Streptococcus suis serotype 2(S.suis 2)is a zoonotic pathogen that clinically causes severe swine and human infections(such as meningitis,endocarditis,and septicemia).In order to cause widespread diseases in different...Streptococcus suis serotype 2(S.suis 2)is a zoonotic pathogen that clinically causes severe swine and human infections(such as meningitis,endocarditis,and septicemia).In order to cause widespread diseases in different organs,S.suis 2 must colonize the host,break the blood barrier,and cause exaggerated inflammation.In the last few years,most studies have focused on a single virulence factor and its influences on the host.Membrane vesicles(MVs)can be actively secreted into the extracellular environment contributing to bacteria-host interactions.Gram-negative bacteria-derived outer membrane vesicles(OMVs)were recently shown to activate host Caspase-11-mediated non-canonical inflammasome pathway via deliverance of OMV-bound lipopolysaccharide(LPS),causing host cell pyroptosis.However,little is known about the effect of the MVs from S.suis 2(Gram-positive bacteria without LPS)on cell pyroptosis.Thus,we investigated the molecular mechanism by which S.suis 2 MVs participate in endothelial cell pyroptosis.In this study,we used proteomics,electron scanning microscopy,fluorescence microscope,Western blotting,and bioassays,to investigate the MVs secreted by S.suis 2.First,we demonstrated that S.suis 2 secreted MVs with an average diameter of 72.04 nm,and 200 proteins in MVs were identified.Then,we showed that MVs were transported to cells via mainly dynamin-dependent endocytosis.The S.suis 2 MVs activated NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD canonical inflammasome signaling pathway,resulting in cell pyroptosis,but it did not activate the Caspase-4/-5 pathway.More importantly,endothelial cells produce large amounts of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and lost their mitochondrial membrane potential under induction by S.suis 2 MVs.The results in this study suggest for the first time that MVs from S.suis 2 were internalized by endothelial cells via mainly dynamin-dependent endocytosis and might promote NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway by mitochondrial damage,which produced mtDNA and ROS under induction,leading to the pyroptosis of endothelial cells.展开更多
[Objective] This study aimed to establish a method for quantitative detection of mRNA transcriptional level of SS2 adhesive related-factors of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 （SS2） by fluorescent quantitative PCR. []V...[Objective] This study aimed to establish a method for quantitative detection of mRNA transcriptional level of SS2 adhesive related-factors of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 （SS2） by fluorescent quantitative PCR. []Vlethod] The gene fragments en- coding SS2 adhesive related-factors MRP, FBPS and CPS2J and a housekeeping gene aroA were amplified by reverse transcription PCR from the total RNA of SS2, cloned, and sequenced. The recombinant plasmids containing the target genes were constructed, and used as templates in Real-time PCR. [Result] Dynamic curves, stan- dard curves and melting curves of the adhesive related-factors and aroA were ob- tained by the optimized Real-time PCR system. The standard curves showed a good linear relationship between template copy number and circulation number, and the correlation coefficients （FF） of the standard curves were over 0.995. Also, these as- says were highly specific a^d there was single specific melting peak for every gene. Moreover, the assays were highly sensitive and had a detection limit of 1.0×102 copies in 1 μl of initial templates. Finally, it was highly repeatable and had a coeffi- cient of variation less than 2% for intra-assay. [Conclusion] This study will provide a way to reveal the adhesion mechanism of SS2 to different host cells at molecular level.展开更多
