Lack of association of serologically detectable human melanoma-associated antigens with beta 2 microglobulin: serologic and immunochemical evidence.

Serologic and immunochemical assays showed that human melanoma-associated antigens (MAA) identified with operationally specific xenoantisera were neither spatially nor structurally associated with beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-mu), the light chain of the HLA-A,B antigen molecular complex; i.e., cultured melanoma cells coated with a specific anti-beta 2-mu xenoantiserum maintained their reactivity with anti-MAA xenoantisera. Furthermore, soluble MAA were not bound by a beta 2-mu immunoadsorbent. Finally, MAA were shed into the culture medium of melanoma cells and then were immunoprecipitated with specific anti-MAA xenoantisera, analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, they appeared as two distinct structures with molecular weights of 240,000 and 94,000 but comprised no structure with the characteristic 12,000 molecular weight of beta 2-mu. Conversely immunoprecipitates obtained by the reaction of spent culture medium of [3H]valine-labeled melanoma cells with anti-beta 2-mu xenoantiserum had the 12,000-molecular-weight component but no structures with the molecular weights established for MAA. Thus the data refute the contention that serologically detectable MAA have a molecular structure similar to that of HLA antigens.

Serological and immunochemical analysis of the specificity of xenoantiserum 8986 elicited with hybrids between human melanoma cells and murine fibroblasts.

Antisera were elicited in rabbits with hybrids derived from the fusion of human melanoma cells with murine fibroblasts. Following absorption with cultured human lymphoid cells, Xenoantiserum 8986 reacts with cultured human melanoma cells and other tumors of nonlymphoid origin. Rosette inhibition assays showed that the xenoantiserum reacts with structures which carry the determinants recognized by the monoclonal antibodies 165.28T and 653.25N and which are recognized by a xenoantiserum elicited with cultured human melanoma cells. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the immune complexes formed by reacting spent medium of cultured melanoma cells with Xenoantiserum 8986 showed that the antiserum contains antibodies reacting with a M.W. 240,000 melanoma-associated antigen and a M.W. 94,000 melanoma-associated antigen.

ToxR (RegA) activates Escherichia coli RNA polymerase to initiate transcription of Pseudomonas aeruginosa toxA.

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) structural gene (toxA), which encodes the exotoxin A protein has been shown to be regulated at the transcriptional level by a protein designated ToxR (also known as RegA). We have previously reported that ToxR directly enhances toxA transcription in vitro; however, in the absence of ToxR, Pa RNA polymerase (RNAP) transcribes toxA with low efficiency. In the present study, we have examined the ability of ToxR to initiate toxA transcription using the heterologous Escherichia coli (Ec) RNAP and found that ToxR can function with Ec RNAP to efficiently transcribe toxA both in vitro and in vivo. Antibodies produced against the sigma 70 subunit of Ec RNAP inhibit ToxR-mediated enhancement of toxA transcription, suggesting that the RNAP holoenzyme (E sigma 70) is required for transcriptional activation of toxA. We further demonstrate that ToxR is required for open-complex formation at the toxA promoter. By selectively deleting toxA upstream sequences, we have localized at 214-bp region containing both the toxA promoter and a putative ToxR-binding site sufficient for ToxR-mediated transcription of toxA.

ToxR (RegA)-mediated in vitro transcription of Pseudomonas aeruginosa toxA.

Exotoxin A (ETA) has been described as a major virulence factor produced by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The transcription of the ETA structural gene (toxA) has been shown to be positively regulated by the product of the toxR gene (also called regA). However, the mechanism by which ToxR regulates toxA transcription is still under investigation. We have expressed toxR in Escherichia coli under the control of the T7 promoter and purified the wild-type ToxR protein. We have also produced ToxR as a fusion protein consisting of the first 12 amino acids of the T7 capsid protein attached to the N terminus of the intact ToxR protein. In the present study we have developed and used an in vitro transcription assay in order to investigate the mechanism of ToxR-mediated transcriptional regulation of toxA. Under the conditions of this in vitro assay toxA transcription requires the toxR product in addition to P. aeruginosa RNA polymerase (RNAP). Both the native and the T7::ToxR fusion proteins facilitate initiation of toxA transcription in vitro in the presence of Pseudomonas RNAP. Additional studies using (i) specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; (ii) indirect immunoprecipitation; and (iii) gel-filtration chromatography, indicate that ToxR binds to the purified Pseudomonas RNAP and strengthens the possibility that ToxR may be an alternative sigma factor. Furthermore, the ToxR-mediated transcription of toxA is increased approx. threefold in the presence of crude cytoplasmic extracts from P. aeruginosa ToxR+ or ToxR-RegB- strains, indicating that additional factors play a role in the efficient and optimal transcription of toxA.

