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Zhao H, Zhao S, Wang S, Liu Y. Human β-defensins: The multi-functional natural peptide. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 227:116451. [PMID: 39059771 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116451] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The increasing threat of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic microorganisms and the urgent demand for new antibiotics require immediate attention. Antimicrobial peptides exhibit effectiveness against microorganisms, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. The discovery of human β-defensins represents a major milestone in biomedical research, opening new avenues for scientific investigation into the innate immune system and its resistance mechanisms against pathogenic microorganisms. Multiple defensins present a promising alternative in the context of antibiotic abuse. However, obstacles to the practical application of defensins as anti-infective therapies persist due to the unique properties of human β-defensins themselves and serious pharmacological and technical challenges. To overcome these challenges, diverse delivery vehicles have been developed and progressively improved for the conjugation or encapsulation of human β-defensins. This review briefly introduces the biology of human β-defensins, focusing on their multistage structure and diverse functions. It also discusses several heterologous systems for producing human β-defensins, various delivery systems created for these peptides, and patent applications related to their utilization, concluding with a summary of current challenges and potential solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haile Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock Jointly Constructed by Ministry and Province, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010020, China
| | - Shuli Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock Jointly Constructed by Ministry and Province, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010020, China
| | - Simeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock Jointly Constructed by Ministry and Province, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010020, China
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock Jointly Constructed by Ministry and Province, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010020, China.
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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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Wozniak W, Sechet E, Kwon YJ, Aulner N, Navarro L, Sperandio B. Identification of human host factors required for beta-defensin-2 expression in intestinal epithelial cells upon a bacterial challenge. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15442. [PMID: 38965312 PMCID: PMC11224401 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66568-y] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The human intestinal tract is colonized with microorganisms, which present a diverse array of immunological challenges. A number of antimicrobial mechanisms have evolved to cope with these challenges. A key defense mechanism is the expression of inducible antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), such as beta-defensins, which rapidly inactivate microorganisms. We currently have a limited knowledge of mechanisms regulating the inducible expression of AMP genes, especially factors from the host required in these regulatory mechanisms. To identify the host factors required for expression of the beta-defensin-2 gene (HBD2) in intestinal epithelial cells upon a bacterial challenge, we performed a RNAi screen using a siRNA library spanning the whole human genome. The screening was performed in duplicate to select the strongest 79 and 110 hit genes whose silencing promoted or inhibited HBD2 expression, respectively. A set of 57 hits selected among the two groups of genes was subjected to a counter-screening and a subset was subsequently validated for its impact onto HBD2 expression. Among the 57 confirmed hits, we brought out the TLR5-MYD88 signaling pathway, but above all new signaling proteins, epigenetic regulators and transcription factors so far unrevealed in the HBD2 regulatory circuits, like the GATA6 transcription factor involved in inflammatory bowel diseases. This study represents a significant step toward unveiling the key molecular requirements to promote AMP expression in human intestinal epithelial cells, and revealing new potential targets for the development of an innovative therapeutic strategy aiming at stimulating the host AMP expression, at the era of antimicrobial resistance.
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Grants
- This study received fundings from (i) the French Government “Investissement d’Avenir” program, Labex IBEID, with the reference ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID, (ii) the French Alliance pour les Sciences de la Vie et de la Santé (AVIESAN), ITMO I3M, (iii) the PSL University, through the PSL pré-maturation program, AMPlify project, with the reference C22-78/2022-425, and (iv) the European Union, through the European Innovation Council Pathfinder Open program, MaxImmun project, with the reference 101129622.
- Weronika Wozniak received a Ph.D. funding support from PSL University under the program “Investissement d’Avenir” launched by the French Government and implemented by ANR with the reference ANR-10-IDEX-0001-02 PSL
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Wozniak
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR8197, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1024, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | | | - Yong-Jun Kwon
- Institut Pasteur Korea, Seoul, South Korea
- Luxembourg Institute of Health, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | | | - Lionel Navarro
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR8197, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1024, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | - Brice Sperandio
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR8197, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1024, Université PSL, Paris, France.
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Radhakrishnan N, Kumar SD, Shin SY, Yang S. Enhancing Selective Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Melittin through 6-Aminohexanoic Acid Substitution. Biomolecules 2024; 14:699. [PMID: 38927102 PMCID: PMC11201590 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060699] [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: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Leucine residues are commonly found in the hydrophobic face of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and are crucial for membrane permeabilization, leading to the cell death of invading pathogens. Melittin, which contains four leucine residues, demonstrates broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties but also significant cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. To enhance the cell selectivity of melittin, this study synthesized five analogs by replacing leucine with its structural isomer, 6-aminohexanoic acid. Among these analogs, Mel-LX3 exhibited potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Importantly, Mel-LX3 displayed significantly reduced hemolytic and cytotoxic effects compared to melittin. Mechanistic studies, including membrane depolarization, SYTOX green uptake, FACScan analysis, and inner/outer membrane permeation assays, demonstrated that Mel-LX3 effectively permeabilized bacterial membranes similar to melittin. Notably, Mel-LX3 showed robust antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA). Furthermore, Mel-LX3 effectively inhibited biofilm formation and eradicated existing biofilms of MDRPA. With its improved selective antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, Mel-LX3 emerges as a promising candidate for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. We propose that the substitution of leucine with 6-aminohexanoic acid in AMPs represents a significant strategy for combating resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveenkumar Radhakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea; (N.R.); (S.D.K.)
| | - Sukumar Dinesh Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea; (N.R.); (S.D.K.)
| | - Song-Yub Shin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea;
| | - Sungtae Yang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
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Canas JJ, Arregui SW, Zhang S, Knox T, Calvert C, Saxena V, Schwaderer AL, Hains DS. DEFA1A3 DNA gene-dosage regulates the kidney innate immune response during upper urinary tract infection. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302462. [PMID: 38580392 PMCID: PMC10997819 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302462] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are host defense effectors with potent neutralizing and immunomodulatory functions against invasive pathogens. The AMPs α-Defensin 1-3/DEFA1A3 participate in innate immune responses and influence patient outcomes in various diseases. DNA copy-number variations in DEFA1A3 have been associated with severity and outcomes in infectious diseases including urinary tract infections (UTIs). Specifically, children with lower DNA copy numbers were more susceptible to UTIs. The mechanism of action by which α-Defensin 1-3/DEFA1A3 copy-number variations lead to UTI susceptibility remains to be explored. In this study, we use a previously characterized transgenic knock-in of the human DEFA1A3 gene mouse to dissect α-Defensin 1-3 gene dose-dependent antimicrobial and immunomodulatory roles during uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) UTI. We elucidate the relationship between kidney neutrophil- and collecting duct intercalated cell-derived α-Defensin 1-3/DEFA1A3 expression and UTI. We further describe cooperative effects between α-Defensin 1-3 and other AMPs that potentiate the neutralizing activity against UPEC. Cumulatively, we demonstrate that DEFA1A3 directly protects against UPEC meanwhile impacting pro-inflammatory innate immune responses in a gene dosage-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge J Canas
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Samuel W Arregui
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Kidney and Urology Translational Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Shaobo Zhang
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Kidney and Urology Translational Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Taylor Knox
- Kidney and Urology Translational Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Christi Calvert
- Kidney and Urology Translational Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Vijay Saxena
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Kidney and Urology Translational Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Andrew L Schwaderer
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Kidney and Urology Translational Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - David S Hains
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Kidney and Urology Translational Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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6
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Mitra S, Chandersekhar B, Li Y, Coopershlyak M, Mahoney ME, Evans B, Koenig R, Hall SCL, Klösgen B, Heinrich F, Deslouches B, Tristram-Nagle S. Novel non-helical antimicrobial peptides insert into and fuse lipid model membranes. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:4088-4101. [PMID: 38712559 PMCID: PMC11109824 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00220b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
