The aim of the study is to investigate the causal relationship between membrane-damaging activity and antibacterial action of cardiotoxins from Naja naja atra (Taiwan cobra) cardiotoxin 3 (CTX3) and Naja nigricollis (Egyptian cobra) toxin gamma. Compared with that on Escherichia coli (E. coli, Gram-negative bacteria), CTX3 showed a greater growth inhibition on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, Gram-positive bacteria). Antibacterial avtivity of toxin gamma toward E. coli and S. aureus was similar. Bactericidal action of cardiotoxins positively correlated with increase in membrane permeability of bacterial cells. Morphological examination showed that cardiotoxins disrupted the integrity of bacterial membrane. Cardiotoxins showed similar binding capability with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), and destabilization of LPS layer and inhibition of LTA biosynthesis on cell wall promoted bactericidal effect of cardiotoxins on E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. CTX3 notably permeabilized model membrane of S. aureus and toxin gamma had similar activity on the permeabilization of bacterial model membrane used. Membrane-damaging activity of cardiotoxins was inhibited by either LPS or LTA, while increasing concentrations of cardiotoxins counteracted the inhibitory action of LPS and LTA. Oxidation of Met residues on loop II of cardiotoxins simultaneously attenuated membrane-permeabilizing activity and bactericidal effect of cardiotoxins. Taken together, our data indicate that antibacterial action of cardiotoxins depend on their ability to induce membrane permeability.

Master of Science / Department of Biology / Helmut Hirt / Enterococcus faecalis is one of the most frequently encountered enterococcal isolates and accounts for about 80% of enterococcal infections. Treatment of enterococcal infections has become increasingly difficult as this organism has a high incidence of antibiotic resistance. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is an essential amphiphilic polymer on the surface of most Gram positive bacteria. While the molecule's exact role is not yet fully understood, a role in cell-cell contact during conjugation enabling the spread of extra chromosomal elements has been discussed. LTA also has implications in regulating autolysis, sequestering cations to the cell surface, adhesion, biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, UV sensitivity, acid tolerance, and virulence. The gene ebsG was identified in a mutant of E. faecalis with major alterations in LTA structure and decreased ability to act as a recipient in conjugative mating. ebsG codes for a 119 kDa protein with only weak homology to other surface proteins of Gram positive bacteria. Transcriptional linkage analysis indicated ebsG and its downstream genes are organized in an operon. LTA analysis reveals a higher glycosyl content of the molecule in the mutant during stationary phase. Compared to wild type OG1RF, the mutant is more sensitive to nisin, shows higher autolysis activity during stationary phase, and is better able to serve as a recipient in plasmid transfer. Our data indicate ebsG and the members of the operon play a role in LTA structure and may act to degrade LTA.

Endotoxin recognition by the innate immune receptor CD14 is a critical part of the innate immune system’s early detection and activation of the inflammatory response during microbial invasion. The differential recognition and high affinity binding of endotoxins from gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria is performed by the innate immune receptor CD14. Upon endotoxin binding, CD14 transfers the specific endotoxins to a Toll-like receptor signaling complex, which is responsible for initiating the intracellular signaling cascade. In the presence of overwhelming infection, the effects of CD14 lead to the over-activation of the inflammatory response, which results in the life threatening condition known as sepsis. Preparation of a 15N isotopically labeled truncated version of soluble CD14, using Pichia pastoris, allowed direct structural observation of the binding interaction between CD14 and two endotoxin ligands, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), from gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, respectively using solution NMR spectroscopy. These studies revealed that CD14 uses both a common set of residues, and endotoxin specific subsets of residues, to bind LPS and LTA. To further investigate the structural features of each endotoxin recognized by CD14, 13C 15N isotopically labeled Kdo2–Lipid A, a fully active chemically defined gram-negative endotoxin, and LTA lipid anchor, the minimal unit of LTA, were produced. This allowed detailed NMR spectral mapping of these agonist ligands bound to sCD14 which identified, for the first time, structural regions and features in each that are strongly affected during complex formation with sCD14. Additionally, the presence of differential dynamic behavior was seen in both CD14 and the ligands upon complexation. This behavior suggests a likely role for dynamics in the mechanism of pattern recognition by CD14, which uses the dynamic ability of specific residue combinations to differentially affect endotoxin binding. Using NMR, the dynamic behavior of CD14 was further investigated using temperature and pH-dependence studies of isotopically labeled CD14. These studies clearly demonstrated the presence of multiple conformations for several residues, and may provide a possible explanation for the broad specificity of ligand binding by CD14. In addition, the spin-labeling of isotopically labeled lipid A enabled the collection of intermolecular distances on CD14 bound lipid A.

