cord-factors and 6-6--dicorynomycolyl-trehalose

When host antimicrobial defenses are severely compromised by radiation or trauma in conjunction with radiation, death from sepsis results. To evaluate therapies for sepsis in radiation casualties, we developed models of acquired and induced bacterial infections in irradiated and irradiated-wounded mice. Animals were exposed to either a mixed radiation field of equal proportions of neutrons and gamma rays (n/gamma = 1) from a TRIGA reactor or pure gamma rays from 60[Co sources. Skin wounds (15% of total body surface area) were inflicted under methoxyflurane anesthesia 1 h after irradiation. In all mice, wounding after irradiation decreased resistance to infection. Treatments with the immunomodulator synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate (S-TDCM) before or after mixed neutron-gamma irradiation or gamma irradiation increased survival. Therapy with S-TDCM for mice irradiated with either a mixed field or gamma rays increased resistance to Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced infections. Combined therapy with S-TDCM and ceftriaxone for K. pneumoniae infections in mice exposed to a mixed radiation field or to gamma rays was more effective than single-agent therapy. In all irradiated-wounded mice, single therapy of acquired infections with an antibiotic or S-TDCM did not increase survival. Survival of irradiated-wounded mice after topical application of gentamicin sulfate cream suggested that bacteria colonizing the wound disseminated systemically in untreated irradiated mice, resulting in death from sepsis. In lethal models of acquired infections in irradiated-wounded mice, significant increases in survival were achieved when systemic treatments with S-TDCM or gentamicin were combined with topical treatments of gentamicin cream. Therapies for sepsis in all mice exposed to a mixed field were less effective than in mice exposed to gamma rays. Nonetheless, the data show a principle by which successful therapy may be provided to individuals receiving tissue trauma in conjunction with radiation injury.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Cobalt Radioisotopes; Cord Factors; Female; Gamma Rays; Klebsiella Infections; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Mice; Neutrons; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Wound Infection

The aim of this study was to evaluate, in terms of dog macrophage killing ability in vitro, a vaccine based on Leishmania infantum promastigote soluble antigen (LSA) formulated with three different adjuvants (BCG, AdjuPrime, MPL/TDM/CWS). A significant increase of the macrophage killing ability was observed in dogs vaccinated with LSA+MPL/TDM/CWS after 1 month from vaccination. A similar increase of macrophage parasitocidal ability was present only after 5 months in dogs vaccinated with LSA+BCG or LSA+AdjuPrime. In all dogs the augmented killing percentage was still present after 12 months from vaccination. Therefore, in particular LSA+MPL/TDM/CWS vaccine seems promising for further studies in dogs.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antigens, Protozoan; BCG Vaccine; Cell Wall Skeleton; Cord Factors; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Humans; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis; Leishmaniasis Vaccines; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Lipid A; Macrophages; Male; Time Factors

Trehalose dicorynomycolates are structurally important constituents of the cell envelope in Corynebacterium glutamicum. The genes treS, treY, otsA, mytA and mytB are necessary for the biosynthesis of trehalose dicorynomycolates. In this study, the effect of biosynthesis of trehalose dicorynomycolates on L-isoleucine production in C. glutamicum has been investigated by deleting the genes treS, treY, otsA, mytA, and mytB in the L-isoleucine producing C. glutamicum WM001. L-isoleucine production was slightly improved in the mutants ΔtreY, ΔotsA, and ΔtreYA, and not improved in the single deletion mutant ΔtreS , but significantly improved in the triple deletion mutant ΔtreSYA. Deletion of mytA or mytB in ΔtreSYA could further improve L-isoleucine production. However, deletion of both mytA and mytB in ΔtreSYA significantly decreased L-isoleucine production. The final L-isoleucine producing C. glutamicum WL001 was constructed by deletion of treS, treY, otsA, and mytB, insertion of lrp, and replacement of the native promoter of ilvA with the L-isoleucine sensitive promoter P