This research addresses the growing menace of antibiotic resistance by exploring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Specifically, we investigate two linear amphipathic AMPs, LE-53 (12-mer) and LE-55 (16-mer), finding that the shorter LE-53 exhibits greater bactericidal activity against both Gram-negative (G(-)) and Gram-positive (G(+)) bacteria. Remarkably, both AMPs are non-toxic to eukaryotic cells. The heightened effectiveness of LE-53 is attributed to its increased hydrophobicity (H) compared to LE-55. Circular dichroism (CD) reveals that LE-53 and LE-55 both adopt β-sheet and random coil structures in lipid model membranes (LMMs) mimicking G(-) and G(+) bacteria, so secondary structure is not the cause of the potency difference. X-ray diffuse scattering (XDS) reveals increased lipid chain order in LE-53, a potential key distinction. Additionally, XDS study uncovers a significant link between LE-53's upper hydrocarbon location in G(-) and G(+) LMMs and its efficacy. Neutron reflectometry (NR) confirms the AMP locations determined using XDS. Solution small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) demonstrates LE-53's ability to induce vesicle fusion in bacterial LMMs without affecting eukaryotic LMMs, offering a promising strategy to combat antibiotic-resistant strains while preserving human cell integrity, whereas LE-55 has a smaller ability to induce fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saheli Mitra
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Bhairavi Chandersekhar
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Yunshu Li
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Mark Coopershlyak
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Margot E Mahoney
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Brandt Evans
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Rachel Koenig
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Stephen C L Hall
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Beate Klösgen
- University of Southern Denmark, Dept. Physics, Chemistry & Pharmacy, PhyLife, Campusvej 55, Odense M5230, Denmark
| | - Frank Heinrich
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
- Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Berthony Deslouches
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Stephanie Tristram-Nagle
- Biological Physics Group, Physics Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Li B, Ouyang X, Liu Y, Ba Z, Yang Y, Zhang J, Yang P, Yang T, Wang Y, Zhao Y, Mao W, Zhong C, Liu H, Zhang Y, Gou S, Ni J. Novel β-Hairpin Antimicrobial Peptide Containing the β-Turn Sequence of -NG- and the Tryptophan Zippers Facilitate Self-Assembly into Nanofibers, Exhibiting Excellent Antimicrobial Performance. J Med Chem 2024; 67:6365-6383. [PMID: 38436574 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02339] [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: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising agents to combat the antibiotic resistance crisis due to their rapid bactericidal activity and low propensity for drug resistance. However, AMPs face challenges in terms of balancing enhanced antimicrobial efficacy with increased toxicity during modification processes. In this study, de novo d-type β-hairpin AMPs are designed. The conformational transformation of self-assembling peptide W-4 in the environment of the bacterial membrane and the erythrocyte membrane affected its antibacterial activity and hemolytic activity and finally showed a high antibacterial effect and low toxicity. Furthermore, W-4 displays remarkable stability, minimal occurrence of drug resistance, and synergistic effects when combined with antibiotics. The in vivo studies confirm its high safety and potent wound-healing properties at the sites infected by bacteria. This study substantiates that nanostructured AMPs possess enhanced biocompatibility. These advances reveal the superiority of self-assembled AMPs and contribute to the development of nanoantibacterial materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Xu Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Zufang Ba
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yinyin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Jingying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Ping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Yang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yuhuan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Wenbo Mao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Chao Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Hui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Sanhu Gou
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Jingman Ni
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
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8
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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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Cho J, Hong HW, Park K, Myung H, Yoon H. Unveiling the mechanism of bactericidal activity of a cecropin A-fused endolysin LNT113. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129493. [PMID: 38224804 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129493] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Endolysins are lytic enzymes produced by bacteriophages at the end of their lytic cycle and degrade the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall. Thus, they have been extensively explored as a promising antibacterial agent to replace or supplement current antibiotics. Gram-negative bacteria, however, are prone to resist exogenous endolysins owing to their protective outer membrane. We previously engineered endolysin EC340, encoded by the Escherichia coli phage PBEC131, by substituting its seven amino acids and fusing an antimicrobial peptide cecropin A at its N-terminus. The engineered endolysin LNT113 exerted superior activity to its intrinsic form. This study investigated how cecropin A fusion facilitated the bactericidal activity of LNT113 toward Gram-negative bacteria. Cecropin A of LNT113 markedly increased the interaction with lipopolysaccharides, while the E. coli defective in the core oligosaccharide was less susceptible to endolysins, implicating the interaction between the core oligosaccharide and endolysins. In fact, E. coli with compromised lipid A construction was more vulnerable to LNT113 treatment, suggesting that the integrity of the lipid A layer was important to resist the internalization of LNT113 across the outer membrane. Cecropin A fusion further accelerated the inner membrane destabilization, thereby enabling LNT113 to deconstruct it promptly. Owing to the increased membrane permeability, LNT113 could inactivate some Gram-positive bacteria as well. This study demonstrates that cecropin A fusion is a feasible method to improve the membrane permeability of endolysins in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongik Cho
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
| | | | - Kyungah Park
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Heejoon Myung
- LyseNTech Co., Ltd., Seongnam, South Korea; Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin, South Korea
| | - Hyunjin Yoon
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea; Department of Applied Chemistry and Biological Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea.
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10
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Zheng T, Wang Y, Zhou Z, Chen S, Jiang J, Chen S. PM2.5 Causes Increased Bacterial Invasion by Affecting HBD1 Expression in the Lung. J Immunol Res 2024; 2024:6622950. [PMID: 38314088 PMCID: PMC10838202 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6622950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Our research addresses the critical environmental issue of a fine particulate matter (PM2.5), focusing on its association with the increased infection risks. We explored the influence of PM2.5 on human beta-defensin 1 (HBD1), an essential peptide in mucosal immunity found in the airway epithelium. Using C57BL/6J mice and human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE), we examined the effects of PM2.5 exposure followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infection on HBD1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. The study revealed that PM2.5's toxicity to epithelial cells and animals varies with time and concentration. Notably, HBE cells exposed to PM2.5 and P. aeruginosa showed increased bacterial invasion and decreased HBD1 expression compared to the cells exposed to P. aeruginosa alone. Similarly, mice studies indicated that combined exposure to PM2.5 and P. aeruginosa significantly reduced survival rates and increased bacterial invasion. These harmful effects, however, were alleviated by administering exogenous HBD1. Furthermore, our findings highlight the activation of MAPK and NF-κB pathways following PM2.5 exposure. Inhibiting these pathways effectively increased HBD1 expression and diminished bacterial invasion. In summary, our study establishes that PM2.5 exposure intensifies P. aeruginosa invasion in both HBE cells and mouse models, primarily by suppressing HBD1 expression. This effect can be counteracted with exogenous HBD1, with the downregulation mechanism involving the MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Our study endeavors to elucidate the pathogenesis of lung infections associated with PM2.5 exposure, providing a novel theoretical basis for the development of prevention and treatment strategies, with substantial clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Zheng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yajun Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Zhou
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuyang Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinjun Jiang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Shujing Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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11
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Sharma PV, Jain S, Sen R. Peptides designed from a bacteriophage capsid protein function as synthetic transcription repressors. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105373. [PMID: 37865318 PMCID: PMC10692717 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105373] [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: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacteriophage capsid protein, Psu (polarity suppression), inhibits the bacterial transcription terminator, Rho. In an effort to find nontraditional antibacterial agents, we previously designed peptides from the Psu C terminus that function as inhibitors of Rho. Here, we demonstrated that these peptides have positive surface-charge densities, and they downregulate many genes in Escherichia coli. We hypothesized that these peptides could bind to nucleic acids and repress gene expression. One of these peptides, peptide 33, represses in vitro transcription from the T7A1 and Plac promoters efficiently by blocking the access of RNA polymerase to the promoter, a mode of transcription repression akin to many bacterial repressors. In vivo, expressions of the peptides reduce the total RNA level as well as transcription from Plac and Posm promoters significantly. However, they are less efficient in repressing transcription from the rRNA promoters with a very high turnover of RNA polymerase. The peptide 33 binds to both single and dsDNA as well as to RNA with dissociation constants ranging from 1 to 5 μM exhibiting preferences for the single-stranded DNA and RNAs. These interactions are salt-resistant and not sequence-specific. Interactions with dsDNA are entropy-driven, while it is enthalpy-driven for the ssDNA. This mode of interaction with nucleic acids is similar to many nonspecific ssDNA-binding proteins. Expression of peptide 33 induces cell elongation and impaired cell division, possibly due to the dislodging of the DNA-binding proteins. Overall, we surmised that these synthetic transcription repressors would function like bacterial nucleoid-associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj V Sharma
- Laboratory of Transcription, Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India; Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Sriyans Jain
- Laboratory of Transcription, Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India
| | - Ranjan Sen
- Laboratory of Transcription, Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad, India.
