IAI FigSearch
Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowReprints and Permissions
Right arrow Copyright Information
Right arrow Books from ASM Press
Right arrow MicrobeWorld
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Ito, S.
Right arrow Articles by Klinman, D. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Ito, S.
Right arrow Articles by Klinman, D. M.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Infection and Immunity, September 2005, p. 6154-6156, Vol. 73, No. 9
0019-9567/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/IAI.73.9.6154-6156.2005

CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides Increase the Susceptibility of Normal Mice to Infection by Candida albicans

Shuichi Ito,1 Joao Pedras-Vasconcelos,2 and Dennis M. Klinman1*

Section of Retroviral Immunology,1 Division of Therapeutic Proteins, CBER/FDA, Bethesda, Maryland 208922

Received 28 February 2005/ Returned for modification 4 April 2005/ Accepted 19 April 2005


   ABSTRACT
Top
 Abstract
Text
 References
 
Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs trigger an innate immune response that typically increases host resistance to infection. Yet CpG treatment reduces the resistance of normal mice to Candida albicans infection. This effect is mediated by CpG-induced interleukin-12, indicating that CpG-dependent cytokine production may have adverse consequences for the host.


   TEXT
Top
 Abstract
 Text
References
 
Recognition of bacterial DNA by Toll-like receptor 9 triggers an innate immune response in which murine lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages are stimulated to functionally mature and produce a variety of proinflammatory and Th1 cytokines (15, 12, 7, 20). CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) treatment typically improves host resistance to infection by bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens (13, 14, 26).

Candida albicans is present in the normal flora of the skin, mucous membranes, and gastrointestinal tract. It causes opportunistic infection of immunosuppressed patients, with mortality ranging from 40 to 50% despite modern antifungal drug therapy (17, 18). Candida infection can be eliminated by strong Th1 responses (4). Since CpG ODNs promote Th1 immunity (even in immunosuppressed individuals) (24), their ability to protect against yeast infection was examined.

CpG ODNs accelerate death from C. albicans in normal mice. BALB/C mice were treated with an endotoxin-free CpG (GCTAGACGTTAGCGT) or a control (GCTAGAGCTTAGGCT) phosphorothioate ODN and challenged 3 days later with 105 CFU of C. albicans strain SC5314 (kind gift of Brad Spellberg, University of California Los Angeles). Unexpectedly, the CpG-treated mice succumbed to infection nearly twice as rapidly as normal controls (Fig. 1A, P < 0.01). This effect was dose dependent and sequence specific, since a control ODN had no effect on mortality (Fig. 1A).



View larger version (24K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		FIG. 1. Effect of CpG ODN on C. albicans challenged normal mice. Normal 6- to 8-week-old female BALB/C mice were treated with CpG ODN and then challenged with 105 CFU Candida using Animal Care and Use Committee-approved protocols. Survival was monitored for 3 weeks. Differences in survival rates were evaluated using chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. (A) Fifteen or more mice/group were injected intraperitoneally with CpG ODN ({blacklozenge}; 50 µg, {blacksquare}; 100 µg) and challenged intravenously with Candida 3 days later. The survival of CpG-treated animals was significantly shorter than that of controls treated with control ODN or with phosphate-buffered saline ({square}, P < 0.05). The survival of the two control groups was statistically indistinguishable. The survival of mice treated with 100 µg of CpG ODN was significantly shorter than those treated with 50 µg (P < 0.05). (B) Fifteen or more mice/group were injected intraperitoneally with 100 µg of control or CpG ODN from 7 days before to 1 day after a challenge with Candida. Data represent the median survival time plus the standard deviation. **, P < 0.01. MST, mean survival time; Cont, control. (C) Mice treated with 100 µg of ODN or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were challenged with Candida. The numbers of fungal cells in the kidney and spleen 3 days after infection are shown. Data represent the mean plus the standard error of the mean of six independently studied mice/group in two independent experiments. Statistical significance was evaluated using a two-tailed Student t test (**, P < 0.001; *, P < 0.05).

