Journal of Microbiology

Journal Articles

DNA vaccine dual-expressing viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus glycoprotein and C-C motif chemokine ligand 19 induces the expression of immune-related genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio): Jin-Young Kim , Hyoung Jun Kim , Jeong Su Park , Se Ryun Kwon; J. Microbiol. 2022;60(10):1032-1038. Published online August 1, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-022-2231-8

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Abstract: Glycoprotein (G protein)-based DNA vaccines are effective in protecting aquaculture fish from rhabdoviruses but the degree of immune response they elicit depends on plasmid concentration and antigen cassette. Here, we developed a DNA vaccine using the viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus G (VG) gene and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19)a.2 regulated by the CMV promoter as the molecular adjuvant. After transfection of the prepared plasmid (pVG + CCL19) into epithelioma papulosum cyprini cells, mRNA expression was confirmed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The vaccine was intramuscularly injected into zebrafish (Danio rerio), and 28 days after immunization, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (105 TCID50/10 μl/fish) was intraperitoneally injected. A survival rate of 68% was observed in the pVG + CCL19 group but this was not significantly different from the survival rate of fish treated with pVG alone, that is, without the adjuvant. However, the expression of interferonand cytokine-related genes in the spleen and kidney tissues of zebrafish was significantly increased (p < 0.05) on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after immunization. Thus, CCL19a.2 induced an initial immune response as a molecular adjuvant, which may provide initial protection against virus infection before vaccination- induced antibody formation. This study provides insights on the functions of CCL19a.2 adjuvant in DNA vaccines.

Extracellular products-mediated interspecific interaction between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli: Yang Yuan , Jing Li , Jiafu Lin , Wenjuan Pan , Yiwen Chu , Balakrishnan Prithiviraj , Yidong Guo , Xinrong Wang , Kelei Zhao; J. Microbiol. 2021;59(1):29-40. Published online December 23, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-021-0478-0

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Abstract: The Gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa adopts several elaborate strategies to colonize a wide range of natural or clinical niches and to overcome the neighboring bacterial competitors in polymicrobial communities. However, the relationship and interaction mechanism of P. aeruginosa with other bacterial pathogens remains largely unexplored. Here we explore the interaction dynamics of P. aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, which frequently coinfect the lungs of immunocompromised hosts, by using a series of on-plate proximity assays and RNA-sequencing. We show that the extracellular products of P. aeruginosa can inhibit the growth of neighboring E. coli and induce a large-scale of transcriptional reprogramming of E. coli, especially in terms of cellular respiration- related primary metabolisms and membrane components. In contrast, the presence of E. coli has no significant effect on the growth of P. aeruginosa in short-term culture, but causes a dysregulated expression of genes positively controlled by the quorum-sensing (QS) system of P. aeruginosa during subsequent pairwise culture. We further demonstrate that the divergent QS-regulation of P. aeruginosa may be related to the function of the transcriptional regulator PqsR, which can be enhanced by E. coli culture supernatant to increase the pyocyanin production by P. aeruginosa in the absence of the central las-QS system. Moreover, the extracellular products of E. coli promote the proliferation and lethality of P. aeruginosa in infecting the Caenorhabditis elegans model. The current study provides a general characterization of the extracellular products-mediated interactions between P. aeruginosa and E. coli, and may facilitate the understanding of polymicrobial infections.

The threonine-tRNA ligase gene region is applicable in classification, typing, and phylogenetic analysis of bifidobacteria: Ji&# , Chahrazed Mekadim , Radko Pechar , V&# , Eva Vlková; J. Microbiol. 2018;56(10):713-721. Published online September 28, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-018-8167-3

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Abstract: In the modern era, molecular genetic techniques are crucial in ecological studies, as well as in the classification, typing, and phylogenetic analysis of prokaryotes. These techniques are mainly aimed at whole genome comparisons and PCRderived experiments, including amplifying the 16S rRNA and other various housekeeping genes used in taxonomy, as well as MLST (multilocus sequence typing) and MLSA (multilocus sequence analysis) of different taxonomic bacterial groups. The gene encoding threonine-tRNA ligase (thrS) is a gene potentially applicable as an identification and phylogenetic marker in bacteria. It is widely distributed in bacterial genomes and is subject to evolutionary selection pressure due to its important function in protein synthesis. In this study, specific primers were used to amplify a thrS gene fragment (~740 bp) in 36 type and 30 wild strains classified under family Bifidobacteriaceae. The full-length gene has not yet been considered as a possible identification, classification, and phylogenetic marker in bifidobacteria. The thrS sequences revealed higher sequence variability (82.7% of pairwise identities) among members of the family than that shown by 16S rRNA gene sequences (96.0%). Although discrepancies were found between the thrS-derived and previously reported whole genome phylogenetic analyses, the main phylogenetic groups of bifidobacteria were properly assigned. Most wild strains of bifidobacteria were better differentiated based on their thrS sequences than on their 16S rRNA gene identities. Phylogenetic confidence of the evaluated gene with respect to other alternative genetic markers widely used in taxonomy of bifidobacteria (fusA, GroELhsp60, pyrG, and rplB genes) was confirmed using the localized incongruence difference - Templeton analysis.

