scholarly journals Anti-Ace monoclonal antibody reduces Enterococcus faecalis aortic valve infection in a rat infective endocarditis model

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kavindra V Singh ◽  
Kenneth L Pinkston ◽  
Peng Gao ◽  
Barrett R Harvey ◽  
Barbara E Murray
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Collagen Iv ◽  
Aortic Valves ◽  
Collagen Binding ◽  
Passive Protection ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Pre Treatment

AbstractAce (Adhesin to collagen from Enterococcus faecalis) is a cell-wall anchored protein that is expressed conditionally and is important for virulence in a rat infective endocarditis (IE) model. Previously, we showed that rats immunized with the collagen binding domain of Ace (domain A), or administered anti-Ace domain A polyclonal antibody, were less susceptible to E. faecalis endocarditis than sham-immunized controls. In this work, we demonstrated that a sub nanomolar monoclonal antibody (mAb), anti-Ace mAb70, significantly diminished E. faecalis binding to ECM collagen IV in in vitro adherence assays and that, in the endocarditis model, anti-Ace mAb70 pre-treatment significantly reduced E. faecalis infection of aortic valves. The effectiveness of anti-Ace mAb against IE in the rat model suggests it might serve as a beneficial agent for passive protection against E. faecalis infections.

scholarly journals Expression of Adhesive Pili and the Collagen-Binding Adhesin Ace Is Activated by ArgR Family Transcription Factors inEnterococcus faecalis

2018 ◽  
Vol 200 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn A. Manias ◽  
Gary M. Dunny
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Structural Genes ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Collagen Binding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surface Adhesins

ABSTRACTIt was shown previously that the disruption of theahrCgene encoding a predicted ArgR family transcription factor results in a severe defect in biofilm formationin vitro, as well as a significant attenuation of virulence ofEnterococcus faecalisstrain OG1RF in multiple experimental infection models. Using transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), we observedahrC-dependent changes in the expression of more than 20 genes. AhrC-repressed genes included predicted determinants of arginine catabolism and several other metabolic genes and predicted transporters, while AhrC-activated genes included determinants involved in the production of surface protein adhesins. Most notably, the structural and regulatory genes of theebplocus encoding adhesive pili were positively regulated, as well as theacegene, encoding a collagen-binding adhesin. UsinglacZtranscription reporter fusions, we determined thatahrCand a secondargRtranscription factor gene,argR2, both function to activate the expression ofebpR, which directly activates the transcription of the pilus structural genes. Our data suggest that in the wild-typeE. faecalis, the low levels of EbpR limit the expression of pili and that biofilm biomass is also limited by the amount of pili expressed by the bacteria. The expression ofaceis similarly enhanced by AhrC and ArgR2, butaceexpression is not dependent on EbpR. Our results demonstrate the existence of novel regulatory cascades controlled by a pair of ArgR family transcription factors that might function as a heteromeric protein complex.IMPORTANCECell surface adhesins play critical roles in the formation of biofilms, host colonization, and the pathogenesis of opportunistic infections byEnterococcus faecalis. Here, we present new results showing that the expression of two major enterococcal surface adhesins,ebppili, and the collagen-binding protein Ace is positively regulated at the transcription level by twoargRfamily transcription factors, AhrC and ArgR2. In the case of pili, the direct target of regulation is theebpRgene, previously shown to activate the transcription of the pilus structural genes, while the activation ofacetranscription appears to be directly impacted by the two ArgR proteins. These transcription factors may represent new targets for blocking enterococcal infections.

scholarly journals Antibodies to a Surface-Exposed, N-terminal Domain of Aggregation Substance Are Not Protective in the Rabbit Model of Enterococcus faecalis Infective Endocarditis

2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 3305-3314 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. McCormick ◽  
Helmut Hirt ◽  
Christopher M. Waters ◽  
Timothy J. Tripp ◽  
Gary M. Dunny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Conjugative Plasmid ◽  
Aggregation Substance ◽  
Exposed Region ◽  
Correct Sequence