No description available.

With increasing incidence rates aligned with poor prognosis; sepsis represents one of the biggest challenges in modern health care. It is a multifactorial syndrome defined as organ dysfunction caused by disturbed systemic response to an infection. Most of the inpatient sepsis are caused by Gram positive bacteria and one of its major constituents of the cell envelope: lipoteichoic acid (LTA). An adjuvant treatment that has gained prominence recently is extracorporeal blood removal therapies i.e., hemoperfusions. The concept is to remove the bacterial virulence factors that triggers immune responses and therefor stabilize the hemodynamic parameters of the patient. The dominating research of this method centres around adsorption of the Gram negative bacterias’ endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) but not LTA, whose biochemical and physiological properties resembles each other. The aim of this study was to determine whether LTA can be adsorbed using immobilized truncated derivates of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). LTA was quantified using ELISA comparing before and after passage through columns with immobilized peptides. Further, the absorption abilities of LTA from two different solid phases with distinctive surfaces were investigated. This was of interest to elucidate the nature of the mechanisms behind LTA extractions. All results generated inconclusive data, except for one trial which demonstrated that peptide KEF-19 adsorbed most LTA and that the electrostatic force had the greatest influence of the adsorption. Future studies should however be carried out to validate these statements as well as feasibility and safety estimations for KEF-19 as the sorbent in hemoperfusions for Gram positive bacteria and LTA.

No description available.

The liver regulates inflammation during sepsis, and most liver functions are carried out by hepatocytes. Bacterial lipids, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), can be cleared by hepatocytes, but the underlying mechanisms are uncertain. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates uptake of LPS by hepatocytes, but it is unknown whether LTA uptake is similarly regulated. Therefore, our objectives were to characterize the PCSK9-regulated pathway of bacterial lipid uptake by hepatocytes by identifying whether low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) and LDLR-related protein 1 (LRP1) are the target receptors, and by determining which lipoproteins are involved. To study this pathway, we assessed the uptake of fluorescently-labeled LPS or LTA by human HepG2 hepatocytes using flow cytometry. We pre-treated HepG2 cells with PCSK9, alone or in combination with anti-LDLR or anti-LRP1 antibodies, in order to identify the PCSK9-regulated receptors that are involved, and utilized media containing normal serum or lipoprotein-deficient serum to investigate the lipoprotein- dependence of this pathway. We also determined the roles of LDL and HDL in bacterial lipid uptake through a series of add-back experiments to lipoprotein-deficient serum, and blocked LDLR to confirm that LDLR mediates LDL-dependent uptake. The HepG2 cell response to variable degrees of bacterial lipid uptake was also assessed in a subset of experiments by measuring several cytokines and extracellular alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in the cell culture supernatant. We found that PCSK9 regulates LDLR-mediated uptake of both LPS and LTA through an LDL-dependent mechanism, while LRP1 is not involved. Increased bacterial lipid uptake did not result in any hepatocellular injury or cytokine production, as measured by ALT activity and interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17 concentrations. In conclusion, we completed our objective of characterizing the PCSK9-regulated pathway of bacterial lipid uptake, and provide supporting evidence for targeting PCSK9 as a novel therapeutic avenue in sepsis. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Bacterial compounds stimulate inflammation that can be overwhelming during sepsis. Understanding the processes behind uptake and clearance of these compounds may lead to better sepsis treatments. Therefore, our goal was to understand how uptake of two bacterial compounds, lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid, occurs by liver cells called hepatocytes. Hepatocytes are naturally equipped to clear foreign compounds, so understanding their role in clearing bacterial compounds is important. Another goal was to identify the role of the protein PCSK9 in this uptake process, as treatments targeting PCSK9 could be applied to sepsis once we understand its role in this disease. Our research demonstrates the negative role of PCSK9 in regulating uptake of lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid through a lipoprotein receptor called LDLR, and identifies the role of lipoproteins in this process. These findings further our understanding of the hepatocyte response to bacterial compounds in relation to sepsis, and identify PCSK9 as a potential target for new sepsis therapies.