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12
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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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13
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Kling C, Sommer A, Almeida-Hernandez Y, Rodríguez A, Perez-Erviti JA, Bhadane R, Ständker L, Wiese S, Barth H, Pupo-Meriño M, Pulliainen AT, Sánchez-García E, Ernst K. Inhibition of Pertussis Toxin by Human α-Defensins-1 and -5: Differential Mechanisms of Action. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10557. [PMID: 37445740 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310557] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Whooping cough is a severe childhood disease, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which releases pertussis toxin (PT) as a major virulence factor. Previously, we identified the human antimicrobial peptides α-defensin-1 and -5 as inhibitors of PT and demonstrated their capacity to inhibit the activity of the PT enzyme subunit PTS1. Here, the underlying mechanism of toxin inhibition was investigated in more detail, which is essential for developing the therapeutic potential of these peptides. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry revealed that α-defensin-5 strongly reduced PT binding to, and uptake into cells, whereas α-defensin-1 caused only a mild reduction. Conversely, α-defensin-1, but not α-defensin-5 was taken up into different cell lines and interacted with PTS1 inside cells, based on proximity ligation assay. In-silico modeling revealed specific interaction interfaces for α-defensin-1 with PTS1 and vice versa, unlike α-defensin-5. Dot blot experiments showed that α-defensin-1 binds to PTS1 and even stronger to its substrate protein Gαi in vitro. NADase activity of PTS1 in vitro was not inhibited by α-defensin-1 in the absence of Gαi. Taken together, these results suggest that α-defensin-1 inhibits PT mainly by inhibiting enzyme activity of PTS1, whereas α-defensin-5 mainly inhibits cellular uptake of PT. These findings will pave the way for optimization of α-defensins as novel therapeutics against whooping cough.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Kling
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Anja Sommer
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Yasser Almeida-Hernandez
- Computational Bioengineering, Fakultät Bio- und Chemieingenieurwesen, Technische Universität Dortmund, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Armando Rodríguez
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Julio A Perez-Erviti
- Computational Bioengineering, Fakultät Bio- und Chemieingenieurwesen, Technische Universität Dortmund, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Rajendra Bhadane
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wiese
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Holger Barth
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Mario Pupo-Meriño
- Departamento de Bioinformática, Centro de Matemática Computacional, Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas (UCI), Havana 19370, Cuba
| | - Arto T Pulliainen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Elsa Sánchez-García
- Computational Bioengineering, Fakultät Bio- und Chemieingenieurwesen, Technische Universität Dortmund, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Katharina Ernst
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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Tan L, Xi Y, Zhou C, Xu Y, Pang J, Peng X, Tang Z, Sun W, Sun Z. Supplementation with Antimicrobial Peptides or a Tannic Acid Can Effectively Replace the Pharmacological Effects of Zinc Oxide in the Early Stages of Weaning Piglets. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1797. [PMID: 37889691 PMCID: PMC10251958 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111797] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) harms the environment and can potentially increase the number of drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find safe and effective alternatives to improve gut health and reduce the incidence of diarrhea in weaned piglets. This study conducted an antibacterial test of ZnO, antibacterial peptides (AMPs), and tannic acid (TA) in vitro. Thirty piglets were randomly allotted to one of the following three dietary treatments: ZnO (2000 mg/kg ZnO diet), AMPs (700 mg/kg AMPs diet), and TA (1000 mg/kg TA diet). The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations of ZnO and TA against Escherichia coli and Salmonella were lower than those of AMPs, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of ZnO, AMPs, and TA against Staphylococcus aureus were the same. Compared to ZnO, AMPs increased the digestibility of dry, organic matter and the crude fat. Additionally, TA significantly (p < 0.05) increased the digestibility of dry and organic matter. On experimental day 14, the plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) content of piglets supplemented with AMPs and TA was increased significantly (p < 0.05). On experimental day 28, alanine aminotransferase activity in the plasma of weaned piglets in the ZnO and TA groups was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in piglets in the AMPs group. The levels of plasma IL-6 and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the ZnO and AMPs groups than in the TA group. On experimental days 14 and 28, no significant differences were observed in the antioxidant capacity among the three experimental groups. Intestinal microbial diversity analysis showed that the Chao1 and ACE indices of piglets in the AMPs group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those in the ZnO and TA groups. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Treponema_2 was higher in the feces of piglets fed a diet supplemented with TA than in those fed diet supplemented with ZnO (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae was higher in the feces of piglets fed a diet supplemented with AMPs than in those fed diet supplemented with ZnO or TA. Overall, AMPs and TA could be added to feed as substitutes for ZnO to reduce diarrhea, improve nutrient digestibility and immunity, and increase the abundance of beneficial intestinal bacteria in weaned piglets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhihong Sun
- Laboratory for Bio-Feed and Molecular Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (L.T.); (Y.X.); (C.Z.); (Y.X.); (J.P.); (X.P.)
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15
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Mazurkiewicz-Pisarek A, Baran J, Ciach T. Antimicrobial Peptides: Challenging Journey to the Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, and Cosmeceutical Use. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109031. [PMID: 37240379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109031] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), or host defence peptides, are short proteins in various life forms. Here we discuss AMPs, which may become a promising substitute or adjuvant in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and cosmeceutical uses. Their pharmacological potential has been investigated intensively, especially as antibacterial and antifungal drugs and as promising antiviral and anticancer agents. AMPs exhibit many properties, and some of these have attracted the attention of the cosmetic industry. AMPs are being developed as novel antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens and as potential treatments for various diseases, including cancer, inflammatory disorders, and viral infections. In biomedicine, AMPs are being developed as wound-healing agents because they promote cell growth and tissue repair. The immunomodulatory effects of AMPs could be helpful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In the cosmeceutical industry, AMPs are being investigated as potential ingredients in skincare products due to their antioxidant properties (anti-ageing effects) and antibacterial activity, which allows the killing of bacteria that contribute to acne and other skin conditions. The promising benefits of AMPs make them a thrilling area of research, and studies are underway to overcome obstacles and fully harness their therapeutic potential. This review presents the structure, mechanisms of action, possible applications, production methods, and market for AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mazurkiewicz-Pisarek
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, Poleczki 19, 02-822 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Baran
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, Poleczki 19, 02-822 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Ciach
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, Poleczki 19, 02-822 Warsaw, Poland
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warynskiego 1, 00-645 Warsaw, Poland
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16
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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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17
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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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18
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Zheng LB, Li YX, Su YQ. Antibacterial activity study of a novel piscidin 5-like type 4 from Larimichthys crocea. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 135:108645. [PMID: 36870429 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108645] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As one of the key components of innate immune system, piscidins are likely to play pivotal role in the first defense line in fish. Piscidins own multiple resistance activity. A novel piscidin 5-like type 4 was excavated from Larimichthys crocea (termed Lc-P5L4) liver transcriptome immuned by Cryptocaryon irritans, and upregulated at 7 days post infection when secondary bacterial infection occurred. In the study, we characterized the antibacterial activity of Lc-P5L4. The liquid growth inhibition assay detected the recombinant Lc-P5L4 (rLc-P5L) had potent antibacterial activity to Photobacterium damselae. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observed the cell surface of P. damselae collapsed to form pit, and membrane of some bacteria ruptured after co-incubation with rLc-P5L. Further, transmission electron microscope (TEM) was also employed to observe the intracellular microstructural damage, rLc-P5L4 caused cytoplasm contraction, pores formation and contents leakage. After knowing about its antibacterial effects, the preliminary antibacterial mechanism was also explored, western blot analysis showed rLc-P5L4 could bind to P. damselae through targeting to LPS. Agarose gel eletrophoresis analysis further showed rLc-P5L4 could also penetrate into cells and brought about genome DNA degradation. Therefore, rLc-P5L4 was of potential being a candidate to explore new antimicrobial drug or additive agent, especially to P. damselae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Bing Zheng
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
| | - Yue-Xin Li
- Shanghai Richen Nutrition Technology Co., Ltd, 200331, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Quan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Fisheries Co., Ltd, 352103, Fujian, China
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19
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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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20
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Leiba J, Özbilgiç R, Hernández L, Demou M, Lutfalla G, Yatime L, Nguyen-Chi M. Molecular Actors of Inflammation and Their Signaling Pathways: Mechanistic Insights from Zebrafish. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020153. [PMID: 36829432 PMCID: PMC9952950 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation is a hallmark of the physiological response to aggressions. It is orchestrated by a plethora of molecules that detect the danger, signal intracellularly, and activate immune mechanisms to fight the threat. Understanding these processes at a level that allows to modulate their fate in a pathological context strongly relies on in vivo studies, as these can capture the complexity of the whole process and integrate the intricate interplay between the cellular and molecular actors of inflammation. Over the years, zebrafish has proven to be a well-recognized model to study immune responses linked to human physiopathology. We here provide a systematic review of the molecular effectors of inflammation known in this vertebrate and recapitulate their modes of action, as inferred from sterile or infection-based inflammatory models. We present a comprehensive analysis of their sequence, expression, and tissue distribution and summarize the tools that have been developed to study their function. We further highlight how these tools helped gain insights into the mechanisms of immune cell activation, induction, or resolution of inflammation, by uncovering downstream receptors and signaling pathways. These progresses pave the way for more refined models of inflammation, mimicking human diseases and enabling drug development using zebrafish models.