ABSTRACT The aggregation substance (AS) surface protein fromEnterococcus faecalis has been implicated as an important virulence factor for the development of infective endocarditis. To evaluate the role of antibodies specific for Asc10 (the AS protein from the conjugative plasmid pCF10) in protective immunity to infective endocarditis, an N-terminal region of Asc10 lacking the signal peptide and predicted to be surface exposed (amino acids 44 to 331; AS44–331) was cloned with a C-terminal histidine tag translational fusion and expressed fromEscherichia coli. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the purified protein revealed the correct sequence, and rabbit polyclonal antisera raised against AS44–331 reacted specifically to Asc10 expressed from E. faecalis OG1SSp, but not to other proteins as judged by Western blot analysis. Using these antisera, flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that antibodies to AS44–331 bound to a surface-exposed region of Asc10. Furthermore, antibodies specific for AS44–331were opsonic for E. faecalis expressing Asc10 in vitro but not for cells that did not express Asc10. New Zealand White rabbits immunized with AS44–331 were challenged intravenously withE. faecalis cells constitutively expressing Asc10 in the rabbit model of experimental endocarditis. Highly immune animals did not show significant differences in clearance of organisms from the blood or spleen or in formation of vegetations on the aortic valve, in comparison with nonimmune animals. Although in vivo expression of Asc10 was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, these experiments provide evidence that immunity to Asc10 does not play a role in protection from experimental infective endocarditis due toE. faecalis and may have important implications for the development of immunological approaches to combat enterococcal endocarditis.

scholarly journals Cholangiocyte expression of α2β1-integrin confers susceptibility to rotavirus-induced experimental biliary atresia

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (1) ◽  
pp. G16-G26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mubeen Jafri ◽  
Bryan Donnelly ◽  
Steven Allen ◽  
Alex Bondoc ◽  
Monica McNeal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Biliary Atresia ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Cell Surface Expression ◽  
Newborn Mice ◽  
A Cell

Inoculation of BALB/c mice with rhesus rotavirus (RRV) in the newborn period results in biliary epithelial cell (cholangiocyte) infection and the murine model of biliary atresia. Rotavirus infection of a cell requires attachment, which is governed in part by cell-surface expression of integrins such as α2β1. We hypothesized that cholangiocytes were susceptible to RRV infection because they express α2β1. RRV attachment and replication was measured in cell lines derived from cholangiocytes and hepatocytes. Flow cytometry was performed on these cell lines to determine whether α2β1 was present. Cholangiocytes were blocked with natural ligands, a monoclonal antibody, or small interfering RNA against the α2-subunit and were infected with RRV. The extrahepatic biliary tract of newborn mice was screened for the expression of the α2β1-integrin. Newborn mice were pretreated with a monoclonal antibody against the α2-subunit and were inoculated with RRV. RRV attached and replicated significantly better in cholangiocytes than in hepatocytes. Cholangiocytes, but not hepatocytes, expressed α2β1 in vitro and in vivo. Blocking assays led to a significant reduction in attachment and yield of virus in RRV-infected cholangiocytes. Pretreatment of newborn pups with an anti-α2 monoclonal antibody reduced the ability of RRV to cause biliary atresia in mice. Cell-surface expression of the α2β1-integrin plays a role in the mechanism that confers cholangiocyte susceptibility to RRV infection.

scholarly journals In vitro bactericidal activity of amoxicillin combined with different cephalosporins against endocarditis-associated Enterococcus faecalis clinical isolates

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 3511-3514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Peiffer-Smadja ◽  
Elena Guillotel ◽  
David Luque-Paz ◽  
Naouale Maataoui ◽  
F -Xavier Lescure ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentration ◽  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Bactericidal Activity ◽  
Empirical Therapy ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Time Kill ◽  
Reference Strains ◽  
Free Plasma