Topics: Cord Factors; Corynebacterium glutamicum; Isoleucine; Trehalose

Metastatic cancer involving spread to the peritoneal cavity is referred to as peritoneal carcinomatosis and has a very poor prognosis. Activating the antitumor immune response in the characteristically immune-suppressive peritoneal environment presents a potential strategy to treat this disease. In this study, we show that a toll-like receptor (TLR) and C-type lectin receptor (CLR) agonist pairing of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and trehalose-6,6'-dicorynomycolate (TDCM) effectively inhibits tumor growth and ascites development in a mouse model of aggressive mammary cancer-induced peritoneal carcinomatosis. MPL/TDCM treatment similarly inhibited peritoneal EL4 tumor growth and ascites development. These effects were not observed in mice lacking B cells or mice lacking CD19, which are deficient in B-1a cells, an innate-like B-cell population enriched in the peritoneal cavity. Remarkably, adoptive transfer of B-1a cells, but not splenic B cells from WT mice, restored MPL/TDCM-induced protection in mice with B-cell defects. Treatment induced B-1 cells to rapidly produce high levels of natural IgM reactive against tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens. Consistent with this, we found significant deposition of IgM and C3 on peritoneal tumor cells as early as 5 days post-treatment. Mice unable to secrete IgM or complement component C4 were not protected by MPL/TDCM treatment, indicating tumor killing was mediated by activation of the classical complement pathway. Collectively, our findings reveal an unsuspected role for B-1 cell-produced natural IgM in providing protection against tumor growth in the peritoneal cavity, thereby highlighting potential opportunities to develop novel therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of peritoneal metastases. SIGNIFICANCE: This work identifies a critical antitumor role for innate-like B cells localized within the peritoneal cavity and demonstrates a novel strategy to activate their tumor-killing potential.

Topics: Animals; B-Lymphocyte Subsets; Cord Factors; Female; Immunity, Innate; Immunoglobulin M; Lectins, C-Type; Lipid A; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal; Mice; Mice, Inbred A; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Peritoneal Cavity; Peritoneal Neoplasms; Toll-Like Receptors

A combination therapy for combined injury (CI) using a non-specific immunomodulator, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate and monophosphoryl lipid A (STDCM-MPL), was evaluated to augment oral antimicrobial agents, levofloxacin (LVX) and amoxicillin (AMX), to eliminate endogenous sepsis and modulate cytokine production.. Female B6D2F(1)/J mice received 9.75 Gy cobalt-60 gamma-radiation and wound. Bacteria were isolated and identified in three tissues. Incidence of bacteria and cytokines were compared between treatment groups.. Results demonstrated that the lethal dose for 50% at 30 days (LD(50/30)) of B6D2F(1)/J mice was 9.42 Gy. Antimicrobial therapy increased survival in radiation-injured (RI) mice. Combination therapy increased survival after RI and extended survival time but did not increase survival after CI. Sepsis began five days earlier in CI mice than RI mice with Gram-negative species predominating early and Gram-positive species increasing later. LVX plus AMX eliminated sepsis in CI and RI mice. STDCM-MPL eliminated Gram-positive bacteria in CI and most RI mice but not Gram-negative. Treatments significantly modulated 12 cytokines tested, which pertain to wound healing or elimination of infection.. Combination therapy eliminates infection and prolongs survival time but does not assure CI mouse survival, suggesting that additional treatment for proliferative-cell recovery is required.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Bacterial Infections; Chemokines; Cord Factors; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Gamma Rays; Growth Substances; Immunologic Factors; Levofloxacin; Lipid A; Mice; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Sepsis; Skin; Wound Infection

With the paucity of new drugs and HIV co-infection, vaccination remains an unmet research priority to combat visceral leishmaniasis (VL) requiring strong cellular immunity. Protein vaccination often suffers from low immunogenicity and poor generation of memory T cells for long-lasting protection. Cysteine proteases (CPs) are immunogenic proteins and key mediators of cellular functions in Leishmania. Here, we evaluated the vaccine efficacies of CPs against VL, using cationic liposomes with Toll like receptor agonists for stimulating host immunity against L. donovani in a hamster model.. Recombinant CPs type I (cpb), II (cpa) and III (cpc) of L. donovani were tested singly and in combination as a triple antigen cocktail for antileishmanial vaccination in hamsters. We found the antigens to be highly immunoreactive and persistent anti-CPA, anti-CPB and anti-CPC antibodies were detected in VL patients even after cure. The liposome-entrapped CPs with monophosphoryl lipid A-Trehalose dicorynomycolate (MPL-TDM) induced significantly high nitric oxide (up to 4 fold higher than controls) mediated antileishmanial activity in vitro, and resulted in strong in vivo protection. Among the three CPs, CPC emerged as the most potent vaccine candidate in combating the disease. Interestingly, a synergistic increase in protection was observed with liposomal CPA, CPB and CPC antigenic cocktail which reduced the organ parasite burden by 1013-1016 folds, and increased the disease-free survival of >80% animals at least up to 6 months post infection. Robust secretion of IFN-γ and IL-12, along with concomitant downregulation of Th2 cytokines, was observed in cocktail vaccinates, even after 3 months post infection.. The present study is the first report of a comparative efficacy of leishmanial CPs and their cocktail using liposomal formulation with MPL-TDM against L. donovani. The level of protection attained has not been reported for any other subcutaneous single or polyprotein vaccination against VL.