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21
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Li W, Xiao X, Qi Y, Lin X, Hu H, Shi M, Zhou M, Jiang W, Liu L, Chen K, Wang K, Liu R, Zhou M. Host-Defense-Peptide-Mimicking β-Peptide Polymer Acting as a Dual-Modal Antibacterial Agent by Interfering Quorum Sensing and Killing Individual Bacteria Simultaneously. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0051. [PMID: 36930779 PMCID: PMC10014070 DOI: 10.34133/research.0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) are one of the potentially promising agents for infection diseases due to their broad spectrum and low resistance rate, but their clinical applications are limited by proteolytic instability, high-cost, and complicated synthesis process. Here, we report a host-defense-peptide-mimicking β-peptide polymer that resists proteolysis to have enhanced the activity under physiological conditions, excellent antimicrobial efficiency even at high density of bacteria, and low cost for preparation. The β-peptide polymer demonstrated quorum sensing (QS) interference and bactericidal effect against both bacterial communities and individual bacterium to simultaneously block bacterial communication and disrupt bacterial membranes. The hierarchical QS network was suppressed, and main QS signaling systems showed considerably down-regulated gene expression, resulting in excellent biofilm eradication and virulence reduction effects. The dual-modal antibacterial ability possessed excellent therapeutic effects in Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia, which could inhibit biofilm formation and exhibit better antibacterial and anti-inflammatory efficiency than clinically used antibiotics, levofloxacin. Furthermore, the β-peptide polymer also showed excellent therapeutic effect Escherichia coli pyogenic liver abscess. Together, we believed that the β-peptide polymer had a feasible clinical potential to treat bacterial infection diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanlin Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 223300, China.,University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
| | - Ximian Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuchen Qi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Xiuhui Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huiqun Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Minqi Shi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Weinan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Longqiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kai Wang
- University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
| | - Runhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 223300, China.,University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China.,State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentations, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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22
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Zakhia R, Osta MA. CLIPA7 Exhibits Pleiotropic Roles in the Anopheles gambiae Immune Response. J Innate Immun 2022; 15:317-332. [PMID: 36423593 PMCID: PMC10643895 DOI: 10.1159/000526486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Clip domain serine proteases and clip domain serine protease homologs (cSPHs) are key components of serine protease cascades that drive the melanization response. Despite lacking catalytic activity, cSPHs play essential roles in regulating melanization, but the spectrum of functions they catalyze within and outside these cascades is not fully understood. Aside from their classical role as cofactors for PPO activation, we have previously revealed an unprecedented complexity in the function and molecular organization of these cSPHs in the immune response of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Here, we add yet another dimension to the complex roles underpinning the contributions of cSPHs to mosquito immunity by showing that CLIPA7, a member of the expanded cSPH family, defines a novel branch within the cSPH network that is essential for the melanization of Escherichia coli but not Plasmodium ookinetes or Gram-positive bacteria. Despite its dispensability for the melanization of Gram-positive bacteria, we show that CLIPA7 is required for the clearance of systemic infections with Staphylococcus aureus. CLIPA7 is produced by hemocytes and associates with the surfaces of live E. coli and S. aureus cells in vivo as well as with those of melanized cells. Based on its RNAi phenotypes and its unique domain architecture among A. gambiae cSPHs including the presence of an RGD motif, we propose that CLIPA7 exhibits pleiotropic roles in mosquito immunity that extend beyond the regulation of melanization to microbial clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mike A. Osta
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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23
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Charoenkwan P, Schaduangrat N, Lio P, Moni MA, Chumnanpuen P, Shoombuatong W. iAMAP-SCM: A Novel Computational Tool for Large-Scale Identification of Antimalarial Peptides Using Estimated Propensity Scores of Dipeptides. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:41082-41095. [PMID: 36406571 PMCID: PMC9670693 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Antimalarial peptides (AMAPs) varying in length, amino acid composition, charge, conformational structure, hydrophobicity, and amphipathicity reflect their diversity in antimalarial mechanisms. Due to the worldwide major health problem concerning antimicrobial resistance, these peptides possess great therapeutic value owing to their low incidences of drug resistance as compared to conventional antibiotics. Although well-known experimental methods are able to precisely determine the antimalarial activity of peptides, these methods are still time-consuming and costly. Thus, machine learning (ML)-based methods that are capable of identifying AMAPs rapidly by using only sequence information would be beneficial for the high-throughput identification of AMAPs. In this study, we propose the first computational model (termed iAMAP-SCM) for the large-scale identification and characterization of peptides with antimalarial activity by using only sequence information. Specifically, we employed an interpretable scoring card method (SCM) to develop iAMAP-SCM and estimate propensities of 20 amino acids and 400 dipeptides to be AMAPs in a supervised manner. Experimental results showed that iAMAP-SCM could achieve a maximum accuracy and Matthew's coefficient correlation of 0.957 and 0.834, respectively, on the independent test dataset. In addition, SCM-derived propensities of 20 amino acids and selected physicochemical properties were used to provide an understanding of the functional mechanisms of AMAPs. Finally, a user-friendly online computational platform of iAMAP-SCM is publicly available at http://pmlabstack.pythonanywhere.com/iAMAP-SCM. The iAMAP-SCM predictor is anticipated to assist experimental scientists in the high-throughput identification of potential AMAP candidates for the treatment of malaria and other clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phasit Charoenkwan
- Modern
Management and Information Technology, College of Arts, Media and
Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai50200, Thailand
| | - Nalini Schaduangrat
- Center
of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok10700, Thailand
| | - Pietro Lio
- Department
of Computer Science and Technology, University
of Cambridge, CambridgeshireCB3 0FD, U.K.
| | - Mohammad Ali Moni
- Artificial
Intelligence & Digital Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation
Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, St LuciaQLD 4072, Australia
| | - Pramote Chumnanpuen
- Department
of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart
University, Bangkok10900, Thailand
- Omics Center
for Agriculture, Bioresources, Food, and Health, Kasetsart University (OmiKU), Bangkok10900, Thailand
| | - Watshara Shoombuatong
- Center
of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok10700, Thailand
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24
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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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25
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Antimicrobial peptides with cell-penetrating activity as prophylactic and treatment drugs. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:231731. [PMID: 36052730 PMCID: PMC9508529 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20221789] [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: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Health is fundamental for the development of individuals and evolution of species. In that sense, for human societies is relevant to understand how the human body has developed molecular strategies to maintain health. In the present review, we summarize diverse evidence that support the role of peptides in this endeavor. Of particular interest to the present review are antimicrobial peptides (AMP) and cell-penetrating peptides (CPP). Different experimental evidence indicates that AMP/CPP are able to regulate autophagy, which in turn regulates the immune system response. AMP also assists in the establishment of the microbiota, which in turn is critical for different behavioral and health aspects of humans. Thus, AMP and CPP are multifunctional peptides that regulate two aspects of our bodies that are fundamental to our health: autophagy and microbiota. While it is now clear the multifunctional nature of these peptides, we are still in the early stages of the development of computational strategies aimed to assist experimentalists in identifying selective multifunctional AMP/CPP to control nonhealthy conditions. For instance, both AMP and CPP are computationally characterized as amphipatic and cationic, yet none of these features are relevant to differentiate these peptides from non-AMP or non-CPP. The present review aims to highlight current knowledge that may facilitate the development of AMP’s design tools for preventing or treating illness.
