Farm-derived Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus sciuri W620 prevents asthma phenotype in HDM- and OVA-exposed mice.

BACKGROUND: Farm-derived dust samples have been screened for bacteria with potential allergo-protective properties. Among those was Staphylococcus sciuri W620 (S. sciuri W620), which we tested with regard to its protective capacities in murine models of allergic airway inflammation. METHODS: We employed two protocols of acute airway inflammation in mice administering either ovalbumin (OVA) or house dust mite extract (HDM) for sensitization. Mechanistic studies on the activation of innate immune responses to S. sciuri W620 were carried out using human primary monocytic dendritic cells (moDC) and co-culture with autologous T cells. RESULTS: The allergo-protective properties of S. sciuri W620 were proven in a T(H)2-driven OVA model as well as in a mixed T(H)1/T(H)2 phenotype HDM model as demonstrated by abrogation of eosinophils and neutrophils in the airways after intranasal treatment. In the HDM model, lymph node cell T(H)1/T(H)2 signature cytokines were decreased in parallel. Studies on human moDC revealed an activation of TLR2 and NOD2 receptors and initiation of DC maturation following incubation with S. sciuri W620. Cytokine expression analyses after exposure to S. sciuri W620 showed a lack of IL-12 production in moDC due to missing transcription of the IL-12p35 mRNA. However, such DC selectively supported T(H)1 cytokine release by co-cultured T cells. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our proof-of-concept experiments verify the screening system of farm-derived dust samples as suitable to elucidate new candidates for allergo-protection. S. sciuri W620 was shown to possess preventive properties on airway inflammation providing the basis for further mechanistic studies and potential clinical implication.

The allergy-protective properties of Acinetobacter lwoffii F78 are imparted by its lipopolysaccharide.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of epidemiological studies show that exposure to farming environment during early childhood strongly influences the development of allergic reactions later in life ('hygiene hypothesis'). Also, it had been shown that certain bacteria from this environment may have allergy-protective properties. In the present study, we further characterized one of these bacteria, namely Acinetobacter lwoffii F78, with regard to the bacteria-induced signaling and possible mechanisms of allergy protection. METHODS: The impact of A. lwoffii F78 on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells especially with respect to their T(Helper) cell polarization capacity was investigated by ELISA and real-time PCR experiments as well as confocal microscopy. The responsible molecule for these effects was further characterized and identified using blocking experiments. RESULTS: It was shown that A. lwoffii F78 induced a T(H)1-polarizing program in human dendritic cells which led to T(H)1 differentiation. In addition, a positive influence on the TBet/GATA3 level could be detected. Blocking experiments revealed that the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of A. lwoffii F78 was the responsible molecule promoting these effects. CONCLUSION: We found evidence that the allergy-protecting effects of A. lwoffii F78 are because of the activation of a T(H)1-polarizing program in human dendritic cells, and that the LPS of A. lwoffii F78 is responsible for these beneficial effects.

A conserved structural motif for lipopolysaccharide recognition by procaryotic and eucaryotic proteins.

BACKGROUND: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a lipoglycan from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is an immunomodulatory molecule that stimulates the innate immune response. High levels of LPS cause excessive release of inflammatory mediators and are responsible for the septic shock syndrome. The interaction of LPS with its cognate binding proteins has not, as yet, been structurally elucidated. RESULTS: The X-ray crystallographic structure of LPS in complex with the integral outer membrane protein FhuA from Escherichia coli K-12 is reported. It is in accord with data obtained using mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Most of the important hydrogen-bonding or electrostatic interactions with LPS are provided by eight positively charged residues of FhuA. Residues in a similar three-dimensional arrangement were searched for in all structurally known proteins using a fast template-matching algorithm, and a subset of four residues was identified that is common to known LPS-binding proteins. CONCLUSIONS: These four residues, three of which form specific interactions with lipid A, appear to provide the structural basis of pattern recognition in the innate immune response. Their arrangement can serve to identify LPS-binding sites on proteins known to interact with LPS, and could serve as a template for molecular modeling of a LPS scavenger designed to reduce the septic shock syndrome.

Cloning and sequence of a thermostable multidomain xylanase from the bacterium Rhodothermus marinus.

The gene (xyn1) encoding a Rhodothermus marinus xylanase has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The gene comprises 5 different domains in an unusual combination. The cellulose binding domains (CBDs) encoded by xyn1 are repeated in tandem at the N-terminus and show similarity with the CBD family IV. The xyn1-gene is the first example encoding a CBD family IV in combination with a xylan hydrolyzing catalytic domain of the glycosyl hydrolase family 10.

Structural and serological characterisation of the O-antigenic polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide from Acinetobacter strain 96 (DNA group 11).