Topics: Animals; Antigens, Protozoan; Cations; Cord Factors; Cricetinae; Cysteine Proteases; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Delivery Systems; Leishmania donovani; Leishmaniasis; Lipid A; Liposomes; Mesocricetus; Protozoan Vaccines

Vizantin, 6,6'-bis-O-(3-nonyldodecanoyl)-α,α'-trehalose, was developed as a safe immunostimulator on the basis of a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study with trehalose 6,6'-dicorynomycolate (TDCM). It was possible to synthesize vizantin on a large scale more easily than in the case of TDCM, and the compound exhibited more potent prophylactic effect on experimental lung metastasis of B16-F0 melanoma cells. Because vizantin stimulated human macrophages, it is a promising candidate for clinical application.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Cord Factors; Glycolipids; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Lung Neoplasms; Macrophages; Melanoma, Experimental; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Phagocytosis; Stereoisomerism; Structure-Activity Relationship; Trehalose; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

The development of a long-term protective subunit vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis depends on antigens and adjuvants that can induce an appropriate immune response. The immunization of leishmanial antigens alone shows limited efficacy in the absence of an appropriate adjuvant. Earlier we demonstrated sustained protection against Leishmania donovani with leishmanial antigens entrapped in cationic liposomes through an intraperitoneal route. However, this route is not applicable for human administration. Herein, we therefore evaluated the immune response and protection induced by liposomal soluble leishmanial antigen (SLA) formulated with monophosphoryl lipid-trehalose dicorynomycolate (MPL-TDM) through a subcutaneous route. Subcutaneous immunization of BALB/c mice with SLA entrapped in liposomes or with MPL-TDM elicited partial protection against experimental visceral leishmaniasis. In contrast, liposomal SLA adjuvanted with MPL-TDM induced significantly higher levels of protection in liver and spleen in BALB/c mice challenged 10 days post-vaccination. Protection conferred by this formulation was sustained up to 12 weeks of immunization, and infection was controlled for at least 4 months of the challenge, similar to liposomal SLA immunization administered intraperitoneally. An analysis of cellular immune responses of liposomal SLA + MPL-TDM immunized mice demonstrated the induction of IFN-γ and IgG2a antibody production not only 10 days or 12 weeks post-vaccination but also 4 months after the challenge infection and a down regulation of IL-4 production after infection. Moreover, long-term immunity elicited by this formulation was associated with IFN-γ production also by CD8⁺ T cells. Taken together, our results suggest that liposomal SLA + MPL-TDM represent a good vaccine formulation for the induction of durable protection against L. donovani through a human administrable route.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antigens, Protozoan; Cells, Cultured; Chemical Phenomena; Cord Factors; Immunity, Active; Immunity, Cellular; Immunologic Memory; Injections, Subcutaneous; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-4; Leishmania donovani; Leishmaniasis Vaccines; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Lipid A; Liposomes; Liver; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Phospholipids; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Spleen

Vaccines that activate strong specific Th1-predominant immune responses are critically needed for many intracellular pathogens, including Leishmania. The requirement for sustained and efficient vaccination against leishmaniasis is to formulate the best combination of immunopotentiating adjuvant with the stable antigen (Ag) delivery system. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an immunomodulator on liposomal Ag through subcutaneous (s.c.) route of immunization, and its usefulness during prime/boost against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in BALB/c mice.. Towards this goal, we formulated recombinant GP63 (rGP63)-based vaccines either with monophosphoryl lipid A-trehalose dicorynomycolate (MPL-TDM) or entrapped within cationic liposomes or both. Combinatorial administration of liposomes with MPL-TDM during prime confers activation of dendritic cells, and induces an early robust T cell response. To investigate whether the combined formulation is required for optimum immune response during boost as well, we chose to evaluate the vaccine efficacy in mice primed with combined adjuvant system followed by boosting with either rGP63 alone, in association with MPL-TDM, liposomes or both. We provide evidences that the presence of either liposomal rGP63 or combined formulations during boost is necessary for effective Th1 immune responses (IFN-γ, IL-12, NO) before challenge infection. However, boosting with MPL-TDM in conjugation with liposomal rGP63 resulted in a greater number of IFN-γ producing effector T cells, significantly higher levels of splenocyte proliferation, and Th1 responses compared to mice boosted with liposomal rGP63, after virulent Leishmania donovani (L. donovani) challenge. Moreover, combined formulations offered superior protection against intracellular amastigote replication in macrophages in vitro, and hepatic and splenic parasite load in vivo.. Our results define the immunopotentiating effect of MPL-TDM on protein Ag encapsulated in a controlled release system against experimental VL.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Cord Factors; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Leishmania donovani; Leishmaniasis Vaccines; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Lipid A; Liposomes; Metalloendopeptidases; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Nitric Oxide; Phosphatidylcholines; Th1 Cells; Vaccination; Vaccines, Synthetic

