SummaryAdenylate cyclase (AC) toxin from Bordetella pertussis is unusual in that, unlike most other members of the repeats-in-toxin family that are released into the extracellular milieu, it remains associated with the bacterial surface. In this study, we investigated the nature of the association of this toxin with the surface of B. pertussis . AC toxin was extracted from crude outer membrane preparations of B. pertussis with 8 M urea, but only partially with alkaline sodium carbonate and not at all with octylglucoside, suggesting that denaturation of the toxin is necessary for its removal from the membrane. B. pertussis mutants lacking filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) released significantly more AC toxin into the medium, and AC toxin association with the bacterial surface was partially restored by expression of FHA from a plasmid, suggesting a role for FHA in surface retention of AC toxin. AC toxin distribution was unaffected by the absence of pertactin, or full-length lipopolysaccharide, or a defect in secretion of pertussis toxin. Using overlay and immunoprecipitation, we found that a direct physical association can occur between AC toxin and FHA. Combined, these findings suggest that FHA may play a role in AC toxin retention on the surface of B. pertussis and raise the possibility of an involvement of adherence mediated by FHA in delivery of AC toxin from the bacterium to the target cell.

Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase (AC) toxin belongs to the RTX family of toxins but is the only member with a known catalytic domain. The principal pathophysiologic function of AC toxin appears to be rapid production of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) by insertion of its catalytic domain into target cells (referred to as intoxication). Relative to other RTX toxins, AC toxin is weakly hemolytic via a process thought to involve oligomerization of toxin molecules. Monoclonal antibody (MAb) 3D1, which binds to an epitope (amino acids 373 to 399) at the distal end of the catalytic domain of AC toxin, does not affect the enzymatic activity of the toxin (conversion of ATP into cAMP in a cell-free system) but does prevent delivery of the catalytic domain to the cytosol of target erythrocytes. Under these conditions, however, the ability of AC toxin to cause hemolysis is increased three-to fourfold. To determine the mechanism by which the hemolytic potency of AC toxin is altered, we used a series of deletion mutants. A mutant toxin, ⌬AC, missing amino acids 1 to 373 of the catalytic domain, has hemolytic activity comparable to that of wild-type toxin. However, binding of MAb 3D1 to ⌬AC enhances its hemolytic activity three-to fourfold similar to the enhancement of hemolysis observed with 3D1 addition to wild-type toxin. Two additional mutants, ⌬N489 (missing amino acids 6 to 489) and ⌬N518 (missing amino acids 6 to 518), exhibit more rapid hemolysis with quicker onset than wild-type toxin does, while ⌬N549 (missing amino acids 6 to 549) has reduced hemolytic activity compared to wild-type AC toxin. These data suggest that prevention of delivery of the catalytic domain or deletion of the catalytic domain, along with additional amino acids distal to it, elicits a conformation of the toxin molecule that is more favorable for hemolysis.

Using a cell line derived from the human cervix and a rapid fluorescence cytotoxicity assay, we have shown that Chlamydia trachomatis infection can be blocked by certain sulfated polysaccharides (carrageenan, pentosan polysulfate, fucoidan, and dextran sulfate) and glycosaminoglycans (heparin, heparan sulfate, and dermatan sulfate) but not by other glycosaminoglycans (chondroitin sulfate A or C, keratan sulfate, and hyaluronic acid). The most negatively charged molecules are the most effective at blocking infection. Results of infection at 4؇C suggest that sulfated polyanions act by preventing the adherence of chlamydiae to target cells. These and additional blocking studies with enzymes suggest that a heparan sulfate-like glycosaminoglycan on the surface of elementary bodies is involved in the adherence of chlamydiae to target cells, probably through a nonspecific charge interaction or possibly a heparin-binding protein. We previously observed that the same sulfated polysaccharides inhibit transmission of human immunodeficiency virus in vitro and suggested that these compounds could be used in a vaginal formulation to inhibit infection by human immunodeficiency virus. The results of the present study suggest that the same type of formulation may inhibit sexual transmission of chlamydia.

A physical and rudimentary genetic map of the Haernophilus ducreyr' strain 35000 genome was constructed. Pulsed-f ield gel electrophoresis was used to separate restriction fragments of H. ducreyi DNA digested with Sfil, I-Ceul, or Sfil plus I-Ceul. The sizes of the fragments were determined, and the circular chromosome was estimated t o be 1757 kbp. The six I-Ceul fragments and four Sfil fragments were ordered into macrorestriction maps using Southern blot hybridization with random H. ducreyi clones as probes. It was shown that both H. ducreyi and the distantly related Haernophilus influenzae have six r m operons marked by the locations of the I-Ceul sites. However, the two species displayed distinct I-Ceul restriction patterns. A second H. ducreyi strain, CIP542, displayed an identical I-Ceul pattern to that of H. ducreyi 35000, but Sfil digests o f the two strains were distinct. The orientation of the six rrn operons was determined and thirteen identified H. ducreyi genes positioned on the map of strain 35000. Keywords

Haemophilus ducreyi is the etiologic agent of chancroid, a sexually transmitted genital ulcer disease. Keratinocytes are likely the first cell type encountered by H. ducreyiupon infection of human skin; thus, the interaction between H. ducreyi and keratinocytes is probably important for the ability of H. ducreyi to establish infection. We have used the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line grown in monolayers and in cocultures with HS27 fibroblasts to investigate H. ducreyi interactions with keratinocytes and the host-cell response to H. ducreyiinfection. Using quantitative adherence and gentamicin protection assays, we determined that approximately 13% of H. ducreyiadhered to HaCaT cell monolayers, while only a small proportion (0.0052%) was intracellular. By transmission electron microscopy, we observed numerous H. ducreyi organisms adherent to but rarely within HaCaT cells cocultured with fibroblasts. Both liveH. ducreyi and purified H. ducreyilipooligosaccharide (LOS) induced significant interleukin 8 (IL-8) expression from HaCaT cell-HS27 cell cocultures. However, the level of IL-8 expression in response to LOS alone was not as pronounced.H. ducreyi LOS was a more potent inducer of IL-8 from cocultures than Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at the same concentration, suggesting a unique effect of H. ducreyi LOS on cocultures. Neither live H. ducreyinor purified H. ducreyi LOS or E. coli LPS induced tumor necrosis factor alpha expression from cocultures.H. ducreyi induced drastically different cytokine profiles from cocultures than from HS27 or HaCaT cells cultured separately. IL-8 expression by skin cells in response to H. ducreyiinfection in vivo may be responsible for the massive influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and other inflammatory cells to the site of infection. This influx of inflammatory cells may be partly responsible for the tissue destruction characteristic of chancroid.