101
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Zhang K, Limwongyut J, Moreland AS, Wei SCJ, Jim Jia Min T, Sun Y, Shin SJ, Kim SY, Jhun BW, Pethe K, Bazan GC. An anti-mycobacterial conjugated oligoelectrolyte effective against Mycobacterium abscessus. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadi7558. [PMID: 38381846 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi7558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria have increased more than 50% in the past two decades and more than doubled in the elderly population. Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab), one of the most prevalent of these rapidly growing species, is intrinsically resistant to numerous antibiotics. Current standard-of-care treatments are not satisfactory, with high failure rate and notable adverse effects. We report here a potent anti-Mab compound from the flexible molecular framework afforded by conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs). A screen of structurally diverse, noncytotoxic COEs identified a lead compound, COE-PNH2, which was bactericidal against replicating, nonreplicating persisters and intracellular Mab.COE-PNH2 had low propensity for resistance development, with a frequency of resistance below 1.25 × 10-9 and showed no detectable resistance upon serial passaging. Mechanism of action studies were in line with COE-PNH2 affecting the physical and functional integrity of the bacterial envelope and disrupting the mycomembrane and associated essential bioenergetic pathways. Moreover, COE-PNH2 was well-tolerated and efficacious in a mouse model of Mab lung infection. This study highlights desirable in vitro and in vivo potency and safety index of this COE structure, which represents a promising anti-mycobacterial to tackle an unmet medical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 4 Science Drive 2, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jakkarin Limwongyut
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 4 Science Drive 2, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
- Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Alex S Moreland
- Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Samuel Chan Jun Wei
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 4 Science Drive 2, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tania Jim Jia Min
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 4 Science Drive 2, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yan Sun
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, 636921 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sung Jae Shin
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Su-Young Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, South Korea
| | - Byung Woo Jhun
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, South Korea
| | - Kevin Pethe
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, 636921 Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), 60 Nanyang Drive, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), 16 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, 308442 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Guillermo C Bazan
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 4 Science Drive 2, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
- Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), 60 Nanyang Drive, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials (I-FIM), National University of Singapore, 117544 Singapore, Singapore
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102
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Fang S, Kang WT, Li H, Cai Q, Liang W, Zeng M, Yu Q, Zhong R, Tao Y, Liu S, Lin S. Development of cannabidiol derivatives as potent broad-spectrum antibacterial agents with membrane-disruptive mechanism. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 266:116149. [PMID: 38266554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116149] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of antibiotic resistance has brought a significant burden to public health. Here, we designed and synthesized a series of cannabidiol derivatives by biomimicking the structure and function of cationic antibacterial peptides. This is the first report on the design of cannabidiol derivatives as broad-spectrum antibacterial agents. Through the structure-activity relationship (SAR) study, we found a lead compound 23 that killed both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria via a membrane-targeting mechanism of action with low resistance frequencies. Compound 23 also exhibited very weak hemolytic activity, low toxicity toward mammalian cells, and rapid bactericidal properties. To further validate the membrane action mechanism of compound 23, we performed transcriptomic analysis using RNA-seq, which revealed that treatment with compound 23 altered many cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis-related genes in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. More importantly, compound 23 showed potent in vivo antibacterial efficacy in murine corneal infection models caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These findings would provide a new design idea for the discovery of novel broad-spectrum antibacterial agents to overcome the antibiotic resistance crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanfang Fang
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Wen-Tyng Kang
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
| | - Haizhou Li
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Qiongna Cai
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Wanxin Liang
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Minghui Zeng
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Qian Yu
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Rongcui Zhong
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Yiwen Tao
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
| | - Shouping Liu
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
| | - Shuimu Lin
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
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103
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Medvedeva A, Teimouri H, Kolomeisky AB. Differences in Relevant Physicochemical Properties Correlate with Synergistic Activity of Antimicrobial Peptides. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:1407-1417. [PMID: 38306612 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c07663] [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: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
With the urgent need for new medical approaches due to increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been considered as potential treatments for infections. Experiments indicate that combinations of several types of AMPs might be even more effective at inhibiting bacterial growth with reduced toxicity and a lower likelihood of inducing bacterial resistance. The molecular mechanisms of AMP-AMP synergistic antimicrobial activity, however, remain not well understood. Here, we present a theoretical approach that allows us to relate the physicochemical properties of AMPs and their antimicrobial cooperativity. It utilizes correlation and bioinformatics analysis. A concept of physicochemical similarity is introduced, and it is found that less similar AMPs with respect to certain physicochemical properties lead to greater synergy because of their complementary antibacterial actions. The analysis of correlations between the similarity and the antimicrobial properties allows us to effectively separate synergistic from nonsynergistic AMP pairs. Our theoretical approach can be used for the rational design of more effective AMP combinations for specific bacterial targets, for clarifying the mechanisms of bacterial elimination, and for a better understanding of cooperativity phenomena in biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Medvedeva
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Hamid Teimouri
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Anatoly B Kolomeisky
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
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104
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Cui Z, Crawford MA, Rumble BA, Krogh MM, Hughes MA, Letteri RA. Antimicrobial Peptide-Poly(ethylene glycol) Conjugates: Connecting Molecular Architecture, Solution Properties, and Functional Performance. ACS POLYMERS AU 2024; 4:45-55. [PMID: 38371733 PMCID: PMC10870750 DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.3c00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics for treating infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria; yet, many peptides are limited by toxicity to eukaryotic cells and instability in biological environments. Conjugation to linear polymers that reduce cytotoxicity and improve stability, however, often decreases antimicrobial activity. In this work, we combine the biocompatibility advantages of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with the efficacy merits of nonlinear polymer architectures that accommodate multiple AMPs per molecule. By conjugating a chemokine-derived AMP, stapled Ac-P9, to linear and star-shaped PEG with various arm numbers and lengths, we investigated the role of molecular architecture in solution properties (i.e., ζ-potential, size, and morphology) and performance (i.e., antimicrobial activity, hemolysis, and protease resistance). Linear, 4-arm, and 8-arm conjugates with 2-2.5 kDa PEG arms were found to form nanoscale structures in solution with lower ζ-potentials relative to the unconjugated AMP, suggesting that the polymer partially shields the cationic AMP. Reducing the length of the PEG arms of the 8-arm conjugate to 1.25 kDa appeared to better reveal the peptide, seen by the increased ζ-potential, and promote assembly into particles with a larger size and defined spherical morphology. The antimicrobial effects exerted by the short 8-arm conjugate rivaled that of the unconjugated peptide, and the AMP constituents of the short 8-arm conjugate were protected from proteolytic degradation. All other conjugates examined also imparted a degree of protease resistance, but exhibited some reduced level of antimicrobial activity as compared to the AMP alone. None of the conjugates caused significant cytotoxic effects, which bodes well for their future potential to treat infections. While enhancing proteolytic stability often comes with the cost of lower antimicrobial activity, we have found that presenting AMPs at high density on a neutral nonlinear polymer strikes a favorable balance, exhibiting both enhanced stability and high antimicrobial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixian Cui
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, United States
| | - Matthew A. Crawford
- Division
of Infectious Diseases & International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Blake A. Rumble
- Division
of Infectious Diseases & International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Megan M. Krogh
- Division
of Infectious Diseases & International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Molly A. Hughes
- Division
of Infectious Diseases & International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Rachel A. Letteri
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, United States
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105
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Hansson A, Karlsen EA, Stensen W, Svendsen JSM, Berglin M, Lundgren A. Preventing E. coli Biofilm Formation with Antimicrobial Peptide-Functionalized Surface Coatings: Recognizing the Dependence on the Bacterial Binding Mode Using Live-Cell Microscopy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:6799-6812. [PMID: 38294883 PMCID: PMC10875647 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can kill bacteria by destabilizing their membranes, yet translating these molecules' properties into a covalently attached antibacterial coating is challenging. Rational design efforts are obstructed by the fact that standard microbiology methods are ill-designed for the evaluation of coatings, disclosing few details about why grafted AMPs function or do not function. It is particularly difficult to distinguish the influence of the AMP's molecular structure from other factors controlling the total exposure, including which type of bonds are formed between bacteria and the coating and how persistent these contacts are. Here, we combine label-free live-cell microscopy, microfluidics, and automated image analysis to study the response of surface-bound Escherichia coli challenged by the same small AMP either in solution or grafted to the surface through click chemistry. Initially after binding, the grafted AMPs inhibited bacterial growth more efficiently than did AMPs in solution. Yet, after 1 h, E. coli on the coated surfaces increased their expression of type-1 fimbriae, leading to a change in their binding mode, which diminished the coating's impact. The wealth of information obtained from continuously monitoring the growth, shape, and movements of single bacterial cells allowed us to elucidate and quantify the different factors determining the antibacterial efficacy of the grafted AMPs. We expect this approach to aid the design of elaborate antibacterial material coatings working by specific and selective actions, not limited to contact-killing. This technology is needed to support health care and food production in the postantibiotic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Hansson
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials, RISE Research
Institutes of Sweden, Borås 50115, Sweden
| | - Eskil André Karlsen
- Amicoat
A/S, Sykehusvegen 23, Tromsø 9019, Norway
- Department
of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University
of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Department
of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University
of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - John S. M. Svendsen
- Amicoat
A/S, Sykehusvegen 23, Tromsø 9019, Norway
- Department
of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University
of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - Mattias Berglin
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials, RISE Research
Institutes of Sweden, Borås 50115, Sweden
| | - Anders Lundgren
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
- Centre
for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 41346, Sweden
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106
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Zhang Z, Wang X, Liu J, Yang H, Tang H, Li J, Luan S, Yin J, Wang L, Shi H. Structural Element of Vitamin U-Mimicking Antibacterial Polypeptide with Ultrahigh Selectivity for Effectively Treating MRSA Infections. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318011. [PMID: 38131886 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318011] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) exhibit mighty antibacterial properties without inducing drug resistance. Achieving much higher selectivity of AMPs towards bacteria and normal cells has always been a continuous goal to be pursued. Herein, a series of sulfonium-based polypeptides with different degrees of branching and polymerization were synthesized by mimicking the structure of vitamin U. The polypeptide, G2 -PM-1H+ , shows both potent antibacterial activity and the highest selectivity index of 16000 among the reported AMPs or peptoids (e.g., the known index of 9600 for recorded peptoid in "Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2020, 59, 6412."), which can be attributed to the high positive charge density of sulfonium and the regulation of hydrophobic chains in the structure. The antibacterial mechanisms of G2 -PM-1H+ are primarily ascribed to the interaction with the membrane, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and disfunction of ribosomes. Meanwhile, altering the degree of alkylation leads to selective antibacteria against either gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria in a mixed-bacteria model. Additionally, both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that G2 -PM-1H+ exhibited superior efficacy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) compared to vancomycin. Together, these results show that G2 -PM-1H+ possesses high biocompatibility and is a potential pharmaceutical candidate in combating bacteria significantly threatening human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyan Zhang