The development of an effective vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani is an essential aim for controlling the disease. Use of the right adjuvant is of fundamental importance in vaccine formulations for generation of effective cell-mediated immune response. Earlier we reported the protective efficacy of cationic liposome-associated L. donovani promastigote antigens (LAg) against experimental VL. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of two very promising adjuvants, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) plus trehalose dicorynomycolate (TDM) with cationic liposomes, in combination with LAg, to confer protection against murine VL.. All the three formulations afforded significant protection against L. donovani in both the visceral organs, liver and spleen. Although comparable level of protection was observed in BCG+LAg and MPL-TDM+LAg immunized mice, highest level of protection was exhibited by the liposomal LAg immunized group. Significant increase in anti-LAg IgG levels were detected in both MPL-TDM+LAg and liposomal LAg immunized animals with higher levels of IgG2a than IgG1. But BCG+LAg failed to induce any antibody response. As an index of cell-mediated immunity DTH responses were measured and significant response was observed in mice vaccinated with all the three different formulations. However, highest responses were observed with liposomal vaccine immunization. Comparative evaluation of IFN-gamma and IL-4 responses in immunized mice revealed that MPL-TDM+LAg group produced the highest level of IFN-gamma but lowest IL-4 level, while BCG+LAg demonstrated generation of suboptimum levels of both IFN-gamma and IL-4 response. Elicitation of moderate levels of prechallenge IFN-gamma along with optimum IL-4 corresponds with successful vaccination with liposomal LAg.. This comparative study reveals greater effectiveness of the liposomal vaccine for protection against progressive VL in BALB/c. Again, evaluation of the immune responses by vaccination emphasizes the need of stimulation of potent cellular immunity based on both Th1 and Th2 cell responses to confer protection against VL.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Antigens, Protozoan; BCG Vaccine; Cord Factors; Female; Immunity, Humoral; Leishmaniasis Vaccines; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Lipid A; Mice; Time Factors

The potential threat of smallpox use in a bioterrorist attack has heightened the need to develop an effective smallpox vaccine for immunization of the general public. Vaccination with the current smallpox vaccine, Dryvax, produces protective immunity but may result in adverse reactions for some vaccinees. A subunit vaccine composed of protective vaccinia virus proteins should avoid the complications arising from live-virus vaccination and thus provide a safer alternative smallpox vaccine. In this study, we assessed the protective efficacy and immunogenicity of a multisubunit vaccine composed of the A27L and D8L proteins from the intracellular mature virus (IMV) form and the B5R protein from the extracellular enveloped virus (EEV) form of vaccinia virus. BALB/c mice were immunized with Escherichia coli-produced A27L, D8L, and B5R proteins in an adjuvant consisting of monophosphoryl lipid A and trehalose dicorynomycolate or in TiterMax Gold adjuvant. Following immunization, mice were either sacrificed for analysis of immune responses or lethally challenged by intranasal inoculation with vaccinia virus strain Western Reserve. We observed that three immunizations either with A27L, D8L, and B5R or with the A27L and B5R proteins alone induced potent neutralizing antibody responses and provided complete protection against lethal vaccinia virus challenge. Several linear B-cell epitopes within the three proteins were recognized by sera from the immunized mice. In addition, protein-specific cellular responses were detected in spleens of immunized mice by a gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot assay using peptides derived from each protein. Our data suggest that a subunit vaccine incorporating bacterially expressed IMV- and EEV-specific proteins can be effective in stimulating anti-vaccinia virus immune responses and providing protection against lethal virus challenge.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Cord Factors; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; Escherichia coli; Female; Humans; Interferon-gamma; Lipid A; Lymphocytes; Membrane Glycoproteins; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Neutralization Tests; Poloxalene; Smallpox; Smallpox Vaccine; Spleen; Survival Analysis; Vaccines, Subunit; Vaccinia virus; Viral Envelope Proteins; Viral Proteins; Viral Structural Proteins