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26
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Kaushik V, Tiwari M, Tiwari V. Interaction of RecA mediated SOS response with bacterial persistence, biofilm formation, and host response. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 217:931-943. [PMID: 35905765 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotics have a primary mode of actions, and most of them have a common secondary mode of action via reactive species (ROS and RNS) mediated DNA damage. Bacteria have been able to tolerate this DNA damage by SOS (Save-Our-Soul) response. RecA is the universal essential key protein of the DNA damage mediated SOS repair in various bacteria including ESKAPE pathogens. In addition, antibiotics also triggers activation of various other bacterial mechanisms such as biofilm formation, host dependent responses, persister subpopulation formation. These supporting the survival of bacteria in unfriendly natural conditions i.e. antibiotic presence. This review highlights the detailed mechanism of RecA mediated SOS response as well as role of RecA-LexA interaction in SOS response. The review also focuses on inter-connection between DNA damage repair pathway (like SOS response) with other survival mechanisms of bacteria such as host mediated RecA induction, persister-SOS interplay, and biofilm-SOS interplay. This understanding of inter-connection of SOS response with different other survival mechanisms will prove beneficial in targeting the SOS response for prevention and development of therapeutics against recalcitrant bacterial infections. The review also covers the significance of RecA as a promising potent therapeutic target for hindering bacterial SOS response in prevailing successful treatments of bacterial infections and enhancing the conventional antibiotic efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Kaushik
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305817, India
| | - Monalisa Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305817, India
| | - Vishvanath Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305817, India.
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27
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Liu R, Liu Z, Peng H, Lv Y, Feng Y, Kang J, Lu N, Ma R, Hou S, Sun W, Ying Q, Wang F, Gao Q, Zhao P, Zhu C, Wang Y, Wu X. Bomidin: An Optimized Antimicrobial Peptide With Broad Antiviral Activity Against Enveloped Viruses. Front Immunol 2022; 13:851642. [PMID: 35663971 PMCID: PMC9160972 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.851642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid evolution of highly infectious pathogens is a major threat to global public health. In the front line of defense against bacteria, fungi, and viruses, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally produced by all living organisms and offer new possibilities for next-generation antibiotic development. However, the low yields and difficulties in the extraction and purification of AMPs have hindered their industry and scientific research applications. To overcome these barriers, we enabled high expression of bomidin, a commercial recombinant AMP based upon bovine myeloid antimicrobial peptide-27. This novel AMP, which can be expressed in Escherichia coli by adding methionine to the bomidin sequence, can be produced in bulk and is more biologically active than chemically synthesized AMPs. We verified the function of bomidin against a variety of bacteria and enveloped viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), herpes simplex virus (HSV), dengue virus (DENV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Furthermore, based on the molecular modeling of bomidin and membrane lipids, we elucidated the possible mechanism by which bomidin disrupts bacterial and viral membranes. Thus, we obtained a novel AMP with an optimized, efficient heterologous expression system for potential therapeutic application against a wide range of life-threatening pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongrong Liu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ziyu Liu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Haoran Peng
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunhua Lv
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yunan Feng
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Junjun Kang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Naining Lu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ruixue Ma
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shiyuan Hou
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wenjie Sun
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Qikang Ying
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Qikang Gao
- Analysis Center of Agrobiology and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yixing Wang
- Jiangsu Genloci Biotech Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Xingan Wu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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28
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Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Human Defensin HNP1 and Retrocyclin RC-101. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167225. [PMID: 34487793 PMCID: PMC8413479 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 is an enveloped virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of new potentially more transmissible and vaccine-resistant variants of SARS-CoV-2 is an ever-present threat. Thus, it remains essential to better understand innate immune mechanisms that can inhibit the virus. One component of the innate immune system with broad antipathogen, including antiviral, activity is a group of cationic immune peptides termed defensins. The ability of defensins to neutralize enveloped and non-enveloped viruses and to inactivate numerous bacterial toxins correlate with their ability to promote the unfolding of proteins with high conformational plasticity. We found that human neutrophil α-defensin HNP1 binds to SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein with submicromolar affinity that is more than 20 fold stronger than its binding to serum albumin. As such, HNP1, as well as a θ-defensin retrocyclin RC-101, both interfere with Spike-mediated membrane fusion, Spike-pseudotyped lentivirus infection, and authentic SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture. These effects correlate with the abilities of the defensins to destabilize and precipitate Spike protein and inhibit the interaction of Spike with the ACE2 receptor. Serum reduces the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of HNP1, though at high concentrations, HNP1 was able to inactivate the virus even in the presence of serum. Overall, our results suggest that defensins can negatively affect the native conformation of SARS-CoV-2 Spike, and that α- and θ-defensins may be valuable tools in developing SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention strategies.