[ Objective] To obtain detection antigen for diagnosis of Streptococcus suis infection. [ Method] The complete ORF of glutamate dehy- drogenase （GDH） gene was amplified from the genomic DNA of Streptococcus suis ser...[ Objective] To obtain detection antigen for diagnosis of Streptococcus suis infection. [ Method] The complete ORF of glutamate dehy- drogenase （GDH） gene was amplified from the genomic DNA of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 strain SC22 isolated in Sichuan Province by poly- merase chain reaction （PCR）. The resulting product was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-30a, which was then transformed into E. coil BL21 （DE3）. The identified positive transformants were screened for expression induced by IPTG. The expression products were subjected to SDS-PAGE and the recombinant protein was purified by nickel ion-agarose affinity chromatography. New Zealand rabbits were immunized with the purified recombinant GDH protein to prepare polyclonal antibodies. Titers of the anti-serum were determined by indirect ELISA and Western blot assay. [ Result] The recombinant GDH protein was effectively expressed in the host bacteria, and highly pure recombinant protein was obtained by nickel ion-agarose affinity chromatography. High-titer anti-serum against the recombinant protein was obtained. As evidenced by western blot as- say, the sera could react specifically with the lysates of all detected Streptococcus suis strains. In addition, the recombinant GDH protein could re- act specifically with serum samples collected from five pigs experimentally infected by strain SC22. [ Conclusion] The expressed GDH fusion protein has some common epitopes of natural GDH and can be used as detection antigen to develop ELISA and other diagnostic methods.展开更多
Streptococcus suis is one of the major pathogens of swine streptococcosis. Among them, the strongest virulence and highest rate of clinical isolation serotype is S. suis serotype 2（SS2）. Moreover, SS2 is also an imp...Streptococcus suis is one of the major pathogens of swine streptococcosis. Among them, the strongest virulence and highest rate of clinical isolation serotype is S. suis serotype 2（SS2）. Moreover, SS2 is also an important zoonosis pathogen, which caused severe public health issues in China. It has been reported that SS2 has several virulence factors, including muramidase released protein, extracellular factors, capsule, fibronectin-binding protein, enolase, hemolysin, small RNA, biofilm, two-component regulatory systems, STK/STP, etc., whose functions involved in adhesion, anti-phagocytosis, inflammatory pathway activation, invasion, etc. Actually, SS2 has developed a variety of ways to escape from host immune system during evolution. In particularly, capsule could resist phagocytosis through inhibiting sphingosine dependent immune cell recognition, which plays an important role in escaping host inflammation response; moreover, superoxide dismutase encoding by sod A enables SS2 escaping reactive oxygen species（ROS） in host immune cells; besides, binding complement factor h with Fhb could suppress the activation of complement alternative pathway and bactericidal effect. And SS2 could also hinder the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps（NETs） to avoid trapping by swine neutrophils, while host immune globulin could be degraded by Ig A1 hydrolase and Ig M protease. In addition, SS2 could escape host immune defense with the help of multiple transcriptional factors and micro-RNA. So far, the pathogenesis of meningitis, arthritis caused by SS2 infection, is still unclear, and the virulence regulatory mechanism of phosphorylation, micro-RNA need to be further clarified. Importantly, the study of interaction mechanism of pathogen and host contribute to further demonstration the pathogenesis of SS2.展开更多
对四川猪链球菌2型(S.suis 2)强毒株05ZYH33溶血素样蛋白(hemolysin-like protein,HLP)编码基因hlp进行序列信息分析、分子克隆表达及溶血活性检测,深入探讨HLP的致病机制.用Blast和Clustal X程序对HLP进行基因同源性分析,用Signal P 4....对四川猪链球菌2型(S.suis 2)强毒株05ZYH33溶血素样蛋白(hemolysin-like protein,HLP)编码基因hlp进行序列信息分析、分子克隆表达及溶血活性检测,深入探讨HLP的致病机制.用Blast和Clustal X程序对HLP进行基因同源性分析,用Signal P 4.1和TMHMM Server 2.0分析HLP氨基酸序列.设计合成hlp引物进行PCR扩增,先后将hlp克隆入p MD-18T载体和p ET30a表达载体中,构建p ET30a::hly原核表达质粒.将重组质粒转化至E.coli BL21中诱导表达,并对重组HLP蛋白进行纯化和溶血活性检测.同源性分析表明HLP与多种具有溶血活性的蛋白相似性较高.氨基酸序列分析发现HLP具有信号肽和跨膜区,且由DUF21、CBS和Cor CHly C 3部分组成.序列测定显示hly片段全长1 335 bp,编码445个氨基酸.重组质粒经诱导表达和纯化后电泳显示,HLP分子量约为70 k Da,具有溶血活性.结果表明,HLP是一个膜结合蛋白,不同于能够分泌到细胞外的溶血素Suilysin.重组HLP具有一定的溶血效价,此可能与致病相关.展开更多