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodan Wang
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Jiaying Liu
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Huawei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Haoyu Tang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science & Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Shifang Luan
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Jinghua Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Hengchong Shi
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
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107
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Schaefer S, Melodia D, Pracey C, Corrigan N, Lenardon MD, Boyer C. Mimicking Charged Host-Defense Peptides to Tune the Antifungal Activity and Biocompatibility of Amphiphilic Polymers. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:871-889. [PMID: 38165721 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01038] [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: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections impose a substantial global health burden. They cause more than 1.5 million deaths annually and are insufficiently met by the currently approved antifungal drugs. Antifungal peptides are a promising alternative to existing antifungal drugs; however, they can be challenging to synthesize, and are often susceptible to proteases in vivo. Synthetic polymers which mimic the properties of natural antifungal peptides can circumvent these limitations. In this study, we developed a library of 29 amphiphilic polyacrylamides with different charged units, namely, amines, guanidinium, imidazole, and carboxylic acid groups, representative of the natural amino acids lysine, arginine, histidine, and glutamic acid. Ternary polymers incorporating primary ammonium (lysine-like) or imidazole (histidine-like) groups demonstrated superior activity against Candida albicans and biocompatibility with mammalian cells compared to the polymers containing the other charged groups. Furthermore, a combination of primary ammonium, imidazole, and guanidinium (arginine-like) within the same polymer outperformed the antifungal drug amphotericin B in terms of therapeutic index and exhibited fast C. albicans-killing activity. The most promising polymer compositions showed synergistic effects in combination with caspofungin and fluconazole against C. albicans and additionally demonstrated activity against other clinically relevant fungi. Collectively, these results indicate the strong potential of these easily producible polymers to be used as antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Schaefer
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Daniele Melodia
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Christopher Pracey
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Nathaniel Corrigan
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Megan D Lenardon
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Cyrille Boyer
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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108
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King N, Dhumal D, Lew SQ, Kuo SH, Galanakou C, Oh MW, Chong SY, Zhang N, Lee LTO, Hayouka Z, Peng L, Lau GW. Amphiphilic Dendrimer as Potent Antibacterial against Drug-Resistant Bacteria in Mouse Models of Human Infectious Diseases. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:453-466. [PMID: 38241613 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Modern medicine continues to struggle against antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. Among the pathogens of critical concerns are the multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These pathogens are major causes of nosocomial infections among immunocompromised individuals, involving major organs such as lung, skin, spleen, kidney, liver, and bloodstream. Therefore, novel approaches are direly needed. Recently, we developed an amphiphilic dendrimer DDC18-8A exhibiting high antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy in vitro. DDC18-8A is composed of a long hydrophobic alkyl chain and a small hydrophilic poly(amidoamine) dendron bearing amine terminals, exerting its antibacterial activity by attaching and inserting itself into bacterial membranes to trigger cell lysis. Here, we examined the pharmacokinetics and in vivo toxicity as well as the antibacterial efficacy of DDC18-8A in mouse models of human infectious diseases. Remarkably, DDC18-8A significantly reduced the bacterial burden in mouse models of acute pneumonia and bacteremia by P. aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae and neutropenic soft tissue infection by P. aeruginosa and MRSA. Most importantly, DDC18-8A outperformed pathogen-specific antibiotics against all three pathogens by achieving a similar bacterial clearance at 10-fold lower therapeutic concentrations. In addition, it showed superior stability and biodistribution in vivo, with excellent safety profiles yet without any observable abnormalities in histopathological analysis of major organs, blood serum biochemistry, and hematology. Collectively, we provide strong evidence that DDC18-8A is a promising alternative to the currently prescribed antibiotics in addressing challenges associated with nosocomial infections by MDR pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah King
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, United States
| | - Dinesh Dhumal
- CNRS, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM), UMR 7325, Equipe Labelisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy 913, Marseille 13288, France
| | - Shi Qian Lew
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, United States
| | - Shanny Hsuan Kuo
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, United States
| | - Christina Galanakou
- CNRS, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM), UMR 7325, Equipe Labelisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy 913, Marseille 13288, France
| | - Myung Whan Oh
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, United States
| | - Sook Yin Chong
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, United States
| | - Nian Zhang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China
| | - Leo Tsz On Lee
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China
- Ministry of Education Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China
| | - Zvi Hayouka
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Ling Peng
- CNRS, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM), UMR 7325, Equipe Labelisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy 913, Marseille 13288, France
| | - Gee W Lau
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, United States
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109
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Li ZY, Zhang X, Qian YL, Du FS, Li ZC. Synthesis and antibacterial properties of fluorinated biodegradable cationic polyesters. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:1569-1578. [PMID: 38252543 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02578k] [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: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptide-mimicking antibacterial polymers represent a practical strategy to conquer the ever-growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Herein, we report the syntheses and antibacterial performance of degradable amphiphilic cationic polyesters containing pendent quaternary ammonium motifs and hydrophobic alkyl or fluoroalkyl groups. These polyesters were conveniently prepared from poly(3-methylene-1,5-dioxepan-2-one) via highly efficient one-pot successive thiol-Michael addition reactions. The antibacterial activity of these polyesters against S. aureus and E. coli and their hemolytic activity toward red blood cells were evaluated; some of them showed moderate antibacterial activity and selectivity against Gram-positive S. aureus. The membrane disruption mechanism of these cationic polyesters was briefly explored by monitoring the bacteria killing kinetics and SEM observations. Moreover, the effects of cationic/hydrophobic ratio and the incorporation of fluoroalkyl groups on the antibacterial activity and selectivity of the polyesters were demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Yue Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Xiaoying Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yi-Lin Qian
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Fu-Sheng Du
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Zi-Chen Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Antony A, Purayil AK, Olakkaran S, Dhannura S, Shekh S, Gowd KH, Gurushankara HP. Antimicrobial and antitumor properties of anuran peptide temporin-SHf induce apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells. Amino Acids 2024; 56:12. [PMID: 38319435 PMCID: PMC10847208 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03373-3] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Temporin-SHf is a linear, ultra-short, hydrophobic, α-helix, and phe-rich cationic antimicrobial peptide. The antitumor activities and mechanism of temporin-SHf-induced cancer cell death are unknown. The temporin-SHf was synthesized by solid-phase Fmoc chemistry and antimicrobial and antitumor activities were investigated. Temporin-SHf was microbiocidal, non-hemolytic, and cytotoxic to human cancer cells but not to non-tumorigenic cells. It affected the cancer cells' lysosomal integrity and caused cell membrane damage. The temporin-SHf inhibited A549 cancer cell proliferation and migration. It is anti-angiogenic and causes cancer cell death through apoptosis. The molecular mechanism of action of temporin-SHf confirmed that it kills cancer cells by triggering caspase-dependent apoptosis through an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Owing to its short length and broad spectrum of antitumor activity, temporin-SHf is a promising candidate for developing a new class of anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anet Antony
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, 671 320, India
- Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Malappuram, Kerala, 673 635, India
| | - Anupama Kizhakke Purayil
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, 671 320, India
- Department of Molecular Biology, Kannur University, Dr. Janakiammal Campus, Thalasserry, Palayad, Kerala, 670 661, India
| | - Shilpa Olakkaran
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, 671 320, India
- Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Malappuram, Kerala, 673 635, India
| | - Shweta Dhannura
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, 585 367, India
| | - Shamasoddin Shekh
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, 585 367, India
| | - Konkallu Hanumae Gowd
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, 585 367, India
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111
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de Almeida Gomes I, da Lima AB, da Silva Brito DM, Almeida Lima A, de Oliveira FL, Espino Zelaya EA, Magalhães Rebello Alencar L, Castelo Branco de Souza Collares Maia D, Amaral de Moraes ME, Pantoja Mesquita F, Noronha Souza PF, Montenegro RC. Recalculating the Route: Repositioning Antimicrobial Peptides for Cancer Treatment. Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202301840. [PMID: 38088493 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202301840] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Resistance to antimicrobial drugs has been considered a public health problem. Likewise, the increasing resistance of cancer cells to drugs currently used in therapy has also become a problem. Therefore, the research and development of synthetic peptides bring a new perspective on the emergence of new drugs for treating this resistance since bioinformatics provides a means to optimize these molecules and save time and costs in research. Peptides have several mechanisms of action, such as forming pores on the cell membrane and inhibiting protein synthesis. Some studies report the use of antimicrobial peptides with the potential for action against cancer cells, suggesting a repositioning of antimicrobial peptides to fight back cancer resistance. There is an alteration in the microenvironment, making its net charge negative for the survival and growth of cancer cells. The changes in glycoproteins favor the membrane to have a more negative charge, favoring the interaction between the cells and the peptide, thus making possible the repositioning of these antimicrobial peptides against cancer. Here, we will discuss the mechanism of action, targets and effects of peptides, comparison between microbial and cancer cells, and proteomic changes caused by the interaction of peptides and cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isadora de Almeida Gomes
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz da Lima
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | - Daiane Maria da Silva Brito
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60020-181, CE, Brazil
| | - Arlene Almeida Lima
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | - Francisco Laio de Oliveira
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | - Elmer Adilson Espino Zelaya
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | | | | | - Maria Elisabete Amaral de Moraes
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | - Felipe Pantoja Mesquita
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | - Pedro Filho Noronha Souza
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
| | - Raquel C Montenegro
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-275, Brazil
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112
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Dzuvor CKO. Toward Clinical Applications: Transforming Nonantibiotic Antibacterials into Effective Next-Generation Supramolecular Therapeutics. ACS NANO 2024; 18:2564-2577. [PMID: 38227832 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c11045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a major driver of morbidity and mortality worldwide, necessitating alternatives. Due to their mechanism of action, bacteriophages, endolysins, and antimicrobial peptides (coined herein as nonantibiotic antibacterials, NAA) have risen to tackle this problem and led to paradigms in treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. However, their clinical applications remain challenging and have been seriously hampered by cytotoxicity, instability, weak bioactivity, low on-target bioavailability, high pro-inflammatory responses, shorter half-life, and circulatory properties. Hence, to transit preclinical phases and beyond, it has become imperative to radically engineer these alternatives into innovative and revolutionary therapeutics to overcome recalcitrant infections. This perspective highlights the promise of these agents, their limitations, promising designs, nanotechnology, and delivery approaches that can be harnessed to transform these agents. Finally, I provide an outlook on the remaining challenges that need to be tackled for their widespread clinical administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian K O Dzuvor
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
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113