Human melanoma associated antigens: a solid-phase assay for detection of specific antibody.

A solid-phase radioimmunometric binding assay is described utilizing 125I-labeled protein A for the detection of antibody to human melanoma associated antigens. The novel aspect of this assay is the use of chemically defined spent culture medium of melanoma cells at target antigens previously depleted of fibronectin by affinity chromatography. This makes it possible to screen for antibody in unabsorbed antiserum. Sensitivity, reproducibility and ease of performance of the assay are optimized by conjugating target antigens to a background of bovine serum albumin dried onto polyvinyl 96-well microtiter plates and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. The use of an immobilized soluble antigen target derived from a large pool of spent culture medium facilitates direct interassay comparisons and permits extensive absorption analysis of antisera. The assay has considerable potential in screening for alloantibody and both poly- and monoclonal xeonoantibody to human melanoma associated antigens.

Analysis of immunization with DNA encoding Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A.

The promising arena of DNA-based vaccines has led us to investigate possible candidates for immunization against bacterial pathogens. One such target is the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa which produces exotoxin A (PE), a well-characterized virulence factor encoded by the toxA gene. In its native protein form, PE is highly cytotoxic for susceptible eukaryotic cells through ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor-2 following internalization and processing of the toxin. To study the biologic and immunological effects of PE following in situ expression, we have constructed eukaryotic plasmid expression vectors containing either the wild-type or a mutated, non-cytotoxic toxA gene. In vitro analysis by transfection of UM449 cells suggests that expression of the wild-type toxA gene is lethal for transfected cells whereas transfection with a mutated toxA gene results in the production of inactive PE which can be readily detected by immunoblot analysis of cell lysates. To investigate the effects resulting from the intracellular expression of potentially cytotoxic gene products in DNA vaccine constructs, we immunized mice with both the wild-type and mutant toxA plasmid constructs and analyzed the resulting humoral and cellular immune responses. Immunization with the mutated toxA gene results in production of neutralizing antibodies against native PE and potentiates a T(H)1-type response, whereas only a minimal humoral response can be detected in mice immunized with wild-type toxA. DNA-based vaccination with the non-cytotoxic toxA(mut) gene confers complete protection against challenge with the wild-type PE. Therefore, genetic immunization with genes encoding potentially cytotoxic gene products raises concern with regard to the selection of feasible gene targets for DNA vaccine development.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibody to a melanoma specific glycoprotein.

An immunogen consisting of a 4M urea extract derived from human melanoma cells (M14), that was devoid of HLA-A,B,C, HLA-DR antigens and fibronectin was adsorbed to lens culinaris lectin-Sepharose 4B and used to immunize mice for production of monoclonal antibody to a melanoma-specific glycoprotein. Screening for hybridomas secreting antibodies to melanoma associated antigens was facilitated by use of a solid phase target antigen of chemically defined medium of melanoma cells (CDM). Use of these procedures allowed us to select 40 hybridomas secreting antibody which recognized determinants on melanoma cells not found on lymphoid cells. Further characterization of one of these hybridomas, 9.2.27, indicated that the antibody it secreted recognized a 240K dalton glycoprotein found on all melanoma cell lines tested but not on carcinoma, lymphoid, or fibroblastoid cultures. These results demonstrate the utility of soluble antigen preparations devoid of strongly immunogenic non tumor-specific molecules in the elicitation of tumor specific antibody. Preliminary results suggest that immunogens of this kind are superior to intact melanoma cells for production of tumor specific hybridomas.