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29
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Chen J, Zhai W, Li Y, Guo Y, Zhu Y, Lei G, Li J. Enhancing the biomass and riboflavin production of Ashbya gossypii by using low-intensity ultrasound stimulation: A mechanistic investigation. Biochem Eng J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2022.108394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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30
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Xie Q, Wang Y, Zhang M, Wu S, Wei W, Xiao W, Wang Y, Zhao J, Liu N, Jin Y, Wu J, Xu P. Recombinant HNP-1 Produced by Escherichia coli Triggers Bacterial Apoptosis and Exhibits Antibacterial Activity against Drug-Resistant Bacteria. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0086021. [PMID: 35019682 PMCID: PMC8754131 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00860-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP-1) is a promising antibiotic candidate, but its clinical applications have been hampered by challenges during mass production and an inadequate understanding of its bactericidal mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrated that Escherichia coli expressing full-length preproHNP-1 secretes a soluble form of HNP-1, which can be recovered from the total cell lysate after isopropyl thio-β-d-galactoside (IPTG) induction and ultrafiltration. Label-free quantitative proteomics and co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that HNP-1 induces cell apoptosis in bacteria by causing DNA and membrane damage. Notably, we found that HNP-1 disrupts the DNA damage response pathway by interfering with the binding of RecA to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Further experiments demonstrated that HNP-1 encapsulated in liposomes inhibits the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and meropenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MRPA). These results indicated that recombinant protein expression may be a simple and cost-effective solution to produce HNP-1 and that RecA inhibition via HNP-1 may serve as an alternative strategy to counteract antibiotic resistance. IMPORTANCE Human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP-1) is a promising antibiotic candidate, but its clinical application has been hampered by the difficulty of mass production and an inadequate understanding of its bactericidal mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrated that recombinant protein expression combined with ultrafiltration may be a simple and cost-effective solution to HNP-1 production. We further found that HNP-1 induces bacterial apoptosis and prevents its SOS repair pathway from binding to the RecA protein, which may be a new antibacterial mechanism. In addition, we showed that HNP-1 encapsulated in liposomes inhibits the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and meropenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MRPA). These results provide new insights into the production and antibacterial mechanism of HNP-1, both of which may promote its clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xie
- School of Basic Medical Science, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery of Ministry of Education and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yin Wang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery of Ministry of Education and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shujia Wu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery of Ministry of Education and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Weidi Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Yihao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Jinchao Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Science, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery of Ministry of Education and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Nan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery of Ministry of Education and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiguang Jin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Junzhu Wu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery of Ministry of Education and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Xu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery of Ministry of Education and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences Beijing, Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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31
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Yu L, Li K, Zhang J, Jin H, Saleem A, Song Q, Jia Q, Li P. Antimicrobial Peptides and Macromolecules for Combating Microbial Infections: From Agents to Interfaces. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:366-393. [PMID: 35072444 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c01132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial resistance caused by the overuse of antibiotics and the shelter of biofilms has evolved into a global health crisis, which drives researchers to continuously explore antimicrobial molecules and strategies to fight against drug-resistant bacteria and biofilm-associated infections. Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered to be a category of potential alternative for antibiotics owing to their excellent bactericidal potency and lesser likelihood of inducing drug resistance through their distinctive antimicrobial mechanisms. In this review, the hitherto reported plentiful action modes of AMPs are systematically classified into 15 types and three categories (membrane destructive, nondestructive membrane disturbance, and intracellular targeting mechanisms). Besides natural AMPs, cationic polypeptides, synthetic polymers, and biopolymers enable to achieve tunable antimicrobial properties by optimizing their structures. Subsequently, the applications of these cationic antimicrobial agents at the biointerface as contact-active surface coatings and multifunctional wound dressings are also emphasized here. At last, we provide our perspectives on the development of clinically significant cationic antimicrobials and related challenges in the translation of these materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luofeng Yu
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Kunpeng Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Haoyu Jin
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Atif Saleem
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Qing Song
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Qingyan Jia
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Peng Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
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32
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Duong L, Gross SP, Siryaporn A. Developing Antimicrobial Synergy With AMPs. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 3:640981. [PMID: 35047912 PMCID: PMC8757689 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2021.640981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been extensively studied due to their vast natural abundance and ability to kill microbes. In an era critically lacking in new antibiotics, manipulating AMPs for therapeutic application is a promising option. However, bacterial pathogens resistant to AMPs remain problematic. To improve AMPs antimicrobial efficacy, their use in conjunction with other antimicrobials has been proposed. How might this work? AMPs kill bacteria by forming pores in bacterial membranes or by inhibiting bacterial macromolecular functions. What remains unknown is the duration for which AMPs keep bacterial pores open, and the extent to which bacteria can recover by repairing these pores. In this mini-review, we discuss various antimicrobial synergies with AMPs. Such synergies might arise if the antimicrobial agents helped to keep bacterial pores open for longer periods of time, prevented pore repair, perturbed bacterial intracellular functions at greater levels, or performed other independent bacterial killing mechanisms. We first discuss combinations of AMPs, and then focus on histones, which have antimicrobial activity and co-localize with AMPs on lipid droplets and in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Recent work has demonstrated that histones can enhance AMP-induced membrane permeation. It is possible that histones, histone fragments, and histone-like peptides could amplify the antimicrobial effects of AMPs, giving rise to antimicrobial synergy. If so, clarifying these mechanisms will thus improve our overall understanding of the antimicrobial processes and potentially contribute to improved drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leora Duong
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Steven P Gross
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Albert Siryaporn
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.,Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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33
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Chen CH, Pepper K, Ulmschneider JP, Ulmschneider MB, Lu TK. Predicting Membrane-Active Peptide Dynamics in Fluidic Lipid Membranes. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2405:115-136. [PMID: 35298811 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1855-4_6] [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: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the interactions between peptides and lipid membranes could not only accelerate the development of antimicrobial peptides as treatments for infections but also be applied to finding targeted therapies for cancer and other diseases. However, designing biophysical experiments to study molecular interactions between flexible peptides and fluidic lipid membranes has been an ongoing challenge. Recently, with hardware advances, algorithm improvements, and more accurate parameterizations (i.e., force fields), all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used as a "computational microscope" to investigate the molecular interactions and mechanisms of membrane-active peptides in cell membranes (Chen et al., Curr Opin Struct Biol 61:160-166, 2020; Ulmschneider and Ulmschneider, Acc Chem Res 51(5):1106-1116, 2018; Dror et al., Annu Rev Biophys 41:429-452, 2012). In this chapter, we describe how to utilize MD simulations to predict and study peptide dynamics and how to validate the simulations by circular dichroism, intrinsic fluorescent probe, membrane leakage assay, electrical impedance, and isothermal titration calorimetry. Experimentally validated MD simulations open a new route towards peptide design starting from sequence and structure and leading to desirable functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H Chen
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Karen Pepper
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jakob P Ulmschneider
- Department of Physics, Institute of Natural Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Timothy K Lu
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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34
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Gao X, Ding J, Liao C, Xu J, Liu X, Lu W. Defensins: The natural peptide antibiotic. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 179:114008. [PMID: 34673132 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Defensins are a family of cationic antimicrobial peptides active against a broad range of infectious microbes including bacteria, viruses and fungi, playing important roles as innate effectors and immune modulators in immunological control of microbial infection. Their antibacterial properties and unique mechanisms of action have garnered considerable interest in developing defensins into a novel class of natural antibiotic peptides to fend off pathogenic infection by bacteria, particularly those resistant to conventional antibiotics. However, serious pharmacological and technical obstacles, some of which are unique to defensins and others are common to peptide drugs in general, have hindered the development and clinical translation of defensins as anti-infective therapeutics. To overcome them, several technologies have been developed, aiming for improved functionality, prolonged circulation time, enhanced proteolytic stability and bioavailability, and efficient and controlled delivery and release of defensins to the site of infection. Additional challenges include the alleviation of potential toxicity of defensins and their cost-effective manufacturing. In this review, we briefly introduce defensin biology, focus on various transforming strategies and practical techniques developed for defensins and their derivatives as antibacterial therapeutics, and conclude with a summation of future challenges and possible solutions.
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35
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Bin Hafeez A, Jiang X, Bergen PJ, Zhu Y. Antimicrobial Peptides: An Update on Classifications and Databases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11691. [PMID: 34769122 PMCID: PMC8583803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are distributed across all kingdoms of life and are an indispensable component of host defenses. They consist of predominantly short cationic peptides with a wide variety of structures and targets. Given the ever-emerging resistance of various pathogens to existing antimicrobial therapies, AMPs have recently attracted extensive interest as potential therapeutic agents. As the discovery of new AMPs has increased, many databases specializing in AMPs have been developed to collect both fundamental and pharmacological information. In this review, we summarize the sources, structures, modes of action, and classifications of AMPs. Additionally, we examine current AMP databases, compare valuable computational tools used to predict antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of action, and highlight new machine learning approaches that can be employed to improve AMP activity to combat global antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmer Bin Hafeez
- Centre of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan;
| | - Xukai Jiang
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Phillip J. Bergen
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
| | - Yan Zhu
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (X.J.); (P.J.B.)
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36
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Amiss AS, Henriques ST, Lawrence N. Antimicrobial peptides provide wider coverage for targeting drug‐resistant bacterial pathogens. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Amiss
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
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37
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Zhang QY, Yan ZB, Meng YM, Hong XY, Shao G, Ma JJ, Cheng XR, Liu J, Kang J, Fu CY. Antimicrobial peptides: mechanism of action, activity and clinical potential. Mil Med Res 2021; 8:48. [PMID: 34496967 PMCID: PMC8425997 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-021-00343-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of bacterial infections is becoming a major clinical challenge due to the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria. As an excellent candidate to overcome antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are produced from the synthetic and natural sources demonstrate a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with the high specificity and low toxicity. These peptides possess distinctive structures and functions by employing sophisticated mechanisms of action. This comprehensive review provides a broad overview of AMPs from the origin, structural characteristics, mechanisms of action, biological activities to clinical applications. We finally discuss the strategies to optimize and develop AMP-based treatment as the potential antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Yu Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Yan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue-Ming Meng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiang-Yu Hong
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gang Shao
- Department of Oncology, The 903rd Hospital of PLA, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun-Jie Ma
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xu-Rui Cheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, 555 Mission Bay Blvd. South, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Jian Kang
- Oncogenic Signaling and Growth Control Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Cai-Yun Fu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, No. 928, Street 2, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China.