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Alfred R, Bryant G, Mata JP, Bhave M, Shah RM. Unraveling the Effects of Cationic Peptides on Vesicle Structures: Insights into Peptide-Membrane Interactions. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:220-229. [PMID: 38116591 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00824] [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] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global health issue, with millions of lives at risk by 2050, necessitating the development of alternatives with broad-spectrum activity against pathogenic microbes. Antimicrobial peptides provide a promising solution by combating microbes, modulating immunity, and reducing resistance development through membrane and intracellular targeting. PuroA, a synthetic peptide derived from the tryptophan-rich domain of puroindoline A, exhibits potent antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, while the rationally designed P1 peptide demonstrates enhanced antimicrobial activity with its specific composition. This paper investigates the concentration-dependent effects of these cationic peptides on distinct types of vesicles representing strong-negative bacterial cell membranes (S-vesicles), weak-negative bacterial cell membranes (W-vesicles), and mammalian cell membranes (M-vesicles). To investigate the interactions between the peptides and vesicles, small-angle neutron scattering experiments were conducted. The cationic peptides, PuroA and P1, interact with S-vesicles through electrostatic interactions, leading to distinct effects. PuroA accumulates on the vesicle surface, increasing Rcore and Rtotal, aligning with the carpet model. P1 disrupts the vesicle structure at higher concentrations, consistent with the detergent model. Neither peptide significantly affects W-vesicles, emphasizing the role of charge. In uncharged M-vesicles, both peptides decrease Rcore and Rtotal and increase tshell, indicating peptide insertion and altered bilayer properties. These findings provide valuable insights into peptide-membrane interactions and their impact on vesicle structures. Furthermore, the implications of these findings extend to the potential development of innovative antimicrobial agents and drug delivery systems that specifically target bacterial and mammalian membranes. This research contributes to the advancement of understanding peptide-membrane interactions and lays the foundation for the design of approaches for targeting membranes in various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Alfred
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Gary Bryant
- Physics, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
| | - Jitendra P Mata
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Sydney, NSW 2234, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Mrinal Bhave
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Rohan M Shah
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
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114
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Guo X, Miao X, An Y, Yan T, Jia Y, Deng B, Cai J, Yang W, Sun W, Wang R, Xie J. Novel antimicrobial peptides modified with fluorinated sulfono-γ-AA having high stability and targeting multidrug-resistant bacteria infections. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116001. [PMID: 38056301 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116001] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The emergence and increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria have posed an urgent demand for novel antibacterial drugs. Currently, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), potential novel antimicrobial agents with rare antimicrobial resistance, represent an available strategy to combat MDR bacterial infections but suffer the limitation of protease degradation. In this study, we developed a highly effective method for optimizing the stability of AMPs by introducing fluorinated sulfono-γ-AApeptides, and successfully synthesized novel Feleucin-K3-analogs. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of fluorinated sulfono-γ-AA into Feleucin-K3 effectively improved stability and afforded optimal peptides, such as CF3-K11, which exhibited 8-9 times longer half-lives than Feleucin-K3. Moreover, CF3-K11 displayed potent antimicrobial activity against clinically isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), excellent biosafety, low resistance propensity, and possessed powerful antimicrobial efficacy for both local skin infection and pneumonia infection. The optimal CF3-K11 exhibited strong therapeutic potential and offered a superior approach for treating MDR bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiaokang Miao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yingying An
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Tiantian Yan
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yue Jia
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Bochuan Deng
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Wenle Yang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Wangsheng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, 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, China.
| | - Junqiu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
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115
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Serizawa T, Yamaguchi S, Sugiura K, Marten R, Yamamoto A, Hata Y, Sawada T, Tanaka H, Tanaka M. Antibacterial Synthetic Nanocelluloses Synergizing with a Metal-Chelating Agent. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:246-255. [PMID: 37967519 PMCID: PMC10792664 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Antibacterial materials composed of biodegradable and biocompatible constituents that are produced via eco-friendly synthetic strategies will become an attractive alternative to antibiotics to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this study, we demonstrated the antibacterial properties of nanosheet-shaped crystalline assemblies of enzymatically synthesized aminated cellulose oligomers (namely, surface-aminated synthetic nanocelluloses) and their synergy with a metal-chelating antibacterial agent, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Growth curves and colony counting assays revealed that the surface-aminated cellulose assemblies had an antibacterial effect against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli). The cationic assemblies appeared to destabilize the cell wall of E. coli through electrostatic interactions with anionic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecules on the outer membrane. The antibacterial properties were significantly enhanced by the concurrent use of EDTA, which potentially removed metal ions from LPS molecules, resulting in synergistic bactericidal effects. No antibacterial activity of the surface-aminated cellulose assemblies was observed against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus even in the presence of EDTA, further supporting the contribution of electrostatic interactions between the cationic assemblies and anionic LPS to the activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Analysis using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring revealed the attractive interaction of the surface-aminated cellulose assembly with LPS Ra monolayers artificially produced on the device substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Serizawa
- Department
of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical
Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Saeko Yamaguchi
- Department
of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical
Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Kai Sugiura
- Department
of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical
Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Ramona Marten
- Physical
Chemistry of Biosystems, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg D69120, Germany
- Center
for Integrative Medicine and Physics, Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Akihisa Yamamoto
- Center
for Integrative Medicine and Physics, Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yuuki Hata
- Department
of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical
Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Toshiki Sawada
- Department
of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical
Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tanaka
- Department
of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical
Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Motomu Tanaka
- Physical
Chemistry of Biosystems, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg D69120, Germany
- Center
for Integrative Medicine and Physics, Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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116
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Su G, Huang S, Jiang S, Chen L, Yang F, Liu Z, Wang G, Huang J. Porcine β-Defensin 114: Creating a Dichotomous Response to Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1016. [PMID: 38256090 PMCID: PMC10816359 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The immunity-related functions of defensins seem to be dependent on environmental stimuli, the cell type, and the concentration of peptides. However, the function and mechanism of porcine β-defensin 114 (pBD114) in regulating the inflammatory response to macrophages are unclear. Therefore, the modulatory effects of porcine pBD114 on the inflammatory response were investigated by treating the mouse monocyte macrophage cell line RAW264.7 with different concentrations of pBD114 with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS). RNA-seq analysis was performed to investigate the mechanisms underlying pBD114's regulation of inflammatory responses in macrophages. In addition, the inflammatory response-modulating effects of pBD114 were also further verified with a mouse assay. The results showed that 100 μg/mL of pBD114 significantly promoted the secretion of TNF-α and IL-10 in RAW264.7. However, the LPS-induced increase in TNFα in the RAW264.7 cell cultures was significantly decreased with 10 μg/mL of pBD114. These results suggest that pBD114 can exhibit pro-inflammatory activities under normal physiological conditions with 100 μg/mL of pBD114, and anti-inflammatory activities during an excessive inflammatory response with 10 μg/mL of pBD114. RNA-seq analysis was performed to gain further insights into the effects of pBD114 on the inflammatory response. Among the pBD114-promoting RAW264.7 pro-inflammatory responses, pBD114 significantly up-regulated 1170 genes and down-regulated 724 genes. KEGG enrichment showed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in the immune- and signal-transduction-related signaling pathways. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) and key driver analysis (KDA) analyses revealed that Bcl10 and Bcl3 were the key genes. In addition, pBD114 significantly up-regulated 12 genes and down-regulated 38 genes in the anti-inflammatory response. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in the "Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction" signaling pathway, and PPI and KDA analyses showed that Stat1 and Csf2 were the key genes. The results of qRT-PCR verified those of RNA-seq. In vivo mouse tests also confirmed the pro- or anti-inflammatory activities of pBD114. Although the inflammatory response is a rapid and complex physiological reaction to noxious stimuli, this study found that pBD114 plays an essential role mainly by acting on the genes related to immunity, signal transduction, signaling molecules, and interactions. In conclusion, this study provides a certain theoretical basis for the research and application of defensins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqi Su
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China; (G.S.); (L.C.)
- National Pig Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Sheng Huang
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China; (G.S.); (L.C.)
- National Pig Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China; (G.S.); (L.C.)
- National Pig Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Li Chen
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China; (G.S.); (L.C.)
- National Pig Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Feiyun Yang
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China; (G.S.); (L.C.)
- National Pig Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Zuohua Liu
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China; (G.S.); (L.C.)
- National Pig Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science & Technology, Ministry of Education, State & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 402460, China
| | - Jinxiu Huang
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China; (G.S.); (L.C.)
- National Pig Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing 402460, China
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117
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Gour N, Dong X. The MRGPR family of receptors in immunity. Immunity 2024; 57:28-39. [PMID: 38198852 PMCID: PMC10825802 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.12.012] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors (Mrgprs) has opened a compelling chapter in our understanding of immunity and sensory biology. This family of receptors, with their unique expression and diverse ligands, has emerged as key players in inflammatory states and hold the potential to alleviate human diseases. This review will focus on the members of this receptor family expressed on immune cells and how they govern immune and neuro-immune pathways underlying various physiological and pathological states. Immune cell-specific Mrgprs have been shown to control a variety of manifestations, including adverse drug reactions, inflammatory conditions, bacterial immunity, and the sensing of environmental exposures like allergens and irritants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naina Gour
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Xinzhong Dong
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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118
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Al Hamwi G, Namasivayam V, Büschbell B, Gedschold R, Golz S, Müller CE. Proinflammatory chemokine CXCL14 activates MAS-related G protein-coupled receptor MRGPRX2 and its putative mouse ortholog MRGPRB2. Commun Biol 2024; 7:52. [PMID: 38184723 PMCID: PMC10771525 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05739-5] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis show a strongly upregulated expression of chemokine CXCL14, whose target is still unknown. Screening of CXCL14 in a panel of human G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) revealed its potent and selective activation of the orphan MAS-related GPCR X2 (MRGPRX2). This receptor is expressed on mast cells and - like CXCL14 - upregulated in bronchial inflammation. CXCL14 induces robust activation of MRGPRX2 and its putative mouse ortholog MRGPRB2 in G protein-dependent and β-arrestin recruitment assays that is blocked by a selective MRGPRX2/B2 antagonist. Truncation combined with mutagenesis and computational studies identified the pharmacophoric sequence of CXCL14 and its presumed interaction with the receptor. Intriguingly, C-terminal domain sequences of CXCL14 consisting of 4 to 11 amino acids display similar or increased potency and efficacy compared to the full CXCL14 sequence (77 amino acids). These results provide a rational basis for the future development of potential idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazl Al Hamwi
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Vigneshwaran Namasivayam
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Beatriz Büschbell
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Robin Gedschold
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Golz
- Lead Identification & Characterization, Pharma Research and Development Center, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany.