 
Administering a CpG ODN to mice during the period from 3 days prior to 1 day after Candida infection significantly reduced their mean survival time (Fig. 1B, P <0.01). CpG ODN treatment also increased susceptibility to a low-dose Candida challenge, converting an otherwise sublethal 104 CFU dose to one that caused 100% mortality (P <0.05, data not shown).

The severity of infection was monitored by culturing serial 10-fold dilutions of homogenized kidney and spleen preparations (the primary loci of Candida infection) on Sabouraud dextrose infusion agar plates (23). Results show that the number of fungi in the organs of CpG-treated animals is significantly higher than in control mice (Fig. 1C, P < 0.01).

Role of CpG-induced interleukin-12 (IL-12) production on susceptibility to Candida infection. CpG ODNs trigger the production of multiple Th1 cytokines, including IL-12 (6). Preliminary studies showed that mice treated with CpG DNA and then challenged with Candida had serum IL-12 levels nearly fourfold higher than non-CpG-treated controls (P < 0.001, data not shown). Previous reports indicate that high levels of serum IL-12 can increase susceptibility to Candida infection (16). To explore whether CpG-induced IL-12 contributed to the susceptibility of ODN-treated mice to yeast infection, CpG DNA was administered to IL-12 knockout (KO) mice. In marked contrast to the effect observed in normal mice, CpG treatment of IL-12 KO animals significantly prolonged survival following a Candida challenge (Fig. 2, P < 0.01). Thus, in the absence of IL-12, the innate immune response elicited by CpG ODN enhanced host resistance to Candida.



View larger version (16K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		FIG. 2. Survival of CpG ODN-treated IL-12 KO mice challenged with Candida. IL-12 KO mice (≥10/group) were treated with 100 µg of control ({square}) or CpG ({blacksquare}) ODN and then challenged with 105 CFU of Candida. **, P < 0.001. PBS, phosphate-buffered saline.

 
Analysis. CpG ODNs have complex effects on the immune system, triggering an immunomodulatory cascade characterized by the production of multiple proinflammatory and Th1 cytokines and chemokines (12, 6, 2). This response may be of benefit in the treatment of allergy, cancer, and certain infectious diseases (10, 8, 9, 3). Yet CpG-induced immune responses may have negative consequences, such as exacerbating autoimmune disease (21, 25, 22, 1). Current findings indicate that the cytokine production elicited by CpG ODNs may also reduce host resistance to certain pathogens, such as C. albicans.

Lavigne et al. documented that elevated levels of IL-12 can exacerbate Candida infection (16). Current results indicate that CpG treatment of normal mice significantly increases IL-12 production and concomitantly increases susceptibility to Candida. Consistent with a cause-effect relationship, when CpG ODNs were administered to IL-12 KO mice, resistance to Candida was increased rather than diminished (Fig. 2). While suggesting that CpG-induced IL-12 was responsible for the greater susceptibility of normal mice to Candida infection, given the diverse effects of CpG ODN in vivo, additional factors could also contribute to this outcome.

The observation that CpG treatment reduces the survival of normal mice while increasing the survival of IL-12 KO mice challenged with Candida emphasizes the complexity of the host response elicited by immunomodulatory ODNs. Similar complexity was observed in studies of CpG-treated mice challenged with the Friend retrovirus: animals treated with CpG DNA after a challenge were resistant to virus-induced leukemia, while those treated prior to a challenge showed increased susceptibility to viral infection and elevated rates of leukemia (19).

CpG ODNs show promise as vaccine adjuvants, as immunoprotective agents, and in the treatment of allergy and cancer (11, 8, 9, 3). Data from clinical trials suggest they can be used safely in humans (8, 5, 11), despite concern that they might promote the development of autoimmune disease (21, 25, 22, 1). Current findings indicate that CpG ODNs may also increase susceptibility to certain infectious diseases. Thus, careful clinical testing is needed to clarify the benefits and risks of CpG ODN therapy.


