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Di YP, Kuhn JM, Mangoni ML. Lung antimicrobial proteins and peptides: from host defense to therapeutic strategies. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:1643-1677. [PMID: 39052018 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00039.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Representing severe morbidity and mortality globally, respiratory infections associated with chronic respiratory diseases, including complicated pneumonia, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are a major public health concern. Lung health and the prevention of pulmonary disease rely on the mechanisms of airway surface fluid secretion, mucociliary clearance, and adequate immune response to eradicate inhaled pathogens and particulate matter from the environment. The antimicrobial proteins and peptides contribute to maintaining an antimicrobial milieu in human lungs to eliminate pathogens and prevent them from causing pulmonary diseases. The predominant antimicrobial molecules of the lung environment include human α- and β-defensins and cathelicidins, among numerous other host defense molecules with antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity such as PLUNC (palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone) family proteins, elafin, collectins, lactoferrin, lysozymes, mucins, secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor, surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D, and RNases. It has been demonstrated that changes in antimicrobial molecule expression levels are associated with regulating inflammation, potentiating exacerbations, pathological changes, and modifications in chronic lung disease severity. Antimicrobial molecules also display roles in both anticancer and tumorigenic effects. Lung antimicrobial proteins and peptides are promising alternative therapeutics for treating and preventing multidrug-resistant bacterial infections and anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanpu Peter Di
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Jenna Marie Kuhn
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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2
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Tegehall A, Ingvast S, Krogvold L, Dahl-Jørgensen K, Korsgren O. Reduced expression of central innate defense molecules in pancreatic biopsies from subjects with Type 1 diabetes. Acta Diabetol 2024; 61:1117-1127. [PMID: 38717484 PMCID: PMC11379773 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-024-02286-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Defensins play a crucial role in the innate immune system's first defense against microbial threats. However, little is known about the defensin system in the pancreas, especially in relation to Type 1 diabetes. We explore the expression of defensins in different disease stages of Type 1 diabetes and correlated obtained findings to the degree of inflammation, providing new insights into the disease and the innate immune system. MATERIAL AND METHODS Pancreases from non-diabetic human organ donors of different age groups and donors with Type 1 diabetes with different disease duration were examined. Sections from head, body and tail of the pancreas were stained for eight different defensins and for immune cells; CD3+, CD45+, CD68+ and NES+ (granulocytes). RESULTS In non-diabetic adult controls the level of expression for defensins Beta-1,Alpha-1, Cathelicidin and REG3A correlated with the level of inflammation. In contrast, individuals with Type 1 diabetes exhibit a reduction or absence of several central defensins regardless of the level of inflammation in their pancreas. The expression of Cathelicidin is present in neutrophils and macrophages but not in T-cells in subjects with Type 1 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Obtained findings suggest a pancreatic dysfunction in the innate immune system and the bridging to the adaptive system in Type 1 diabetes. Further studies on the role of the local innate immune system in Type 1 diabetes is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angie Tegehall
- Rudbeck Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Sofie Ingvast
- Rudbeck Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Krogvold
- Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Knut Dahl-Jørgensen
- Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olle Korsgren
- Rudbeck Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
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Yada N, Zhang Q, Bignotti A, Ye Z, Zheng XL. ADAMTS13 or Caplacizumab Reduces the Accumulation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and Thrombus in Whole Blood of COVID-19 Patients under Flow. Thromb Haemost 2024; 124:725-738. [PMID: 38272066 PMCID: PMC11260255 DOI: 10.1055/a-2253-9359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neutrophil NETosis and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a critical role in pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated thrombosis. However, the extents and reserve of NETosis, and potential of thrombus formation under shear in whole blood of patients with COVID-19 are not fully elucidated. Neither has the role of recombinant ADAMTS13 or caplacizumab on the accumulation of NETs and thrombus in COVID-19 patients' whole blood under shear been investigated. METHODS Flow cytometry and microfluidic assay, as well as immunoassays, were employed for the study. RESULTS We demonstrated that the percentage of H3Cit + MPO+ neutrophils, indicative of NETosis, was dramatically increased in patients with severe but not critical COVID-19 compared with that in asymptomatic or mild disease controls. Upon stimulation with poly [I:C], a double strain DNA mimicking viral infection, or bacterial shigatoxin-2, the percentage of H3Cit + MPO+ neutrophils was not significantly increased in the whole blood of severe and critical COVID-19 patients compared with that of asymptomatic controls, suggesting the reduction in NETosis reserve in these patients. Microfluidic assay demonstrated that the accumulation of NETs and thrombus was significantly enhanced in the whole blood of severe/critical COVID-19 patients compared with that of asymptomatic controls. Like DNase I, recombinant ADAMTS13 or caplacizumab dramatically reduced the NETs accumulation and thrombus formation under arterial shear. CONCLUSION Significantly increased neutrophil NETosis, reduced NETosis reserve, and enhanced thrombus formation under arterial shear may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated coagulopathy. Recombinant ADAMTS13 or caplacizumab may be explored for the treatment of COVID-19-associated thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noritaka Yada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kanas City, Kansas, United States
| | - Quan Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kanas City, Kansas, United States
| | - Antonia Bignotti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kanas City, Kansas, United States
| | - Zhan Ye
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kanas City, Kansas, United States
| | - X. Long Zheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kanas City, Kansas, United States
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Developmental Sciences, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kanas City, Kansas, United States
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4
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Suzuki H, Novak J. IgA Nephropathy: Significance of IgA1-Containing Immune Complexes in Clinical Settings. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4495. [PMID: 39124764 PMCID: PMC11313413 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13154495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is considered to be an autoimmune disease characterized by the formation of IgA1-containing immune complexes in the circulation and glomerular immunodeposits. Extensive research has identified multiple genetic, immunological, and environmental factors contributing to disease development and progression. The pathogenesis of IgAN is considered a multifactorial process involving the formation of immune complexes wherein aberrantly O-glycosylated IgA1 is recognized as an autoantigen. Consequently, the clinical presentation of IgAN is highly variable, with a wide spectrum of manifestations ranging from isolated microscopic hematuria or episodic macroscopic hematuria to nephrotic-range proteinuria. Whereas some patients may exhibit a slowly progressive form of IgAN, others may present with a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis leading to kidney failure. Development of the treatment for IgAN requires an understanding of the characteristics of the pathogenic IgA1-containing immune complexes that enter the glomerular mesangium and induce kidney injury. However, not all details of the mechanisms involved in the production of galactose-deficient IgA1 and immune-complex formation are fully understood. Here, we review what we have learned about the characteristics of nephritogenic IgA1 in the half-century since the first description of IgAN in 1968.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Suzuki
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, 2-1-1 Tomioka, Urayasu 279-0021, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jan Novak
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Andrés MT, Fierro P, Antuña V, Fierro JF. The Antimicrobial Activity of Human Defensins at Physiological Non-Permeabilizing Concentrations Is Caused by the Inhibition of the Plasma Membrane H +-ATPases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7335. [PMID: 39000442 PMCID: PMC11242853 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Human defensins are cysteine-rich peptides (Cys-rich peptides) of the innate immune system. Defensins contain an ancestral structural motif (i.e., γ-core motif) associated with the antimicrobial activity of natural Cys-rich peptides. In this study, low concentrations of human α- and β-defensins showed microbicidal activity that was not associated with cell membrane permeabilization. The cell death pathway was similar to that previously described for human lactoferrin, also an immunoprotein containing a γ-core motif. The common features were (1) cell death not related to plasma membrane (PM) disruption, (2) the inhibition of microbicidal activity via extracellular potassium, (3) the influence of cellular respiration on microbicidal activity, and (4) the influence of intracellular pH on bactericidal activity. In addition, in yeast, we also observed (1) partial K+-efflux mediated via Tok1p K+-channels, (2) the essential role of mitochondrial ATP synthase in cell death, (3) the increment of intracellular ATP, (4) plasma membrane depolarization, and (5) the inhibition of external acidification mediated via PM Pma1p H+-ATPase. Similar features were also observed with BM2, an antifungal peptide that inhibits Pma1p H+-ATPase, showing that the above coincident characteristics were a consequence of PM H+-ATPase inhibition. These findings suggest, for the first time, that human defensins inhibit PM H+-ATPases at physiological concentrations, and that the subsequent cytosolic acidification is responsible for the in vitro microbicidal activity. This mechanism of action is shared with human lactoferrin and probably other antimicrobial peptides containing γ-core motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- María T. Andrés
- Laboratory of Oral Microbiology (LMO), University Clinic of Dentistry (CLUO), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; (M.T.A.); (P.F.); (V.A.)
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
- SamerLabs SL, Asturias Technology Park, 33428 Llanera, Spain
| | - Patricia Fierro
- Laboratory of Oral Microbiology (LMO), University Clinic of Dentistry (CLUO), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; (M.T.A.); (P.F.); (V.A.)
- Primary Care Emergency Service, Cantabrian Health Service, 39000 Santander, Spain
| | - Victoria Antuña
- Laboratory of Oral Microbiology (LMO), University Clinic of Dentistry (CLUO), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; (M.T.A.); (P.F.); (V.A.)
| | - José F. Fierro
- Laboratory of Oral Microbiology (LMO), University Clinic of Dentistry (CLUO), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; (M.T.A.); (P.F.); (V.A.)
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
- Deparment of Functional Biology (Microbiology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
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Lueschow-Guijosa SR, Stanford AH, Berger JN, Gong H, Boly TJ, Jensen BA, Nordkild P, Leegwater AJ, Wehkamp J, Underwood MA, McElroy SJ. Host defense peptides human β defensin 2 and LL-37 ameliorate murine necrotizing enterocolitis. iScience 2024; 27:109993. [PMID: 38846005 PMCID: PMC11154634 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of preterm infant morbidity and mortality. Treatment for NEC is limited and non-targeted, which makes new treatment and prevention strategies critical. Host defense peptides (HDPs) are essential components of the innate immune system and have multifactorial mechanisms in host defense. LL-37 and hBD2 are two HDPs that have been shown in prior literature to protect from neonatal sepsis-induced mortality or adult inflammatory bowel disease, respectively. Therefore, this article sought to understand if these two HDPs could influence NEC severity in murine preclinical models. NEC was induced in P14-16 C57Bl/6 mice and HDPs were provided as a pretreatment or treatment. Both LL-37 and hBD2 resulted in decreased NEC injury scores as a treatment and hBD2 as a pretreatment. Our data suggest LL-37 functions through antimicrobial properties, while hBD2 functions through decreases in inflammation and improvement of intestinal barrier integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy H. Stanford
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jennifer N. Berger
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USA
| | - Huiyu Gong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Timothy J. Boly
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Benjamin A.H. Jensen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Jan Wehkamp
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mark A. Underwood
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA
| | - Steven J. McElroy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA
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7
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Melicherčík P, Mazura M, Hodík M, Dundrová K, Landor I, Jahoda D, Horváth R, Barták V, Kizek R, Klapková E. Synovial fluid alpha-defensins in Lyme arthritis-a useful marker. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2024:10.1007/s12223-024-01173-0. [PMID: 38869776 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-024-01173-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Lyme arthritis, one of the possible late manifestations of Lyme borreliosis, predominantly affects the supporting joints and in adults most often occurs in the form of monoarthritis of the knee. Early diagnosis is based on clinical findings and serology. PCR detection of Borrelia in synovial fluid has become an integral part of the laboratory testing algorithm. The clinical presentation and inflammatory markers in Lyme arthritis can resemble septic arthritis. Determining the levels of alpha-defensins (human neutrophil peptide (HNP 1-3)) in synovial fluid by liquid chromatography is a highly sensitive method revealing the presence of inflammatory process. Between 2020 and 2022, we examined eleven patients with Lyme arthritis of the knee. We measured levels of HNP 1-3 from synovial fluid by HPLC in patients, and we compared it with the corresponding C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in paired serum samples. In patients diagnosed with Lyme arthritis, HNP 1-3 levels in synovial fluid ranged from 2.5 to 261 mg/L, with a median of 46.5 mg/L. Average serum CRP was 43 mg/L. The results show that elevated HNP 1-3 can be consistent with not only septic arthritis or systemic disease, but also with Lyme arthritis, especially in patients with negative culture and 16S PCR from synovial fluid. Final diagnosis must be verified by examination for anti-Borrelia antibodies from serum and synovial fluid. The aim of this work is to introduce an HPLC method for the determination of alpha-defensins as one of the possible diagnostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Melicherčík
- Department of Orthopedics, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Matěj Mazura
- Department of Orthopedics, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Hodík
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kamila Dundrová
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Landor
- Department of Orthopedics, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - David Jahoda
- Department of Orthopedics, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Rudolf Horváth
- Department of Rheumatology of Children and Adults, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vladislav Barták
- Department of Orthopedics, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - René Kizek
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Klapková
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic.