Streptococcus suis serotype 2(SS2)is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause acute infection,such as septicemia in pigs and streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome(STSLS)in humans,indicating that SS2 can evade innate immun...Streptococcus suis serotype 2(SS2)is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause acute infection,such as septicemia in pigs and streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome(STSLS)in humans,indicating that SS2 can evade innate immunity.Macrophages perform essential antimicrobial functions in the innate immune system by engulfing and killing pathogens.Previously,a dna K mutant strain that showed impaired phagocytosis resistance ability was screened from the transposon mutant library of SS2,but the specific mechanism is unclear.In this study,we further demonstrated that DnaK was required for SS2 to be antiphagocytosed by macrophages and survive in adverse environments.A mouse challenge experiment indicated that DnaK promoted bacteremia and systemic dissemination of SS2,enhancing bacterial pathogenicity.Western blot and immunofluorescence results indicated that DnaK could be secreted by SS2 and was able to enter RAW264.7 macrophages.Then,the endocytic receptor LRP1 regulated by DnaK was identified through RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq).We found that DnaK decreased both the mRNA and protein levels of LRP1.Knockdown of the LRP1β-chain(LRP1β)significantly decreased the phagocytosis rate of the SS2 strain ZY05719,suggesting that LRP1 is a phagocytic receptor of SS2.Furthermore,inhibitor treatment assays revealed that DnaK decreased LRP1 protein levels through the transcription factor PPARγand the ubiquitin-proteasome system.In summary,DnaK contributes to the phagocytosis resistance of SS2 by decreasing LRP1 protein levels in macrophages,providing new insights into the antiphagocytosis mechanisms of SS2 and helping to understand its pathogenesis.展开更多
Streptococcus suis serotype 2(SS2)is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that causes meningitis in humans and pigs.This pathogen generates substantial economic losses in the swine industry while posing a significant threat ...Streptococcus suis serotype 2(SS2)is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that causes meningitis in humans and pigs.This pathogen generates substantial economic losses in the swine industry while posing a significant threat to public health security.The mechanisms through which SS2 penetrates the brain and induces meningitis remain incompletely understood.This study examines the role and mechanism of SS2 collagenase-like protease(Clp)in facilitating bacterial passage across the blood-brain barrier(BBB).The research demonstrates that SS2 Clp enhanced virulence and tissue colonization while promoting BBB degradation in mice.The Δclp mutant exhibited reduced ability to traverse human brain microvascular endothelial(hCMEC/D3)cell monolayers compared to wild-type SS2,while the addition of recombinant protein rClp increased permeability.Furthermore,rClp significantly enhanced SS2 adhesion to hCMEC/D3,suppressed the expression of intercellular tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin,and Claudin-5 independent of its enzyme activity,and triggered hCMEC/D3 apoptosis through cell receptor ligand apoptosis and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways,partially dependent on its enzyme activity,leading to BBB disruption and enhanced permeability.Additionally,Clp enhanced the infiltration of macrophages(F4/80+),monocytes(F4/80-Ly6C+),and neutrophils(Ly6G+)into the brain following SS2 infection.These findings establish that SS2 Clp is essential for bacterial passage across the BBB,offering a theoretical foundation for improved prevention and treatment strategies for SS2-induced meningitis.展开更多
The Streptococcus suis serotype 2（S. suis 2） isolates 05ZYH33 and 98HAH33 have caused severe human infections in China. Using a strand-specific RNA-seq analysis, we compared the in vitro transcriptomes of these two ...The Streptococcus suis serotype 2（S. suis 2） isolates 05ZYH33 and 98HAH33 have caused severe human infections in China. Using a strand-specific RNA-seq analysis, we compared the in vitro transcriptomes of these two Chinese isolates with that of a reference strain（P1/7）. In the89 K genomic island that is specific to these Chinese isolates, a toxin–antitoxin system showed relatively high levels of transcription among the S. suis. The known virulence factors with high transcriptional activity in these two highly-pathogenic strains are mainly involved in adhesion, biofilm formation, hemolysis and the synthesis and transport of the outer membrane protein. Furthermore,our analysis of novel transcripts identified over 50 protein-coding genes with one of them encoding a toxin protein. We also predicted over 30 small RNAs（s RNAs） in each strain, and most of them are involved in riboswitches. We found that six s RNA candidates that are related to bacterial virulence, including csp A and rli38, are specific to Chinese isolates. These results provide insight into the factors responsible for the difference in virulence among the different S. suis 2 isolates.