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Aguilera-Puga MDC, Cancelarich NL, Marani MM, de la Fuente-Nunez C, Plisson F. Accelerating the Discovery and Design of Antimicrobial Peptides with Artificial Intelligence. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2714:329-352. [PMID: 37676607 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3441-7_18] [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: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Peptides modulate many processes of human physiology targeting ion channels, protein receptors, or enzymes. They represent valuable starting points for the development of new biologics against communicable and non-communicable disorders. However, turning native peptide ligands into druggable materials requires high selectivity and efficacy, predictable metabolism, and good safety profiles. Machine learning models have gradually emerged as cost-effective and time-saving solutions to predict and generate new proteins with optimal properties. In this chapter, we will discuss the evolution and applications of predictive modeling and generative modeling to discover and design safe and effective antimicrobial peptides. We will also present their current limitations and suggest future research directions, applicable to peptide drug design campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana D C Aguilera-Puga
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad (Langebio), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
- CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Irapuato, Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Natalia L Cancelarich
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Mariela M Marani
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Fabien Plisson
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad (Langebio), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
- CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Irapuato, Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
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120
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Bharadwaj A, Kaur R, Gupta S. Emerging Treatment Approaches for COVID-19 Infection: A Critical Review. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:435-448. [PMID: 37070448 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230417112543] [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: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
In the present scenario, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has imposed enormous damage on human survival and the global financial system. It has been estimated that around 111 million people all around the world have been infected, and about 2.47 million people died due to this pandemic. The major symptoms were sneezing, coughing, cold, difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and multi-organ failure associated 1with SARS-CoV-2. Currently, two key problems, namely insufficient attempts to develop drugs against SARSCoV-2 and the lack of any biological regulating process, are mostly responsible for the havoc caused by this virus. Henceforth, developing a few novel drugs is urgently required to cure this pandemic. It has been noticed that the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is caused by two main events: infection and immune deficiency, that occur during the pathological process. Antiviral medication can treat both the virus and the host cells. Therefore, in the present review, the major approaches for the treatment have been divided into "target virus" and "target host" groups. These two mechanisms primarily rely on drug repositioning, novel approaches, and possible targets. Initially, we discussed the traditional drugs per the physicians' recommendations. Moreover, such therapeutics have no potential to fight against COVID-19. After that, detailed investigation and analysis were conducted to find some novel vaccines and monoclonal antibodies and conduct a few clinical trials to check their effectiveness against SARSCoV- 2 and mutant strains. Additionally, this study presents the most successful methods for its treatment, including combinatorial therapy. Nanotechnology was studied to build efficient nanocarriers to overcome the traditional constraints of antiviral and biological therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok Bharadwaj
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, UP, India
| | - Rasanpreet Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, UP, India
| | - Saurabh Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, UP, India
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121
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Gao N, Wang J, Fang C, Bai P, Sun Y, Wu W, Shan A. Combating bacterial infections with host defense peptides: Shifting focus from bacteria to host immunity. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 72:101030. [PMID: 38043443 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101030] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections necessitates the exploration of novel paradigms for anti-infective therapy. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as host defense peptides (HDPs), have garnered extensive recognition as immunomodulatory molecules that leverage natural host mechanisms to enhance therapeutic benefits. The unique immune mechanism exhibited by certain HDPs that involves self-assembly into supramolecular nanonets capable of inducing bacterial agglutination and entrapping is significantly important. This process effectively prevents microbial invasion and subsequent dissemination and significantly mitigates selective pressure for the evolution of microbial resistance, highlighting the potential of HDP-based antimicrobial therapy. Recent advancements in this field have focused on developing bio-responsive materials in the form of supramolecular nanonets. A comprehensive overview of the immunomodulatory and bacteria-agglutinating activities of HDPs, along with a discussion on optimization strategies for synthetic derivatives, is presented in this article. These optimized derivatives exhibit improved biological properties and therapeutic potential, making them suitable for future clinical applications as effective anti-infective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Gao
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
| | - Chunyang Fang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Pengfei Bai
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Yu Sun
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Wanpeng Wu
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Anshan Shan
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
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122
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Liu Y, Lu X, Chen M, Wei Z, Peng G, Yang J, Tang C, Yu P. Advances in screening, synthesis, modification, and biomedical applications of peptides and peptide aptamers. Biofactors 2024; 50:33-57. [PMID: 37646383 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Peptides and peptide aptamers have emerged as promising molecules for a wide range of biomedical applications due to their unique properties and versatile functionalities. The screening strategies for identifying peptides and peptide aptamers with desired properties are discussed, including high-throughput screening, display screening technology, and in silico design approaches. The synthesis methods for the efficient production of peptides and peptide aptamers, such as solid-phase peptide synthesis and biosynthesis technology, are described, along with their advantages and limitations. Moreover, various modification techniques are explored to enhance the stability, specificity, and pharmacokinetic properties of peptides and peptide aptamers. This includes chemical modifications, enzymatic modifications, biomodifications, genetic engineering modifications, and physical modifications. Furthermore, the review highlights the diverse biomedical applications of peptides and peptide aptamers, including targeted drug delivery, diagnostics, and therapeutic. This review provides valuable insights into the advancements in screening, synthesis, modification, and biomedical applications of peptides and peptide aptamers. A comprehensive understanding of these aspects will aid researchers in the development of novel peptide-based therapeutics and diagnostic tools for various biomedical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Liu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoling Lu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Meilun Chen
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zheng Wei
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guangnan Peng
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunhua Tang
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peng Yu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
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123
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Zhan X, Wang D, Wang H, Chen H, Wu X, Li T, Qi J, Chen T, Wu D, Gao Y. Revitalizing Skin Repair: Unveiling the Healing Power of Livisin, a Natural Peptide Calcium Mimetic. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 16:21. [PMID: 38251238 PMCID: PMC10819626 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010021] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
When the skin is damaged, accelerating the repair of skin trauma and promoting the recovery of tissue function are crucial considerations in clinical treatment. Previously, we isolated and identified an active peptide (livisin) from the skin secretion of the frog Odorrana livida. Livisin exhibited strong protease inhibitory activity, water solubility, and stability, yet its wound-healing properties have not yet been studied. In this study, we assessed the impact of livisin on wound healing and investigated the underlying mechanism contributing to its effect. Our findings revealed livisin effectively stimulated the migration of keratinocytes, with the underlying mechanisms involved the activation of CaSR as a peptide calcium mimetic. This activation resulted in the stimulation of the CaSR/E-cadherin/EGFR/ERK signaling pathways. Moreover, the therapeutic effects of livisin were partially reduced by blocking the CaSR/E-cadherin/EGFR/ERK signaling pathway. The interaction between livisin and CaSR was further investigated by molecular docking. Additionally, studies using a mouse full-thickness wound model demonstrated livisin could accelerate skin wound healing by promoting re-epithelialization and collagen deposition. In conclusion, our study provides experimental evidence supporting the use of livisin in skin wound healing, highlighting its potential as an effective therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehui Zhan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine, Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (X.Z.); (D.W.); (H.W.); (T.L.); (J.Q.)
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China; (H.C.); (X.W.)
| | - Danni Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine, Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (X.Z.); (D.W.); (H.W.); (T.L.); (J.Q.)
| | - Hanfei Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine, Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (X.Z.); (D.W.); (H.W.); (T.L.); (J.Q.)
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hui Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China; (H.C.); (X.W.)
| | - Xinyi Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China; (H.C.); (X.W.)
| | - Tao Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine, Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (X.Z.); (D.W.); (H.W.); (T.L.); (J.Q.)
| | - Junmei Qi
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine, Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (X.Z.); (D.W.); (H.W.); (T.L.); (J.Q.)
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK;
| | - Di Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China; (H.C.); (X.W.)
| | - Yitian Gao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine, Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; (X.Z.); (D.W.); (H.W.); (T.L.); (J.Q.)