Submitted by Alexandre Sousa (alexandre.sousa@incqs.fiocruz.br) on 2014-08-01T12:58:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Izabela.pdf: 1302143 bytes, checksum: ab457123bfc94643d499a3062e8b2cc2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-01T12:58:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Izabela.pdf: 1302143 bytes, checksum: ab457123bfc94643d499a3062e8b2cc2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde / O teste de detecção de pirogênio é preconizado nas farmacopeias como teste de segurança imprescindível para a avaliação da qualidade de produtos injetáveis. Os métodos alternativos ao teste de pirogênio em coelhos são o Teste de Lisado de Amebócitos de Limulus (LAL) e o Teste de Ativação de Monócitos (MAT). Esses métodos ainda não podem substituir o teste em coelhos por completo, pois no caso do LAL os resultados podem não ser confiáveis quando a análise é realizada na presença de algumas substâncias interferentes com alto teor de lipídios e proteínas (encontrados nos medicamentos biológicos) e glucanas, além disso, o teste só detecta endotoxinas. Em relação ao MAT, já que o teste é sensível para todos os tipos de pirogênios e tem o mesmo mecanismo biológico responsável pela reação de febre em humanos, o Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) recomendou sua utilização desde que fique demonstrada a equivalência de seus resultados ao teste em coelhos, em conformidade com a regulamentação aplicável. Verifica-se assim, que a literatura carece de dados que envolvam a comparação entre a dose limite que causa febre em coelhos e a correspondência para o MAT relacionado ao ácido lipoteicóico (ALT), sendo assim, esse estudo tem como objetivo principal avaliar a utilização do MAT na detecção da contaminação de ALT de S. aureus em Cloreto de Sódio 0,9 % apirogênico artificialmente contaminado, através do estabelecimento de curva dose-resposta de ALT em coelhos; curva concentração-resposta de ALT para o MAT e avaliação em paralelo dos resultados obtidos utilizando ALT no teste em coelhos, LAL cromogênico e MAT. A resposta de febre foi observada a partir de 75.000 ng de ALT/Kg nos coelhos e no MAT para sangue criopreservado/IL-1β foi estabelecida em 50.000 ng/mL de ALT, ou 5,41 UEE/mL. O teste de LAL apresentou resultado falso-reativo a partir de 10.000 ng/mL de ALT. Os resultados apresentados neste estudo fornecem informações importantes sobre a comparação entre o teste de pirogênio em coelhos, MAT e LAL, contribuindo com dados para a validação do MAT, envolvendo outros pirogênios que não a endotoxina, e também para a aceitação deste teste pelos órgãos regulatórios no Brasil visando uma possível substituição do uso de animais, garantindo, assim, a segurança da saúde da população. / The pyrogenic test is preconized in the Pharmacopeias as a safety test indispensable for the quality of evaluation of injectable products. The alternative methods to the rabbit pyrogen test are the Limulus Amebocite Lysate (LAL) Test and the Monocyte Activation Test (MAT). These methods cannot replace the rabbit test completely yet, for in the case of LAL the results may not be reliable when the analysis is carried out in the presence of some interfering substances with high content of lipids and proteins (found in biological medicines) and glucans, moreover, the test only detects endotoxins. Concerning the MAT, since the test is sensitive to all types of pyrogens and has the same biological mechanism responsible for the fever reaction in humans, the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (Comitê de Coordenação Interagências sobre Validação de Métodos Alternativos - ICCVAM) have recommended its utilization provided that the equivalence of its results from the rabbit test, in conformity with the applicable regulation. It can be verified, then, that the literature lacks the data which involves the comparison between the limit dose that causes fever in rabbits and the consequence for the MAT related to the lipoteichoic acid (LTA), that being so, the aim of this study is mainly the utilization of MAT in the detection of the contamination of LTA of S. aureus in apyrogenic 0.9 % Sodium Chloride artificially contaminated, through the establishment of the dose-response curve of LTA in rabbits; concentration-response curve of LTA for the MAT and parallel evaluation of the results obtained by utilizing LTA in the test in rabbits, chromogenic LAL and MAT. The fever response was observed from 75.000 ng of LTA/Kg in rabbits and in MAT and for cryopreserved blood/IL-1β was established in 50.000 ng/mL of LTA, or 5,41 UEE/mL. The LAL test presented a false-positive result from 10.000 ng/mL of ALT. The results presented in this study provide important information on the comparison between the rabbit pyrogen test, MAT and LAL, contributing with data to the evaluation of MAT, involving pyrogens other than endotoxin, and also to the acceptance of this test by the regulatory organs in Brazil aiming at a possible animal substitution, and guaranteeing, then, the health security of the population.