Abstract Background The combination of amoxicillin with cefazolin could be an interesting regimen for the empirical therapy of severe infective endocarditis, but its activity against enterococci is unknown. Objectives To evaluate in vitro the bactericidal activity of the combination of amoxicillin with different cephalosporins including cefazolin. Methods Combinations of amoxicillin (at MIC×¼) with cefazolin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, ceftaroline or ceftobiprole (at the mean free plasma concentration) were studied using time–kill experiments for 10 endocarditis-associated Enterococcus faecalis strains and 2 reference strains. Results The combinations amoxicillin/cefazolin, amoxicillin/cefotaxime, amoxicillin/ceftriaxone and amoxicillin/cefepime were synergistic at 12 and 24 h against 12/12 strains and amoxicillin/ceftobiprole and amoxicillin/ceftaroline against 10/12 strains. The combination amoxicillin/cefepime was bactericidal at 24 h against 9/12 strains, the combination amoxicillin/cefazolin against 8/12 strains, the combinations amoxicillin/ceftaroline, amoxicillin/cefotaxime and amoxicillin/ceftobiprole against 7/12 strains and the combination amoxicillin/ceftriaxone against 6/12 strains. Conclusions The combination amoxicillin/cefazolin is as synergistic and bactericidal in vitro as amoxicillin/cefotaxime or amoxicillin/ceftriaxone against E. faecalis.

Bacterial Biofilms in Infective Endocarditis – A complex in vitro - Model to Investigate Emerging Technologies of Antimicrobial Cardiovascular Device Coatings

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Kursawe ◽  
Alexander Lauten ◽  
Marc Martinović ◽  
Klaus Affeld ◽  
Ulrich Kertzscher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Heart Valves ◽  
In Vitro Model ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Bacterial Biofilms ◽  
Aortic Valves ◽  
Biofilm Growth ◽  
Vitro Model ◽  
Biofilm Development

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> Most biofilm flow-chambers are designed for standardized homogeneous biofilms for research purposes. These do not mimic the complexity of prosthetic heart valves, which consist of both artificial and biological material.</p> <p>Infective endocarditis (IE) is still associated with a high morbidity and mortality. IE is characterized by bacterial biofilms of the endocardium leading to destruction of the valve. Current research demonstrates that about one quarter of the patients with formal surgery indication cannot undergo surgery. This group of patients needs further options of therapy, but due to a lack of models for IE, prospects of research are low.</p> <p>Therefore, the purpose of this project was to establish an in vitro - model of infective endocarditis to allow growth of bacterial biofilms on porcine aortic valves, serving as baseline for further research.</p> <p><strong>Methods and Results: </strong>A pulsatile two-chamber circulation model was constructed that kept native porcine aortic valves under sterile, physiologic hemodynamic and temperature conditions. To exclude external contamination, sterility tests with sterile culture media were performed for 24h. During this time period, no growth of microorganisms was observed in the system and cultures after plating on standard media remained negative.</p> <p>The system was inoculated with Staphylococcus epidermidis PIA 8400 to create biofilms on porcine aortic valves. Porcine aortic roots were incubated in this system for increasing periods of time and bacterial titration to evaluate bacterial growth and biofilm development on the valves. After incubation, specimens were embedded and tissue sections were analyzed by Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for direct visualization of the biofilms and bacterial activity.</p> <p>Pilot tests for biofilm growth showed monospecies colonization consisting of cocci with time- and inocula-dependent increase. FISH visualized biofilms with ribosome-containing, and thus metabolic active cocci, tissue infiltration and similar colonization pattern as observed by FISH in human IE heart valves infected by S. epidermidis.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> These results demonstrate the establishment of a novel complex in vitro - model for bacterial biofilm growth on porcine aortic roots. The model will allow identifying predilection sites of heart valves for bacterial adhesion and biofilm growth and it may serve as baseline for further research on IE therapy and prevention, e.g. the development of antimicrobial transcatheter approaches to IE.</p>

scholarly journals A monoclonal antibody (8H3) that binds to rat T lineage cells and augments in vitro proliferative responses.

