Project description:W614A-3S peptide is a modified 3S motif of the HIV-gp41 (mutation W614A). We previously detected the presence of natural neutralizing antibodies directed against W614A-3S peptide (NAbs) in long-term non-progressor HIV+ patients. Here, we compared the efficacy of W614A-3S peptide formulated in either squalene emulsion (SQE) or in aluminum hydroxide (Alum) in inducing broadly-NAbs (bNAbs). Rabbit and mouse models were used to screen the induction of bNAbs following 4 immunizations. SQE was more efficient than Alum formulation in inducing W614A-3S-specific bNAbs with up to 67-93% of HIV strains neutralized. We then analyzed the quality of peptide-specific murine B cells by single-cell gene expression by quantitative Reverse Transcription-PCR and single-cell V(D)J sequencing. We found more frequent germinal center B cells in SQE than in Alum, albeit with a different gene expression profile. The V(D)J sequencing of W614A-3S-specific BCR showed significant differences in BCR sequences and validates the dichotomy between adjuvant formulations. All sixteen BCR sequences which were cloned were specific of peptide. Adjuvant formulations of W614A-3S-peptide-conjugated immunogen impact the quantity and quality of B cell immune responses at both the gene expression level and BCR sequence. We used a single-cell quantitative Reverse Transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) approach to compare between the two formulations the quality of W614A-3S-specific B cell populations isolated from draining lymph nodes, one week after 2nd and 3rd immunizations (W3 and W5, respectively).
Project description:Members of the genus Acinetobacter drag attention due to their importance in microbial pathology and biotechnology. OmpA is a porin with multifaceted functions in different species of Acinetobacter. In this study we identified this protein in Acinetobacter sp. SA01, an efficient phenol degrader strain, in different cellular and sub-cellular compartments (such as OM, OMV, biofilm and extracellular environment). Differential expression of proteins, including OmpA, under two conditions of phenol and ethanol supplementation was assessed using shotgun proteomics.
Project description:Studies of expression of mechanims of defense of the Acinetobacter sp.5-2Ac.02 from airborne hospital environment under stress conditions, such as SOS response (ROS response, heavy metals resistant mechanisms, peptides), as well as Quorum network (acetoin cluster and aromatics biodegradation cluster). Characterization functional of AcoN-like as negative regulator protein from acetoin cluster in Acinetobacter spp. Strains