A polysaccharide containing D-Manp, L-Fucp (6-deoxygalactopyranose, fucose) and D-GlcpNAc was isolated by mild acid hydrolysis, followed by gel-permeation chromatography, from the lipopolysaccharide derived from Acinetobacter strain 96 (DNA group 11). The structure of the O-antigen was determined by compositional analysis and NMR spectroscopy of the polysaccharide as: [carbohydrate structure see text] A monoclonal antibody obtained after immunization of mice with heat-killed bacteria of Acinetobacter strain 96 was shown to bind to the O-antigen and did not cross-react with any Acinetobacter O-antigen of known structure.

Characterization of the physiological substrate for lipopolysaccharide heptosyltransferases I and II.

L-Glycero-D-manno-heptopyranose is a characteristic compound of many lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core structures of Gram-negative bacteria. In Escherichia coli two heptosyltransferases, namely WaaC and WaaF, are known to transfer L-glycero-D-manno-heptopyranose to Re-LPS and Rd(2)-LPS, respectively. It had been proposed that both reactions involve ADPL-glycero-D-manno-heptose as a sugar donor; however, the structure of this nucleotide sugar had never been completely elucidated. In the present study, ADPL-glycero-D-manno-heptose was isolated from a heptosyltransferase-deficient E. coli mutant, and its structure was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry as ADPL-glycero-beta-D-manno-heptopyranose. This compound represented the sole constituent of the bacterial extract that was accepted as a sugar donor by heptosyltransferases I and II in vitro.

A carbohydrate binding module as a diversity-carrying scaffold.

The growing field of biotechnology is in constant need of binding proteins with novel properties. Not just binding specificities and affinities but also structural stability and productivity are important characteristics for the purpose of large-scale applications. In order to find such molecules, libraries are created by diversifying naturally occurring binding proteins, which in those cases serve as scaffolds. In this study, we investigated the use of a thermostable carbohydrate binding module, CBM4-2, from a xylanase found in Rhodothermus marinus, as a diversity-carrying scaffold. A combinatorial library was created by introducing restricted variation at 12 positions in the carbohydrate binding site of the CBM4-2. Despite the small size of the library (1.6 x 10(6) clones), variants specific towards different carbohydrate polymers (birchwood xylan, Avicel and ivory nut mannan) as well as a glycoprotein (human IgG4) were successfully selected for, using the phage display method. Investigated clones showed a high productivity (on average 69 mg of purified protein/l shake flask culture) when produced in Escherichia coli and they were all stable molecules displaying a high melting transition temperature (75.7 +/- 5.3 degrees C). All our results demonstrate that the CBM4-2 molecule is a suitable scaffold for creating variants useful in different biotechnological applications.

The chemical structure of bacterial endotoxin in relation to bioactivity.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) constitute the O-antigens and endotoxins of Gram-negative bacteria. Whereas both the polysaccharide and lipid portion of LPS contribute to the pathogenic potential of this class of bacteria, it is the lipid component (lipid A) which determines the endotoxic properties of LPS. The primary structure of lipid A of various bacterial origin has been elucidated and Escherichia coli lipid A has been chemically synthesized. The biological analysis of synthetic lipid A partial structures proved that the expression of endotoxic activity depends on a unique structural arrangement and conformation. Such analyses have furthermore provided insight into the determinants required for lipid A binding to and activation of human target cells. Present research efforts aim at the molecular characterization of the specificity, modulation and biomedical consequences of the interaction of lipid A with host cells.

Evidence for substrate binding of a recombinant thermostable xylanase originating from Rhodothermus marinus.

The xynl encoded 5 domain xylanase from the thermophilic bacterium Rhodothermus marinus binds specifically to xylan, beta-glucan and amorphous but not crystalline cellulose. Our results show that the binding is mediated by the full length xylanase, but not by the catalytic domain only. Based on similarities concerning both predicted secondary structure and binding specificity found with one cellulose binding domain of CenC from Cellulomonas fimi, we suggest that the binding is mediated by the two N-terminally repeated domains.

Isolation and characterisation of the lipopolysaccharide from Xanthomonas hortorum pv. vitians.

Xanthomonas hortorum pv. vitians is a Gram-negative bacterium that acts as the causative agent of bacterial leaf spot and headrot in lettuce. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of this bacterium is suspected to be an important molecule for adhesion to the plants. We have isolated the LPS, prepared the lipid A and the polysaccharide moieties thereof, and characterised all preparations by compositional analysis. Main sugar components are rhamnose and 3-acetamido-3,6-dideoxy-galactose which presumably furnish the O-specific polysaccharide. Other sugars are mannose, glucose, 6-deoxygalactose (fucose), and galacturonic acid, which should be core region constituents, and glucosamine, which builds up the carbohydrate backbone of lipid A. The LPS contains several phosphate groups, most of which are present in the core region. The main fatty acids in the lipid A are C10:0, 3-OH-C10:0 and 3-OH-C12:0. The latter is the only amide-linked fatty acid. Two fatty acids present in small amounts were identified, C8:0 and C11:0.