   FOOTNOTES
 
* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Building 29A, Room 3D10, CBER/FDA, Bethesda, MD 20892. Phone: (301) 827-1707. Fax: (301) 496-1810. E-mail: Klinman{at}CBER.FDA.gov. Back

Editor: T. R. Kozel


   REFERENCES
Top
 Abstract
 Text
 References
 
1. Anders, H. J., V. Vielhauer, V. Eis, Y. Linde, M. Kretzler, D. L. Perez, F. Strutz, S. Bauer, M. Rutz, H. Wagner, H. J. Grone, and D. Schlondorff. 2004. Activation of Toll-like receptor-9 induces progression of renal disease in MRL-Fas(lpr) mice. FASEB J. 18:534-536.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. Ballas, Z. D., W. L. Rasmussen, and A. M. Krieg. 1996. Induction of NK activity in murine and human cells by CpG motifs in oligodeoxynucleotides and bacterial DNA. J. Immunol. 157:1840-1847.[Abstract]
3. Carpentier, A. F., G. Auf, and J. Y. Delattre. 2003. CpG-oligonucleotides for cancer immunotherapy: review of the literature and potential applications in malignant glioma. Front. Biosci. 8:e115-e127.[Medline]
4. Cenci, E., L. Romani, A. Mencacci, R. Spaccapelo, E. Schiaffella, P. Puccetti, and F. Bistoni. 1993. Interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 inhibit nitric oxide-dependent macrophage killing of Candida albicans. Eur. J. Immunol. 23:1034-1038.[Medline]
5. Halperin, S. A., G. Van Nest, B. Smith, S. Abtahi, H. Whiley, and J. J. Eiden. 2003. A phase I study of the safety and immunogenicity of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen co-administered with an immunostimulatory phosphorothioate oligonucleotide adjuvant. Vaccine 21:2461-2467.[CrossRef][Medline]
6. Halpern, M. D., R. J. Kurlander, and D. S. Pisetsky. 1996. Bacterial DNA induces murine interferon-gamma production by stimulation of IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Cell. Immunol. 167:72-78.[CrossRef][Medline]
7. Hemmi, H., O. Takeuchi, T. Kawai, S. Sato, H. Sanjo, M. Matsumoto, K. Hoshino, H. Wagner, K. Takeda, and S. Akira. 2000. A Toll-like receptor recognizes bacterial DNA. Nature 408:740-745.[CrossRef][Medline]
8. Horner, A. A., and E. Raz. 2002. Immunostimulatory sequence oligodeoxynucleotide-based vaccination and immunomodulation: two unique but complementary strategies for the treatment of allergic diseases. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 110:706-712.[CrossRef][Medline]
9. Jahrsdorfer, B., and G. J. Weiner. 2003. CpG oligodeoxynucleotides for immune stimulation in cancer immunotherapy. Curr. Opin. Investig. Drugs 4:686-690.[Medline]
10. Klinman, D. M. 2004. Immunotherapeutic uses of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides. Nat. Rev. Immunol. 4:249-258.[CrossRef][Medline]
11. Klinman, D. M., K. M. Barnhart, and J. Conover. 1999. CpG motifs as immune adjuvants. Vaccine 17:19-25.[CrossRef][Medline]
12. Klinman, D. M., A. Yi, S. L. Beaucage, J. Conover, and A. M. Krieg. 1996. CpG motifs expressed by bacterial DNA rapidly induce lymphocytes to secrete IL-6, IL-12 and IFN{gamma}. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:2879-2883.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
13. Krieg, A. M. 2002. CpG motifs in bacterial DNA and their immune effects. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 20:709-760.[CrossRef][Medline]
14. Krieg, A. M., L. L. Homan, A. K. Yi, and J. T. Harty. 1998. CpG DNA induces sustained IL-12 expression in vivo and resistance to Listeria monocytogenes challenge. J. Immunol. 161:2428-2434.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
15. Krieg, A. M., A. Yi, S. Matson, T. J. Waldschmidt, G. A. Bishop, R. Teasdale, G. A. Koretzky, and D. M. Klinman. 1995. CpG motifs in bacterial DNA trigger direct B-cell activation. Nature 374:546-548.[CrossRef][Medline]