We found an IL-6 level-enhancing compound during our synthetic study of trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate (1, TDM, formerly called cord factor) analogues. TDM is a glycolipid distributed in the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and shows significant antitumor activity based on an immunoadjuvant activity. However, due to its significant toxicity, TDM is not yet applicable for practical use. In 1993, Datta and Takayama reported the purification of trehalose-6,6'-dicorynomycolate (2c, TDCM) from Corynebacterium spp. We have previously reported the synthesis of four diastereomeric TDCMs and showed that the synthetic (2R,3R,2'R,3'R)-TDCM (2c, hereafter abbreviated RRRR-TDCM-C14) is identical to natural TDCM; we also demonstrated that 2c and SSSS-TDCM-C14 (3c) showed significant antitumor activity as well as inhibitory activity in experimental lung metastasis based on the immunoadjuvant activity. Furthermore, we found that the significant lethal toxicity in mice by TDM (1) was no longer observed with the shorter-chain analogues of TDCMs. Therefore, we have elucidated that the 2,3-antistereochemistry (RR or SS) of the fatty acid residue is promising for biological activities. The chain length of the fatty acid residue should also be important for the biological activity, and thus, we designed a general synthetic procedure for trehalose diesters with 2,3-antistereochemistry and a series of chain lengths by using Noyori's asymmetric reduction of beta,beta-ketoesters followed by antiselective alkylation according to Frater to give beta,beta-hydroxy alcohols as the key steps. Thus, we prepared trehalose diesters (TDCM) 2a-d, 3a-d, and 4a-d as well as monoesters (TMCM) 5a-d and 6a-d. Immunological activities of TDCMs and TMCMs were evaluated by determining IL-6 level enhancement in mouse serum, and we found that RRRR-TDCM-C14 (2c) and RRSS-TDCM-C14 (4c) showed significant IL-6 level enhancement activities.

Topics: Animals; Carbohydrate Sequence; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cord Factors; Interleukin-6; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Mass Spectrometry; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Stimulation, Chemical; Trehalose

The granulomatous response is a characteristic histological feature of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection responsible for organism containment. The development of cell-mediated immunity is essential for protection against disease, as well as being required for maintenance of the sequestering granulomatous response. Trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM; cord factor), a glycolipid associated with the cell wall of mycobacteria, is implicated as a key immunogenic component in M. tuberculosis infection. Models of TDM-induced hypersensitive granulomatous response have similar pathologies to that of active tuberculosis infection. Prior immunization (sensitization) of mice with TDM results in exacerbated histological damage, inflammation and lymphocytic infiltration upon subsequent TDM challenge. Adoptive transfer experiments were performed to ascertain the cell phenotype governing this response; CD4(+) cells were identified as critical for development of related pathology. Mice receiving CD4(+) cells from donor TDM-immunized mice demonstrated significantly increased production of Th1-type cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-12 within the lung upon subsequent TDM challenge. Control groups receiving naïve CD4(+) cells, or CD8(+) or CD19(+) cells isolated from TDM-immunized donors, did not exhibit an exacerbated response. The identified CD4(+) cells isolated from TDM-immunized mice produced significant amounts of IFN-gamma and IL-2 when exposed to TDM-pulsed macrophages in vitro. These experiments provide further evidence for involvement of a cell-mediated response in TDM-induced granuloma formation, which mimics pathological damage elicited during M. tuberculosis infection.

Topics: Adoptive Transfer; Animals; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cord Factors; Granuloma; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-12; Lung; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; T-Lymphocyte Subsets

Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) is effective for potentiating immune responses in mice when administered subcutaneously, and is often more potent when given intraperitoneally (i.p.). However, the the potential toxicity of i.p. administration in mice has led investigators and Institutional Animal Care and Use committees to increasingly view the use of CFA i.p. with reservation. We evaluated whether an 80% reduction in the dose of CFA administered i.p. to mice, compared to the i.p. doses used in a previous analysis, could abrogate the untoward effects associated with its use, while still maintaining adjuvanticity. Using a novel immunogen targeting the N-terminus of the 42-amino acid amyloid-beta peptide, we compared low dose CFA administered i.p., with three other commonly used adjuvants given i.p.: alum, incomplete Freunds adjuvant (IFA) and monophoshoryl lipid A + trehalose dicorynomycolate (MPL + TDM). The results of the study showed that, though the reduction in intraperitoneal dose of CFA mitigated transient weight loss and leukocytosis observed previously with higher doses of i.p. CFA, all mice administered CFA or IFA i.p. developed abdominal adhesions and granulomatous peritonitis. Mice from all adjuvant groups, however, appeared to tolerate the respective adjuvants well and excellent comparative immunogenicity was observed in mice immunized with the Freunds and MPL + TDM adjuvants. Consequently, we conclude that though a high-titered, humoral response may be generated using low dose CFA administered i.p., the accompanying toxicity remains significant, and thus alternative adjuvants and/or routes should be considered.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Alum Compounds; Alzheimer Vaccines; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Animals; Antibodies; Body Weight; Cord Factors; Female; Freund's Adjuvant; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Leukocyte Count; Lipid A; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Models, Animal; Spleen

