated by specific machineries, which guide the protein substrates towards the proper route of secretion and determine the compartment in which folding occurs. In gram-negative bacteria, the two-partner secretion (TPS) pathway is dedicated to the secretion of large proteins rich in beta-helical structure. The secretion of the filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), a 230 kDa adhesin of Bordetella pertussis, represents a model TPS system. FHA is exported by the Sec machinery and transits through the periplasm in an extended conformation. From there it is translocated across the outer membrane by its dedicated transporter FhaC to finally fold into a long beta-helix at the cell surface in a progressive manner. In this work, we show that B. pertussis lacking the periplasmic chaperone/protease DegP has a strong growth defect at 37 degrees C, and the integrity of its outer membrane is compromised. While both phenotypes are significantly aggravated by the presence of FHA, the chaperone activity of DegP markedly alleviates the periplasmic stress. In vitro, DegP binds to non-native FHA with high affinity. We propose that DegP chaperones the extended FHA polypeptide in the periplasm and is thus involved in the TPS pathway.

Cytokine and antibody profiles in 1-year-old children vaccinated with either acellular or whole-cell pertussis vaccine during infancy.

Two different types of pertussis vaccines are currently available to protect children against whooping cough, the first-generation whole-cell (Pw) vaccines and the more recent acellular (Pa) vaccines. Both types provide good protection, yet induce different types of immune responses in 6-month-old infants, with a strong Th1 response induced by Pw vaccines compared to a mixed Th1/Th2 response and a delay in non-specific IFN-gamma secretions after the administration of Pa vaccines. We show here that at 13 months of age, most Pw- or Pa-vaccinated children display Bordetella pertussis-specific T-cell responses, in addition to significant antibody levels, although a higher Th2/Th1 cytokine ratio remained in Pa recipients compared to Pw recipients. In contrast, the proportion of children with tetanus toxin-specific T-cell responses was lower in Pa than in Pw vaccine recipients, although most children had protective anti-tetanus toxin IgG levels. In addition, the global Th2 bias observed in 6-month-old infants vaccinated with a Pa vaccine was normalized at 13 months.

The coiled-coil N-terminal domain of the heparin-binding haemagglutinin is required for the humoral and cellular immune responses in mice.

Heparin-binding haemagglutinin (HBHA) is a 28-kDa mycobacterial adhesin, composed of three functional domains. Previous work has shown that the C-terminal methylated domain is important for adherence, and it is involved in protective T cell immunity in mouse models. However, the role of the coiled-coil N-terminal domain of HBHA in its overall immunogenic capacity remains elusive. Herein, a comparison of the antibody and cellular immune responses after subcutaneous and intranasal immunization of mice with HBHA (native and recombinant) revealed that the methylation pattern is important but not essential for this property. Subcutaneous immunization of mice with a truncated protein, rHBHADeltaC, which lacks the C-terminal methylated domain, was sufficient to trigger humoral and cellular immune responses to HBHA in mice. Altogether we provide evidence that the coiled-coil N-terminal domain is required for HBHA immunogenicity in vivo.

Structure-based mechanism of ligand binding for periplasmic solute-binding protein of the Bug family.

Bug proteins form a large family of periplasmic solute-binding proteins well represented in beta-proteobacteria. They adopt a characteristic Venus flytrap fold with two globular domains bisected by a ligand-binding cleft. The structures of two liganded Bug proteins have revealed that the family is specific for carboxylated solutes, with a characteristic mode of binding involving two highly conserved beta strand-beta turn-alpha helix motifs originating from each domain. These two motifs form hydrogen bonds with a carboxylate group of the ligand, both directly and via conserved water molecules, and have thus been termed the carboxylate pincers. In both crystallized Bug proteins, the ligands were found enclosed between the two domains and inaccessible to solvent, suggesting an inter-domain hinge-bending motion upon ligand binding. We report here the first structures of an open, unliganded Bug protein and of the same protein with a citrate ion bound in the open cavity. One of the ligand carboxylate groups is bound to one half of the carboxylate pincers by the beta strand-beta turn-alpha helix motif from domain 1, and the citrate ion forms several additional interactions with domain 1. The ligand is accessible to solvent and has very few contacts with domain 2. In this open, liganded structure, the second part of the carboxylate pincers originating from domain 2 is not stabilized by ligand binding, and a loop replaces the beta turn. In the unliganded structure, both motifs of the carboxylate pincers are highly mobile, and neither of the two beta turns is formed. Thus, ligand recognition is performed by domain 1, with the carboxylate group serving as an initial anchoring point. Stabilization of the closed conformation requires proper interactions to be established with domain 2, and thus domain 2 discriminates between productively and non-productively bound ligands.