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8
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Zhao C, Porter JM, Burke PC, Arnberg N, Smith JG. Alpha-defensin binding expands human adenovirus tropism. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012317. [PMID: 38900833 PMCID: PMC11230588 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian α-defensins are a family of abundant effector peptides of the mucosal innate immune system. Although primarily considered to be antimicrobial, α-defensins can increase rather than block infection by certain prominent bacterial and viral pathogens in cell culture and in vivo. We have shown previously that exposure of mouse and human adenoviruses (HAdVs) to α-defensins is able to overcome competitive inhibitors that block cell binding, leading us to hypothesize a defensin-mediated binding mechanism that is independent of known viral receptors. To test this hypothesis, we used genetic approaches to demonstrate that none of several primary receptors nor integrin co-receptors are needed for human α-defensin-mediated binding of HAdV to cells; however, infection remains integrin dependent. Thus, our studies have revealed a novel pathway for HAdV binding to cells that bypasses viral primary receptors. We speculate that this pathway functions in parallel with receptor-mediated entry and contributes to α-defensin-enhanced infection of susceptible cells. Remarkably, we also found that in the presence of α-defensins, HAdV tropism is expanded to non-susceptible cells, even when viruses are exposed to a mixture of both susceptible and non-susceptible cells. Therefore, we propose that in the presence of sufficient concentrations of α-defensins, such as in the lung or gut, integrin expression rather than primary receptor expression will dictate HAdV tropism in vivo. In summary, α-defensins may contribute to tissue tropism not only through the neutralization of susceptible viruses but also by allowing certain defensin-resistant viruses to bind to cells independently of previously described mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Jessica M. Porter
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Phillip C. Burke
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Niklas Arnberg
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Division of Virology and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jason G. Smith
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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9
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Zhao C, Porter JM, Burke PC, Arnberg N, Smith JG. Alpha-defensin binding expands human adenovirus tropism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.30.596681. [PMID: 38854108 PMCID: PMC11160700 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.30.596681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian α-defensins are a family of abundant effector peptides of the mucosal innate immune system. Although primarily considered to be antimicrobial, α-defensins can increase rather than block infection by certain prominent bacterial and viral pathogens in cell culture and in vivo . We have shown previously that exposure of mouse and human adenoviruses (HAdVs) to α-defensins is able to overcome competitive inhibitors that block cell binding, leading us to hypothesize a defensin-mediated binding mechanism that is independent of known viral receptors. To test this hypothesis, we used genetic approaches to demonstrate that none of several primary receptors nor integrin co-receptors are needed for human α-defensin-mediated binding of HAdV to cells; however, infection remains integrin dependent. Thus, our studies have revealed a novel pathway for HAdV binding to cells that bypasses viral primary receptors. We speculate that this pathway functions in parallel with receptor-mediated entry and contributes to α-defensin-enhanced infection of susceptible cells. Remarkably, we also found that in the presence of α-defensins, HAdV tropism is expanded to non-susceptible cells, even when viruses are exposed to a mixture of both susceptible and non-susceptible cells. Therefore, we propose that in the presence of sufficient concentrations of α-defensins, such as in the lung or gut, integrin expression rather than primary receptor expression will dictate HAdV tropism in vivo . In summary, α-defensins may contribute to tissue tropism not only through the neutralization of susceptible viruses but also by allowing certain defensin-resistant viruses to bind to cells independently of previously described mechanisms. Author Summary In this study, we demonstrate a novel mechanism for binding of human adenoviruses (HAdVs) to cells that is dependent upon interactions with α-defensin host defense peptides but is independent of known viral receptors and co-receptors. To block normal receptor-mediated HAdV infection, we made genetic changes to both host cells and HAdVs. Under these conditions, α-defensins restored cell binding; however, infection still required the function of HAdV integrin co-receptors. This was true for multiple types of HAdVs that use different primary receptors and for cells that are either naturally devoid of HAdV receptors or were engineered to be receptor deficient. These observations suggest that in the presence of concentrations of α-defensins that would be found naturally in the lung or intestine, there are two parallel pathways for HAdV binding to cells that converge on integrins for productive infection. Moreover, these binding pathways function independently, and both operate in mixed culture. Thus, we have found that viruses can co-opt host defense molecules to expand their tropism.
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10
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Kasper R, Rodriguez-Alfonso A, Ständker L, Wiese S, Schneider EM. Major endothelial damage markers identified from hemadsorption filters derived from treated patients with septic shock - endoplasmic reticulum stress and bikunin may play a role. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1359097. [PMID: 38698864 PMCID: PMC11063272 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1359097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In septic patients the damage of the endothelial barrier is decisive leading to circulatory septic shock with disseminated vascular coagulation, edema and multiorgan failure. Hemadsorption therapy leads to rapid resolution of clinical symptoms. We propose that the isolation of proteins adsorbed to hemadsorption devices contributes to the identification of mediators responsible for endothelial barrier dysfunction. Material and methods Plasma materials enriched to hemadsorption filters (CytoSorb®) after therapy of patients in septic shock were fractionated and functionally characterized for their effect on cell integrity, viability, proliferation and ROS formation by human endothelial cells. Fractions were further studied for their contents of oxidized nucleic acids as well as peptides and proteins by mass spectrometry. Results Individual fractions exhibited a strong effect on endothelial cell viability, the endothelial layer morphology, and ROS formation. Fractions with high amounts of DNA and oxidized DNA correlated with ROS formation in the target endothelium. In addition, defined proteins such as defensins (HNP-1), SAA1, CXCL7, and the peptide bikunin were linked to the strongest additive effects in endothelial damage. Conclusion Our results indicate that hemadsorption is efficient to transiently remove strong endothelial damage mediators from the blood of patients with septic shock, which explains a rapid clinical improvement of inflammation and endothelial function. The current work indicates that a combination of stressors leads to the most detrimental effects. Oxidized ssDNA, likely derived from mitochondria, SAA1, the chemokine CXCL7 and the human neutrophil peptide alpha-defensin 1 (HNP-1) were unique for their significant negative effect on endothelial cell viability. However, the strongest damage effect occurred, when, bikunin - cleaved off from alpha-1-microglobulin was present in high relative amounts (>65%) of protein contents in the most active fraction. Thus, a relevant combination of stressors appears to be removed by hemadsorption therapy which results in fulminant and rapid, though only transient, clinical restitution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Kasper
- Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Armando Rodriguez-Alfonso
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics (CUMP), Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wiese
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics (CUMP), Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - E. Marion Schneider
- Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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11
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Hujoel MLA, Handsaker RE, Sherman MA, Kamitaki N, Barton AR, Mukamel RE, Terao C, McCarroll SA, Loh PR. Protein-altering variants at copy number-variable regions influence diverse human phenotypes. Nat Genet 2024; 56:569-578. [PMID: 38548989 PMCID: PMC11018521 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01684-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Copy number variants (CNVs) are among the largest genetic variants, yet CNVs have not been effectively ascertained in most genetic association studies. Here we ascertained protein-altering CNVs from UK Biobank whole-exome sequencing data (n = 468,570) using haplotype-informed methods capable of detecting subexonic CNVs and variation within segmental duplications. Incorporating CNVs into analyses of rare variants predicted to cause gene loss of function (LOF) identified 100 associations of predicted LOF variants with 41 quantitative traits. A low-frequency partial deletion of RGL3 exon 6 conferred one of the strongest protective effects of gene LOF on hypertension risk (odds ratio = 0.86 (0.82-0.90)). Protein-coding variation in rapidly evolving gene families within segmental duplications-previously invisible to most analysis methods-generated some of the human genome's largest contributions to variation in type 2 diabetes risk, chronotype and blood cell traits. These results illustrate the potential for new genetic insights from genomic variation that has escaped large-scale analysis to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux L A Hujoel
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Robert E Handsaker
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maxwell A Sherman
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Serinus Biosciences Inc., New York, NY, USA
| | - Nolan Kamitaki
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alison R Barton
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ronen E Mukamel
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Chikashi Terao
- Laboratory for Statistical and Translational Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Clinical Research Center, Shizuoka General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
- Department of Applied Genetics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Steven A McCarroll
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Po-Ru Loh
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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12
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Anooja VV, Archana K, Athira PP, Anju MV, Neelima S, Muhammed Musthafa S, Dhaneesha M, Sajeevan TP, Singh ISB, Philip R. Antibacterial activity and modes of action of a novel hepcidin isoform from the shrimp scad, Alepes djedaba (Forsskål, 1775). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 146:109406. [PMID: 38278338 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Hepcidin, initially identified in human blood ultrafiltrate as cysteine rich Liver Expressed Antimicrobial Peptide (LEAP-1), is a core molecular conduit between iron trafficking and immune response. Though a great share of studies has been focused on the iron regulatory function of hepcidins, investigations on the antimicrobial aspects are relatively less. The present study is aimed at identification of hepcidin from a teleost fish, Alepes djedaba followed by its recombinant expression, testing antibacterial property, stability and evaluation of cytotoxicity. Modes of action on bacterial pathogens were also examined. A novel hepcidin isoform, Ad-Hep belonging to the HAMP1 (Hepcidin antimicrobial peptide 1) group of hepcidins was identified from the shrimp scad, Alepes djedaba. Ad-Hep with 2.9 kDa size was found to be a cysteine rich, cationic peptide (+4) with antiparallel beta sheet conformation, a furin cleavage site (RXXR) and 'ATCUN' motif. It was heterologously expressed in E. coli Rosettagami B(DE3)PLysS cells and the recombinant peptide, rAd-Hep was found to have significant antibacterial activity, especially against Edwardsiella tarda, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Escherichia coli. Membrane depolarization followed by membrane permeabilization and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production were found to be the modes of action of rAd-Hep on bacterial cells. Ad-Hep was found to be non-haemolytic to hRBC and non-cytotoxic in mammalian cell line. Stability of the peptide at varying temperature, pH and metal salts qualify them for applications in vivo. With significant bactericidal activity coupled with direct killing mechanisms, the rAd-Hep can be a promising drug candidate for therapeutic applications in medicine and fish culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- V V Anooja
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, 682016, Kerala, India
| | - K Archana
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, 682016, Kerala, India
| | - P P Athira
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, 682016, Kerala, India
| | - M V Anju
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, 682016, Kerala, India
| | - S Neelima
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, 682016, Kerala, India
| | - S Muhammed Musthafa
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, 682016, Kerala, India
| | - M Dhaneesha
- National Center for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, 682016, Kerala, India
| | - T P Sajeevan
- National Center for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, 682016, Kerala, India
| | - I S Bright Singh
- National Center for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, 682016, Kerala, India
| | - Rosamma Philip
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, 682016, Kerala, India.