Introdução: O tratamento da Rinossinusite Crônica (RSC) tem sofrido poucos avanços nas últimas décadas. Uma das barreiras na aquisição de novas terapias é a falta de conhecimento pleno sobre sua fisiopatogenia. A carência de avanço decorre principalmente da complexa e provável multifatorialidade da RSC, associada à inexistência de um bom modelo animal que possa mimetizar os fenômenos biológicos que ocorrem em humanos. A maioria dos modelos animais de RSC descrita na literatura mimetiza uma infecção aguda ou promove bloqueio das vias de drenagem que, na maioria das vezes, não corresponde aos mecanismos encontrados nas RSC em humanos. Por outro lado, diversas evidências indicam que as bactérias exercem importante papel na fisiopatogenia da RSC, possivelmente pela presença de biofilmes ou indução de inflamação crônica promovida por endo e exotoxinas. Objetivo: Neste estudo avaliou-se a viabilidade de um modelo experimental de RSC em coelhos, utilizando-se a exposição crônica de toxinas bacterianas em animais previamente sensibilizados à ovalbumina (OVA), analisando seus efeitos histopatológicos sobre a mucosa nasossinusal. Material e Métodos: Após indução de sensibilização com injeção subcutânea de OVA 2,5% e 0,4% de hidróxido de alumínio por duas semanas, os coelhos foram submetidos à implantação de cateter de longa duração em seio maxilar direito. Após, foram submetidos à irrigação nasossinusal com OVA 2,5% três vezes por semana, por duas semanas, e em seguida, irrigação de soluções contendo diferentes toxinas bacterianas (enterotoxina estaflocócica B (SEB) 1 ?g/mL, lipopolissacáride (LPS) 100 ng/mL e ácido lipotecóico (LTA) 100 ng/mL) por quatro semanas. Os animais foram sacrificados 24 horas após a última irrigação e a mucosa do seio maxilar direito (teste) e esquerdo (controle interno) foi coletada para avaliação histopatológica. Resultados: A exposição nasossinusal ao SEB causou espessamento epitelial, infiltração celular, eosinofilia e neutrofilia tecidual, além de redução do epitélio ciliado. A exposição ao LPS causou espessamento epitelial e subepitelial, infiltração celular, eosinofilia epitelial e subepitelial e aumento da fibrose subepitelial. O LTA causou espessamento epitelial e subepitelial, infiltração celular e eosinofílica subepitelial e aumento da fibrose subepitelial. Conclusão: A exposição crônica de toxinas bacterianas na mucosa nasossinusal promoveu alterações histológicas, como espessamento da mucosa e infiltração celular, semelhantes às encontradas em pacientes com RSC. O presente estudo demonstrou que este é um modelo animal viável de RSC. Mais estudos serão necessários para elucidar se os mecanismos patogênicos deste modelo são semelhantes aos observados em humanos. / Background: The treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has had little evolvement in the last decades. One of the barriers to the development of new therapies is the lack of knowledge about CRS pathophysiology. The complexity and multifactoriality of this disease, together with the inexistence of a proper animal model of CRS, are probably the causes for the few advances in CRS therapy. Most of the animal models of CRS resemble acute infection or promote sinonasal obstructions, which are not a very common etiologies in CRS patients. However, there has been a lot of evidence that bacteria play an important role in the pathophysiology of CRS, probably due to the presence of biofilms, or the chronic inflammation induced by endo e exotoxins. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the viability of an experimental model of CRS in rabbits through the use of bacterial toxins in previously sensitized animals with ovalbumin, analyzing its histopathological effects onto the sinonasal mucosa. Materials and Methods: After inducing ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization by intradermic injection of OVA 2,5% and 0,4% aluminum hydroxide for 2 weeks, rabbits underwent maxillary sinus instillation of OVA 2,5% three times a week for 2 weeks followed by sinus lavage with either one bacterial toxin (Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB) 1 ?g/mL, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 100 ng/mL, lipoteichoic acid (LTA), 100 ng/mL) for 4 weeks. Rabbits were euthanised 24 hours after the last sinus lavage and the mucosa of right maxillary sinus (tested side) and left side (control) were collected for histopathological evaluation. Results: The sinonasal exposure to SEB resulted in epithelial thickening, inflammatory cells infiltration (tissue eosinophilia and neutrophilia) and reduction of ciliated cells. The exposure to LPS resulted in epithelial and subepithelial thickening, inflammatory cells infiltration, epithelial and subepithelial eosinophilia and increased subepithelial fibrosis. The exposure to LTA resulted in epithelial and subepithelial thickening, subepithelial inflammatory cells infiltration and eosinophilia and increased subepithelial fibrosis. Conclusion: This study reported the effects of bacterial toxins on the the sinonasal mucosa of ovalbumin-sensitized rabbits, demonstrating similar changes that are observed in CRS patients. Our results show that this is a viable animal model of CRS. Further studies are need to elucidate whether the pathomechanisms in this model are similar to what are observed in humans.