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124
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Li X, Chi H, Dalmo RA, Tang X, Xing J, Sheng X, Zhan W. Anti-microbial activity and immunomodulation of recombinant hepcidin 2 and NK-lysin from flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127590. [PMID: 37871716 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127590] [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: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Infections due to pathogens impact global aquaculture economy, where diseases caused by bacteria should be in particular focus due to antibiotic resistance. Hepcidin and NK-lysin are important innate immune factors having potential to be exploited as alternatives to antibiotics due to their antimicrobial activity and immunomodulatory capacity. In this study, the recombinant proteins of hepcidin 2 and NK-lysin (rPoHep2 and rPoNKL) from flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were obtained via a prokaryotic expression system. The results exhibited that rPoHep2 and rPoNKL killed both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria mainly via attachment and disruption of the membrane. Interestingly, both peptides could bind to bacterial DNA. The antiviral assay showed that both peptides have antiviral activity against hirame nonvirhabdovirus. They exhibited no cytotoxicity to the mammalian and fish cell lines. PoHep2 was found localized in G-CSFR-positive peritoneal cells. Moreover, rPoHep2 significantly enhanced the phagocytosis of flounder leukocytes in vitro. These findings suggested that neutrophils contained rPoHep2 and may respond to the immunoreaction of neutrophils. In summary, both rPoHep2 and rPoNKL possess antimicrobial activities and may be exploited to replace traditional antibiotics. rPoHep2 possess immune regulatory functions, that can be further investigated as an immunostimulant in aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Li
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Heng Chi
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
| | - Roy Ambli Dalmo
- Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT - the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Xiaoqian Tang
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Xing
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiuzhen Sheng
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenbin Zhan
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, KLMME, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
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125
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Tivari S, Kokate SV, Belmonte-Vázquez JL, Pawar TJ, Patel H, Ahmad I, Gayke MS, Bhosale RS, Jain VD, Muteeb G, Delgado-Alvarado E, Jadeja Y. Synthesis and Evaluation of Biological Activities for a Novel 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline Conjugate with Dipeptide Derivatives: Insights from Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:48843-48854. [PMID: 38162790 PMCID: PMC10753551 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c05961] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Peptide synthesis has opened new frontiers in the quest for bioactive molecules with limitless biological applications. This study presents the synthesis of a series of novel isoquinoline dipeptides using advanced spectroscopic techniques for characterization. These compounds were designed with the goal of discovering unexplored biological activities that could contribute to the development of novel pharmaceuticals. We evaluated the biological activities of novel compounds including their antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. The results show promising activity against Escherichia coli and potent antibacterial activity against MTCC 443 and MTCC 1688. Furthermore, these compounds demonstrate strong antifungal activity, outperforming existing standard drugs. Computational binding affinity studies of tetrahydroisoquinoline-conjugated dipeptides against E. coli DNA gyrase displayed significant binding interactions and binding affinity, which are reflected in antimicrobial activities of compounds. Our integrative significant molecular findings from both wet and dry laboratories would help pave a path for the development of antimicrobial therapeutics. The findings suggest that these isoquinoline-conjugated dipeptides could be excellent candidates for drug development, with potential applications in the fight against bacterial and fungal infections. This research represents an exciting step forward in the field of peptide synthesis and its potential to discover novel bioactive molecules with significant implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil
R. Tivari
- Department
of Chemistry, Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujarat 360003, India
| | - Siddhant V. Kokate
- Department
of Chemistry, S.S.C. College, Junnar, Pune, Maharashtra 410502, India
| | - José L. Belmonte-Vázquez
- Facultad
de Química, Universidad Nacional
Autónoma de México, Circuito Escolar s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Tushar Janardan Pawar
- Red
de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Clúster
Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic del Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Carretera Antigua a Coatepec
351, Xalapa, Veracruz91073, Mexico
| | - Harun Patel
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel
Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, Dhule, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Iqrar Ahmad
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel
Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, Dhule, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Manoj S. Gayke
- Department
of Chemistry, School of Science, Indrashil
University, Mehsana, Gujarat 382715, India
| | - Rajesh S. Bhosale
- Department
of Chemistry, School of Science, Indrashil
University, Mehsana, Gujarat 382715, India
| | - Vicky D. Jain
- Department
of Chemistry, Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujarat 360003, India
| | - Ghazala Muteeb
- Department
of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Enrique Delgado-Alvarado
- Micro
and Nanotechnology Research Center, Universidad
Veracruzana, Blvd. Av. Ruiz Cortines No. 455 Fracc, Costa Verde, Boca del Río 94294, Mexico
- Facultad
de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad
Veracruzana, Blvd. Av. Ruiz Cortines No. 455 Fracc, Costa Verde, Boca del Río 94294, Mexico
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126
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Liu F, Greenwood AI, Xiong Y, Miceli RT, Fu R, Anderson KW, McCallum SA, Mihailescu M, Gross R, Cotten ML. Host Defense Peptide Piscidin and Yeast-Derived Glycolipid Exhibit Synergistic Antimicrobial Action through Concerted Interactions with Membranes. JACS AU 2023; 3:3345-3365. [PMID: 38155643 PMCID: PMC10751773 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Developing new antimicrobials as alternatives to conventional antibiotics has become an urgent race to eradicate drug-resistant bacteria and to save human lives. Conventionally, antimicrobial molecules are studied independently even though they can be cosecreted in vivo. In this research, we investigate two classes of naturally derived antimicrobials: sophorolipid (SL) esters as modified yeast-derived glycolipid biosurfactants that feature high biocompatibility and low production cost; piscidins, which are host defense peptides (HDPs) from fish. While HDPs such as piscidins target the membrane of pathogens, and thus result in low incidence of resistance, SLs are not well understood on a mechanistic level. Here, we demonstrate that combining SL-hexyl ester (SL-HE) with subinhibitory concentration of piscidins 1 (P1) and 3 (P3) stimulates strong antimicrobial synergy, potentiating a promising therapeutic window. Permeabilization assays and biophysical studies employing circular dichroism, NMR, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction are performed to investigate the mechanism underlying this powerful synergy. We reveal four key mechanistic features underlying the synergistic action: (1) P1/3 binds to SL-HE aggregates, becoming α-helical; (2) piscidin-glycolipid assemblies synergistically accumulate on membranes; (3) SL-HE used alone or bound to P1/3 associates with phospholipid bilayers where it induces defects; (4) piscidin-glycolipid complexes disrupt the bilayer structure more dramatically and differently than either compound alone, with phase separation occurring when both agents are present. Overall, dramatic enhancement in antimicrobial activity is associated with the use of two membrane-active agents, with the glycolipid playing the roles of prefolding the peptide, coordinating the delivery of both agents to bacterial surfaces, recruiting the peptide to the pathogenic membranes, and supporting membrane disruption by the peptide. Given that SLs are ubiquitously and safely used in consumer products, the SL/peptide formulation engineered and mechanistically characterized in this study could represent fertile ground to develop novel synergistic agents against drug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Liu
- Department
of Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Alexander I. Greenwood
- Department
of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, United States
| | - Yawei Xiong
- Department
of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, United States
| | - Rebecca T. Miceli
- Department
of Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
- Center
for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Riqiang Fu
- Center
of Interdisciplinary Magnetic Resonance, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States
| | - Kyle W. Anderson
- National
Institute of Standards and Technology, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Scott A. McCallum
- Center
for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Mihaela Mihailescu
- Institute
for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Richard Gross
- Department
of Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
- Center
for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Myriam L. Cotten
- Department
of Applied Science, William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, United States
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Zhang L, Zhang H, Zhou H, Tan Y, Zhang Z, Yang W, Zhao L, Zhao Z. A Ti 3C 2 MXene-integrated near-infrared-responsive multifunctional porous scaffold for infected bone defect repair. J Mater Chem B 2023; 12:79-96. [PMID: 37814804 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01578e] [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: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Infected bone defect repair has long been a major challenge in orthopedic surgery. Apart from bacterial contamination, excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lack of osteogenesis ability also threaten the defect repair process. However, few strategies have been proposed to address these issues simultaneously. Herein, we designed and fabricated a near-infrared (NIR)-responsive, hierarchically porous scaffold to address these limitations in a synergetic manner. In this design, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) were used to fabricate the porous PMMA/PEI scaffolds via the anti-solvent vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS) process. Then, Ti3C2 MXenes were anchored on the scaffolds through the dopamine-assisted co-deposition process to obtain the PMMA/PEI/polydopamine (PDA)/MXene scaffolds. Under NIR laser irradiation, the scaffolds were able to kill bacteria through the direct contact-killing and synergetic photothermal effect of Ti3C2 MXenes and PDA. Moreover, MXenes and PDA also endowed the scaffolds with excellent ROS-scavenging capacity and satisfying osteogenesis ability. Our experimental results also confirmed that the PMMA/PEI/PDA/MXene scaffolds significantly promoted new bone formation in an infected mandibular defect model. We believe that our study provides new insights into the treatment of infected bone defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Other Research Platforms, Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Other Research Platforms, Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Hongling Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Other Research Platforms, Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Yi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Other Research Platforms, Department of Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhengmin Zhang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Wei Yang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Lixing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Other Research Platforms, Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Zhihe Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Other Research Platforms, Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Hancock SN, Yuntawattana N, Diep E, Maity A, Tran A, Schiffman JD, Michaudel Q. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization of N-methylpyridinium-fused norbornenes to access antibacterial main-chain cationic polymers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311396120. [PMID: 38079554 PMCID: PMC10742381 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311396120] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cationic polymers have been identified as a promising type of antibacterial molecules, whose bioactivity can be tuned through structural modulation. Recent studies suggest that the placement of the cationic groups close to the core of the polymeric architecture rather than on appended side chains might improve both their bioactivity and selectivity for bacterial cells over mammalian cells. However, antibacterial main-chain cationic polymers are typically synthesized via polycondensations, which do not afford precise and uniform molecular design. Therefore, accessing main-chain cationic polymers with high degrees of molecular tunability hinges upon the development of controlled polymerizations tolerating cationic motifs (or cation progenitors) near the propagating species. Herein, we report the synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of N-methylpyridinium-fused norbornene monomers. The identification of reaction conditions leading to a well-controlled ROMP enabled structural diversification of the main-chain cationic polymers and a study of their bioactivity. This family of polyelectrolytes was found to be active against both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria with minimal inhibitory concentrations as low as 25 µg/mL. Additionally, the molar mass of the polymers was found to impact their hemolytic activity with cationic polymers of smaller degrees of polymerization showing increased selectivity for bacteria over human red blood cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N. Hancock
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | | | - Emily Diep
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003
| | - Arunava Maity
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - An Tran
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - Jessica D. Schiffman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003
| | - Quentin Michaudel
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
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129
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Zhi Y, Li T, Li Y, Zhang T, Du M, Zhang Q, Wang X, Hu G. Protective role of Cecropin AD against LPS-induced intestinal mucosal injury in chickens. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1290182. [PMID: 38162646 PMCID: PMC10757607 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1290182] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cecropin AD (CAD), a renowned antimicrobial peptide, has shown promising potential in treating various bacterial infections. This study investigates the protective effects of CAD against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal adversities in chickens. Methods Sixty SPF-grade chicks were divided into groups and exposed to different dosages of CAD, followed by LPS administration. The study assessed the impact of CAD on intestinal mucosal injury markers, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Results LPS significantly increased Diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactate (D-LA) levels, both indicators of intestinal mucosal injury. CAD treatment substantially attenuated these elevations, particularly at higher dosages. Additionally, CAD markedly reduced oxidative stress in intestinal tissues, as shown by normalized antioxidant levels and decreased reactive oxygen species. Histological analysis supported these findings, showing better-preserved villi structures in CAD-treated groups. Furthermore, CAD significantly reduced IL-6 and IL-8 expression post-LPS stimulation and effectively regulated the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, decreasing associated factors like NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1b, and IL-18. Discussion The study demonstrates CAD's therapeutic potential in alleviating LPS-induced intestinal injuries. The protective effects are primarily attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions and modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Tingyu Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Yaxuan Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Mengze Du
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangdong Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, the Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Ministry of Education of China), Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
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130
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Velumani K, Arasu A, Issac PK, Kishore Kumar MS, Guru A, Arockiaraj J. Advancements of fish-derived peptides for mucormycosis: a novel strategy to treat diabetic compilation. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:10485-10507. [PMID: 37917415 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08882-8] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Mucormycosis, an extremely fatal fungal infection, is a major hurdle in the treatment of diabetes consequences. The increasing prevalence and restricted treatment choices urge the investigation of novel therapeutic techniques. Because of their effective antimicrobial characteristics and varied modes of action, fish-derived peptides have lately emerged as viable options in the fight against mucormycosis. This review examines the potential further application of fish-derived peptides in diagnosing and managing mucormycosis in relation to diabetic complications. First, we examine the pathophysiology of mucormycosis and the difficulties in treating it in diabetics. We emphasize the critical need for alternative therapeutic methods for tackling the limitations of currently available antifungal medicines. The possibility of fish-derived peptides as an innovative approach to combat mucormycosis is then investigated. These peptides, derived from several fish species, provide wide antimicrobial properties against a variety of diseases. They also have distinct modes of action, such as rupture of cell membranes, suppression of development, and modification of the host immunological response. Furthermore, we investigate the problems and prospects connected with the clinical application of fish-derived peptides. Ultimately, future advances in fish-derived peptides, offer interesting avenues for the management of mucormycosis in the context of diabetic comorbidities. More research and clinical trials are needed to properly investigate these peptide's therapeutic potential and pave the way for their adoption into future antifungal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadhirmathiyan Velumani
- Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 602 105, India
| | - Abirami Arasu
- Department of Microbiology, SRM Arts and Science College, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603 203, India
| | - Praveen Kumar Issac
- Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 602 105, India.
| | - Meenakshi Sundaram Kishore Kumar
- Biomedical Research Unit and Laboratory Animal Centre (BRULAC), Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, 600 077, India
| | - Ajay Guru
- Department of Cariology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
| | - Jesu Arockiaraj
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India.