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13
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Mendoza-Martínez GD, Orzuna-Orzuna JF, Roque-Jiménez JA, Gloria-Trujillo A, Martínez-García JA, Sánchez-López N, Hernández-García PA, Lee-Rangel HA. A Polyherbal Mixture with Nutraceutical Properties for Ruminants: A Meta-Analysis and Review of BioCholine Powder. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:667. [PMID: 38473052 PMCID: PMC11154432 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BioCholine Powder is a polyherbal feed additive composed of Achyrantes aspera, Trachyspermum ammi, Azadirachta indica, and Citrullus colocynthis. The objective of this study was to analyze published results that support the hypothesis that the polyherbal product BioCholine Powder has rumen bypass choline metabolites through a meta-analysis and effect size analysis (ES). Using Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and university dissertation databases, a systematic search was conducted for experiments published in scientific documents that evaluated the effects of BioCholine supplementation on the variables of interest. The analyzed data were extracted from twenty-one publications (fifteen scientific articles, three abstracts, and three graduate dissertations available in institutional libraries). The studies included lamb growing-finishing, lactating ewes and goats, calves, and dairy cows. The effects of BioCholine were analyzed using random effects statistical models to compare the weighted mean difference (WMD) between BioCholine-supplemented ruminants and controls (no BioCholine). Heterogeneity was explored, and three subgroup analyses were performed for doses [(4 (or 5 g/d), 8 (10 g/d)], supplementation in gestating and lactating ewes (pre- and postpartum supplementation), and blood metabolites by species and physiological state (lactating goats, calves, lambs, ewes). Supplementation with BioCholine in sheep increased the average daily lamb gain (p < 0.05), final body weight (p < 0.01), and daily milk yield (p < 0.05) without effects on intake or feed conversion. Milk yield was improved in small ruminants with BioCholine prepartum supplementation (p < 0.10). BioCholine supplementation decreased blood urea (p < 0.01) and increased levels of the liver enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT; p < 0.10) and albumin (p < 0.001). BioCholine doses over 8 g/d increased blood glucose, albumin (p < 0.10), cholesterol, total protein, and globulin (p < 0.05). The ES values of BioCholine in retained energy over the control in growing lambs were +7.15% NEm (p < 0.10) and +9.25% NEg (p < 0.10). In conclusion, adding BioCholine Powder to domestic ruminants' diets improves productive performance, blood metabolite indicators of protein metabolism, and liver health, showing its nutraceutical properties where phosphatidylcholine prevails as an alternative that can meet the choline requirements in ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán David Mendoza-Martínez
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana—Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico; (G.D.M.-M.); (J.A.R.-J.); (A.G.-T.); (J.A.M.-G.); (N.S.-L.)
| | | | - José Alejandro Roque-Jiménez
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana—Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico; (G.D.M.-M.); (J.A.R.-J.); (A.G.-T.); (J.A.M.-G.); (N.S.-L.)
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ejido Nuevo León, Mexicali 21705, Mexico
| | - Adrián Gloria-Trujillo
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana—Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico; (G.D.M.-M.); (J.A.R.-J.); (A.G.-T.); (J.A.M.-G.); (N.S.-L.)
| | - José Antonio Martínez-García
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana—Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico; (G.D.M.-M.); (J.A.R.-J.); (A.G.-T.); (J.A.M.-G.); (N.S.-L.)
| | - Nallely Sánchez-López
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana—Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico; (G.D.M.-M.); (J.A.R.-J.); (A.G.-T.); (J.A.M.-G.); (N.S.-L.)
| | | | - Héctor Aaron Lee-Rangel
- Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Centro de Biociencias, Instituto de Investigaciones en Zonas Desérticas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., Soledad de Graciano Sánchez 78000, Mexico;
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14
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Madarati H, Singh K, Sparring T, Andrisani P, Liaw PC, Fox-Robichaud AE, Kretz CA. REVIEWING THE DYSREGULATION OF ADAMTS13 AND VWF IN SEPSIS. Shock 2024; 61:189-196. [PMID: 38150358 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000002291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by excessive host response to infection, and represents the most common cause of in-hospital deaths. Sepsis accounts for 30% of all critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), and has a global mortality rate of 20%. Activation of blood coagulation during sepsis and septic shock can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation, which is characterized by microvascular thrombosis. Von Willebrand factor (VWF) and ADAMTS13 are two important regulators of blood coagulation that may be important links between sepsis and mortality in the ICU. Herein we review our current understanding of VWF and ADAMTS13 in sepsis and other critical illnesses and discuss their contribution to disease pathophysiology, their use as markers of severe illness, and potential targets for new therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasam Madarati
- Department of Medicine and the Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Dwivedi M, Parmar MD, Mukherjee D, Yadava A, Yadav H, Saini NP. Biochemistry, Mechanistic Intricacies, and Therapeutic Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides: An Alternative to Traditional Antibiotics. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:6110-6139. [PMID: 37818561 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673268458230926105224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of drug-resistant strains of pathogens becomes a major obstacle to treating human diseases. Antibiotics and antivirals are in the application for a long time but now these drugs are not much effective anymore against disease-causing drugresistant microbes and gradually it is becoming a serious complication worldwide. The development of new antibiotics cannot be a stable solution to treat drug-resistant strains due to their evolving nature and escaping antibiotics. At this stage, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) may provide us with novel therapeutic leads against drug-resistant pathogens. Structurally, antimicrobial peptides are mostly α-helical peptide molecules with amphiphilic properties that carry the positive charge (cationic) and belong to host defense peptides. These positively charged AMPs can interact with negatively charged bacterial cell membranes and may cause the alteration in electrochemical potential on bacterial cell membranes and consequently lead to the death of microbial cells. In the present study, we will elaborate on the implication of AMPs in the treatment of various diseases along with their specific structural and functional properties. This review will provide information which assists in the development of new synthetic peptide analogues to natural AMPs. These analogues will eliminate the limitations of natural AMPs like toxicity and severe hemolytic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Dwivedi
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, 226028, India
| | - Meet Dineshbhai Parmar
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | | | - Anuradha Yadava
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, 226028, India
| | - Hitendra Yadav
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, 226028, India
| | - Nandini Pankaj Saini
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, 226028, India
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16
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Lee M, Suzuki H, Ogiwara K, Aoki R, Kato R, Nakayama M, Fukao Y, Nihei Y, Kano T, Makita Y, Muto M, Yamada K, Suzuki Y. The nucleotide-sensing Toll-Like Receptor 9/Toll-Like Receptor 7 system is a potential therapeutic target for IgA nephropathy. Kidney Int 2023; 104:943-955. [PMID: 37648155 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The progression determinants of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are still not fully elucidated. We have previously demonstrated that the mucosal activation of toll-like receptor (TLR) 9, which senses microbial unmethylated CpG DNA, influences progression by producing aberrantly glycosylated IgA. However, numerous recent reports of patients with IgAN presenting with gross hematuria after the mRNA vaccination for coronavirus disease 2019 suggest that the RNA-sensing system also exacerbates IgAN. Here, we investigated whether TLR7, which recognizes microbial RNA, is also involved in IgAN progression using a murine model and tonsil tissue from 53 patients with IgAN compared to samples from 40 patients with chronic tonsillitis and 12 patients with sleep apnea syndrome as controls. We nasally administered imiquimod, the ligand of TLR7, to IgAN-prone ddY mice and found that TLR7 stimulation elevated the serum levels of aberrantly glycosylated IgA and induced glomerular IgA depositions and proteinuria. Co-administered hydroxychloroquine, which inhibits TLRs, canceled the kidney injuries. In vitro, stimulating splenocytes from ddY mice with imiquimod increased interleukin-6 and aberrantly glycosylated IgA levels. The expression of TLR7 in the tonsils was elevated in patients with IgAN and positively correlated with that of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) involved in the production of aberrantly glycosylated IgA. Mechanistically, TLR7 stimulation enhanced the synthesis of aberrantly glycosylated IgA through the modulation of enzymes involved in the glycosylation of IgA. Thus, our findings suggest that nucleotide-sensing TLR9 and TLR7 play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Hence, nucleotide-sensing TLRs could be reasonably strong candidates for disease-specific therapeutic targets in IgAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfeng Lee
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Suzuki
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Kei Ogiwara
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Aoki
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rina Kato
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maiko Nakayama
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Fukao
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Nihei
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiki Kano
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Makita
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Muto
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koshi Yamada
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Suzuki
- Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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17
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Hu CT, Diaz K, Yang LC, Sharma A, Greenberg HB, Smith JG. Corrected and republished from: "VP4 Is a Determinant of Alpha-Defensin Modulation of Rotaviral Infection". J Virol 2023; 97:e0096223. [PMID: 37787534 PMCID: PMC10617384 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00962-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrhea in young children. Like other fecal-oral pathogens, rotaviruses encounter abundant, constitutively expressed defensins in the small intestine. These peptides are a vital part of the vertebrate innate immune system. By investigating the impact that defensins from multiple species have on the infectivity of different strains of rotavirus, we show that some rotaviral infections can be inhibited by defensins. We also found that rotaviruses may have evolved resistance to defensins in the intestine of their host species, and some even appropriate defensins to increase their infectivity. Because rotaviruses infect a broad range of animals and rotaviral infections are highly prevalent in children, identifying immune defenses against infection and how they vary across species and among viral genotypes is important for our understanding of the evolution, transmission, and zoonotic potential of these viruses as well as the improvement of vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciara T. Hu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Karina Diaz
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Linda C. Yang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Harry B. Greenberg
- Department of Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jason G. Smith
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
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18
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Giblin SP, Ranawana S, Hassibi S, Birchenough HL, Mincham KT, Snelgrove RJ, Tsuchiya T, Kanegasaki S, Dyer D, Pease JE. CXCL17 binds efficaciously to glycosaminoglycans with the potential to modulate chemokine signaling. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1254697. [PMID: 37942327 PMCID: PMC10628517 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1254697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction CXCL17 is a mucosally secreted protein, and the most recently identified human chemokine, an assignment based on protein fold prediction and chemotactic activity for leukocytes. However, these credentials have been the subject of much recent discussion and no experimental evidence has been presented regarding the definitive structure of CXCL17. In this study, we evaluated the structural and chemoattractant credentials of CXCL17 to better characterize this molecule, and gain deeper insights into its functional role as a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) binding protein. Methods In the absence of structural information, in silico modeling techniques assessed the likelihood of CXCL17 adopting a chemokine fold. Recombinant CXCL17 was synthesized in mammalian and prokaryotic systems. Modified Boyden chamber and real-time chemotaxis assays assessed the ability of CXCL17 to promote chemotaxis of murine splenocytes, human neutrophils, and CXCR1 transfectants. The efficacy of CXCL17 binding to GAGs was quantified with solid-phase assays and bio-layer interferometry techniques. Results All modeling efforts failed to support classification of CXCL17 as a chemokine based on its predicted conformation. Recombinant CXCL17 was observed to dimerize as a function of concentration, a characteristic of several chemokines. Contrary to a previous report, CXCL17 was not chemotactic for murine splenocytes, although it was a low-potency chemoattractant for human neutrophils at micromolar concentrations, several orders of magnitude higher than those required for CXCL8. As anticipated owing to its highly basic nature, CXCL17 bound to GAGs robustly, with key C-terminal motifs implicated in this process. While inactive via CXCR1, CXCL17 was found to inhibit CXCR1-mediated chemotaxis of transfectants to CXCL8 in a dose-dependent manner. Discussion In summary, despite finding little evidence for chemokine-like structure and function, CXCL17 readily bound GAGs, and could modulate chemotactic responses to another chemokine in vitro. We postulate that such modulation is a consequence of superior GAG binding, and that C-terminal fragments of CXCL17 may serve as prototypic inhibitors of chemokine function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean P. Giblin
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sashini Ranawana
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shyreen Hassibi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Holly L. Birchenough
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kyle T. Mincham
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert J. Snelgrove
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tomoko Tsuchiya
- Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | | | - Douglas Dyer