1990 ◽  
Vol 172 (5) ◽  
pp. 1315-1323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Torimoto ◽  
M Kinebuchi ◽  
A Matsuura ◽  
K Kikuchi ◽  
T Uede
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Surface Antigen ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Cell Surface Antigen ◽  
Double Negative ◽  
Mouse Immunoglobulin ◽  
A Cell

A murine monoclonal antibody, designated 8H3, recognizes a cell surface antigen expressed exclusively on rat T lineage cells. 8H3 antibody immunoprecipitated 180-, 120-, and 90-kD components from rat thymocytes as well as splenic T cells under nonreducing conditions. 8H3 antibody specifically inhibited the binding of thymocytes to fibronectin. Furthermore, binding of rat thymocytes to immobilized synthetic peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Cys-BSA was inhibited by 8H3 antibody as was Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Cys, but not by Gly-Arg-Ala-Asp-Ser-Pro-Lys or Gly-Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser-Pro. Crosslinking of 8H3 antigen on double-negative thymocytes and adult thymocytes, as well as splenic T lymphocytes by 8H3 antibody and F(ab')2 fragments of goat antibodies to mouse immunoglobulin, led to an increase in the concentration of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ due to the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores as well as the influx of Ca2+ from extracellular sources. Expression of interleukin 2 receptor and subsequently cell proliferation was observed upon incubation of thymocytes and splenic T cells with 8H3 antibody. Furthermore, 8H3 antibody induced the proliferation of double-negative thymocytes. These data collectively indicated that a cell surface antigen, 8H3, is involved in not only cell adhesion but also involved in the expression of immature as well as mature thymocytes.

Effects of an anti-exospore monoclonal antibody on microsporidial development in vitro

Parasitology ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 117 (6) ◽  
pp. 515-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. ENRIQUEZ ◽  
G. WAGNER ◽  
M. FRAGOSO ◽  
O. DITRICH
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Infected Host ◽  
Encephalitozoon Cuniculi ◽  
Isotype Control ◽  
Encephalitozoon Intestinalis ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Development In Vitro

In this study we evaluated the effects of the anti-microsporidial exospore monoclonal antibody 3B6, recognizing 3 Encephalitozoon species, Encephalitozoon intestinalis (Syn. Septata intestinalis), Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and Encephalitozoon hellem on microsporidial growth in vitro. Pre-treatment of spores for 24 h with mAb 3B6 resulted in 21–29% fewer infected host cells 4 days after inoculation of the cultures compared to cultures pre-treated with medium or an irrelevant isotype control mAb (P<0·001). Fewer intracellular spores (1·2±0·2) in infected cells were found when mAb 3B6 was present in cultures compared to cultures with medium alone (4·3±0·8) or an irrelevant isotype control mAb (4·2±0·9; P<0·001). This decrease appeared not to be dependent on time of exposure, mAb concentration, or presence of complement. It is concluded that antibodies, particularly those directed to potential neutralizing-sensitive epitopes on spores, may have a role in the control of microsporidial growth in vitro.

scholarly journals Differential ampicillin/ceftriaxone susceptibility among diverse Enterococcus faecalis from infective endocarditis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J Westbrook ◽  
Gayatri Shankar Chilambi ◽  
Hayley R Nordstrom ◽  
Alina Iovleva ◽  
Niyati H Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Beta Lactam ◽  
University Of Pittsburgh ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
The University ◽  
Sequence Types

Enterococcus faecalis is a leading cause of infective endocarditis (IE), especially among older patients with comorbidities. Here we investigated the genomic diversity and antimicrobial susceptibility of 33 contemporary E. faecalis isolates from definite or probable IE cases at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) between 2018 and 2020. Isolates belonging to two multi-locus sequence types (STs), ST6 and ST179, were isolated from nearly 40% of IE patients. Both of these dominant STs carried known beta-lactam resistance-associated mutations affecting the low-affinity penicillin-binding protein 4 (PBP4). We assessed the ability of ampicillin and ceftriaxone (AC) both alone and in combination to inhibit genetically diverse E. faecalis IE isolates in checkerboard synergy assays and an in vitro one-compartment pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model of AC treatment. ST6 isolates as well as an isolate with a mutation in the PP2C-type protein phosphatase IreP had higher ceftriaxone MICs compared to other isolates, and showed diminished in vitro synergy of AC. Additionally, both ST6 and ST179 isolates exhibited regrowth after 48 hours of humanized exposures to AC. Overall, we found evidence for diminished in vitro AC activity among E. faecalis IE isolates with PBP4 and IreP mutations. This study highlights the need to evaluate alternate antibiotic combinations in clinical practice against diverse contemporary E. faecalis IE isolates.