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U22A20520)the Innovation Team Project of Modern Agricultural Industrial Technology System of Guangdong Province,China(2023KJ119)the Natural Science Foundation Program of Guangdong Province,China(2023A1515012206)。
文摘Streptococcus suis serotype 2(S.suis 2)is a zoonotic pathogen that clinically causes severe swine and human infections(such as meningitis,endocarditis,and septicemia).In order to cause widespread diseases in different organs,S.suis 2 must colonize the host,break the blood barrier,and cause exaggerated inflammation.In the last few years,most studies have focused on a single virulence factor and its influences on the host.Membrane vesicles(MVs)can be actively secreted into the extracellular environment contributing to bacteria-host interactions.Gram-negative bacteria-derived outer membrane vesicles(OMVs)were recently shown to activate host Caspase-11-mediated non-canonical inflammasome pathway via deliverance of OMV-bound lipopolysaccharide(LPS),causing host cell pyroptosis.However,little is known about the effect of the MVs from S.suis 2(Gram-positive bacteria without LPS)on cell pyroptosis.Thus,we investigated the molecular mechanism by which S.suis 2 MVs participate in endothelial cell pyroptosis.In this study,we used proteomics,electron scanning microscopy,fluorescence microscope,Western blotting,and bioassays,to investigate the MVs secreted by S.suis 2.First,we demonstrated that S.suis 2 secreted MVs with an average diameter of 72.04 nm,and 200 proteins in MVs were identified.Then,we showed that MVs were transported to cells via mainly dynamin-dependent endocytosis.The S.suis 2 MVs activated NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD canonical inflammasome signaling pathway,resulting in cell pyroptosis,but it did not activate the Caspase-4/-5 pathway.More importantly,endothelial cells produce large amounts of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and lost their mitochondrial membrane potential under induction by S.suis 2 MVs.The results in this study suggest for the first time that MVs from S.suis 2 were internalized by endothelial cells via mainly dynamin-dependent endocytosis and might promote NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway by mitochondrial damage,which produced mtDNA and ROS under induction,leading to the pyroptosis of endothelial cells.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(31072155)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK2010068)+1 种基金Fund for Independent Innovation of Agricultural Science in Jiangsu Province[CX(11)2060]Special Fund for Agroscientific Research in the Public Interest(201303041)~~
文摘[Objective] This study aimed to establish a method for quantitative detection of mRNA transcriptional level of SS2 adhesive related-factors of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 （SS2） by fluorescent quantitative PCR. []Vlethod] The gene fragments en- coding SS2 adhesive related-factors MRP, FBPS and CPS2J and a housekeeping gene aroA were amplified by reverse transcription PCR from the total RNA of SS2, cloned, and sequenced. The recombinant plasmids containing the target genes were constructed, and used as templates in Real-time PCR. [Result] Dynamic curves, stan- dard curves and melting curves of the adhesive related-factors and aroA were ob- tained by the optimized Real-time PCR system. The standard curves showed a good linear relationship between template copy number and circulation number, and the correlation coefficients （FF） of the standard curves were over 0.995. Also, these as- says were highly specific a^d there was single specific melting peak for every gene. Moreover, the assays were highly sensitive and had a detection limit of 1.0×102 copies in 1 μl of initial templates. Finally, it was highly repeatable and had a coeffi- cient of variation less than 2% for intra-assay. [Conclusion] This study will provide a way to reveal the adhesion mechanism of SS2 to different host cells at molecular level.