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance NHS Group, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - James E. Pease
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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19
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Mourenza A, Ganesan R, Camarero JA. Resistance is futile: targeting multidrug-resistant bacteria with de novo Cys-rich cyclic polypeptides. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:722-735. [PMID: 37799576 PMCID: PMC10549238 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00015j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The search for novel antimicrobial agents to combat microbial pathogens is intensifying in response to rapid drug resistance development to current antibiotic therapeutics. The use of disulfide-rich head-to-tail cyclized polypeptides as molecular frameworks for designing a new type of peptide antibiotics is gaining increasing attention among the scientific community and the pharmaceutical industry. The use of macrocyclic peptides, further constrained by the presence of several disulfide bonds, makes these peptide frameworks remarkably more stable to thermal, biological, and chemical degradation showing better activities when compared to their linear analogs. Many of these novel peptide scaffolds have been shown to have a high tolerance to sequence variability in those residues not involved in disulfide bonds, able to cross biological membranes, and efficiently target complex biomolecular interactions. Hence, these unique properties make the use of these scaffolds ideal for many biotechnological applications, including the design of novel peptide antibiotics. This article provides an overview of the new developments in the use of several disulfide-rich cyclic polypeptides, including cyclotides, θ-defensins, and sunflower trypsin inhibitor peptides, among others, in the development of novel antimicrobial peptides against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Mourenza
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy Los Angeles CA90033 USA +1-(323) 442-1417
| | - Rajasekaran Ganesan
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy Los Angeles CA90033 USA +1-(323) 442-1417
| | - Julio A Camarero
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy Los Angeles CA90033 USA +1-(323) 442-1417
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California Los Angeles CA90033 USA
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20
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Rangel K, Lechuga GC, Provance DW, Morel CM, De Simone SG. An Update on the Therapeutic Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides against Acinetobacter baumannii Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1281. [PMID: 37765087 PMCID: PMC10537560 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The rise in antibiotic-resistant strains of clinically important pathogens is a major threat to global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the urgent need to develop alternative treatments to address the growing list of priority pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) rank among the suggested options with proven activity and high potential to be developed into effective drugs. Many AMPs are naturally produced by living organisms protecting the host against pathogens as a part of their innate immunity. Mechanisms associated with AMP actions include cell membrane disruption, cell wall weakening, protein synthesis inhibition, and interference in nucleic acid dynamics, inducing apoptosis and necrosis. Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical pathogen, as severe clinical implications have developed from isolates resistant to current antibiotic treatments and conventional control procedures, such as UV light, disinfectants, and drying. Here, we review the natural AMPs representing primary candidates for new anti-A. baumannii drugs in post-antibiotic-era and present computational tools to develop the next generation of AMPs with greater microbicidal activity and reduced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyne Rangel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - David W. Provance
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos M. Morel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Salvatore G. De Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Science and Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 22040-036, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Parasitic Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
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21
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Fu J, Zong X, Jin M, Min J, Wang F, Wang Y. Mechanisms and regulation of defensins in host defense. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:300. [PMID: 37574471 PMCID: PMC10423725 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01553-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As a family of cationic host defense peptides, defensins are mainly synthesized by Paneth cells, neutrophils, and epithelial cells, contributing to host defense. Their biological functions in innate immunity, as well as their structure and activity relationships, along with their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential, have been of great interest in recent years. To highlight the key research into the role of defensins in human and animal health, we first describe their research history, structural features, evolution, and antimicrobial mechanisms. Next, we cover the role of defensins in immune homeostasis, chemotaxis, mucosal barrier function, gut microbiota regulation, intestinal development and regulation of cell death. Further, we discuss their clinical relevance and therapeutic potential in various diseases, including infectious disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and obesity, chronic inflammatory lung disease, periodontitis and cancer. Finally, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the nutrient-dependent regulation of defensins, including fatty acids, amino acids, microelements, plant extracts, and probiotics, while considering the clinical application of such regulation. Together, the review summarizes the various biological functions, mechanism of actions and potential clinical significance of defensins, along with the challenges in developing defensins-based therapy, thus providing crucial insights into their biology and potential clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Fu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xin Zong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Mingliang Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Junxia Min
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Fudi Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Basic Medical Sciences, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
| | - Yizhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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22
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Blanchet X, Weber C, von Hundelshausen P. Chemokine Heteromers and Their Impact on Cellular Function-A Conceptual Framework. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10925. [PMID: 37446102 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoattractant cytokines or chemokines are proteins involved in numerous biological activities. Their essential role consists of the formation of gradient and (immune) cell recruitment. Chemokine biology and its related signaling system is more complex than simple ligand-receptor interactions. Beside interactions with their cognate and/or atypical chemokine receptors, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), chemokines form complexes with themselves as homo-oligomers, heteromers and also with other soluble effector proteins, including the atypical chemokine MIF, carbohydrate-binding proteins (galectins), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) or with chemokine-binding proteins such as evasins. Likewise, nucleic acids have been described as binding targets for the tetrameric form of CXCL4. The dynamic balance between monomeric and dimeric structures, as well as interactions with GAGs, modulate the concentrations of free chemokines available along with the nature of the gradient. Dimerization of chemokines changes the canonical monomeric fold into two main dimeric structures, namely CC- and CXC-type dimers. Recent studies highlighted that chemokine dimer formation is a frequent event that could occur under pathophysiological conditions. The structural changes dictated by chemokine dimerization confer additional biological activities, e.g., biased signaling. The present review will provide a short overview of the known functionality of chemokines together with the consequences of the interactions engaged by the chemokines with other proteins. Finally, we will present potential therapeutic tools targeting the chemokine multimeric structures that could modulate their biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Blanchet
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, 80636 Munich, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Philipp von Hundelshausen
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, 80636 Munich, Germany
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23
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Lee J, Chang DS, Kim J, Hwang YS. Alpha-Defensin 1: An Emerging Periodontitis Biomarker. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2143. [PMID: 37443537 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13132143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Research on the development of reliable diagnostic targets is being conducted to overcome the high prevalence and difficulty in managing periodontitis. However, despite the development of various periodontitis target markers, their practical application has been limited due to poor diagnostic accuracy. In this study, we present an improved periodontitis diagnostic target and explore its role in periodontitis. Methods: Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected from healthy individuals and periodontitis patients, and proteomic analysis was performed. The target marker levels for periodontitis were quantified in GCF samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) were used for the osteoclast formation assay. Results: LC-MS/MS analysis of whole GCF showed that the level of alpha-defensin 1 (DEFA-1) was higher in periodontitis GCF than in healthy GCF. The comparison of periodontitis target proteins galactin-10, ODAM, and azurocidin proposed in other studies found that the difference in DEFA-1 levels was the largest between healthy and periodontitis GCF, and periodontitis was more effectively distinguished. The differentiation of RANKL-induced BMMs into osteoclasts was significantly reduced by recombinant DEFA-1 (rDEFA-1). Conclusions: These results suggest the regulatory role of DEFA-1 in the periodontitis process and the relevance of DEFA-1 as a diagnostic target for periodontitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisuk Lee
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam 13135, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Sik Chang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University, Daejeon 35233, Republic of Korea
| | - Junsu Kim
- Seoul Hana Dental Clinic, Seongnam 13636, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Sun Hwang
- Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam 13135, Republic of Korea
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24
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Hujoel ML, Handsaker RE, Sherman MA, Kamitaki N, Barton AR, Mukamel RE, Terao C, McCarroll SA, Loh PR. Hidden protein-altering variants influence diverse human phenotypes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.07.544066. [PMID: 37333244 PMCID: PMC10274781 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.07.544066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Structural variants (SVs) comprise the largest genetic variants, altering from 50 base pairs to megabases of DNA. However, SVs have not been effectively ascertained in most genetic association studies, leaving a key gap in our understanding of human complex trait genetics. We ascertained protein-altering SVs from UK Biobank whole-exome sequencing data (n=468,570) using haplotype-informed methods capable of detecting sub-exonic SVs and variation within segmental duplications. Incorporating SVs into analyses of rare variants predicted to cause gene loss-of-function (pLoF) identified 100 associations of pLoF variants with 41 quantitative traits. A low-frequency partial deletion of RGL3 exon 6 appeared to confer one of the strongest protective effects of gene LoF on hypertension risk (OR = 0.86 [0.82-0.90]). Protein-coding variation in rapidly-evolving gene families within segmental duplications-previously invisible to most analysis methods-appeared to generate some of the human genome's largest contributions to variation in type 2 diabetes risk, chronotype, and blood cell traits. These results illustrate the potential for new genetic insights from genomic variation that has escaped large-scale analysis to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux L.A. Hujoel
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert E. Handsaker
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maxwell A. Sherman
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nolan Kamitaki
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alison R. Barton
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ronen E. Mukamel
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Chikashi Terao
- Laboratory for Statistical and Translational Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Clinical Research Center, Shizuoka General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
- Department of Applied Genetics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Steven A. McCarroll
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Po-Ru Loh
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
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25
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Makwana P, Rahul K, Ito K, Subhadra B. Diversity of Antimicrobial Peptides in Silkworm. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051161. [PMID: 37240807 DOI: 10.3390/life13051161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a phenomenon that the present-day world is witnessing that poses a serious threat to global health. The decline in the development of novel therapeutics over the last couple of decades has exacerbated the situation further. In this scenario, the pursuit of new alternative therapeutics to commonly used antibiotics has gained predominance amongst researchers across the world. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from natural sources have drawn significant interest in the recent years as promising pharmacological substitutes over the conventional antibiotics. The most notable advantage of AMPs is that microorganisms cannot develop resistance to them. Insects represent one of the potential sources of AMPs, which are synthesized as part of an innate immune defence against invading pathogens. AMPs from different insects have been extensively studied, and silkworm is one of them. Diverse classes of AMPs (including attacins, cecropins, defensins, enbocins, gloverins, lebocins and moricins) were identified from silkworm that exhibit antimicrobial property against bacteria, fungi and viruses, indicating their potential therapeutic benefits. This review briefs about the immune responses of silkworm to invading pathogens, the isolation of AMPs from silkworms, AMPs reported in silkworms and their activity against various microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Makwana
- Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Berhampore, Murshidabad 742101, West Bengal, India
| | - Kamidi Rahul
- Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Berhampore, Murshidabad 742101, West Bengal, India
| | - Katsuhiko Ito
- Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Department of Science of Biological Production, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu-shi 183-8509, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Bindu Subhadra
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Long Island University, Brookville, New York, NY 11548, USA
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26
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Siebert HC, Eckert T, Bhunia A, Klatte N, Mohri M, Siebert S, Kozarova A, Hudson JW, Zhang R, Zhang N, Li L, Gousias K, Kanakis D, Yan M, Jiménez-Barbero J, Kožár T, Nifantiev NE, Vollmer C, Brandenburger T, Kindgen-Milles D, Haak T, Petridis AK. Blood pH Analysis in Combination with Molecular Medical Tools in Relation to COVID-19 Symptoms. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051421. [PMID: 37239092 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 provided the stage to accumulate an enormous biomedical data set and an opportunity as well as a challenge to test new concepts and strategies to combat the pandemic. New research and molecular medical protocols may be deployed in different scientific fields, e.g., glycobiology, nanopharmacology, or nanomedicine. We correlated clinical biomedical data derived from patients in intensive care units with structural biology and biophysical data from NMR and/or CAMM (computer-aided molecular modeling). Consequently, new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches against SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated. Specifically, we tested the suitability of incretin mimetics with one or two pH-sensitive amino acid residues as potential drugs to prevent or cure long-COVID symptoms. Blood pH values in correlation with temperature alterations in patient bodies were of clinical importance. The effects of biophysical parameters such as temperature and pH value variation in relation to physical-chemical membrane properties (e.g., glycosylation state, affinity of certain amino acid sequences to sialic acids as well as other carbohydrate residues and lipid structures) provided helpful hints in identifying a potential Achilles heel against long COVID. In silico CAMM methods and in vitro NMR experiments (including 31P NMR measurements) were applied to analyze the structural behavior of incretin mimetics and SARS-CoV fusion peptides interacting with dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles. These supramolecular complexes were analyzed under physiological conditions by 1H and 31P NMR techniques. We were able to observe characteristic interaction states of incretin mimetics, SARS-CoV fusion peptides and DPC membranes. Novel interaction profiles (indicated, e.g., by 31P NMR signal splitting) were detected. Furthermore, we evaluated GM1 gangliosides and sialic acid-coated silica nanoparticles in complex with DPC micelles in order to create a simple virus host cell membrane model. This is a first step in exploring the structure-function relationship between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and incretin mimetics with conserved pH-sensitive histidine residues in their carbohydrate recognition domains as found in galectins. The applied methods were effective in identifying peptide sequences as well as certain carbohydrate moieties with the potential to protect the blood-brain barrier (BBB). These clinically relevant observations on low blood pH values in fatal COVID-19 cases open routes for new therapeutic approaches, especially against long-COVID symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Christian Siebert
- RI-B-NT-Research Institute of Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, Schauenburgerstr. 116, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Eckert
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Applied Sciences Fresenius, Limburger Str. 2, 65510 Idstein, Germany
- RISCC-Research Institute for Scientific Computing and Consulting, Ludwig-Schunk-Str. 15, 35452 Heuchelheim, Germany
- Institut für Veterinärphysiologie und Biochemie, Fachbereich Veterinärmedizin, Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen, Frankfurter Str. 100, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Anirban Bhunia
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Nele Klatte
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Applied Sciences Fresenius, Limburger Str. 2, 65510 Idstein, Germany
| | - Marzieh Mohri
- RI-B-NT-Research Institute of Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, Schauenburgerstr. 116, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Simone Siebert
- RI-B-NT-Research Institute of Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, Schauenburgerstr. 116, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Anna Kozarova
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - John W Hudson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Ruiyan Zhang
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Lan Li
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Rüttenscheid, Alfried-Krupp-Straße 21, 45131 Essen, Germany
| | - Konstantinos Gousias
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Klinikum Lünen, St.-Marien-Hospital, Akad. Lehrkrankenhaus der Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, 44534 Lünen, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Kanakis
- Institute of Pathology, University of Nicosia Medical School, 2408 Egkomi, Cyprus
| | - Mingdi Yan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | | | - Tibor Kožár
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation Park, P. J. Šafárik University, Jesenná 5, 04001 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Nikolay E Nifantiev
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Chemistry, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 47, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Christian Vollmer
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Timo Brandenburger
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Detlef Kindgen-Milles
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Haak
- Diabetes Klinik Bad Mergentheim, Theodor-Klotzbücher-Str. 12, 97980 Bad Mergentheim, Germany
| | - Athanasios K Petridis
- Medical School, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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27
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Choi KY, Cheung JKW, Wong GTK, Li PH, Chan SSH, Lam TC, Chan HHL. Myopia Control Efficacy and Long-Term Safety of a Novel Orthokeratology Lens (MESOK Study)-A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Combining Clinical and Tear Proteomics Data. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12093210. [PMID: 37176650 PMCID: PMC10179394 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12093210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Myopia control efficacy and long-term safety of the Breath-O-Correct orthokeratology (OK) lens was evaluated in a 2-year randomized, single vision (SV) spectacle lens-controlled, single-blind clinical trial combining clinical and tear proteomics data. A total of 71 children (43 OK, 9.8 ± 1.3 years; 28 SV, 9.5 ± 1.4 years) completed the 2-year study. Axial length (AL), cycloplegic refraction, clinical safety parameters (best-corrected visual acuity, central cornea thickness, corneal endothelial health, ocular surface disease index), and quantitative tear proteomics were evaluated by masked examiners. Mean 2-year-normalized AL elongations in the OK and SV groups differed significantly (p = 0.03) and were 0.37 ± 0.37 mm and 0.60 ± 0.41 mm, respectively. OK-mediated myopia control efficacy was 37.1%. No significant difference was found in clinical safety parameters of both groups (p > 0.10), except for a thinner central corneal thickness in the OK group (p = 0.01). Proteomics revealed modest OK lens-mediated effects on immune response proteins, including an increased abundance of haptoglobin at 6 and 12 months and a decreased abundance of two proteins (neutrophil defensin 3 and histone 4) at 6 months. The changes were further validated using a high-resolution multiple-reaction monitoring (MRMHR) mass spectrometry. In summary, the Breath-O-Correct OK lens significantly reduced AL elongation in schoolchildren without adverse clinical effects or subclinical inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Yip Choi
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jimmy K W Cheung
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), 17W Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Gigi T K Wong
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Peter H Li
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), 17W Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sonia S H Chan
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Thomas C Lam
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), 17W Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Henry H L Chan
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), 17W Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
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28
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Thimmappa PY, Vasishta S, Ganesh K, Nair AS, Joshi MB. Neutrophil (dys)function due to altered immuno-metabolic axis in type 2 diabetes: implications in combating infections. Hum Cell 2023:10.1007/s13577-023-00905-7. [PMID: 37115481 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-023-00905-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic and inflammatory pathways are highly interdependent, and both systems are dysregulated in Type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D is associated with pre-activated inflammatory signaling networks, aberrant cytokine production and increased acute phase reactants which leads to a pro-inflammatory 'feed forward loop'. Nutrient 'excess' conditions in T2D with hyperglycemia, elevated lipids and branched-chain amino acids significantly alter the functions of immune cells including neutrophils. Neutrophils are metabolically active cells and utilizes energy from glycolysis, stored glycogen and β-oxidation while depending on the pentose phosphate pathway for NADPH for performing effector functions such as chemotaxis, phagocytosis and forming extracellular traps. Metabolic changes in T2D result in constitutive activation and impeded acquisition of effector or regulatory activities of neutrophils and render T2D subjects for recurrent infections. Increased flux through the polyol and hexosamine pathways, elevated production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and activation of protein kinase C isoforms lead to (a) an enhancement in superoxide generation; (b) the stimulation of inflammatory pathways and subsequently to (c) abnormal host responses. Neutrophil dysfunction diminishes the effectiveness of wound healing, successful tissue regeneration and immune surveillance against offending pathogens. Hence, Metabolic reprogramming in neutrophils determines frequency, severity and duration of infections in T2D. The present review discusses the influence of the altered immuno-metabolic axis on neutrophil dysfunction along with challenges and therapeutic opportunities for clinical management of T2D-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Yedehalli Thimmappa
- Department of Ageing Research, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Planetarium Complex, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Sampara Vasishta
- Department of Ageing Research, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Planetarium Complex, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Kailash Ganesh
- Department of Ageing Research, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Planetarium Complex, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Aswathy S Nair
- Department of Ageing Research, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Planetarium Complex, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Manjunath B Joshi
- Department of Ageing Research, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Planetarium Complex, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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Brink KR, Hunt MG, Mu AM, Groszman K, Hoang KV, Lorch KP, Pogostin BH, Gunn JS, Tabor JJ. An E. coli display method for characterization of peptide-sensor kinase interactions. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:451-459. [PMID: 36482094 PMCID: PMC10065900 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01207-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria use two-component system (TCS) signaling pathways to sense and respond to peptides involved in host defense, quorum sensing and inter-bacterial warfare. However, little is known about the broad peptide-sensing capabilities of TCSs. In this study, we developed an Escherichia coli display method to characterize the effects of human antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) on the pathogenesis-regulating TCS PhoPQ of Salmonella Typhimurium with much higher throughput than previously possible. We found that PhoPQ senses AMPs with diverse sequences, structures and biological functions. We further combined thousands of displayed AMP variants with machine learning to identify peptide sub-domains and biophysical features linked to PhoPQ activation. Most of the newfound AMP activators induce PhoPQ in S. Typhimurium, suggesting possible roles in virulence regulation. Finally, we present evidence that PhoPQ peptide-sensing specificity has evolved across commensal and pathogenic bacteria. Our method enables new insights into the specificities, mechanisms and evolutionary dynamics of TCS-mediated peptide sensing in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R Brink
- Ph.D. Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maxwell G Hunt
- Ph.D. Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew M Mu
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ken Groszman
- Operations Research Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ky V Hoang
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kevin P Lorch
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - John S Gunn
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Tabor
- Ph.D. Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
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Porter JM, Oswald MS, Sharma A, Emmanuel S, Kansol A, Bennett A, McKenna R, Smith JG. A Single Surface-Exposed Amino Acid Determines Differential Neutralization of AAV1 and AAV6 by Human Alpha-Defensins. J Virol 2023; 97:e0006023. [PMID: 36916912 PMCID: PMC10062168 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00060-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are being developed as gene therapy vectors due to their low pathogenicity and tissue tropism properties. However, the efficacy of these vectors is impeded by interactions with the host immune system. One potential immune barrier to vector transduction is innate immune host defense peptides, such as alpha-defensins, which are potent antiviral agents against other nonenveloped viruses. To investigate the interaction between AAVs and alpha-defensins, we utilized two closely related AAV serotypes, AAV1 and AAV6. Although their capsids differ by only six residues, these two serotypes exhibit markedly different tissue tropisms and transduction efficiencies. Using two abundant human alpha-defensins, enteric human defensin 5 (HD5) and myeloid human neutrophil peptide 1 (HNP1), we found both serotype-specific and defensin-specific effects on AAV infection. AAV6 infection was uniformly neutralized by both defensins at low micromolar concentrations; however, inhibition of AAV1 infection was profoundly influenced by the timing of defensin exposure to the virus relative to viral attachment to the cell. Remarkably, these differences in the defensin-dependent infection phenotype between the viruses are completely dictated by the identity of a single, surface-exposed amino acid (position 531) that varies between the two serotypes. These findings reveal a determinant for defensin activity against a virus with unprecedented precision. Furthermore, they provide a rationale for the investigation of other AAV serotypes not only to understand the mechanism of neutralization of defensins against AAVs but also to design more efficient vectors. IMPORTANCE The ability of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to infect and deliver genetic material to a range of cell types makes them favorable gene therapy vectors. However, AAV vectors encounter a wide variety of host immune factors throughout the body, which can impede efficient gene delivery. One such group of factors is the alpha-defensins, which are a key component of the innate immune system that can directly block viral infection. By studying the impact that alpha-defensins have on AAV infection, we found that two similar AAV serotypes (AAV1 and AAV6) have different sensitivities to inhibition. We also identified a single amino acid (position 531) that differs between the two AAV serotypes and is responsible for mediating their defensin sensitivity. By investigating the effects that host immune factors have on AAV infection, more efficient vectors may be developed to evade intervention by the immune system prior to gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M. Porter