Intracellular delivery of a novel multiepitope peptide vaccine by an amphipathic peptide carrier enhances cytotoxic T-cell responses in HLA-A*201 mice.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are key players in the neutralization of viruses and killing of tumor cells. However, for generating an optimal CTL response by vaccination, the antigen has to be delivered directly into the cytoplasm for presentation by the conventional MHC class I pathway. To mimic the presentation of multiple epitopes by a tumor or virus infected cell, we have designed a multiepitope peptide vaccine incorporating thee CTL epitopes in tandem with double arginine spacers to facilitate efficient cleavage of the individual epitopes. To deliver the multiepitope peptide vaccine into the cytoplasm of mature dendritic cells for presentation by the MHC class I pathway we made use of an amphipathic peptide carrier. Direct injection of a non-covalent complex of the multiepitope peptide vaccine and amphipathic peptide carrier in an aqueous formulation into HLA-A*0201 (HHD) transgenic mice enhanced the cytotoxic T-cell responses by two to sixfold compared with multiepitope peptide vaccination alone. This novel antigen delivery strategy may find general application in the development of more effective vaccines for the treatment of cancer and infectious disease.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase and elastolysis revisited: recent developments.

With the determination of the three-dimensional structure of elastase and the probable identification of the active site and key residues involved in proteolytic activity, our knowledge of the molecular details of this interesting protease is rapidly increasing. Pseudomonas elastase appears to be remarkably similar to the Bacillus metalloproteinase thermolysin. A further significant development has been the discovery of the lasA gene and the fact that Pseudomonas elastase and alkaline proteinase appear to act in concert with the LasA protein to display the notable elastolytic activity exhibited by isolates of this organism. Biochemical and genetic studies indicate that LasA is a second elastase which may be an important virulence factor that has been overlooked in previous studies.

Active site mutations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. Analysis of the His440 residue.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA) is a member of the family of bacterial ADP-ribosylating toxins which use NAD+ as the ADP-ribose donor. By analogy to diphtheria and pertussis toxins, the His440 residue of ETA has been proposed to be one of the critical residues within the active site of the toxin. In this study the role of the His440 residue was explored through site-directed mutagenesis which resulted in the production of ETA proteins containing Ala, Asn, and Phe substitutions at the 440 position. The His440-substituted ETA proteins were purified and analyzed. All substitutions at the 440 site displayed severely reduced ADP-ribosylation activity (> 1000-fold). However, NAD glycohydrolase activity remained intact and in the case of ETAH440N actually increased 10-fold. NAD+ binding is not affected by substitutions at the 440 site as indicated by similar Km values for the ETA variants tested. Conformational integrity of the mutant toxins appears to be largely unaffected as assessed by analysis with a conformation-sensitive monoclonal antibody as well as sensitivity to proteinase digestion. In view of the location of His440 residue within or close to the proposed NAD(+)-binding site, these results suggest that His440 may be a catalytic residue involved in the transfer of the ADP-ribose moiety to the EF-2 substrate.

Purification and characterization of LasD: a second staphylolytic proteinase produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

We have previously described studies of a 22 kDa active fragment of the LasA proteinase. In follow-up studies of LasA, we have discovered the separate existence of a 23 kDa proteinase which shares many of the enzymatic properties of LasA, including the ability to lyse heat-killed staphylococci. However, this apparent serine proteinase, which we designate LasD, is distinct from the 22 kDa active LasA protein for the following reasons: (i) the N-terminal sequence of LasD shares no homology with LasA or the LasA precursor sequence; (ii) Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasA mutant strains AD1825 and FRD2128 do not produce LasA yet produce LasD; and (iii) specific antibodies to each proteinase do not show any cross-reactivity. LasD appears to be produced as a 30 kDa protein, which is possibly cleaved to produce a 23 kDa active fragment. The purified LasD fragment (23 kDa) shows strong staphylolytic activity only at higher pH conditions, while LasA exhibits staphylolytic activity over a broad pH range. In addition to their ability to cleave at internal diglycine sites, both the LasD and LasA endoproteinases efficiently cleave beta-casein.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasD processes the inactive LasA precursor to the active protease form.