IL-18 does not increase allergic airway disease in mice when produced by BCG.

Whilst BCG inhibits allergic airway responses in murine models, IL-18 has adversary effects depending on its environment. We therefore constructed a BCG strain producing murine IL-18 (BCG-IL-18) and evaluated its efficiency to prevent an asthma-like reaction in mice. BALB/cByJ mice were sensitized (day (D) 1 and D10) by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA)-alum and primary (D20-22) and secondary (D62, 63) challenged with OVA aerosols. BCG or BCG-IL-18 were intraperitonealy administered 1 hour before each immunization (D1 and D10). BCG-IL-18 and BCG were shown to similarly inhibit the development of AHR, mucus production, eosinophil influx, and local Th2 cytokine production in BAL, both after the primary and secondary challenge. These data show that IL-18 did not increase allergic airway responses in the context of the mycobacterial infection, and suggest that BCG-IL-18 and BCG are able to prevent the development of local Th2 responses and therefore inhibit allergen-induced airway responses even after restimulation.

Modulation of the infant immune responses by the first pertussis vaccine administrations.

Many efforts are currently made to prepare combined vaccines against most infectious pathogens, that may be administered early in life to protect infants against infectious diseases as early as possible. However, little is known about the general immune modulation induced by early vaccination. Here, we have analyzed the cytokine secretion profiles of two groups of 6-month-old infants having received as primary immunization either a whole-cell (Pw) or an acellular (Pa) pertussis vaccine in a tetravalent formulation of pertussis-tetanus-diphtheria-poliomyelitis vaccines. Both groups of infants secreted IFN-gamma in response to the Bordetella pertussis antigens filamentous haemagglutinin and pertussis toxin, and this response was correlated with antigen-specific IL-12p70 secretion, indicating that both pertussis vaccines induced Th1 cytokines. However, Pa recipients also developed a strong Th2-type cytokine response to the B. pertussis antigens, as noted previously. In addition, they induced Th2-type cytokines to the co-administrated antigen tetanus toxoïd, as well as to the food antigen beta-lactoglobulin. Furthermore, the general cytokine profile of the Pa recipients was strongly Th2-skewed at 6 months, as indicated by the cytokines induced by the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin. These data demonstrate that the cytokine profile of 6-month-old infants is influenced by the type of formulation of the pertussis vaccine they received at 2, 3 and 4 months of life. Large prospective studies would be warranted to evaluate the possible long-term consequences of this early modulation of the cytokine responses in infants.

Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG producing IL-18 reduces IL-5 production and bronchoalveolar eosinophilia induced by an allergic reaction.

BACKGROUND: Allergic reactions occur through the exacerbated induction of a Th2 cell type expression profile and can be prevented by agents favoring a Th1 profile. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is able to induce high IFN-gamma levels and has been shown to decrease experimentally induced allergy. The induction of IFN-gamma is mediated by interleukin (IL)-12 known to be secreted upon mycobacterial infections and can be enhanced by IL-18 acting in synergy with IL-12. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the ability of a recombinant BCG strain producing IL-18 (rBCG) to modify the Th2 type responses in a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-dependent allergic reaction. METHODS: Mice were injected intraperitoneally or intranasally with OVA at days 0 and 15 and exposed to an OVA aerosol challenge at days 29, 30, 31 and 34. At days 0 and 15, two additional groups of mice received OVA together with 5 x 10(6) colony forming units of either rBCG or nonrecombinant BCG. RESULTS: A time-course analysis of OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E, IgG1 and IgG2a levels indicated no significant difference between the three groups of mice. However, following in vitro stimulation with OVA, lymph node cells from rBCG-treated mice produced less IL-5 and more IFN-gamma than those of mice injected with nonrecombinant BCG. In addition, 48 h after the last OVA challenge, a strong reduction of bronchoalveolar eosinophilia was found in the rBCG-injected mice compared to the nontreated or nonrecombinant BCG-treated groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the production of IL-18 by rBCG may enhance the immunomodulatory properties of BCG that suppress pulmonary Th2 responses and, in particular, decrease airway eosinophilia.