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mackenzi S. Oswald
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shanan Emmanuel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Austin Kansol
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Antonette Bennett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Robert McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jason G. Smith
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Jandl NM, Kleiss S, Mussawy H, Beil FT, Hubert J, Rolvien T. Absolute synovial polymorphonuclear neutrophil cell count as a biomarker of periprosthetic joint infection. Bone Joint J 2023; 105-B:373-381. [PMID: 36924172 DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.105b4.bjj-2022-0628.r1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the absolute synovial polymorphonuclear neutrophil cell (PMN) count for the diagnosis or exclusion of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total hip (THA) or knee arthroplasty (TKA). In this retrospective cohort study, 147 consecutive patients with acute or chronic complaints following THA and TKA were included. Diagnosis of PJI was established based on the 2018 International Consensus Meeting criteria. A total of 39 patients diagnosed with PJI (32 chronic and seven acute) and 108 patients with aseptic complications were surgically revised. Using receiver operating characteristic curves and calculating the area under the curve (AUC), an optimal synovial cut-off value of 2,000 PMN/µl was determined (AUC 0.978 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.946 to 1)). Using this cut-off, sensitivity and specificity of absolute synovial PMN count for PJI were 97.4% (95% CI 91.2 to 100) and 93.5% (95% CI 88.9 to 98.1), respectively. Positive and negative predictive value were 84.4% (95% CI 72.7 to 93.9) and 99.0% (95% CI 96.7 to 100), respectively. Exclusion of 20 patients with acute complications improved specificity to 97.9% (95% CI 94.6 to 100). Different cut-off values for THA (< 3,600 PMN/µl) and TKA (< 2,000 PMN/µl) were identified. Absolute synovial PMN count correlated strongly with synovial alpha-defensin (AD) (r = 0.759; p < 0.001). With a positive AD result, no additional PJI could be identified in any case. Absolute synovial PMN count is a widely available, rapid, cost-effective, and accurate marker in PJI diagnostics, whereas synovial AD appears to be a surrogate parameter of absolute synovial PMN count. Despite limitations in the early postoperative phase, wear, and rheumatic diseases in confirming PJI, an absolute synovial PMN count below 2,000/µl is highly suitable for ruling out PJI, with specific cut-off values for THA and TKA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico M Jandl
- Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kleiss
- Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Haider Mussawy
- Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank T Beil
- Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Hubert
- Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tim Rolvien
- Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Defensin Interactions in Relation to Monoclonal and Disease-Related Proteinase 3 Antibodies Binding at the Catalytic Site. Antibodies (Basel) 2023; 12:antib12010023. [PMID: 36975370 PMCID: PMC10044823 DOI: 10.3390/antib12010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteinase 3 (PR3) is a neutrophil granulocyte enzyme and an autoantigen found in several forms of vasculitis. Due to the diagnostic and clinical importance of antibodies (Abs) to PR3, it is important to characterize the protein and the nature of its epitopes. Here, we have characterized PR3 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and disease-associated Abs and their dependency on the PR3 structure and modifications, especially interactions with α-defensins. Three MAbs (HYB 172-01, 172-04, 172-05), which bind to PR3 in its native and denatured forms and provide the disulphide bridges, were intact. α-1-antitrypsin (AT) binds to purified human neutrophil granulocyte PR3 and inhibits its proteolytic activity, towards a small synthetic peptide substrate and a large protein substrate (casein). AT also inhibited the binding of the three MAbs to PR3, indicating that they bind in a region affected by AT binding. However, the MAbs did not inhibit PR3 proteolytic activity with a small substrate, showing that they bound at the active site without restricting access to the substrate cleft. Patient-derived Abs showed essentially the same characteristics as the MAbs, with important implications for vasculitis diagnostics and pathophysiology. Current findings illustrate that PR3 epitopes depend on the three-dimensional structure of the PR3/defensin complex, and that the epitopes depend to a smaller or larger degree on PR3/defensin associations.
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Role of Defensins in Tumor Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065268. [PMID: 36982340 PMCID: PMC10049535 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensins have long been considered as merely antimicrobial peptides. Throughout the years, more immune-related functions have been discovered for both the α-defensin and β-defensin subfamily. This review provides insights into the role of defensins in tumor immunity. Since defensins are present and differentially expressed in certain cancer types, researchers started to unravel their role in the tumor microenvironment. The human neutrophil peptides have been demonstrated to be directly oncolytic by permealizing the cell membrane. Further, defensins can inflict DNA damage and induce apoptosis of tumor cells. In the tumor microenvironment, defensins can act as chemoattractants for subsets of immune cells, such as T cells, immature dendritic cells, monocytes and mast cells. Additionally, by activating the targeted leukocytes, defensins generate pro-inflammatory signals. Moreover, immuno-adjuvant effects have been reported in a variety of models. Therefore, the action of defensins reaches beyond their direct antimicrobial effect, i.e., the lysis of microbes invading the mucosal surfaces. By causing an increase in pro-inflammatory signaling events, cell lysis (generating antigens) and attraction and activation of antigen presenting cells, defensins could have a relevant role in activating the adaptive immune system and generating anti-tumor immunity, and could thus contribute to the success of immune therapy.
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Memariani H, Memariani M. Antibiofilm properties of cathelicidin LL-37: an in-depth review. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:99. [PMID: 36781570 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03545-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Notwithstanding ceaseless endeavors toward developing effective antibiofilm chemotherapeutics, biofilm-associated infections continue to be one of the most perplexing challenges confronting medicine today. Endogenous host defense peptides, such as the human cathelicidin LL-37, are being propounded as promising options for treating such infectious diseases. Over the past decennium, LL-37 has duly received tremendous research attention by virtue of its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and immunomodulatory properties. No attempt has hitherto been made, as far as we are aware, to comprehensively review the antibiofilm effects of LL-37. Accordingly, the intent in this paper is to provide a fairly all-embracing review of the literature available on the subject. Accumulating evidence suggests that LL-37 is able to prevent biofilm establishment by different bacterial pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides fragilis, Burkholderia thailandensis, Cutibacterium acnes, Escherichia coli, Francisella tularensis, Helicobacter pylori, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Inhibition of bacterial adhesion, downregulation of biofilm-associated genes, suppression of quorum-sensing pathways, degradation of biofilm matrix, and eradication of biofilm-residing cells are the major mechanisms responsible for antibiofilm properties of LL-37. In terms of its efficacy and safety in vivo, there are still many questions to be answered. Undoubtedly, LL-37 can open up new windows of opportunity to prevent and treat obstinate biofilm-mediated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Memariani
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Memariani
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Morio KA, Sternowski RH, Brogden KA. Induction of Endogenous Antimicrobial Peptides to Prevent or Treat Oral Infection and Inflammation. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020361. [PMID: 36830272 PMCID: PMC9952314 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics are often used to treat oral infections. Unfortunately, excessive antibiotic use can adversely alter oral microbiomes and promote the development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, which can be difficult to treat. An alternate approach could be to induce the local transcription and expression of endogenous oral antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). To assess the feasibility and benefits of this approach, we conducted literature searches to identify (i) the AMPs expressed in the oral cavity; (ii) the methods used to induce endogenous AMP expression; and (iii) the roles that expressed AMPs may have in regulating oral inflammation, immunity, healing, and pain. Search results identified human neutrophil peptides (HNP), human beta defensins (HBD), and cathelicidin AMP (CAMP) gene product LL-37 as prominent AMPs expressed by oral cells and tissues. HNP, HBD, and LL-37 expression can be induced by micronutrients (trace elements, elements, and vitamins), nutrients, macronutrients (mono-, di-, and polysaccharides, amino acids, pyropeptides, proteins, and fatty acids), proinflammatory agonists, thyroid hormones, and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, red light, or near infrared radiation (NIR). Localized AMP expression can help reduce infection, inflammation, and pain and help oral tissues heal. The use of a specific inducer depends upon the overall objective. Inducing the expression of AMPs through beneficial foods would be suitable for long-term health protection. Additionally, the specialized metabolites or concentrated extracts that are utilized as dosage forms would maintain the oral and intestinal microbiome composition and control oral and intestinal infections. Inducing AMP expression using irradiation methodologies would be applicable to a specific oral treatment area in addition to controlling local infections while regulating inflammatory and healing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kim A. Brogden
- College of Dentistry, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Correspondence:
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Akahoshi DT, Natwick DE, Yuan W, Lu W, Collins SR, Bevins CL. Flagella-driven motility is a target of human Paneth cell defensin activity. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011200. [PMID: 36821624 PMCID: PMC9990921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In the mammalian intestine, flagellar motility can provide microbes competitive advantage, but also threatens the spatial segregation established by the host at the epithelial surface. Unlike microbicidal defensins, previous studies indicated that the protective activities of human α-defensin 6 (HD6), a peptide secreted by Paneth cells of the small intestine, resides in its remarkable ability to bind microbial surface proteins and self-assemble into protective fibers and nets. Given its ability to bind flagellin, we proposed that HD6 might be an effective inhibitor of bacterial motility. Here, we utilized advanced automated live cell fluorescence imaging to assess the effects of HD6 on actively swimming Salmonella enterica in real time. We found that HD6 was able to effectively restrict flagellar motility of individual bacteria. Flagellin-specific antibody, a classic inhibitor of flagellar motility that utilizes a mechanism of agglutination, lost its activity at low bacterial densities, whereas HD6 activity was not diminished. A single amino acid variant of HD6 that was able to bind flagellin, but not self-assemble, lost ability to inhibit flagellar motility. Together, these results suggest a specialized role of HD6 self-assembly into polymers in targeting and restricting flagellar motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas T. Akahoshi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Dean E. Natwick
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Weirong Yuan
- Institute of Human Virology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Wuyuan Lu
- Institute of Human Virology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sean R. Collins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Charles L. Bevins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
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Mouse α-Defensins: Structural and Functional Analysis of the 17 Cryptdin Isoforms Identified from a Single Jejunal Crypt. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0036122. [PMID: 36472443 PMCID: PMC9872612 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00361-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse α-defensins, better known as cryptdins, are host protective antimicrobial peptides produced in the intestinal crypt by Paneth cells. To date, more than 20 cryptdin mRNAs have been identified from mouse small intestine, of which the first six cryptdins (Crp1 to Crp6) have been isolated and characterized at the peptide level. We quantified bactericidal activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus of the 17 cryptdin isoforms identified by Ouellette and colleagues from a single jejunal crypt (A. J. Ouellette et al., Infect Immun 62:5040-5047, 1994), along with linearized analogs of Crp1, Crp4, and Crp14. In addition, we analyzed the most potent and weakest cryptdins in the panel with respect to their ability to self-associate in solution. Finally, we solved, for the first time, the high-resolution crystal structure of a cryptdin, Crp14, and performed molecular dynamics simulation on Crp14 and a hypothetical mutant, T14K-Crp14. Our results indicate that mutational effects are highly dependent on cryptdin sequence, residue position, and bacterial strain. Crp14 adopts a disulfide-stabilized, three-stranded β-sheet core structure and forms a noncanonical dimer stabilized by asymmetrical interactions between the two β1 strands in parallel. The killing of E. coli by cryptdins is generally independent of their tertiary and quaternary structures that are important for the killing of S. aureus, which is indicative of two distinct mechanisms of action. Importantly, sequence variations impact the bactericidal activity of cryptdins by influencing their ability to self-associate in solution. This study expands our current understanding of how cryptdins function at the molecular level.