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'ts

Antiviral effects of Lactobacillus ruminis SPM0211 and Bifidobacterium longum SPM1205 and SPM1206 on rotavirus-infected Caco-2 cells and a neonatal mouse model: Joo Yeon Kang , Do Kyung Lee , Nam Joo Ha , Hea Soon Shin; J. Microbiol. 2015;53(11):796-803. Published online October 28, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-015-5302-2

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51 Citations

Abstract: Rotavirus is worldwide cause of severe gastroenteritis including severe diarrhea and fatal dehydration in infants and young children. There is an available vaccination program for preventing rotavirus infection, but it has limits and restrictions. Probiotics therapy could be an alternative
method
of antiviral prevention and modulation against rotavirus infection. In this study, we screened the antiviral activity of probiotic bacteria such as 3 Lactobacillus spp. and 14 Bifidobacterium spp. isolated from young Korean. Three of the bacteria, Lactobacillus ruminis SPM0211, Bifidobacterium longum SPM1205, and SPM1206, inhibited human strain Wa rotavirus infection in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, these bacterial strains inhibited rotavirus replication in a rotavirus-infected neonatal mouse model. To clarify the mechanism of inhibition, we investigated gene expression of Interferon (IFN)-signaling components and IFN-inducible antiviral effectors. All 3 probiotics increased IFN-α and IFN- β levels compared with the control. Gene expression of IFNsignaling components and IFN-inducible antiviral effectors also increased. Overall, these results indicate that L. ruminis SPM0211, B. longum SPM1205 and 1206 efficiently inhibit rotavirus replication in vitro and in vivo. Especially, the antiviral effect of Lactobacillus ruminis SPM0211 is worthy of notice. This is the first report of L. ruminis with antiviral activity. Anti-rotaviral effects of the 3 probiotics are likely due to their modulation of the immune response through promoting type I IFNs, which are key regulators in IFN signaling pathway.

Live/Dead State Is Not the Factor Influencing Adhesion Ability of Bifidobacterium animalis KLDS2.0603: Li-Qun Wang , Feng Zhao , Fei Liu , Xiang-Chen Meng; J. Microbiol. 2013;51(5):584-589. Published online September 14, 2013; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-013-2632-9

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Abstract: Two essential requirements for probiotic bifidobacteria are that they be “live” and have “colonization” ability, following FAO/WHO guideline recommendations. The amount of research on the adhesion ability of bifidobacteria compares poorly with that of other probiotic bacteria, such as lactobacilli. The aim of the present study was to determine how gastrointestinal conditions affect the adhesion ability of bifidobacteria, and to investigate the relationship between the adhesion ability and the live/dead state of bifidobacteria. The adhesion ability of Bifidobacterium animalis KLDS2.0603 that had been subjected to the digestive enzymes, pepsin, trypsin, and proteinase K, was decreased significantly, but these treatments did not significantly change the strain’s survival rates, which were 98.78%, 97.60%, and 97.63% respectively. B. animalis KLDS2.0603 subjected to LiCl retained its adhesion ability but had a lower survival rate (59.28%) than the control group (P<0.01). B. animalis KLDS 2.0603 subjected to sodium metaperiodate exhibited higher adhesion ability than the control group (P<0.01), but the bacterial cells were killed totally. The results of transmission electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy showed that live/dead state of bifidobacteria was not one of the main factors that affected the adhesion ability of bifidobacteira, and that the substances affecting the adhesion ability of bifidobacteria were on the outer surface layer of the bifidobacterial cells. Our results also indicated that the substances related to the adhesion ability of bifidobacteria are proteinaceous. The above results will help us to understand the adhesion and colonization processes of bifidobacteria in the human gastrointestinal tract.