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131
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Jin M, Liang S, Wang J, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Liu S, Xie F. Endopeptidase O promotes Streptococcus suis immune evasion by cleaving the host- defence peptide cathelicidins. Virulence 2023; 14:2283896. [PMID: 38010345 PMCID: PMC10732652 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2283896] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic Gram-positive bacterium that causes invasive infections such as sepsis and meningitis, threatening public health worldwide. For successful establishment of infection, the bacterium should subvert the innate effectors of immune defence, including the cathelicidin family of host-defence peptides that combat pathogenic bacteria by directly disrupting cell membranes and coordinating immune responses. Here, our study shows that an extracellular endopeptidase O (PepO) of S. suis contributes to assisting the bacterium to resist cathelicidin-mediated killing, as the deletion of the pepO gene makes S. suis more sensitive to the human cathelicidin LL-37, as well as its mouse equivalent, mCRAMP. This protease targets and cleaves both LL-37 and mCRAMP, degrading them into shorter peptides with only a few amino acids, thereby abrogating their ability to kill S. suis. By cleaving LL-37 and mCRAMP, PepO impairs their chemotactic properties for neutrophil migration and undermines their anti-apoptosis activity, which is required for prolonging neutrophil lifespan. Also, PepO inhibits the ability of LL-37 and mCRAMP to promote lysosome development in macrophages. Moreover, the loss of PepO attenuates organ injury and decreases bacterial burdens in a murine model of S. suis bacteraemia. Taken together, these data provide novel insights into the role of the intrinsic proteolytic characteristics of PepO in S. suis-host interaction. Our findings demonstrate that S. suis utilizes the PepO protease to cleave cathelicidins, which is an immunosuppressive strategy adopted by this bacterium to facilitate pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjie Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Siyu Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Yueling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Wanjiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Siguo Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Fang Xie
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
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132
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Zhang T, Luo X, Xu K, Zhong W. Peptide-containing nanoformulations: Skin barrier penetration and activity contribution. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 203:115139. [PMID: 37951358 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Transdermal drug delivery presents a less invasive pathway, circumventing the need to pass through the gastrointestinal tract and liver, thereby reducing drug breakdown, initial metabolism, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Nevertheless, the unique composition and dense structure of the stratum corneum present a significant barrier to transdermal delivery. This article presents an overview of the current developments in peptides and nanotechnology to address this challenge. Initially, we sum up peptide-containing nanoformulations for transdermal drug delivery, examining them through the lenses of both inorganic and organic materials. Particular emphasis is placed on the diverse roles that peptides play within these nanoformulations, including conferring functionality upon nanocarriers and enhancing the biological efficacy of drugs. Subsequently, we summarize innovative strategies for enhancing skin penetration, categorizing them into passive and active approaches. Lastly, we discuss the therapeutic potential of peptide-containing nanoformulations in addressing a range of diseases, drawing insights from the biological activities and functions of peptides. Furthermore, the challenges hindering clinical translation are also discussed, providing valuable insights for future advancements in transdermal drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xuan Luo
- Department of Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Keming Xu
- Department of Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Functional Materials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Wenying Zhong
- Department of Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Functional Materials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Ying X, Xue G, Sun P, Gan Z, Fan Z, Liu B, Han Y, Yang J, Zhang J, Lu A. Antimicrobial Peptides Targeting Streptococcus mutans: Current Research on Design, Screening and Efficacy. Curr Microbiol 2023; 81:18. [PMID: 38007405 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03540-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small-molecule peptides that play a vital role in the nonspecific immune defense system of organisms. They mainly kill microorganisms by physically destroying the cell membrane and causing the leakage of contents. AMPs have attracted much attention as potential alternatives to antibiotics due to their low susceptibility to resistance. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is one of the main causative agents of human dental caries. The design, screening, and efficacy evaluation of AMPs targeting S. mutans offer new possibilities for the prevention and treatment of oral diseases, especially dental caries, in the future. This article reviews AMPs from different sources that have inhibitory effects on S. mutans, discusses the mechanism of action of AMPs against S. mutans biofilms, and focuses on the research progress of screening methods, design modification, and biological activity evaluation of AMPs. We hope to provide insights and reference value for the development of new biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Ying
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200010, China
| | - Guanglu Xue
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200010, China
| | - Pengxiang Sun
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200010, China
| | - Ziling Gan
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200010, China
| | - Ziqian Fan
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200010, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200010, China
| | - Yaoting Han
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200010, China
| | - Jiaqian Yang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200010, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200010, China.
| | - Aiping Lu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200010, China.
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134
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Cao Y, Liu M, Han M, Ji S. Multi-arm ε-polylysines exhibit broad-spectrum antifungal activities against Candida species. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:7588-7597. [PMID: 37823351 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01233f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections pose a crucial threat to public health and are an under-recognized component of antimicrobial resistance, which is an emerging crisis worldwide. Here we designed and synthesized a panel of multi-arm ε-polylysines (ε-mPLs, nR-Km) with a precise number of n = 3-6 arms of ε-oligo(L-lysine)s and a precise arm length of m = 3-7 ε-lysine residues. ε-mPLs have good biocompatibility and exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activities towards Aspergillus, Mucorales and Candida species, and their antifungal activities increased with residue arm length. Among these ε-mPLs, 3R-K7 showed high antifungal activity against C. albicans with a MIC value of as low as 24 μg mL-1 (only 1/16th that of ε-PL) and also exhibited similar antifungal activity towards the clinically isolated multi-drug resistant (MDR) C. albicans strain. Furthermore, 3R-K7 could inhibit the formation of C. albicans biofilms and kill the cells within mature C. albicans biofilms. Mechanistic studies proved that 3R-K7 killed fungal cells by entering the cells to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce cell apoptosis. An in vivo study showed that 3R-K7 significantly increased the survival rate of mice in a systemic murine candidiasis model, demonstrating that ε-mPL has great potential as a new antifungal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanqiao Cao
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun, Jilin 130022, P. R. China.
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P. R. China
| | - Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun, Jilin 130022, P. R. China.
| | - Miaomiao Han
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun, Jilin 130022, P. R. China.
| | - Shengxiang Ji
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun, Jilin 130022, P. R. China.
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P. R. China
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135
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Tang Z, Jiang W, Li S, Huang X, Yang Y, Chen X, Qiu J, Xiao C, Xie Y, Zhang X, Li J, Verma CS, He Y, Yang A. Design and evaluation of tadpole-like conformational antimicrobial peptides. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1177. [PMID: 37980400 PMCID: PMC10657444 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05560-0] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Herein, we report a class of "tadpole-like" peptides consisting of an amphipathic α-helical head and an aromatic tail. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of "tadpole-like" temporin-SHf and its analogs revealed that increasing the number of aromatic residues in the tail, introducing Arg to the α-helical head and rearranging the peptide topology dramatically increased antimicrobial activity. Through progressive structural optimization, we obtained two peptides, HT2 and RI-HT2, which exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, no hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity, and no propensity to induce resistance. NMR and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that both peptides indeed adopted "tadpole-like" conformations. Fluorescence experiments and electron microscopy confirmed the membrane targeting mechanisms of the peptides. Our studies not only lead to the discovery of a series of ultrashort peptides with potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, but also provide a new strategy for rational design of novel "tadpole-like" antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Tang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Wuqiao Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Shuangli Li
- National Centre for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xue Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Yi Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Xiaorong Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Jingyi Qiu
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Chuyu Xiao
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Ying Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- National Centre for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jianguo Li
- Bioinformatics Institute, A∗STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix, Singapore, 138671, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Chandra Shekhar Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute, A∗STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix, Singapore, 138671, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Yun He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China.
- BayRay Innovation Center, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China.
| | - Aimin Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China.
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136
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van der Weerden NL, Parisi K, McKenna JA, Hayes BM, Harvey PJ, Quimbar P, Wevrett SR, Veneer PK, McCorkelle O, Vasa S, Guarino R, Poon S, Gaspar YM, Baker MJ, Craik DJ, Turner RB, Brown MB, Bleackley MR, Anderson MA. The Plant Defensin Ppdef1 Is a Novel Topical Treatment for Onychomycosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1111. [PMID: 37998916 PMCID: PMC10672221 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111111] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Onychomycosis, or fungal nail infection, causes not only pain and discomfort but can also have psychological and social consequences for the patient. Treatment of onychomycosis is complicated by the location of the infection under the nail plate, meaning that antifungal molecules must either penetrate the nail or be applied systemically. Currently, available treatments are limited by their poor nail penetration for topical products or their potential toxicity for systemic products. Plant defensins with potent antifungal activity have the potential to be safe and effective treatments for fungal infections in humans. The cystine-stabilized structure of plant defensins makes them stable to the extremes of pH and temperature as well as digestion by proteases. Here, we describe a novel plant defensin, Ppdef1, as a peptide for the treatment of fungal nail infections. Ppdef1 has potent, fungicidal activity against a range of human fungal pathogens, including Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., dermatophytes, and non-dermatophytic moulds. In particular, Ppdef1 has excellent activity against dermatophytes that infect skin and nails, including the major etiological agent of onychomycosis Trichophyton rubrum. Ppdef1 also penetrates human nails rapidly and efficiently, making it an excellent candidate for a novel topical treatment of onychomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L. van der Weerden
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Kathy Parisi
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - James A. McKenna
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Brigitte M. Hayes
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Peta J. Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Pedro Quimbar
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | | | - Prem K. Veneer
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Owen McCorkelle
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Shaily Vasa
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Rosemary Guarino
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Simon Poon
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Yolanda M. Gaspar
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Michael J. Baker
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Rob B. Turner
- MedPharm Ltd., Surrey Research Park, Surrey GU2 7AB, UK
| | - Marc B. Brown
- MedPharm Ltd., Surrey Research Park, Surrey GU2 7AB, UK
| | - Mark R. Bleackley
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Marilyn A. Anderson
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
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137
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Lee S, Schefter BR, Taheri-Araghi S, Ha BY. Modeling selectivity of antimicrobial peptides: how it depends on the presence of host cells and cell density. RSC Adv 2023; 13:34167-34182. [PMID: 38020026 PMCID: PMC10663724 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra06030f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), naturally-occurring peptide antibiotics, are known to attack bacteria selectively over the host cells. The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria has spurred much effort in utilizing optimized (more selective) AMPs as new peptide antibiotics. Cell selectivity of these peptides depends on various factors or parameters such as their binding affinity for cell membranes, peptide trapping in cells, peptide coverages on cell membranes required for membrane rupture, and cell densities. In this work, using a biophysical model of peptide selectivity, we show this dependence quantitatively especially for a mixture of bacteria and host cells. The model suggests a rather nontrivial dependence of the selectivity on the presence of host cells, cell density, and peptide trapping. In a typical biological setting, peptide trapping works in favor of host cells; the selectivity increases with increasing host-cell density but decreases with bacterial cell density. Because of the cell-density dependence of peptide activity, the selectivity can be overestimated by two or three orders of magnitude. The model also clarifies how the cell selectivity of AMPs differs from their membrane selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suemin Lee
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada
| | - Bethany R Schefter
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Western Ontario London Ontario N6A 3K7 Canada
| | - Sattar Taheri-Araghi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, California State University Northridge CA 91330 USA
| | - Bae-Yeun Ha
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada
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138
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Román T, Acosta G, Cárdenas C, de la Torre BG, Guzmán F, Albericio F. Protocol for Facile Synthesis of Fmoc-N-Me-AA-OH Using 2-CTC Resin as Temporary and Reusable Protecting Group. Methods Protoc 2023; 6:110. [PMID: 37987357 PMCID: PMC10660853 DOI: 10.3390/mps6060110] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
One approach to enhance the bioavailability and half-life of peptides in vivo is through N-methylation of one or more of the amino acids within the peptide sequence. However, commercially available Fmoc-N-Me-AA-OHs are limited and often expensive. In this study, a solid-phase synthesis method for Fmoc-N-Me-AA-OH was developed using a 2-chlorotrityl chloride (2-CTC) resin as a temporary protective group for the carboxylic acid strategy. Two strategies for the alkylation step were compared, employing either dimethyl sulfate or methyl iodide in the Biron-Kessler method. In this work we tested the protocol with two amino acids: Fmoc-Thr(tBu)-OH and Fmoc-βAla-OH. The first one is an alpha amino acid, very hindered and with the amine group directly influenced by the electronic effects of the carboxy group, whereas in Fmoc-βAla-OH, the presence of a methylene group weakens this influence due to the intervening carbon atoms. The desired amino acids, Fmoc-N-Me-Thr(tBu)-OH and Fmoc-N-Me-βAla-OH, were synthesized by both strategies with high yield and purity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Román
- Núcleo Biotecnología Curauma, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile; (T.R.); (C.C.)