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38
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Martori C, Velez R, Gállego M, Mesa I, Ferreira R, Alberola J, Rodríguez-Cortés A. Vitamin d and leishmaniasis: Neither seasonal nor risk factor in canine host but potential adjuvant treatment through cbd103 expression. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009681. [PMID: 34398874 PMCID: PMC8389843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D (VitD) deficiency has been shown to be a risk factor for a plethora of disorders. We have shown that dogs with clinical leishmaniasis presented lower VitD serum levels than non-infected dogs, and even lower than those with asymptomatic infection. However, if VitD deficiency is a risk factor to develop clinical leishmaniasis remains to be answered. It is also unknown if VitD participates in Leishmania control. First, we retrospectively analysed VitD concentration in serum samples from 36 healthy dogs collected in different periods of the year concluding that there isn't a seasonal variation of this vitamin in dogs. We also included 9 dogs with clinical leishmaniasis and 10 non-infected healthy dogs, in which we measured VitD levels at the beginning of the study, when all dogs were negative for serology and qPCR, and 1 year later. Whereas non-infected dogs showed no change in VitD levels along the study, those developing clinical leishmaniasis showed a significant VitD reduction at the end of the study (35%). When we compared VitD concentration between the two groups at the beginning of the study, no differences were detected (43.6 (38-59) ng/mL, P = 0.962). Furthermore, an in vitro model using a canine macrophage cell line proved that adding active VitD leads to a significant reduction in L. infantum load (31.4%). Analyzing expression of genes related to VitD pathway on primary canine monocytes, we showed that CBD103 expression was significantly enhanced after 1,25(OH)2D addition. Our results show that VitD concentration is neither seasonal nor a risk factor for developing canine leishmaniasis, but it diminishes with the onset of clinical disease suggesting a role in parasitic control. Our in vitro results corroborate this hypothesis and point out that VitD regulates infection through CBD103 expression. These results open the possibility for studies testing VitD as an adjuvant in leishmaniasis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Martori
- Departament de Farmacologia, Terapèutica i, Toxicologia, Facultat de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Rita Velez
- Secció de Parasitología, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Mediambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Gállego
- Secció de Parasitología, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Mediambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Jordi Alberola
- Departament de Farmacologia, Terapèutica i, Toxicologia, Facultat de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Alhelí Rodríguez-Cortés
- Departament de Farmacologia, Terapèutica i, Toxicologia, Facultat de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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39
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Wang Q, Miao J, Feng K, Liu J, Li W, Li J, Yang Z, Cao Y. Antibacterial action of peptide F1 against colistin resistance E. coli SHP45 ( mcr-1). Food Funct 2021; 11:10231-10241. [PMID: 33169751 DOI: 10.1039/d0fo01923b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of the plasmid-mediated colistin resistance mechanism (mcr-1) makes bacterial resistance to colistin increasingly serious. This mcr-1 mediated bacterial resistance to colicin is conferred primarily through modification of lipid A in lipopolysaccharides (LPS). In our previous research, antimicrobial peptide F1 was derived from Tibetan kefir and has been shown to effectively inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli), Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), and other pathogenic bacteria. Based on this characteristic of antibacterial peptide F1, we speculated that it could inhibit the growth of the colicin-resistant E. coli SHP45 (mcr-1) and not easily produce drug resistance. Studies have shown that antimicrobial peptide F1 can destroy the liposome structure of the phospholipid bilayer by destroying the inner and outer membranes of bacteria, thereby significantly inhibiting the growth of E. coli SHP45 (mcr-1), but without depending on LPS. The results of this study confirmed our hypothesis, and we anticipate that antimicrobial peptide F1 will become a safe antibacterial agent that can assist in solving the problem of drug resistance caused by colistin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
| | - Jianyin Miao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
| | - Konglong Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
| | - Jianhua Liu
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Microorganisms in Animals, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Wei Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
| | - Jun Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
| | - Zhijie Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
| | - Yong Cao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, College of Food Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
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40
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Gou S, Li B, Ouyang X, Ba Z, Zhong C, Zhang T, Chang L, Zhu Y, Zhang J, Zhu N, Zhang Y, Liu H, Ni J. Novel Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Peptide Derived from Anoplin and Its Activity on Bacterial Pneumonia in Mice. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11247-11266. [PMID: 34180670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has major issues for treating bacterial pneumonia. Currently, anoplin (GLLKRIKTLL-NH2) is a natural antimicrobial candidate derived from wasp venom. In this study, a series of new antimicrobial peptide (AMP) anoplin analogues were designed and synthesized. The relationship between their biological activities and their positive charge, hydrophobicity, amphipathicity, and secondary structure are described. The characteristic shared by these peptides is that positively charged amino acids and hydrophobic amino acids are severally arranged on the hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface of the α-helix to form a completely amphiphilic structure. To achieve ideal AMPs, below the range of the threshold of the cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity, their charges and hydrophobicity were increased as much. Among the new analogues, A-21 (KWWKKWKKWW-NH2) exhibited the greatest antimicrobial activity (geometric mean of minimum inhibitory concentrations = 4.76 μM) against all the tested bacterial strains, high bacterial cell selectivity in vitro, high effectiveness against bacterial pneumonia in mice infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae, and low toxicity in mice (LD50 = 82.01 mg/kg). A-21 exhibited a potent bacterial membrane-damaging mechanism and lipopolysaccharide-binding ability. These data provide evidence that A-21 is a promising antimicrobial candidate for the treatment of bacterial pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanhu Gou
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Beibei Li
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xu Ouyang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zufang Ba
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Chao Zhong
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Tianyue Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - LinLin Chang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yuewen Zhu
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jingying Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ningyi Zhu
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jingman Ni
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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41
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Kazi MI, Perry BW, Card DC, Schargel RD, Ali HB, Obuekwe VC, Sapkota M, Kang KN, Pellegrino MW, Greenberg DE, Castoe TA, Boll JM. Discovery and characterization of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 inhibitor peptides that potentiate meropenem-dependent killing of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:2843-2851. [PMID: 32591801 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) are an emerging class of antimicrobial resistance enzymes that degrade β-lactam antibiotics, including last-resort carbapenems. Infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are increasingly prevalent, but treatment options are limited. While several serine-dependent β-lactamase inhibitors are formulated with commonly prescribed β-lactams, no MBL inhibitors are currently approved for combinatorial therapies. New compounds that target MBLs to restore carbapenem activity against CPE are therefore urgently needed. Herein we identified and characterized novel synthetic peptide inhibitors that bound to and inhibited NDM-1, which is an emerging β-lactam resistance mechanism in CPE. METHODS We leveraged Surface Localized Antimicrobial displaY (SLAY) to identify and characterize peptides that inhibit NDM-1, which is a primary carbapenem resistance mechanism in CPE. Lead inhibitor sequences were chemically synthesized and MBCs and MICs were calculated in the presence/absence of carbapenems. Kinetic analysis with recombinant NDM-1 and select peptides tested direct binding and supported NDM-1 inhibitor mechanisms of action. Inhibitors were also tested for cytotoxicity. RESULTS We identified approximately 1700 sequences that potentiated carbapenem-dependent killing against NDM-1 Escherichia coli. Several also enhanced meropenem-dependent killing of other CPE. Biochemical characterization of a subset indicated the peptides penetrated the bacterial periplasm and directly bound NDM-1 to inhibit enzymatic activity. Additionally, each demonstrated minimal haemolysis and cytotoxicity against mammalian cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Our approach advances a molecular platform for antimicrobial discovery, which complements the growing need for alternative antimicrobials. We also discovered lead NDM-1 inhibitors, which serve as a starting point for further chemical optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misha I Kazi
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Blair W Perry
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Daren C Card
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Richard D Schargel
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Hana B Ali
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Victor C Obuekwe
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Madhab Sapkota
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Katie N Kang
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Mark W Pellegrino