By data mining in the sequence of the Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 genome, six putative mycolyltransferase genes were identified that code for proteins with similarity to the N-terminal domain of the mycolic acid transferase PS1 of the related C. glutamicum strain ATCC 17965. The genes identified were designated cop1, cmt1, cmt2, cmt3, cmt4, and cmt5 ( cmt from corynebacterium mycolyl transferases). cop1 encodes a protein of 657 amino acids, which is larger than the proteins encoded by the cmt genes with 365, 341, 483, 483, and 411 amino acids. Using bioinformatics tools, it was shown that all six gene products are equipped with signal peptides and esterase domains. Proteome analyses of the cell envelope of C. glutamicum ATCC 13032 resulted in identification of the proteins Cop1, Cmt1, Cmt2, and Cmt4. All six mycolyltransferase genes were used for mutational analysis. cmt4 could not be mutated and is considered to be essential. cop1 was found to play an additional role in cell shape formation. A triple mutant carrying mutations in cop1, cmt1, and cmt2 aggregated when cultivated in MM1 liquid medium. This mutant was also no longer able to synthesize trehalose di coryno mycolate (TDCM). Since single and double mutants of the genes cop1, cmt1, and cmt2 could form TDCM, it is concluded that the three genes, cop1, cmt1, and cmt2, are involved in TDCM biosynthesis. The presence of the putative esterase domain makes it highly possible that cop1, cmt1, and cmt2 encode enzymes synthesizing TDCM from trehalose monocorynomycolate.

Topics: Arabidopsis Proteins; Carrier Proteins; Cord Factors; Corynebacterium; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases; DNA Modification Methylases; Gene Deletion; Genome, Bacterial; Mycolic Acids; Phylogeny; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Vesicles consisting of pure trehalose dicorynomycolate (TDCM), the corynebacterial analog of the most studied mycobacterial glycolipid 'cord factor', were isolated from Corynebacterium glutamicum cells by mild detergent treatment; these induced in vivo a macrophage priming similar to that obtained with mycobacterial-derived trehalose dimycolate. In vitro, both TDCM and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced in macrophages the production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), endotoxin tolerance, and were primed for an enhanced secondary NO response to LPS. Interferon-gamma pretreatment did not influence the LPS-induced TNF-alpha response, but considerably increased the TDCM-induced response.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Cord Factors; Corynebacterium; Female; Macrophage Activation; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Mice

Immunological, immunocytochemical and fertility analyses were performed to determine the potential toxic side effects of porcine zona pellucida (pZP) vaccinations on target animals, including horses and dogs. The study was designed to determine the effect of antibodies, raised against highly purified pZP, on somatic tissues. Immunocytochemical studies performed with fixed tissues showed that rabbit anti-pZP antiserum did not crossreact with brain, heart, lung, kidney, liver, bladder, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, muscle, skin, spleen, pancreas, or lymph node of either the dog or horse. To determine the effect or oral intake on nontarget animals, female rabbits were fed a contraceptive vaccine containing pZP glycoproteins and the synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate in drakeol (S-TDCM) adjuvant. Enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (LISA) analyses showed that rabbits fed with the adjuvanted pZP proteins did not develop circulating anti-pZP IgG antibodies that crossreacted with pZP. Furthermore, fertility studies performed on rabbits fed with adjuvanted pZP revealed no significant differences in the number of embryos or stage of the embryos produced between the treated and control animals. Results of these studies suggest that the pZP vaccine delivered to dogs or horses in field studies have no recognizable somatic tissue effects. Moreover, there were no side effects on nontarget animals should they eat the vaccine. This substantiates field trials results about the safety of the pZP immunocontraceptive vaccine.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Administration, Oral; Animals; Antibody Formation; Contraception, Immunologic; Cord Factors; Cross Reactions; Dogs; Egg Proteins; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Fertility; Horses; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunoglobulin G; Membrane Glycoproteins; Rabbits; Receptors, Cell Surface; Swine; Vaccines; Zona Pellucida; Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins