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Huang C, Lou C, Zheng X, Pang L, Wang G, Zhu M, Dai X, Wang J, Tu M, Xu W, Chen Z, Gao H, Xu L. Plasma human neutrophil peptides as biomarkers of disease severity and mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Liver Int 2023; 43:1096-1106. [PMID: 36648384 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Human neutrophil peptides (HNP)-1, -2 and -3 are the most abundant proteins in neutrophil azurophilic granules and are rapidly released via neutrophil degranulation upon activation. The aims of our study were to assess the role of HNP1-3 as biomarkers of disease severity in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and their value in predicting short-term mortality. METHODS In this study, 451 patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis (AD) were enrolled at the two medical centres. Overall, 281 patients were enrolled as the training cohort from October 2015 to April 2019, and 170 patients were enrolled as the validation cohort from June 2020 to February 2021. Plasma HNP1-3 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Plasma HNP1-3 increased stepwise with disease severity (compensated cirrhosis: 0.3 (0.2-0.4); AD without acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF): 1.9 (1.3-4.8); ACLF-1: 2.3 (1.8-6.1); ACLF-2: 5.6 (2.9-12.3); ACLF-3: 10.3 (5.7-17.2) ng/ml). From the multivariate Cox regression analysis, HNP1-3 emerged as independent predictors of mortality at 30 and 90 days. Similar results were observed in the subgroup analysis. On ROC analysis, plasma HNP1-3 showed better predictive accuracy for 30- and 90-day mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.850 and 0.885, respectively) than the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and similar accuracy as end-stage liver disease (MELD: 0.881 and 0.874) and chronic liver failure-sequential organ failure (CLIF-SOFA: 0.887 and 0.878). CONCLUSIONS Plasma HNP1-3 levels were closely associated with disease severity and might be used to identify patients with AD at high risk of short-term mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhong Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Congcong Lou
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lantian Pang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengfei Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiahong Dai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingmin Tu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hainv Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lichen Xu
- Department of Nephrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Ju J, Liu Y, Liang H, Yang B. The role of pyroptosis in endothelial dysfunction induced by diseases. Front Immunol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1093985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Most organs in the body rely on blood flow, and vesicular damage is the leading cause of injury in multiple organs. The endothelium, as the barriers of vessels, play a critical role in ensuring vascular homeostasis and angiogenesis. The rapid development of risk factors in endothelial injuries has been seen in the past decade, such as smoking, infectious, and diabetes mellites. Pyroptotic endothelium is an inflammatory mode of governed endothelial cell death that depend on the metabolic disorder and severe infectious such as atherosclerosis, and sepsis-related acute lung injury, respectively. Pyroptotic endothelial cells need GSDMD cleaved into N- and C-terminal by caspase1, and the cytokines are released by a pore constructed by the N-terminal of GSDMD in the membrane of ECs, finally resulting in severe inflammation and pyroptotic cell death. This review will focus on the patho-physiological and pharmacological pathways of pyroptotic endothelial metabolism in diseases. Overall, this review indicates that pyroptosis is a significant risk factor in diseases and a potential drug target in related diseases.
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40
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Ju J, Liu Y, Liang H, Yang B. The role of pyroptosis in endothelial dysfunction induced by diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1093985. [PMID: 36776394 PMCID: PMC9910335 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1093985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Most organs in the body rely on blood flow, and vesicular damage is the leading cause of injury in multiple organs. The endothelium, as the barriers of vessels, play a critical role in ensuring vascular homeostasis and angiogenesis. The rapid development of risk factors in endothelial injuries has been seen in the past decade, such as smoking, infectious, and diabetes mellites. Pyroptotic endothelium is an inflammatory mode of governed endothelial cell death that depend on the metabolic disorder and severe infectious such as atherosclerosis, and sepsis-related acute lung injury, respectively. Pyroptotic endothelial cells need GSDMD cleaved into N- and C-terminal by caspase1, and the cytokines are released by a pore constructed by the N-terminal of GSDMD in the membrane of ECs, finally resulting in severe inflammation and pyroptotic cell death. This review will focus on the patho-physiological and pharmacological pathways of pyroptotic endothelial metabolism in diseases. Overall, this review indicates that pyroptosis is a significant risk factor in diseases and a potential drug target in related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ju
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Haihai Liang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China,Research Unit of Noninfectious Chronic Diseases in Frigid Zone (2019RU070), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Baofeng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China,Research Unit of Noninfectious Chronic Diseases in Frigid Zone (2019RU070), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China,*Correspondence: Baofeng Yang,
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Zhao G, Jia C, Zhu C, Fang M, Li C, Chen Y, He Y, Han S, He Y, Gao J, Wang T, Wang C, Wang J. γ-Core Guided Antibiotic Design Based on Human Enteric Defensin 5. MEMBRANES 2022; 13:51. [PMID: 36676858 PMCID: PMC9862697 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13010051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
An increase in the number of infections caused by resistant bacteria worldwide necessitates the development of alternatives to antibiotics. Human defensin (HD) 5 is an innate immune peptide with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, but its complicated structure makes its preparation difficult. Herein, we truncated the HD5 structure by extracting the highly conserved γ-core motif. A structure-activity study showed that this motif was ineffective in killing bacteria in the absence of specific spatial conformation. Notably, after the introduction of two intramolecular disulfide bonds, its antibacterial activity was markedly improved. Glu and Ser residues were then replaced with Arg to create the derivative RC18, which exhibited stronger potency than HD5, particularly against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Mechanistically, RC18 bound to lipid A and lipoteichoic acid at higher affinities than HD5. Furthermore, RC18 was more efficient than HD5 in penetrating the bacterial membranes. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that five Arg residues, Arg1, Arg7, Arg9, Arg15, and Arg18, mediated most of the polar interactions of RC18 with the phospholipid head groups during membrane penetration. In vivo experiments indicated that RC18 decreased MRSA colonization and dramatically improved the survival of infected mice, thus demonstrating that RC18 is a promising drug candidate to treat MRSA infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaomei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Changsheng Jia
- Department of Pharmacy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Minchao Fang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chenwenya Li
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yingjuan He
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Songling Han
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yongwu He
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jining Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Junping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
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Dodd D, Cann I. Tutorial: Microbiome studies in drug metabolism. Clin Transl Sci 2022; 15:2812-2837. [PMID: 36099474 PMCID: PMC9747132 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The human gastrointestinal tract is home to a dense population of microorganisms whose metabolism impacts human health and physiology. The gut microbiome encodes millions of genes, the products of which endow our bodies with unique biochemical activities. In the context of drug metabolism, microbial biochemistry in the gut influences humans in two major ways: (1) by producing small molecules that modulate expression and activity of human phase I and II pathways; and (2) by directly modifying drugs administered to humans to yield active, inactive, or toxic metabolites. Although the capacity of the microbiome to modulate drug metabolism has long been known, recent studies have explored these interactions on a much broader scale and have revealed an unprecedented scope of microbial drug metabolism. The implication of this work is that we might be able to predict the capacity of an individual's microbiome to metabolize drugs and use this information to avoid toxicity and inform proper dosing. Here, we provide a tutorial of how to study the microbiome in the context of drug metabolism, focusing on in vitro, rodent, and human studies. We then highlight some limitations and opportunities for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Dodd
- Department of PathologyStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA,Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Isaac Cann
- Department of Animal ScienceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (Microbiome Metabolic Engineering Theme)University of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA,Division of Nutritional SciencesUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA,Center for East Asian & Pacific StudiesUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA,Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
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Campos DMDO, Silva MKD, Barbosa ED, Leow CY, Fulco UL, Oliveira JIN. Exploiting reverse vaccinology approach for the design of a multiepitope subunit vaccine against the major SARS-CoV-2 variants. Comput Biol Chem 2022; 101:107754. [PMID: 36037724 PMCID: PMC9385604 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2022.107754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic, an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), poses a threat to global health because of its high rate of spread and death. Currently, vaccination is the most effective method to prevent the spread of this disease. In the present study, we developed a novel multiepitope vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 containing Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (BA.1) variants. To this end, we performed a robust immunoinformatics approach based on multiple epitopes of the four structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 (S, M, N, and E) from 475 SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced from the regions with the highest number of registered cases, namely the United States, India, Brazil, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. To investigate the best immunogenic epitopes for linear B cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), and helper T lymphocytes (HTL), we evaluated antigenicity, allergenicity, conservation, immunogenicity, toxicity, human population coverage, IFN-inducing, post-translational modifications, and physicochemical properties. The tertiary structure of a vaccine prototype was predicted, refined, and validated. Through docking experiments, we evaluated its molecular coupling to the key immune receptor Toll-Like Receptor 3 (TLR3). To improve the quality of docking calculations, quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations (QM/MM) were used, with the QM part of the simulations performed using the density functional theory formalism (DFT). Cloning and codon optimization were performed for the successful expression of the vaccine in E. coli. Finally, we investigated the immunogenic properties and immune response of our SARS-CoV-2 multiepitope vaccine. The results of the simulations show that administering our prototype three times significantly increases the antibody response and decreases the amount of antigens. The proposed vaccine candidate should therefore be tested in clinical trials for its efficacy in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Melo de Oliveira Campos
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59064-741, Natal/RN, Brazil.
| | - Maria Karolaynne da Silva
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59064-741, Natal/RN, Brazil.
| | - Emmanuel Duarte Barbosa
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59064-741, Natal/RN, Brazil.
| | | | - Umberto Laino Fulco
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59064-741, Natal/RN, Brazil.
| | - Jonas Ivan Nobre Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59064-741, Natal/RN, Brazil.