基金supported by the grants of the Independent Innovation Fund of Shandong Binzhou Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine Academy (200802)
文摘[ Objective] To obtain detection antigen for diagnosis of Streptococcus suis infection. [ Method] The complete ORF of glutamate dehy- drogenase （GDH） gene was amplified from the genomic DNA of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 strain SC22 isolated in Sichuan Province by poly- merase chain reaction （PCR）. The resulting product was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-30a, which was then transformed into E. coil BL21 （DE3）. The identified positive transformants were screened for expression induced by IPTG. The expression products were subjected to SDS-PAGE and the recombinant protein was purified by nickel ion-agarose affinity chromatography. New Zealand rabbits were immunized with the purified recombinant GDH protein to prepare polyclonal antibodies. Titers of the anti-serum were determined by indirect ELISA and Western blot assay. [ Result] The recombinant GDH protein was effectively expressed in the host bacteria, and highly pure recombinant protein was obtained by nickel ion-agarose affinity chromatography. High-titer anti-serum against the recombinant protein was obtained. As evidenced by western blot as- say, the sera could react specifically with the lysates of all detected Streptococcus suis strains. In addition, the recombinant GDH protein could re- act specifically with serum samples collected from five pigs experimentally infected by strain SC22. [ Conclusion] The expressed GDH fusion protein has some common epitopes of natural GDH and can be used as detection antigen to develop ELISA and other diagnostic methods.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFD0500203)the National Transgenic Major Program of China (2014ZX0800946B)+3 种基金the National NaturalScience Foundation of China (31672574)the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest, China (201403054)the Jiangsu Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Fund, China ([CX (16) 1028])the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, China (PAPD)
文摘Streptococcus suis is one of the major pathogens of swine streptococcosis. Among them, the strongest virulence and highest rate of clinical isolation serotype is S. suis serotype 2（SS2）. Moreover, SS2 is also an important zoonosis pathogen, which caused severe public health issues in China. It has been reported that SS2 has several virulence factors, including muramidase released protein, extracellular factors, capsule, fibronectin-binding protein, enolase, hemolysin, small RNA, biofilm, two-component regulatory systems, STK/STP, etc., whose functions involved in adhesion, anti-phagocytosis, inflammatory pathway activation, invasion, etc. Actually, SS2 has developed a variety of ways to escape from host immune system during evolution. In particularly, capsule could resist phagocytosis through inhibiting sphingosine dependent immune cell recognition, which plays an important role in escaping host inflammation response; moreover, superoxide dismutase encoding by sod A enables SS2 escaping reactive oxygen species（ROS） in host immune cells; besides, binding complement factor h with Fhb could suppress the activation of complement alternative pathway and bactericidal effect. And SS2 could also hinder the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps（NETs） to avoid trapping by swine neutrophils, while host immune globulin could be degraded by Ig A1 hydrolase and Ig M protease. In addition, SS2 could escape host immune defense with the help of multiple transcriptional factors and micro-RNA. So far, the pathogenesis of meningitis, arthritis caused by SS2 infection, is still unclear, and the virulence regulatory mechanism of phosphorylation, micro-RNA need to be further clarified. Importantly, the study of interaction mechanism of pathogen and host contribute to further demonstration the pathogenesis of SS2.
文摘对四川猪链球菌2型(S.suis 2)强毒株05ZYH33溶血素样蛋白(hemolysin-like protein,HLP)编码基因hlp进行序列信息分析、分子克隆表达及溶血活性检测,深入探讨HLP的致病机制.用Blast和Clustal X程序对HLP进行基因同源性分析,用Signal P 4.1和TMHMM Server 2.0分析HLP氨基酸序列.设计合成hlp引物进行PCR扩增,先后将hlp克隆入p MD-18T载体和p ET30a表达载体中,构建p ET30a::hly原核表达质粒.将重组质粒转化至E.coli BL21中诱导表达,并对重组HLP蛋白进行纯化和溶血活性检测.同源性分析表明HLP与多种具有溶血活性的蛋白相似性较高.氨基酸序列分析发现HLP具有信号肽和跨膜区,且由DUF21、CBS和Cor CHly C 3部分组成.序列测定显示hly片段全长1 335 bp,编码445个氨基酸.重组质粒经诱导表达和纯化后电泳显示,HLP分子量约为70 k Da,具有溶血活性.结果表明,HLP是一个膜结合蛋白,不同于能够分泌到细胞外的溶血素Suilysin.重组HLP具有一定的溶血效价,此可能与致病相关.