Continuous monitoring of urea in blood during dialysis.

Urease was immobilized to porous glass and used in combination with a conductivity meter for determining urea in standard solutions as well as in blood from a patient undergoing dialysis. The sampling unit involves a possibility for heparinization at the sampling point and a dialysis step prior to exposure to the enzyme column. The unit operates in a linear mode in the concentration range 5-50 mM. Monitoring of dialysis process gave good correlation with off-line analyses.

Occurrence of antibodies against chlamydial lipopolysaccharide in human sera as measured by ELISA using an artificial glycoconjugate antigen.

An artificial glycoconjugate containing, as a ligand, the deacylated carbohydrate backbone of a recombinant Chlamydia-specific lipopolysaccharide was used as a solid-phase antigen in ELISA to measure antibodies against chlamydial LPS. The specificity and reproducibility of the assay was shown by using a panel of prototype monoclonal antibodies representing the spectrum of antibodies also occurring in patient sera. These mAbs recognized Chlamydia-specific epitopes [alpha 2-->8-linked disaccharide of 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo) or the trisaccharide alpha Kdo-(2-->8)-alpha Kdo-(2-->4)-alpha Kdo] or those shared between chlamydial and Re-type LPS (alpha Kdo, alpha 2-->4-linked Kdo disaccharide). The assay was used to measure IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against chlamydial LPS in patients with genital or respiratory tract infections. In comparison to the results obtained with sera from blood donors, it became evident that both types of infection result in significant changes in the profile of LPS antibodies.

Enzymatic specificity and hydrolysis pattern of the catalytic domain of the xylanase Xynl from Rhodothermus marinus.

The catalytic domain of a xylanase from Rhodothermus marinus was produced in Escherichia coli. The catalytic domain belongs to glycosyl hydrolase family 10. The produced protein has a 22-amino acid leader peptide followed by a 411-amino acid truncated xylanase. The molecular mass was 48 kDa and the recombinant xylanase had a pI of 4.9. The pH and temperature optima for activity were determined to be 7.5 and 80 degrees C, respectively. At that temperature the enzyme had a half-life of 1 h 40 min. An addition of 1 mM calcium stabilized the activity of the enzyme at 80 degrees C. The xylanase had its highest specific activity on oat spelt xylan but was active also on other xylans and to a limited extent on some other polysaccharides (soluble glucans). No exo- or endo-cellulase activity was observed. Hydrolysis of xylo-oligomers and oat spelt xylan was studied and the predominant products of hydrolysis were xylobiose and xylotriose. The enzyme was inactive on xylobiose, xylotriose and on the soluble fraction from oat spelt xylan. The R. marinus xylanase is shown to have a strong preference for internal linkages and is therefore classified as an endo-xylanase.

Species Composition of Cultivated and Noncultivated Bacteria from Short Filaments in an Icelandic Hot Spring at 88 degrees C.

Samples of short pink-grayish filaments were collected from a hot spring in the Hengill area in southwestern Iceland at 85-88 degrees C, pH 6.9 and 1.7 mg/L sulfide. The species composition was studied by cloning and sequencing small subunit rRNA genes obtained by PCR amplifications from mat DNA. Using 98% sequence similarity as a cutoff value, a total of 5 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and 6 archaeal OTUs were detected among 68 bacterial clones and 97 archaeal clones. Database matching showed that 80.5% of the archaeal sequences were 99% similar to Pyrobaculum islandicum and 14.5% were closest to the Korarchaeota clone sequence SRI306. About 87% of the bacterial sequences had the closest database match (99%) to the clone sequence SRI48 but were also found to be 99% identical with hydrogen-oxidizing strains previously isolated in this laboratory from hot springs in the same region. Out of 7 Thermus sequences, 4 were 100% identical to T. scotoductus NMX2 A.1 but 3 represented a new uncultivated Thermus species. Four different media, varying in organic nutrients and phosphate composition were used to isolate 81 aerobic thermophilic heterotrophs. Four isolates were Bacillus spp; but out of 77 Thermus isolates, 42 belonged to T. scotoductus and 35 to T. brockianus. T. scotoductus seemed to be preferably isolated on media low in nutrients and phosphate, whereas for T. brockianus it was the opposite. The T. scotoductus clones and isolates had 99-100% sequence similarity to each other. No T. brockianus sequences were found in the bacterial clone library.

GLC-MS of reduced, acetylated, and methylated (2----4)- and (2----8)-linked disaccharides of 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulopyranosonic acid (Kdo).