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Perik-Zavodskii R, Perik-Zavodskaia O, Shevchenko J, Denisova V, Alrhmoun S, Volynets M, Tereshchenko V, Zaitsev K, Sennikov S. Immune Transcriptome Study of Human Nucleated Erythroid Cells from Different Tissues by Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223537. [PMID: 36428967 PMCID: PMC9688070 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleated erythroid cells (NECs) are the precursors of erythrocytes. They can be found in various hematopoietic tissues or in the blood. Recently, they have been shown to be active players in immunosuppression through the synthesis of arginase-2 and reactive oxygen species. In this work, we studied NECs in adult bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and foetal liver parenchyma using single-cell RNA sequencing and found that: (1) all studied NECs expressed the same set of genes, which was enriched in "GO biological process" immunity-related terms; (2) early and late NECs had differential expression of the genes associated with immunosuppression, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and glycolysis; (3) NECs from different tissues of origin had differential expression of the genes associated with immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Perik-Zavodskii
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Olga Perik-Zavodskaia
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Julia Shevchenko
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vera Denisova
- Clinic of Immunopathology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630047 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Saleh Alrhmoun
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Marina Volynets
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Valeriy Tereshchenko
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Konstantin Zaitsev
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Siberian Federal Research and Clinical Center of the Federal Medicobiological Agency”, 634009 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Sergey Sennikov
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Correspondence:
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Takahashi H, Sovadinova I, Yasuhara K, Vemparala S, Caputo GA, Kuroda K. Biomimetic antimicrobial polymers—Design, characterization, antimicrobial, and novel applications. WIRES NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 15:e1866. [PMID: 36300561 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Biomimetic antimicrobial polymers have been an area of great interest as the need for novel antimicrobial compounds grows due to the development of resistance. These polymers were designed and developed to mimic naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides in both physicochemical composition and mechanism of action. These antimicrobial peptide mimetic polymers have been extensively investigated using chemical, biophysical, microbiological, and computational approaches to gain a deeper understanding of the molecular interactions that drive function. These studies have helped inform SARs, mechanism of action, and general physicochemical factors that influence the activity and properties of antimicrobial polymers. However, there are still lingering questions in this field regarding 3D structural patterning, bioavailability, and applicability to alternative targets. In this review, we present a perspective on the development and characterization of several antimicrobial polymers and discuss novel applications of these molecules emerging in the field. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruko Takahashi
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life Hiroshima University Higashi‐Hiroshima Hiroshima Japan
| | - Iva Sovadinova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic
| | - Kazuma Yasuhara
- Division of Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology Nara Institute of Science and Technology Nara Japan
- Center for Digital Green‐Innovation Nara Institute of Science and Technology Nara Japan
| | - Satyavani Vemparala
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences CIT Campus Chennai India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute Training School Complex Mumbai India
| | - Gregory A. Caputo
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Rowan University Glassboro New Jersey USA
| | - Kenichi Kuroda
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences & Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
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Saini J, Kaur P, Malik N, Lakhawat SS, Sharma PK. Antimicrobial peptides: A promising tool to combat multidrug resistance in SARS CoV2 era. Microbiol Res 2022; 265:127206. [PMID: 36162150 PMCID: PMC9491010 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), a life-threatening viral infection, is caused by a highly pathogenic virus named SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). Currently, no treatment is available for COVID-19; hence there is an urgent need to find effective therapeutic drugs to combat COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the fact that the world is facing a major issue of antimicrobial drug resistance, naturally occurring compounds have the potential to achieve this goal. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring antimicrobial agents which are effective against a wide variety of microbial infections. Therefore, the use of AMPs is an attractive therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review sheds light on the potential of antimicrobial peptides as antiviral agents followed by a comprehensive description of effective antiviral peptides derived from various natural sources found to be effective against SARS-CoV and other respiratory viruses. It also highlights the mechanisms of action of antiviral peptides with special emphasis on their effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasleen Saini
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India
| | - Pritpal Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India
| | - Naveen Malik
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
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Zhai YJ, Feng Y, Ma X, Ma F. Defensins: defenders of human reproductive health. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 29:126-154. [PMID: 36130055 PMCID: PMC9825273 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reproductive tract infection is an important factor leading to male and female infertility. Among female infertility factors, microbial and viral infections are the main factors affecting female reproductive health and causing tubal infertility, ectopic tubal pregnancy and premature delivery. Among male infertility factors, 13-15% of male infertility is related to infection. Defensins are cationic antibacterial and antiviral peptides, classified into α-defensins, β-defensins and θ-defensins. Humans only have α-defensins and β-defensins. Apart from their direct antimicrobial functions, defensins have an immunomodulatory function and are involved in many physiological processes. Studies have shown that defensins are widely distributed in the female reproductive tract (FRT) and male reproductive tract (MRT), playing a dual role of host defence and fertility protection. However, to our knowledge, the distribution, regulation and function of defensins in the reproductive tract and their relation to reproduction have not been reviewed. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review summarizes the expression, distribution and regulation of defensins in the reproductive tracts to reveal the updated research on the dual role of defensins in host defence and the protection of fertility. SEARCH METHODS A systematic search was conducted in PubMed using the related keywords through April 2022. Related data from original researches and reviews were integrated to comprehensively review the current findings and understanding of defensins in the human reproductive system. Meanwhile, female and male transcriptome data in the GEO database were screened to analyze defensins in the human reproductive tracts. OUTCOMES Two transcriptome databases from the GEO database (GSE7307 and GSE150852) combined with existing researches reveal the expression levels and role of the defensins in the reproductive tracts. In the FRT, a high expression level of α-defensin is found, and the expression levels of defensins in the vulva and vagina are higher than those in other organs. The expression of defensins in the endometrium varies with menstrual cycle stages and with microbial invasion. Defensins also participate in the local immune response to regulate the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. In the MRT, a high expression level of β-defensins is also found. It is mainly highly expressed in the epididymal caput and corpus, indicating that defensins play an important role in sperm maturation. The expression of defensins in the MRT varies with androgen levels, age and the status of microbial invasion. They protect the male reproductive system from bacterial infections by neutralizing lipopolysaccharide and downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, animal and clinical studies have shown that defensins play an important role in sperm maturation, motility and fertilization. WIDER IMPLICATIONS As a broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide without drug resistance, defensin has great potential for developing new natural antimicrobial treatments for reproductive tract infections. However, increasing evidence has shown that defensins can not only inhibit microbial invasion but can also promote the invasion and adhesion of some microorganisms in certain biological environments, such as human immunodeficiency virus. Therefore, the safety of defensins as reproductive tract anti-infective drugs needs more in-depth research. In addition, the modulatory role of defensins in fertility requires more in-depth research since the current conclusions are based on small-size samples. At present, scientists have made many attempts at the clinical transformation of defensins. However, defensins have problems such as poor stability, low bioavailability and difficulties in their synthesis. Therefore, the production of safe, effective and low-cost drugs remains a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xue Ma
- Correspondence address. Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7781-821X (F.M.); Department of Pediatric Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7650-6214 (X.M.)
| | - Fang Ma
- Correspondence address. Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7781-821X (F.M.); Department of Pediatric Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7650-6214 (X.M.)
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Chow DT, Rardin MJ. Identification and Mitigation of Defensins in the Immunopurification of Peptide MHC-I Antigens from Lung Tissue. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2022; 33:1590-1597. [PMID: 34645265 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.1c00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The class I major histocompatibility (MHC-I) complex is a set of diverse cell surface receptors encoded by the human leukocyte antigen gene complex. These receptors present intracellular antigens to cytotoxic T cells providing information on the state and health of cells. Changes in the immunopeptidome during cancer may provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention. To understand how the tumor immunopeptidome is altered, we developed a mass spectrometry (MS) based platform for isolating and identifying MHC-I peptide antigens in lung tumors. In the course of our work, we encountered several large unknown peptide contaminants which had not been previously reported. To understand the source of these major contaminants, we isolated them using offline fractionation and identified them by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as members of the host defense protein family known as the defensins. To mitigate their detrimental effects, we modified our "Original" data-dependent acquisition (DDA) MS method to narrowly target the MHC-I peptides based on their physical properties including charge state and molecular weight ("z state" DDA), evaluated field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry to attempt gas-phase separation prior to MS analysis, and developed an immunodepletion approach using defensin specific antibodies. This modified approach improves peptide identification and reduces the impact of defensin contamination in lung tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Chow
- Amgen Research, Discovery Attribute Sciences Amgen, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Matthew J Rardin
- Amgen Research, Discovery Attribute Sciences Amgen, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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Antimicrobial Peptides in Early-Life Host Defense, Perinatal Infections, and Necrotizing Enterocolitis—An Update. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11175074. [PMID: 36079001 PMCID: PMC9457252 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11175074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Host defense against early-life infections such as chorioamnionitis, neonatal sepsis, or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) relies primarily on innate immunity, in which antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play a major role. AMPs that are important for the fetus and neonate include α and β defensins, cathelicidin LL-37, antiproteases (elafin, SLPI), and hepcidin. They can be produced by the fetus or neonate, the placenta, chorioamniotic membranes, recruited neutrophils, and milk-protein ingestion or proteolysis. They possess antimicrobial, immunomodulating, inflammation-regulating, and tissue-repairing properties. AMPs are expressed as early as the 13th week and increase progressively through gestation. Limited studies are available on AMP expression and levels in the fetus and neonate. Nevertheless, existing evidence supports the role of AMPs in pathogenesis of chorioamnionitis, neonatal sepsis, and NEC, and their association with disease severity. This suggests a potential role of AMPs in diagnosis, prevention, prognosis, and treatment of sepsis and NEC. Herein, we present an overview of the antimicrobial and immunomodulating properties of human AMPs, their sources in the intrauterine environment, fetus, and neonate, and their changes during pre- and post-natal infections and NEC. We also discuss emerging data regarding the potential utility of AMPs in early-life infections, as diagnostic or predictive biomarkers and as therapeutic alternatives or adjuncts to antibiotic therapy considering the increase of antibiotic resistance in neonatal intensive care units.
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Kim Y, Lee KY, Lee JJ, Tak H, Park ST, Song JE, Son GH. Expression of antimicrobial peptides in the amniotic fluid of women with cervical insufficiency. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 88:e13577. [PMID: 35567598 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Cervical insufficiency (CI) is associated with intra-amniotic infection or inflammation. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in amniotic fluid may protect the fetus against microbial invasion, giving their broad-spectrum microbiocidal properties. We evaluated changes in amniotic fluid AMP expression in women with CI and assessed whether these changes are related to their pregnancy outcomes. METHOD OF STUDY We evaluated amniotic fluid human neutrophil peptide 3 (HNP-3), human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2), and LL-37 levels in 66 women with CI and 25 normal controls at 16-24 weeks of gestation. The CI group was divided into short cervix and cervical dilation groups, and the cervical dilation group was further divided into preterm and full-term delivery groups according to the pregnancy outcomes, and AMP expression was analyzed in each group. RESULTS HNP-3 and hBD-2 levels were higher in women with CI than in normal controls and in the cervical dilation as compared to the short cervix group. Among women with cervical dilation, 22 delivered at full-term, and 23 had spontaneous preterm births. The hBD-2 level in amniotic fluid mid-pregnancy was higher in the full-term delivery than in the preterm delivery groups. However, LL-37 levels in amniotic fluid were low in women with CI and normal controls. CONCLUSIONS Amniotic fluid HNP-3 and hBD-2 levels increased in women with CI compared with normal controls. Moreover, increased amniotic fluid hBD-2 levels mid-pregnancy were associated with favorable pregnancy outcomes in women with CI. AMPs in the amniotic fluid may participate in host defense against ascending infection in women with CI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngmi Kim
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Keun-Young Lee
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae Jun Lee
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea.,Departments of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Hyunjin Tak
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung-Taek Park
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of New Frontier Research Team, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Song
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ga-Hyun Son
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of New Frontier Research Team, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
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