LasA and LasD are staphylolytic proteinases which are secreted by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We have previously described the purification and characterization of both LasA and LasD, a 21-kDa protein which shares many of the enzymatic properties of LasA. In this follow-up study we describe the isolation of the 42-kDa precursor of LasA (proLasA) and demonstrate the ability of the purified LasD proteinase to cleave the inactive proLasA to the 20-kDa active form of the proteinase.

Purification and characterization of an active fragment of the LasA protein from Pseudomonas aeruginosa: enhancement of elastase activity.

A 22-kilodalton protein purified from the culture supernatant fraction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strains PA220 and PAO1) was found to enhance the elastolytic activity of purified P. aeruginosa elastase. N-terminal sequence analysis identified the protein as a fragment of the lasA gene product (P.A. Schad and B.H. Iglewski, J. Bacteriol. 170:2784-2789, 1988). However, comparative analysis with the reported LasA sequence indicated that the purified LasA fragment is longer than the deduced sequence reported. The purified LasA fragment had minimal elastolytic and proteolytic activity and did not enhance the proteolytic activity of purified elastase, yet enhanced the elastolytic activity more than 25-fold. The LasA fragment was found to also enhance the elastolytic activities of thermolysin, human neutrophil elastase, and proteinase K. The results presented here suggest that the LasA protein interacts with the elastin substrate rather than modifying elastase.

Purification of the pyocin S2 complex from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1: analysis of DNase activity.

Pyocin S2 purified from mitomycin C-induced lysates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 has been shown to consist of a complex of two proteins. Further analysis of the purified S2 complex revealed that the 74 kd S2 pyocin demonstrates DNase activity which can be blocked by S2-specific antisera. Chromosomal DNA from pyocin sensitive cells treated with the pyocin S2 complex in vitro did not show any degradation, suggesting that the 10 kd protein inhibits the DNase activity of the S2 protein. These results suggest an alternative mechanism for the toxicity associated with the S2 pyocin.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A interaction with eucaryotic elongation factor 2. Role of the His426 residue.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA) catalyzes the transfer of the ADP-ribose moiety of NAD+ onto eucaryotic elongation factor 2 (EF-2). To study the ETA site of interaction with EF-2, an immobilized EF-2 binding assay was developed. This assay demonstrates that ETA, in the presence of NAD+, binds to immobilized EF-2. Additionally, diphtheria toxin was also found to bind to the immobilized EF-2 in the presence of NAD+. Comparative analysis was performed with a mutated form of ETA (CRM 66) in which a histidine residue at position 426 has been replaced with a tyrosine residue. This immunologically cross-reactive, ADP-ribosyl transferase-deficient toxin does not bind to immobilized EF-2, thus explaining its lack of ADPRT activity. ETA bound to immobilized EF-2 cannot bind the monoclonal antibody TC-1 which specifically recognizes the ETA epitope containing His426. Immunoprecipitation of native ETA by mAb TC-1 is only achieved by incubating ETA in the presence of NAD+. Diethyl pyrocarbonate modification of the His426 residue blocks ETA binding to EF-2 and prevents the binding of the TC-1 antibody. Analogs of NAD+ containing a reduced nicotinamide ring or modified adenine moieties cannot substitute for NAD+ in the immobilized binding assay. Collectively, these data support our proposal that the site of ETA interaction with EF-2 includes His426 and that a molecule of NAD+ is required for stable interaction.

Construction and use of a nontoxigenic strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the production of recombinant exotoxin A.

To express recombinant forms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A in high yield, we have developed a nontoxigenic strain of P. aeruginosa derived from the hypertoxigenic strain PA103. The nontoxigenic strain, designated PA103A, was produced by the excision marker rescue technique to replace the toxA structural gene in PA103 with an insertionally inactivated toxA gene. The PA103A strain (ToxA-) was used subsequently as the host strain for the expression and production of several recombinant versions of exotoxin A, and the results were compared with exotoxin A production in other P. aeruginosa and Escherichia coli strains. Use of the PA103A strain transformed with the high-copy-number pRO1614 plasmid bearing various toxA alleles resulted in final purification yields of exotoxin A averaging 23 mg/liter of culture. By comparison, exotoxin A production in other expression systems and host strains yields approximately 1/4 to 1/10 as much toxin.