scholarly journals Virulence Factors Associated with Enterococcus Faecalis Infective Endocarditis: A Mini Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristian T. Madsen ◽  
Marianne N. Skov ◽  
Sabine Gill ◽  
Michael Kemp
Keyword(s):  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Passive Immunization ◽  
Bacterial Attachment ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Bacterial Binding ◽  
Life Threatening

Introduction:The enterococci are accountable for up to 20% of all cases of infective endocarditis, withEnterococcus faecalisbeing the primary causative isolate. Infective endocarditis is a life-threatening infection of the endocardium that results in the formation of vegetations. Based on a literature review, this paper provides an overview of the virulence factors associated withE. faecalisinfective endocarditis. Furthermore, it reports the effects of active or passive immunization against some of these involved factors.Individual virulence factors:Nine virulence factors have in particular been associated withE. faecalisinfective endocarditis. Absence of these factors entailed attenuation of strains in both mixed- and mono-bacterial infection endocarditis models as well as inin vitroandex vivoassays when compared to their virulence factor expressing parental strains.Pathogenesis:The virulence factors promote a broad spectrum of events that together allow for disease development and progression. The infection is initiated through bacterial binding to ligands present at the site of infection after which the colonization can be accelerated through inter-bacterial attachment and modulation of the host immune response. The formation and growth of the vegetation provide protection and promote growth. Controlled degeneration of the vegetation appears to increase the likelihood of embolization and dissemination, without exposing protected bacteria.Prophylactic immunization:In most cases, active and passive immunization against associated virulence factors provided partial protection.Future prospects:There is a need for further evaluation of the known virulence factors. Immunization against two or more virulence factors might be an effective prophylactic tool.

scholarly journals Acquired Gentamicin Resistance by Permeability Impairment in Enterococcus faecalis

2006 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 3615-3621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Aslangul ◽  
Laurent Massias ◽  
Alain Meulemans ◽  
Françoise Chau ◽  
Antoine Andremont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Active Agent ◽  
Intermediate Level ◽  
Lower Sensitivity ◽  
Gentamicin Resistance ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Permeability Impairment ◽  
Level Resistance

ABSTRACT Enterococci are intrinsically resistant to low levels of aminoglycosides. We previously selected in vitro and in vivo Enterococcus faecalis with intermediate-level resistance to gentamicin that did not abolish synergism with a cell-wall-active agent (E. Aslangul et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 49:4144-4148, 2005). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of resistance to gentamicin in the 1688-G3 third-step mutant (MIC, 512 μg/ml) of E. faecalis JH2-2. No mutations were found in the genes for L6 ribosomal protein and the four copies of 16S rRNA. Production of a known aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme was unlikely due to the distinct resistance phenotype and absence of the corresponding genes. Efflux was also unlikely since ethidium bromide MICs were similar for JH2-2 and 1688-G3 and since the pump inhibitors reserpine and verapamil had no effect on gentamicin resistance in both strains. To study gentamicin accumulation, we developed a nonisotopic method based on a fluorescent polarization immunoassay. Impaired gentamicin accumulation was observed in 1688-G3 compared to JH2-2 and was only partially reversible by the N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) uncoupler agent. The lower sensitivity of 1688-G3 to DCCD suggested alteration of the FoF1-ATPase. However, no mutations were detected in the structural genes (atp) for the Fo channel and no difference in transcript levels of atpB and atpE was found between 1688-G3 and JH2-2. Our data are compatible with acquisition of intermediate-level gentamicin resistance by uptake impairment in E. faecalis.

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