Mannose-containing oligosaccharides of non-specific human secretory immunoglobulin A mediate inhibition of Vibrio cholerae biofilm formation.

The role of antigen-specific secretory IgA (SIgA) has been studied extensively, whereas there is a limited body of evidence regarding the contribution of non-specific SIgA to innate immune defenses against invading pathogens. In this study, we evaluated the effects of non-specific SIgA against infection with Vibrio cholerae O139 strain MO10 and biofilm formation. Seven day old infant mice deficient in IgA (IgA(-/-) mice) displayed significantly greater intestinal MO10 burden at 24 hr post-challenge when compared to IgA(+/+) pups.

Proteome cataloging and relative quantification of Francisella tularensis tularensis strain Schu4 in 2D PAGE using preparative isoelectric focusing.

The protein complement of whole cell extract of the bacterium Francisella tularensis tularensis was analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis with preparative isoelectric focusing in the first dimension. The format allows the quantification of relative protein abundance by linear densitometry and extends the potential dynamic range of protein detection by as much as an order of magnitude. The relative abundance and rank order of 136 unique proteins identified in F.

Intranasal vaccination with a defined attenuated Francisella novicida strain induces gamma interferon-dependent antibody-mediated protection against tularemia.

Francisella tularensis is an intracellular gram-negative bacterium that is the causative agent of tularemia and a potential bioweapon. We have characterized the efficacy of a defined F. novicida mutant (DeltaiglC) as a live attenuated vaccine against subsequent intranasal challenge with the wild-type organism.

Characterizing lipopolysaccharide and core lipid A mutant O1 and O139 Vibrio cholerae strains for adherence properties on mucus-producing cell line HT29-Rev MTX and virulence in mice.

Components of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), i.e. capsule, O antigen, core oligosaccharide, as well as the toxin-coregulated pili are among the factors which significantly contribute to intestinal colonization by Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139.

The sodium-driven flagellar motor controls exopolysaccharide expression in Vibrio cholerae.

Vibrio cholerae causes the life-threatening diarrheal disease cholera. This organism persists in aquatic environments in areas of endemicity, and it is believed that the ability of the bacteria to form biofilms in the environment contributes to their persistence. Expression of an exopolysaccharide (EPS), encoded by two vps gene clusters, is essential for biofilm formation and causes a rugose colonial phenotype.

MglA regulates transcription of virulence factors necessary for Francisella tularensis intraamoebae and intramacrophage survival.

Francisella tularensis is able to survive and grow within macrophages, a trait that contributes to pathogenesis. Several genes have been identified that are important for intramacrophage survival, including mglA and iglC. F.

Allelic exchange in Francisella tularensis using PCR products.

We describe here a technique for allelic exchange in Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Linear PCR fragments containing gene deletions with an erythromycin resistance cassette insertion were transformed into F.

Role of Vibrio cholerae O139 surface polysaccharides in intestinal colonization.

Since the first occurrence of O139 Vibrio cholerae as a cause of cholera epidemics, this serogroup has been investigated intensively, and it has been found that its pathogenicity is comparable to that of O1 El Tor strains. O139 isolates express a thin capsule, composed of a polymer of repeating units structurally identical to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O side chain. In this study, we investigated the role of LPS O side chain and capsular polysaccharide (CPS) in intestinal colonization by with genetically engineered mutants.