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - David E Greenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Todd A Castoe
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Joseph M Boll
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
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Montfort-Gardeazabal JM, Claudio PCMS, Casillas-Vega NG, Zarate X. Expression and Purification of the VpDef Defensin in Escherichia coli using the Small Metal-Binding Proteins CusF3H+ and SmbP. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 28:108-114. [PMID: 32520670 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200610133407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The heterologous production of antimicrobial peptides in bacterial models can produce insoluble proteins due to the lack of proper folding. Fusion proteins have been used to increase the expression and solubility of these types of proteins with varying degrees of success. OBJECTIVES Here, we demonstrate the use of the small metal-binding proteins CusF3H+ (9.9kDa) and SmbP (9.9kDa) as fusion partners for the soluble expression of the bioactive antimicrobial peptide VpDef(6.9 kDa) in Escherichia coli. METHODS The recombinant VpDef (rVpDef) peptide was expressed as a translational fusion with CusF3H+ and SmbP in Escherichia coli SHuffle under different small-scale culture conditions. The best conditions were applied to 1-liter cultures, with subsequent purification of the recombinant protein through IMAC chromatography. The recombinant protein was digested using enterokinase to liberate the peptide from the fusion protein, and a second IMAC chromatography step removed the fusion protein. The purified peptide was tested against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria. RESULTS The use either of CusF3H+ or of SmbP results in recombinant proteins that are found in the soluble fraction of the bacterial lysate; these recombinant proteins are easily purified through IMAC chromatography, and rVpDef is readily separated following enterokinase treatment. The purified rVpDef peptide exhibits antimicrobial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative. CONCLUSION Use of the fusion proteins CusF3H+ and SmbP results in production of a soluble recombinant protein containing the antimicrobial peptide rVpDef that is correctly folded and that retains its antimicrobial properties once purified.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pilar C Morales-San Claudio
- Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, San Nicolas de los Garza, NL 66455, Mexico
| | - Nestor G Casillas-Vega
- Departamento de Patologia Clinica, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Hospital Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez, Monterrey, NL 64460, Mexico
| | - Xristo Zarate
- Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, San Nicolas de los Garza, NL 66455, Mexico
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Tuning of a Membrane-Perforating Antimicrobial Peptide to Selectively Target Membranes of Different Lipid Composition. J Membr Biol 2021; 254:75-96. [PMID: 33564914 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-021-00174-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The use of designed antimicrobial peptides as drugs has been impeded by the absence of simple sequence-structure-function relationships and design rules. The likely cause is that many of these peptides permeabilize membranes via highly disordered, heterogeneous mechanisms, forming aggregates without well-defined tertiary or secondary structure. We suggest that the combination of high-throughput library screening with atomistic computer simulations can successfully address this challenge by tuning a previously developed general pore-forming peptide into a selective pore-former for different lipid types. A library of 2916 peptides was designed based on the LDKA template. The library peptides were synthesized and screened using a high-throughput orthogonal vesicle leakage assay. Dyes of different sizes were entrapped inside vesicles with varying lipid composition to simultaneously screen for both pore size and affinity for negatively charged and neutral lipid membranes. From this screen, nine different LDKA variants that have unique activity were selected, sequenced, synthesized, and characterized. Despite the minor sequence changes, each of these peptides has unique functional properties, forming either small or large pores and being selective for either neutral or anionic lipid bilayers. Long-scale, unbiased atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations directly reveal that rather than rigid, well-defined pores, these peptides can form a large repertoire of functional dynamic and heterogeneous aggregates, strongly affected by single mutations. Predicting the propensity to aggregate and assemble in a given environment from sequence alone holds the key to functional prediction of membrane permeabilization.
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Gigon L, Yousefi S, Karaulov A, Simon HU. Mechanisms of toxicity mediated by neutrophil and eosinophil granule proteins. Allergol Int 2021; 70:30-38. [PMID: 33277190 DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils and eosinophils are granulocytes which are characterized by the presence of granules in the cytoplasm. Granules provide a safe storage site for granule proteins that play important roles in the immune function of granulocytes. Upon granulocytes activation, diverse proteins are released from the granules into the extracellular space and contribute to the fight against infections. In this article, we describe granule proteins of both neutrophils and eosinophils able to kill pathogens and review their anticipated mechanism of antimicrobial toxicity. It should be noted that an excess of granules protein release can lead to tissue damage of the host resulting in chronic inflammation and organ dysfunction.
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Zong X, Fu J, Xu B, Wang Y, Jin M. Interplay between gut microbiota and antimicrobial peptides. ANIMAL NUTRITION (ZHONGGUO XU MU SHOU YI XUE HUI) 2020; 6:389-396. [PMID: 33364454 PMCID: PMC7750803 DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The gut microbiota is comprised of a diverse array of microorganisms that interact with immune system and exert crucial roles for the health. Changes in the gut microbiota composition and functionality are associated with multiple diseases. As such, mobilizing a rapid and appropriate antimicrobial response depending on the nature of each stimulus is crucial for maintaining the balance between homeostasis and inflammation in the gut. Major players in this scenario are antimicrobial peptides (AMP), which belong to an ancient defense system found in all organisms and participate in a preservative co-evolution with a complex microbiome. Particularly increasing interactions between AMP and microbiota have been found in the gut. Here, we focus on the mechanisms by which AMP help to maintain a balanced microbiota and advancing our understanding of the circumstances of such balanced interactions between gut microbiota and host AMP. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the interplay of diverse antimicrobial responses with enteric pathogens and the gut microbiota, which should have therapeutic implications for different intestinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jie Fu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bocheng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yizhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingliang Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Zang H, Dai Y, Sun Y, Jia T, Song Q, Li X, Jiang X, Sui D, Han Z, Li D, Hou N. Mechanism of the biodemulsifier-enhanced biodegradation of phenanthrene by Achromobacter sp. LH-1. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2020; 195:111253. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2020.111253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Kabra R, Singh S. ABC Exporters in Pathogenesis: Role of Synthetic Anti-Microbial Peptides. Protein J 2020; 39:657-670. [PMID: 33068233 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-020-09931-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
ABC exporters are involved in diverse cellular processes including lipid trafficking, drug resistance, pathogenesis etc. The greatest thrust has been in the area of drug resistance that explains the underlying well-crafted canonical architecture of its structure. Interestingly, ranging from structural organisation to subsequent design and delivery aspects lays the niche of antimicrobial peptides. One of the major highlight of this paper is the role of synthetic antimicrobial peptides in current scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritika Kabra
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Shailza Singh
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India.
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Mechanism of Antibacterial Cationic Peptide caP4 from Curcuma pseudomontana L. (Zingiberaceae) Against E. coli. Int J Pept Res Ther 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-020-10118-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Mishra B, Lakshmaiah Narayana J, Lushnikova T, Zhang Y, Golla RM, Zarena D, Wang G. Sequence Permutation Generates Peptides with Different Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13100271. [PMID: 32992772 PMCID: PMC7600788 DOI: 10.3390/ph13100271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance poses a threat to our society, and 10 million people could die by 2050. To design potent antimicrobials, we made use of the antimicrobial peptide database (APD). Using the database filtering technology, we identified a useful template and converted it into an effective peptide WW291 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Here, we compared the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of a family of peptides obtained from sequence permutation of WW291. The resulting eight WW peptides (WW291-WW298) gained different activities against a panel of bacteria. While WW295 inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, WW298 was highly active against S. aureus USA300 LAC. Consistently with this, WW298 was more effective in permeating or depolarizing the S. aureus membranes, whereas WW295 potently permeated the E. coli membranes. In addition, WW298, but not WW295, inhibited the MRSA attachment and could disrupt its preformed biofilms more effectively than daptomycin. WW298 also protected wax moths Galleria mellonella from MRSA infection causing death. Thus, sequence permutation provides one useful avenue to generating antimicrobial peptides with varying activity spectra. Taken together with amino acid composition modulation, these methods may lead to narrow-spectrum peptides that are more promising to selectively eliminate invading pathogens without damaging commensal microbiota.
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