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFD1800400)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32373018)+2 种基金Jiangsu Agriculture Science and Technology Innovation Fund,China(CX(23)1029)the Excellent Research Innovation Team in Universities in Anhui Province,China(2022AH010088)the Shennong Scholar Project of Anhui Agricultural University,China(rc392101)。
文摘Streptococcus suis serotype 2(SS2)is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause acute infection,such as septicemia in pigs and streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome(STSLS)in humans,indicating that SS2 can evade innate immunity.Macrophages perform essential antimicrobial functions in the innate immune system by engulfing and killing pathogens.Previously,a dna K mutant strain that showed impaired phagocytosis resistance ability was screened from the transposon mutant library of SS2,but the specific mechanism is unclear.In this study,we further demonstrated that DnaK was required for SS2 to be antiphagocytosed by macrophages and survive in adverse environments.A mouse challenge experiment indicated that DnaK promoted bacteremia and systemic dissemination of SS2,enhancing bacterial pathogenicity.Western blot and immunofluorescence results indicated that DnaK could be secreted by SS2 and was able to enter RAW264.7 macrophages.Then,the endocytic receptor LRP1 regulated by DnaK was identified through RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq).We found that DnaK decreased both the mRNA and protein levels of LRP1.Knockdown of the LRP1β-chain(LRP1β)significantly decreased the phagocytosis rate of the SS2 strain ZY05719,suggesting that LRP1 is a phagocytic receptor of SS2.Furthermore,inhibitor treatment assays revealed that DnaK decreased LRP1 protein levels through the transcription factor PPARγand the ubiquitin-proteasome system.In summary,DnaK contributes to the phagocytosis resistance of SS2 by decreasing LRP1 protein levels in macrophages,providing new insights into the antiphagocytosis mechanisms of SS2 and helping to understand its pathogenesis.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021FYD1800405)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32072823).
文摘Streptococcus suis serotype 2(SS2)is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that causes meningitis in humans and pigs.This pathogen generates substantial economic losses in the swine industry while posing a significant threat to public health security.The mechanisms through which SS2 penetrates the brain and induces meningitis remain incompletely understood.This study examines the role and mechanism of SS2 collagenase-like protease(Clp)in facilitating bacterial passage across the blood-brain barrier(BBB).The research demonstrates that SS2 Clp enhanced virulence and tissue colonization while promoting BBB degradation in mice.The Δclp mutant exhibited reduced ability to traverse human brain microvascular endothelial(hCMEC/D3)cell monolayers compared to wild-type SS2,while the addition of recombinant protein rClp increased permeability.Furthermore,rClp significantly enhanced SS2 adhesion to hCMEC/D3,suppressed the expression of intercellular tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin,and Claudin-5 independent of its enzyme activity,and triggered hCMEC/D3 apoptosis through cell receptor ligand apoptosis and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways,partially dependent on its enzyme activity,leading to BBB disruption and enhanced permeability.Additionally,Clp enhanced the infiltration of macrophages(F4/80+),monocytes(F4/80-Ly6C+),and neutrophils(Ly6G+)into the brain following SS2 infection.These findings establish that SS2 Clp is essential for bacterial passage across the BBB,offering a theoretical foundation for improved prevention and treatment strategies for SS2-induced meningitis.
基金supported by the CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology of China (Grant No. 2009CASPMI-007) to DZthe National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81201700) to DZ
文摘The Streptococcus suis serotype 2（S. suis 2） isolates 05ZYH33 and 98HAH33 have caused severe human infections in China. Using a strand-specific RNA-seq analysis, we compared the in vitro transcriptomes of these two Chinese isolates with that of a reference strain（P1/7）. In the89 K genomic island that is specific to these Chinese isolates, a toxin–antitoxin system showed relatively high levels of transcription among the S. suis. The known virulence factors with high transcriptional activity in these two highly-pathogenic strains are mainly involved in adhesion, biofilm formation, hemolysis and the synthesis and transport of the outer membrane protein. Furthermore,our analysis of novel transcripts identified over 50 protein-coding genes with one of them encoding a toxin protein. We also predicted over 30 small RNAs（s RNAs） in each strain, and most of them are involved in riboswitches. We found that six s RNA candidates that are related to bacterial virulence, including csp A and rli38, are specific to Chinese isolates. These results provide insight into the factors responsible for the difference in virulence among the different S. suis 2 isolates.