- Doctorado en Biotecnología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile
- Department of Organic Chemistry and CIBER-BBN, Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Gerardo Acosta
- Department of Organic Chemistry and CIBER-BBN, Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Constanza Cárdenas
- Núcleo Biotecnología Curauma, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile; (T.R.); (C.C.)
| | - Beatriz G. de la Torre
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa;
| | - Fanny Guzmán
- Núcleo Biotecnología Curauma, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile; (T.R.); (C.C.)
| | - Fernando Albericio
- Department of Organic Chemistry and CIBER-BBN, Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
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139
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Klaiss-Luna MC, Giraldo-Lorza JM, Jemioła-Rzemińska M, Strzałka K, Manrique-Moreno M. Biophysical Insights into the Antitumoral Activity of Crotalicidin against Breast Cancer Model Membranes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16226. [PMID: 38003414 PMCID: PMC10671781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216226] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioactive peptides have emerged as promising therapeutic agents with antimicrobial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and, recently, antitumoral properties with a mechanism of action based on membrane destabilization and cell death, often involving a conformational change in the peptide. This biophysical study aims to provide preliminary insights into the membrane-level antitumoral mode of action of crotalicidin, a cationic host defense peptide from rattlesnake venom, toward breast cancer cell lines. The lipid composition of breast cancer cell lines was obtained after lipid extraction and quantification to prepare representative cell membrane models. Membrane-peptide interaction studies were performed using differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The outcome evidences the potential antitumoral activity and selectivity of crotalicidin toward breast cancer cell lines and suggests a mechanism initiated by the electrostatic interaction of the peptide with the lipid bilayer surface and posterior conformation change with membrane intercalation between the acyl chains in negatively charged lipid systems. This research provides valuable information that clears up the antitumoral mode of action of crotalicidin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C. Klaiss-Luna
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Juan M. Giraldo-Lorza
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Małgorzata Jemioła-Rzemińska
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kazimierz Strzałka
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcela Manrique-Moreno
- Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
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140
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Sneideris T, Erkamp NA, Ausserwöger H, Saar KL, Welsh TJ, Qian D, Katsuya-Gaviria K, Johncock MLLY, Krainer G, Borodavka A, Knowles TPJ. Targeting nucleic acid phase transitions as a mechanism of action for antimicrobial peptides. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7170. [PMID: 37935659 PMCID: PMC10630377 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42374-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which combat bacterial infections by disrupting the bacterial cell membrane or interacting with intracellular targets, are naturally produced by a number of different organisms, and are increasingly also explored as therapeutics. However, the mechanisms by which AMPs act on intracellular targets are not well understood. Using machine learning-based sequence analysis, we identified a significant number of AMPs that have a strong tendency to form liquid-like condensates in the presence of nucleic acids through phase separation. We demonstrate that this phase separation propensity is linked to the effectiveness of the AMPs in inhibiting transcription and translation in vitro, as well as their ability to compact nucleic acids and form clusters with bacterial nucleic acids in bacterial cells. These results suggest that the AMP-driven compaction of nucleic acids and modulation of their phase transitions constitute a previously unrecognised mechanism by which AMPs exert their antibacterial effects. The development of antimicrobials that target nucleic acid phase transitions may become an attractive route to finding effective and long-lasting antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Sneideris
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nadia A Erkamp
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hannes Ausserwöger
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kadi L Saar
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Timothy J Welsh
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daoyuan Qian
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kai Katsuya-Gaviria
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Margaret L L Y Johncock
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Georg Krainer
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexander Borodavka
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UK.
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Ave, Cambridge, UK.
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141
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Bachurska-Szpala P, Burdach K, Lasek R, Tymecka D, Juhaniewicz-Dębińska J, Bartosik D, Pułka-Ziach K, Sęk S. De novo designed self-assembling helicomimetic lipooligoureas with antibacterial activity. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115700. [PMID: 37542988 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115700] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
The overuse of antibiotics has led to a rise in infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, resulting in a need for new antibacterial compounds with different modes of action. In this paper, we describe a new class of compounds called lipooligoureas, which are foldamer-based mimetics of antimicrobial lipopeptides. The lipooligoureas consist of an acyl chain connected to the N-terminus of an oligourea head group that exhibits a well-defined 2.5-helix secondary structure, which is further stabilized by the attachment of the lipophilic chain to the oligourea moiety. These compounds meet the established criteria for membranolytic compounds by possessing an amphiphilic structure that promotes the internalization and partitioning of the molecules into the lipid membrane. The presence of positively charged urea residues promotes electrostatic interactions with the negatively charged bacterial membrane. The subtle structural differences in oligourea head group influence the compounds' aggregation behavior, with the number and position of positively charged urea residues correlating with their aggregation ability. The biological activity of these compounds in inhibiting bacterial growth is correlated with their ability to aggregate, with stronger antibacterial properties exhibited by those that aggregate more easily. However, the concentration inhibiting bacterial growth is significantly lower than the critical aggregation concentration values, suggesting that the mechanism of action involves the monomeric forms of lipooligoureas. Nonetheless, a mechanism based on membrane-induced aggregation cannot be ruled out. The lipooligoureas exhibit higher activity towards Gram-positive bacteria than against Gram-negative bacteria, which is indicative of certain selectivity of these compounds. It is also demonstrated that lipooligoureas exhibit increased stability against proteolytic degradation in human blood serum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kinga Burdach
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Robert Lasek
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Bacterial Genetics, University of Warsaw, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Tymecka
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Juhaniewicz-Dębińska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Bartosik
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Bacterial Genetics, University of Warsaw, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Sławomir Sęk
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland.
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142
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Bui Thi Phuong H, Le Uyen C, Doan Ngan H, Luong Xuan H. Impact of chemical modifications on the antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of helical amphipathic peptide Lasioglossin LL-III. Amino Acids 2023; 55:1531-1544. [PMID: 37737904 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03326-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Insect venom is abundant in potential antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which can serve as novel alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Among them, Lasioglossin III LL-III) is a promising candidate with a broad spectrum against many fungi strains and both types of bacteria, whereas almost non-toxic to red blood cells. Many chemical approaches have been recently applied to improve its pharmacological properties and provide useful information regarding structure-activity relationships. Hence, this review focused on highlighting the lesson learned from each modification and supporting the future design of potent, selective, and metabolically stable AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chi Le Uyen
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Phenikaa University, Hanoi, 12116, Vietnam
| | - Hoa Doan Ngan
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Phenikaa University, Hanoi, 12116, Vietnam
| | - Huy Luong Xuan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Phenikaa University, Hanoi, 12116, Vietnam.
- Phenikaa Institute for Advanced Study (PIAS), Phenikaa University, Hanoi, 12116, Vietnam.