His-426 of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A is required for ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor II.

Exotoxin A (ETA) is recognized as the most toxic product associated with the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Identification of the amino acids in the polypeptide sequence that are required for toxin activity is critical for vaccine development. By defining the nucleotide sequence of the structural gene of a mutant that encodes an enzymatically inactive ETA (CRM 66), we identified an essential amino acid (His-426), which is involved in the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity associated with functional ETA. A monoclonal antibody that inhibits ETA enzymatic activity in vitro fails to react with ETA variants that have a His 426----Tyr substitution. Several mono-ADP-ribosylating toxins, including diphtheria and pertussis toxins, within the primary amino acid sequences carry a histidine residue that is conserved in spacing and in location with respect to other critical residues. Analysis of the three-dimensional structure of ETA revealed that His-426 is not associated with the proposed NAD+ binding site. These findings should be useful for the design and construction of toxin vaccines.

Antibody response of infected mice to outer membrane proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The antibody response to outer membrane proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied in mice experimentally infected with P. aeruginosa 220. The infection consisted of an abscess established by subcutaneous injection of bacteria. Sera from these mice were analyzed by indirect radioimmunoprecipitation and immunoblot methods for the presence of antibodies to proteins of the isolated outer membrane. Sera from mice 14 days postinfection were shown to contain antibodies directed against proteins that comigrated with the major outer membrane proteins F (porin), H2, and I (lipoprotein). A 16,000-dalton protein that did not appear to be a major outer membrane protein also elicited a significant antibody response in some instances. It is concluded that mice, in response to infection, elicit an immunological response to outer membrane proteins of P. aeruginosa.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to exotoxin A from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies specific for exotoxin A from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA103 were derived from the fusion of spleen cells from mice immunized with: (i) purified exotoxin A, (ii) Formalin-treated exotoxin A, (iii) exotoxin A covalently coupled to Sepharose 4B, or (iv) P. aeruginosa-infected mice. All hybridomas were screened and selected by using an enzyme-linked immuno-adsorbent assay. All antibody isotypes were represented (immunoglobulins G, A, and M) as determined by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay. The most productive fusions resulted from immunization with antigens coupled to an insoluble matrix, such as Sepharose 4B, or by infection of mice. Several hybridomas were selected and cloned by limiting dilution. The specificity of the monoclonal antibodies for exotoxin A was demonstrated by indirect immunoprecipitation of 125I-labeled exotoxin A followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis and by the immunoblotting technique. The protective ability of certain monoclonal antibodies was demonstrated in vitro by toxin neutralization in tissue culture and in vivo by prolonged survival time in the burned mouse infection model, after passive immunization. One monoclonal antitoxin displayed specificity for PA103-derived exotoxin yet failed to react with exotoxin purified from PAO-PR1 or PAO1, suggesting that structural differences exist between these exotoxins.

Immunochemical analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. Analysis of the His426 determinant.

This study describes a combined immunochemical and genetic approach defining a site on Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA) which is critical to the ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT) activity of the toxin. The sequential epitope of a monoclonal antibody (TO-1) which binds to domain III (residues 405-613), containing the ADPRT activity of ETA, has been defined using a series of synthetic peptides. This epitope spans residues 422-432 which composes the major alpha-helical segment of domain III and includes His426 which has previously been shown to be essential for ADPRT activity (Wozniak, D.J., Hsu, L.-Y., and Galloway, D. R. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, 8880-8884). The critical His426 residue which projects into a major cleft becomes exposed when the ETA protein is in an ADPRT-active configuration. Since the TC-1 mAb does not block the binding of NAD+, it is possible that the alpha-helix site containing the TC-1 epitope and the His426 residue is associated with the interaction between ETA and its elongation factor 2 substrate.