Novel Bifidobacterium Promoters Selected Through Microarray Analysis Lead to Constitutive High-Level Gene Expression: Yan Wang , Jin Yong Kim , Myeong Soo Park , Geun Eog Ji; J. Microbiol. 2012;50(4):638-643. Published online July 21, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-012-1591-x

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Abstract: For the development of a food-grade expression system for Bifidobacterium, a strong promoter leading to high-level expression of cloned gene is a prerequisite. For this purpose, a promoter screening host-vector system for Bifidobacterium has been established using β-glucosidase from Bifidobacterium lactis as a reporter and Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4 as a host, which is β-glucosidase negative strain. Seven putative promoters showing constitutive high-level expression were selected through microarray analysis based on the genome sequence of B. bifidum BGN4. They were cloned into upstream of β-glucosidase gene and transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α and B. bifidum BGN4. Promoter activities were analyzed both in E. coli and B. bifidum BGN4 by measuring β-glucosidase activity. β-Glucosidase activities in all of the transformants showed growth-associated characteristics. Among them, P919 was the strongest in B. bifidum BGN4 and showed maximum activity at 18 h, while P895 was the strongest in E. coli DH5α at 7 h. This study shows that novel strong promoters such as P919 can be used for high-level expression of foreign genes in Bifidobacterium and will be useful for the construction of an efficient food-grade expression system.

Inhibitory Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) on the Azoxymethane-induced Colonic Preneoplastic Lesions: Sang-Myeong Lee , Wan-Kyu Lee; J. Microbiol. 2000;38(3):169-175.

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Abstract: Epidemiological and experimental studies provide evidences that diet and intestinal microflora play an important role in colon carcinogenesis. In recent years, it has been suggested that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) used to ferment dairy products have an inhibitory effect on the colon cancer. This study was designed to determine the effect of Bifidobacterium longum HY8001 (Bif) and Lactobacillus acidophilus HY2104 (Lac) of Korean origin on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic preneoplastic lesions such as aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation and cecal pH. At five weeks of age, Spraque-Dawley rats were divided at random into four (AOM alone, Bif, Lac, and Bif+Lac) groups. Animals were weighed weekly and oral administration of LAB cultures were performed daily until the termination of the study. Two weeks later, all animals were given a subcutaneous injection of AOM dissolved in normal saline at a dose of 15 mg/kg of body weight once per week for 2 weeks. All rats were necropsied 7 weeks after the last AOM injection, and the ACF were visualized under light microscopy in the formalin-fixed, unsectioned methylene blue-stained colons. The total number of aberrant crypt in Bif, Lac, and Bif+Lac groups were significantly lower than that of the AOM alone group and the percentage of inhibitions weas 35.0, 45.4 and 45.0%, respectively. Significant inhibition (p<0.001) in the total number of ACF was also observed in LAB treated groups (Bif, Lac, and Bif+Lac group by 30.3, 38.6, and 41.2%, respec-tively). Furthermore, cecal pH appeared to significantly decrease by LAB administration. The results of present study provide some evidences for potential colon tumor-inhibitory properties of lactic cultures and fermented dairy products.

Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria on Intestinal Microbial Enzyme Activity and Composition in Rats Treated with Azoxymethane: Sang-Myeong Lee , Wan-Kyu Lee; J. Microbiol. 2001;39(3):154-161.

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Abstract: In recent years, colon cancer has been reported to be one of the most important causes of cancer morbidity and mortality in Korea. Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) used to ferment dairy products inhibits colon carcinogenesis. The present study was designed to determine whether the colon cancer inhibitory effect of LAB (Bifidobacterium longum HY8001; Bif and Lactobacillus acidophilus HY2104; Lac) of Korean origin, is associated with intestinal microflora composition and certain enzyme activity in rats treated with azoxymethane (AOM). At five weeks of age, SD rats were divided at random into four (AOM alone, Bif, Lac, and Bif+Lac) groups. Oral administration of lactic acid bacteria cultures were performed daily until the termination of the study. Two weeks later, all animals were given a subcutaneous injection of AOM dissolved in normal saline at a dose of 15 mg/kg of body weight once weekly for 2 weeks. Every two weeks for 10 weeks, five of the rats in each group were randomly chosen for fecal specimen collection. The fecal specimens were used for assay of [beta]-glucuronidase and nitroreductase, and analysis of intestinal microflora composition. The activity of [beta]-glucuronidase which plays an important role in the production of the carcinogenic metabolite of azoxymethane was remarkably increased in the AOM alone group after AOM injection and maintained the high level during the experiment. However, LAB inhibited the AOM-induced increase in [beta]-glucuronidase activity. Nitroreductase activity decreased by 30-40% in LAB treated groups in comparison with that of the AOM alone group. The results of the present study suggest that LAB inhibits colon carcinogenesis by modulating the metabolic activity of intestinal microflora and improving the composition of intestinal microflora.

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