Synthetic alpha- and beta-(2----4)- and alpha- and beta-(2----8)-linked disaccharides of 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulopyranosonic acid (Kdo), of which the synthesis of the beta-(2----4)-linked compound is described here, were used to develop a simple GLC-MS method for the determination of their anomeric configuration. The GLC and GLC-MS data for the reduced and acetylated or methylated derivatives of the above compounds indicate the alpha-linked synthetic disaccharides to be identical to those isolated from bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

Structural analysis of the heptose/hexose region of the lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli K-12 strain W3100.

The disaccharide L-glycero-D-manno-heptosyl-D-glucose was isolated from the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli K-12 strain W3100 after partial hydrolysis with acid, and the structure was determined by methylation analysis, n.m.r. spectroscopy, and comparison with a synthetic standard. In addition, the oligosaccharides L,D-Hep-D-Glc-D-Glc and L,D-Hep-D-Glc-D-Glc-D-Glc were isolated, and their structures were established by g.l.c.-m.s. and methylation analysis. The results indicated that L-glycero-D-manno-heptose, a characteristic constituent of the inner core region, may also occur in the outer core region which, in E. coli, is generally composed of hexoses. A revised structure of the carbohydrate backbone of the hexose/heptose region of the LPS is given.

G.l.c.-m.s. of partially methylated and acetylated derivatives of L-glycero-D-manno- and D-glycero-D-manno-heptopyranoses and -heptitols.

Methylated or acetylated heptopyranose derivatives were prepared variously from L-glycero-D-manno- and D-glycero-D-manno-heptopyranose, O-L- glycero-alpha-D-manno-heptopyranosyl-(1----3)-L-glycero-D-manno- heptopyranose, O-L-glycero-alpha-D-manno-heptopyranosyl-(1----7)-L-glycero- D-manno-heptopyranose, and O-L-glycero-alpha-D-manno- heptopyranosyl-(1----7)-O-L-glycero-alpha-D-manno- heptopyranosyl-(1----3)-L-glycero-D-manno- heptopyranose, which are structural elements of the heptose region of enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides. Each derivative was investigated by g.l.c. and g.l.c.-m.s., and the retention times and fragmentation patterns were used to identify partial structures of the heptose region of the core oligosaccharide of bacterial LPS.

Isolation and characterisation of 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulopyranosonate 7-(2-aminoethyl phosphate) from the inner core region of Escherichia coli K-12 and Salmonella minnesota lipopolysaccharides.

The title compound (PE-Kdo) was isolated after hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharides of Escherichia coli K-12 strain W3100 and Salmonella minnesota strains R4 and R7, and the location of the 2-aminoethyl phosphate group at position 7 was established by 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. Derivatives of PE-Kdo were acetylated, silylated, and methylated in order to evaluate their usefulness for analysis by g.l.c.-m.s.

Synthesis of 3-deoxy-2-octulosonic acid derivatives and characterisation of their 3-deoxyoctitols.

The diethyl dithioacetals of D-altrose, D-idose, and D-talose were used to synthesise the respective O-benzyl aldehydo-sugars as intermediates for the synthesis of 3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-gluco/manno-3-deoxy-D-glycero-L-gulo/ido -, and 3-deoxy-D-glycero-L-allo/altro-octonate derivatives, respectively. After reduction and deprotection, the respective 3-deoxyoctitols were obtained. For the synthesis of 3-deoxy-D-glycero-L-galacto/talo-octitol, 2,3:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-D-gulono-1,4-lactone was transformed by reduction and selective oxidation at C-1 to the aldehydo-D-gulose, from which the 3-deoxy-D-glycero-L-galacto/talo-octonate was synthesised. Carboxyl- and carbonyl-reduction and deprotection gave the 3-deoxyoctitol. The 3-deoxyoctitols were characterised by GLC and GLC-MS in the acetylated and methylated form. The data presented here and the data published earlier [T. Krülle, O. Holst, H. Brade, and R.R. Schmidt, Carbohydr. Res., 247 (1993) 145-158] showed that methylated 3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto/talo-octitol can be distinguished by GLC from the other 3-deoxy-D-octitols and thus allows the identification of the manno configuration of 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo) in natural products such as the lipopolysaccharides of different Gram-negative bacteria, where Kdo is a generally occurring constituent.

The synthesis and characterisation of 2-O-(6-O-L-glycero-alpha,beta-D-manno-heptopyranosyl-alpha-D-glucopyran osyl)-alpha,beta-D-glucopyranose.

The title compounds were synthesised, and appropriate derivatives were characterised by GLC, GLC-MS, and NMR spectroscopy. The GLC and GLC-MS data proved 2-O-(6-O-L-glycero-alpha-D-manno-heptopyranosyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)- D- glucopyranose to be a constituent of the outer-core region of the lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli K-12, indicating the heptosyl residue to be linked to the terminal glucopyranose residue.