16. Lavigne, L. M., L. R. Schopf, C. L. Chung, R. Maylor, and J. P. Sypek. 1998. The role of recombinant murine IL-12 and IFN-{gamma} in the pathogenesis of a murine systemic Candida albicans infection. J. Immunol. 160:284-292.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
17. Martino, P., C. Girmenia, A. Micozzi, R. Raccah, G. Gentile, M. Venditti, and F. Mandelli. 1993. Fungemia in patients with leukemia. Am. J. Med. Sci. 306:225-232.[Medline]
18. Nucci, M., W. Pulcheri, N. Spector, A. P. Bueno, P. C. Bacha, M. J. Caiuby, A. Derossi, R. Costa, J. C. Morais, and H. P. de Oliveira. 1995. Fungal infections in neutropenic patients. A 8-year prospective study. Rev. Inst. Med. Trop. Sao Paulo 37:397-406.[Medline]
19. Olbrich, A. R., S. Schimmer, and U. Dittmer. 2003. Preinfection treatment of resistant mice with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides renders them susceptible to friend retrovirus-induced leukemia. J. Virol. 77:10658-10662.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
20. Roman, M., E. Martin-Orozco, J. S. Goodman, M. Nguyen, Y. Sato, A. Ronaghy, R. S. Kornbluth, D. D. Richman, D. A. Carson, and E. Raz. 1997. Immunostimulatory DNA sequences function as T helper-1 promoting adjuvants. Nat. Med. 3:849-854.[CrossRef][Medline]
21. Segal, B. M., D. M. Klinman, and E. M. Shevach. 1997. Microbial products induce autoimmune disease by an IL-12 dependent process. J. Immunol. 158:5087-5091.[Abstract]
22. Shao, H., S. Lei, S. L. Sun, J. Xiang, H. J. Kaplan, and D. Sun. 2003. CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotide 1826 converts the weak uveitogenic rat interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein peptide 1181-1191 into a strong uveitogen. J. Immunol. 171:4780-4785.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
23. Spellberg, B., D. Johnston, Q. T. Phan, J. E. Edwards, Jr., S. W. French, A. S. Ibrahim, and S. G. Filler. 2003. Parenchymal organ, and not splenic, immunity correlates with host survival during disseminated candidiasis. Infect. Immun. 71:5756-5764.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
24. Verthelyi, D., M. Gursel, R. T. Kenney, J. D. Lifson, S. Liu, J. Mican, and D. M. Klinman. 2003. CpG oligodeoxynucleotides protect normal and SIV-infected macaques from Leishmania infection. J. Immunol. 170:4717-4723.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
25. Zeuner, R. A., D. Verthelyi, M. Gursel, K. J. Ishii, and D. M. Klinman. 2003. Influence of stimulatory and suppressive DNA motifs on host susceptibility to inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 48:1701-1707.[CrossRef][Medline]
26. Zimmermann, S., O. Egeter, S. Hausmann, G. B. Lipford, M. Rocken, H. Wagner, and K. Heeg. 1998. CpG oligodeoxynucleotides trigger protective and curative Th1 responses in lethal murine leishmaniasis. J. Immunol. 160:3627-3630.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Infection and Immunity, September 2005, p. 6154-6156, Vol. 73, No. 9
0019-9567/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/IAI.73.9.6154-6156.2005




This article has been cited by other articles:


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowReprints and Permissions
Right arrow Copyright Information
Right arrow Books from ASM Press
Right arrow MicrobeWorld
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Ito, S.
Right arrow Articles by Klinman, D. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Ito, S.
Right arrow Articles by Klinman, D. M.

Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
J. Bacteriol. J. Virol. Eukaryot. Cell
Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. Clin. Vaccine Immunol. All ASM Journals