We examined the effect of semisynthetic trehalose-6,6 '-dimycolate (TDM) and its synthetic stereoisomeric derivatives (trehalose 6,6'-dicorynomycolates; TDCMs) prepared in oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion on inhibition of lung metastasis produced by highly metastatic murine tumour cells, colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma and B16-BL6 melanoma cells, using experimental and spontaneous metastasis models. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of TDM (100 microg/mouse) 1, 3 or 8 days before tumour inoculation significantly inhibited lung metastasis of colon 26-M3.1 cells, in a dose-dependent manner. Single administration of TDM 1 day after tumour inoculation also showed the therapeutic effect on experimental lung metastasis of colon 26-M3.1 cells. Similarly, multiple administrations of TDM after tumour inoculation resulted in a significant inhibition of spontaneous lung metastasis of B16-BL6 cells (on day 35), although it showed no effect on suppression of tumour growth (on day 21). In comparison of toxicity in vivo among TDM and four TDCMs such as TDCM(2R,3R), TDCM(2S,3R), TDCM(2R,3S) and TDCM(2S,3S), all of the TDCMs appeared to be less toxic than TDM itself. Furthermore, all of the TDCMs were prophylactically as well as therapeutically active for inhibition of lung metastasis of both colon 26-M3.1 and B16-BL6 tumour cells, showing higher inhibitory activity than that of TDM. In particular, TDCMs induced a marked suppression of the growth of B16-BL6 tumour cells in vivo. These results suggest that systemic administration of TDM as well as TDCMs led to inhibition of tumour metastasis and TDCMs are more potential to suppress tumour growth and inhibit tumour metastasis than TDM.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Lewis Lung; Colonic Neoplasms; Cord Factors; Female; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Models, Chemical; Neoplasm Metastasis; Stereoisomerism

This study evaluated synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate (S-TDCM), an immunomodulator, for its survival enhancing capacity and behavioral toxicity in B6D2F1 female mice. In survival experiments, mice were administered S-TDCM (25-400 micrograms/mouse i.p.) 20-24 hr before 5.6 Gy mixed-field fission-neutron irradiation (n) and gamma-photon irradiation. The 30-day survival rates for mice treated with 100-400 micrograms/mouse S-TDCM were significantly enhanced compared to controls. Toxicity of S-TDCM was measured in nonirradiated mice by locomotor activity, food intake, water consumption, and alterations in body weight. A dose-dependent decrease was noted in all behavioral measures in mice treated with S-TDCM. Doses of 100 and 200 micrograms/mouse S-TDCM significantly reduced motor activity beginning 12 hr postinjection with recovery by 24 hr. A dose of 400 micrograms/mouse significantly decreased activity within the first 4 hr after administration and returned to control levels by 32 hr following injection. Food and water intake were significantly depressed at doses of 200 and 400 micrograms/mouse on the day following drug administration, and were recovered in 24 hr. Body weight was significantly decreased in the 200 micrograms/mouse group for 2 days and in the 400 micrograms/mouse group for 4 days following injection. A dose of 100 micrograms/mouse effectively enhanced survival after fission-neutron irradiation with no adverse effect on food consumption, water intake, or body weight and a minimal, short-term effect on locomotor activity.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Cord Factors; Drinking; Eating; Female; Mice; Motor Activity; Radiation-Protective Agents

Mice were injected three times at 2 week intervals with the adjuvant MPL + TDM or phosphate-buffered saline. Two weeks after the last injection, all mice were challenged subcutaneously with a tumorgenic dose of B16 tumor and observed for 40 days. The adjuvant hastened the time at which tumors appeared (P = 0.02).

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Cord Factors; Lipid A; Melanoma, Experimental; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Spaceflight personnel need treatment options that would enhance survival from radiation and would not disrupt task performance. Doses of prophylactic or therapeutic agents known to induce significant short-term (30-day) survival with minimal behavioral (locomotor) changes were used for 180-day survival studies. In protection studies, groups of mice were treated with the phosphorothioate WR-151327 (200 mg/kg, 25% of the LD(10)) or the immunomodulator, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate (S-TDCM; 8 mg/kg), before lethal irradiation with reactor-generated fission neutrons and gamma-rays (n/gamma=1) or 60Co gamma-rays. In therapy studies, groups of mice received either S-TDCM, the antimicrobial ofloxacin, or S-TDCM plus ofloxacin after irradiation. For WR-151327 treated-mice, survival at 180 days for n/gamma=1 and gamma-irradiated mice was 90% and 92%, respectively; for S-TDCM (protection), 57% and 78%, respectively; for S-TDCM (therapy), 20% and 25%, respectively; for ofloxacin, 38% and 5%, respectively; for S-TDCM combined with ofloxacin, 30% and 30%, respectively; and for saline, 8% and 5%, respectively. Ofloxacin or combined ofloxacin and S-TDCM increased survival from the gram-negative bacterial sepsis that predominated in n/gamma=1 irradiated mice. The efficacies of the treatments depended on radiation quality, treatment agent and its mode of use, and microflora of the host.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Ceftriaxone; Cephalosporins; Cord Factors; Female; Gamma Rays; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Liver; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Neutrons; Ofloxacin; Organothiophosphorus Compounds; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Radiation Tolerance; Radiation-Protective Agents; Survival Rate

Topics: Carbohydrate Conformation; Carbohydrate Sequence; Cord Factors; Corynebacterium; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Molecular Sequence Data; Molecular Structure

Effective radioprotection with minimal behavioral disruption is essential for the selection of protective agents to be used in manned spaceflight. This overview summarizes the studies on the behavioral toxicity of selected radioprotectors classified as phosphorothioates (WR-2721, WR-3689), bioactive lipids (16, 16 dimethylprostaglandin E2(DiPGE2), platelet activating factor (PAF), leukotriene C4), and immunomodulators (glucan, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate, and interleukin-1). Behavioral toxicity was examined in laboratory mice using a locomotor activity test. For all compounds tested, there was a dose-dependent decrease in locomotor behavior that paralleled the dose-dependent increase in radioprotection. While combinations of radioprotective compounds (DiPGE2 plus WR-2721) increased radioprotection, they also decreased locomotor activity. The central nervous system stimulant, caffeine, was able to mitigate the locomotor decrement produced by WR-3689 or PAF.

Topics: 16,16-Dimethylprostaglandin E2; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Amifostine; Animals; Caffeine; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Cord Factors; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Therapy, Combination; Glucans; Interleukin-1; Leukotriene C4; Male; Mice; Motor Activity; Phospholipids; Platelet Activating Factor; Radiation-Protective Agents; Sulfhydryl Compounds

When mammalian antimicrobial defenses are compromised by radiation, death from sepsis may occur. Tissue trauma in irradiated hosts significantly increases mortality from bacterial infections and makes antimicrobial treatments more difficult than when individuals are subjected to trauma or radiation alone. We determined that postirradiation therapy with the immunomodulator synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate (S-TDCM) and antimicrobials increases survival in mice after lethal irradiation and tissue trauma. Single agent therapy with systemic oxacillin, gentamicin, ofloxacin, and S-TDCM did not increase survival. Topical treatment of the injury with gentamicin cream in addition to systemic therapy with oxacillin or S-TDCM was necessary to enhance survival. Therapy with gentamicin and S-TDCM had a synergistic effect on survival. Therapies combining augmentation of non-specific host defense mechanisms with antimicrobials may be valuable in treating irradiated patients also sustaining tissue trauma.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Bacterial Infections; Cord Factors; Female; Immunocompromised Host; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Wound Infection; Wounds and Injuries

Compromise of antimicrobial defenses by irradiation can result in sepsis and death. Additional trauma can further predispose patients to infection and thus increase mortality. We recently showed that injection of synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate (S-TDCM) significantly augments resistance to infection and increases survival of mice compromised either by whole-body irradiation with gamma radiation or equal mixtures of fission neutron and gamma radiation. In this study, C3H/HeN mice were given a lethal dose of gamma radiation (8.0 Gy) and an open wound (15% total body surface area [TBSA]) 1 hr later while anesthetized. Irradiated/wounded mice became more severely leukopenic and thrombocytopenic than mice exposed to radiation alone, and died from natural wound infection and sepsis within 7 days. S-TDCM given 1 hr postirradiation increased survival of mice exposed to radiation alone. However, this treatment did not increase survival of the irradiated/wounded mice. Systemic antibiotic therapy with gentamicin or ofloxacin for 10 days significantly increased survival time compared with untreated irradiated/wounded mice (p less than 0.01). Combination therapy with topical gentamicin cream and systemic oxacillin increased survival from 0% to 100%. Treatment with S-TDCM combined with the suboptimal treatment of topical and systemic gentamicin increased survival compared with antibiotic treatment alone. These studies demonstrate that post-trauma therapy with S-TDCM and antibiotics augments resistance to infection in immunocompromised mice. The data suggest that therapies which combine stimulation of nonspecific host defense mechanisms with antibiotics may increase survival of irradiated patients inflicted with accidental or surgical trauma.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Cord Factors; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Gamma Rays; Gentamicins; Immunity; Injections; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Ofloxacin; Oxacillin; Wound Infection

The effect of incorporation of different proportions of trehalose dicorynomycolates (TDC) into lecithin bilayer membranes was studied. It was found that TDC, induces a 14% decrease of water osmotic permeability (42.6 +/- 3.9 to 36.8 +/- 2.7 microns/s) at 1.6 mole%, suggesting that this substance leads to an increase of the degree of packing of the constituent lipid molecules. A condensing effect of TDC was also apparent from membrane electrical capacitance (Cm) measurement. By incorporating TDC into bilayer membranes, the value of Cm experienced a decrease of 29% at 1.6% mole fraction. This finding was taken to reflect an increase in membrane thickness, known in many examples, to be related to the condensing effect.

Topics: Cord Factors; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Electric Conductivity; Glycolipids; Lipid Bilayers; Membranes, Artificial; Permeability; Water