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143
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de la Fuente-Nunez C, Cesaro A, Hancock REW. Antibiotic failure: Beyond antimicrobial resistance. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 71:101012. [PMID: 37924726 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101012] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite significant progress in antibiotic discovery, millions of lives are lost annually to infections. Surprisingly, the failure of antimicrobial treatments to effectively eliminate pathogens frequently cannot be attributed to genetically-encoded antibiotic resistance. This review aims to shed light on the fundamental mechanisms contributing to clinical scenarios where antimicrobial therapies are ineffective (i.e., antibiotic failure), emphasizing critical factors impacting this under-recognized issue. Explored aspects include biofilm formation and sepsis, as well as the underlying microbiome. Therapeutic strategies beyond antibiotics, are examined to address the dimensions and resolution of antibiotic failure, actively contributing to this persistent but escalating crisis. We discuss the clinical relevance of antibiotic failure beyond resistance, limited availability of therapies, potential of new antibiotics to be ineffective, and the urgent need for novel anti-infectives or host-directed therapies directly addressing antibiotic failure. Particularly noteworthy is multidrug adaptive resistance in biofilms that represent 65 % of infections, due to the lack of approved therapies. Sepsis, responsible for 19.7 % of all deaths (as well as severe COVID-19 deaths), is a further manifestation of this issue, since antibiotics are the primary frontline therapy, and yet 23 % of patients succumb to this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Angela Cesaro
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert E W Hancock
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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144
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Concilio M, Garcia Maset R, Lemonche LP, Kontrimas V, Song JI, Rajendrakumar SK, Harrison F, Becer CR, Perrier S. Mechanism of Action of Oxazoline-Based Antimicrobial Polymers Against Staphylococcus aureus: In Vivo Antimicrobial Activity Evaluation. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2301961. [PMID: 37522292 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens have reached alarming levels, becoming one of the most pressing global health issues. Hence, new treatments are necessary for the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Synthetic nanoengineered antimicrobial polymers (SNAPs) have emerged as a promising alternative to antimicrobial peptides, overcoming some of their limitations while keeping their key features. Herein, a library of amphiphilic oxazoline-based SNAPs using cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) is designed. Amphipathic compounds with 70% cationic content exhibit the highest activity against clinically relevant Staphylococcus aureus isolates, maintaining good biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of action of the lead compounds against S. aureus is assessed using various microscopy techniques, indicating cell membrane disruption, while the cell wall remains unaffected. Furthermore, a potential interaction of the compounds with bacterial DNA is shown, with possible implications on bacterial division. Finally, one of the compounds exhibits high efficacy in vivo in an insect infection model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Concilio
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Ramón Garcia Maset
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | | | - Vito Kontrimas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Ji-Inn Song
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | | | - Freya Harrison
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - C Remzi Becer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Sébastien Perrier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
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145
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Shao WB, Luo RS, Meng J, Lv XK, Xiang HM, Xiao WL, Zhou X, Liu LW, Wu ZB, Yang S. Engineering Phenothiazine-Based Functional Mimics of Host Defense Peptides as New Agrochemical Candidates: Design, Synthesis, and Antibacterial Evaluation. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023. [PMID: 37906428 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c03952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
In the protracted "arms race" between host and plant pathogenic bacteria, host organisms have evolved powerful weapons known as host defense peptides (HDPs). However, natural HDPs are not suitable for large-scale applications; therefore, researchers have chosen to develop bespoke small-molecule functional mimics. Phenothiazine derivatives were developed as functional HDPs mimics, owing to their broad biological activity and high lipophilicity. The phenothiazine analogues designed in this study exhibited excellent in vitro bioactivity against the three Gram-negative bacteria Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv citri, and Pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae, with optimal EC50 values of 0.80, 0.31, and 1.91 μg/mL, respectively. Preliminary evidence suggests that compound C2 may act on bacterial cell membranes and interact with bacterial Deoxyribonucleic acid in the groove binding mode. In vivo trials showed that compound C2 was highly effective against rice leaf blight (51.97-56.69%), with activity superior to those of bismerthiazol (40.7-43.4%) and thiodiazole copper (30.2-37.1%). Our study provides strong evidence to support the development of phenothiazine derivatives into pesticide candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu-Bin Shao
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Rong-Shuang Luo
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Jiao Meng
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xiao-Kang Lv
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Hong-Mei Xiang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Wan-Lin Xiao
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Li-Wei Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Zhi-Bing Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Song Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
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146
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Van Moll L, Wouters M, De Smet J, De Vooght L, Delputte P, Van Der Borght M, Cos P. In-depth biological characterization of two black soldier fly anti- Pseudomonas peptides reveals LPS-binding and immunomodulating effects. mSphere 2023; 8:e0045423. [PMID: 37800918 PMCID: PMC10597467 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00454-23] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As effector molecules of the innate immune system, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gathered substantial interest as a potential future generation of antibiotics. Here, we demonstrate the anti-Pseudomonas activity and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding ability of HC1 and HC10, two cecropin peptides from the black soldier fly (Hermetia Illucens). Both peptides are active against a wide range of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, including drug-resistant clinical isolates. Moreover, HC1 and HC10 can bind to lipid A, the toxic center of LPS and reduce the LPS-induced nitric oxide and cytokine production in murine macrophage cells. This suggests that the peptide-LPS binding can also lower the strong inflammatory response associated with P. aeruginosa infections. As the activity of AMPs is often influenced by the presence of salts, we studied the LPS-binding activity of HC1 and HC10 in physiological salt concentrations, revealing a strong decrease in activity. Our research confirmed the early potential of HC1 and HC10 as starting points for anti-Pseudomonas drugs, as well as the need for structural or formulation optimization before further preclinical development can be considered. IMPORTANCE The high mortality and morbidity associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections remain an ongoing challenge in clinical practice that requires urgent action. P. aeruginosa mostly infects immunocompromised individuals, and its prevalence is especially high in urgent care hospital settings. Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are outer membrane structures that are responsible for inducing the innate immune cascade upon infection. P. aeruginosa LPS can cause local excessive inflammation, or spread systemically throughout the body, leading to multi-organ failure and septic shock. As antimicrobial resistance rates in P. aeruginosa infections are rising, the research and development of new antimicrobial agents remain indispensable. Especially, antimicrobials that can both kill the bacteria themselves and neutralize their toxins are of great interest in P. aeruginosa research to develop as the next generation of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Van Moll
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Research Group for Insect Production and Processing (IP&P), KU Leuven, Campus Geel, Geel, Belgium
| | - Milan Wouters
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jeroen De Smet
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Research Group for Insect Production and Processing (IP&P), KU Leuven, Campus Geel, Geel, Belgium
| | - Linda De Vooght
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter Delputte
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mik Van Der Borght
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Research Group for Insect Production and Processing (IP&P), KU Leuven, Campus Geel, Geel, Belgium
| | - Paul Cos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Ji F, Tian G, Shang D, Jiang F. Antimicrobial peptide 2K4L disrupts the membrane of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and protects mice against sepsis. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1258469. [PMID: 37942076 PMCID: PMC10628664 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1258469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides represent a promising therapeutic alternative for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. 2K4L is a rationally-designed analog of a short peptide temporin-1CEc, a natural peptide isolated and purified from the skin secretions of the Chinese brown frog Rana chensinensis by substituting amino acid residues. 2K4L adopt an α-helical confirm in a membrane-mimetic environment and displayed an improved and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against sensitive and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains. Here, the action mechanism of 2K4L on multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MRAB) and protection on MRAB-infected mice was investigated. The results demonstrated high bactericidal activity of 2K4L against both a multidrug resistant A. baumannii 0227 strain (MRAB 0227) and a sensitive A. baumannii strain (AB 22934), indicating a potential therapeutic advantage of this peptide. Strong positively-charged residues significantly promoted the electrostatic interaction on 2K4L with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of the bacterial outer membrane. High hydrophobicity and an α-helical confirm endowed 2K4L remarkably increase the permeability of A. baumannii cytoplasmic membrane by depolarization of membrane potential and disruption of membrane integration, as well as leakage of fluorescein from the liposomes. Additionally, 2K4L at low concentrations inhibited biofilm formation and degraded mature 1-day-old MRAB 0227 biofilms by reducing the expression of biofilm-related genes. In an invasive A. baumannii infection model, 2K4L enhanced the survival of sepsis mice and decreased the production of the proinflammatory cytokines downregulating the phosphorylation level of signaling protein in MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, indicating that 2K4L represents a novel therapeutic antibiotic candidate against invasive multidrug-resistant bacterial strain infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyu Ji
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Guoxu Tian
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Dejing Shang
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Fengquan Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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148
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Abdelgawad A, Nicola T, Martin I, Halloran BA, Tanaka K, Adegboye CY, Jain P, Ren C, Lal CV, Ambalavanan N, O'Connell AE, Jilling T, Willis KA. Antimicrobial peptides modulate lung injury by altering the intestinal microbiota. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:226. [PMID: 37845716 PMCID: PMC10578018 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01673-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammalian mucosal barriers secrete antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as critical, host-derived regulators of the microbiota. However, mechanisms that support microbiota homeostasis in response to inflammatory stimuli, such as supraphysiologic oxygen, remain unclear. RESULTS We show that supraphysiologic oxygen exposure to neonatal mice, or direct exposure of intestinal organoids to supraphysiologic oxygen, suppresses the intestinal expression of AMPs and alters intestinal microbiota composition. Oral supplementation of the prototypical AMP lysozyme to hyperoxia-exposed neonatal mice reduced hyperoxia-induced alterations in their microbiota and was associated with decreased lung injury. CONCLUSIONS Our results identify a gut-lung axis driven by intestinal AMP expression and mediated by the intestinal microbiota that is linked to lung injury in newborns. Together, these data support that intestinal AMPs modulate lung injury and repair. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abdelgawad
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Teodora Nicola
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Isaac Martin
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Brian A Halloran
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kosuke Tanaka
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Comfort Y Adegboye
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pankaj Jain
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Changchun Ren
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Charitharth V Lal
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Namasivayam Ambalavanan
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Amy E O'Connell
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tamás Jilling
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kent A Willis
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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149
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Urbańska DM, Pawlik M, Korwin-Kossakowska A, Czopowicz M, Rutkowska K, Kawecka-Grochocka E, Mickiewicz M, Kaba J, Bagnicka E. Effect of Supplementation with Curcuma longa and Rosmarinus officinalis Extract Mixture on Acute Phase Protein, Cathelicidin, Defensin and Cytolytic Protein Gene Expression in the Livers of Young Castrated Polish White Improved Bucks. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1932. [PMID: 37895281 PMCID: PMC10606746 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101932] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Goats are an excellent animal model for research on some physiological and pathophysiological processes in humans. The search for supplements that prevent homeostasis disorders and strengthen the immune system is necessary to reduce the risk of many diseases in both humans and animals. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of supplementation with a mixture of dried extracts of Curcuma longa and Rosmarinus officinalis on the expression of acute-phase protein (SAA, HP, CRP, LALBA, AGP, CP, FGA, FGB, and FGG), cathelicidin (BAC5, BAC7.5, BAC3.4, MAP28, MAP34, and HEPC), beta-defensin-1 (GBD1, DEFB1), and beta-defensin-2, and cytolytic protein (LIZ and LF) genes in the livers of young castrated bucks of the Polish White Improved breed. The higher expression of LF in the control group suggests that it is important for the first line of hepatic immune defense and its expression is downregulated by the mixture of turmeric and rosemary extracts; thus, the spice-herb mixture mutes its activity. The lower expression of FGB and the higher expression of BAC5 genes in the livers of healthy, young castrated bucks who were administered the supplement suggest the silencing effects of the mixture on the acute-phase response and the stimulating effect on the antimicrobial activity of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria M. Urbańska
- Department of Animal Improvement and Nutrigenomics, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding Polish Academy of Sciences, Postepu 36A Str., 05-552 Jastrzębiec, Poland; (A.K.-K.); (E.B.)
| | - Marek Pawlik
- Department of Neurotoxicology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5 Str., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Korwin-Kossakowska
- Department of Animal Improvement and Nutrigenomics, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding Polish Academy of Sciences, Postepu 36A Str., 05-552 Jastrzębiec, Poland; (A.K.-K.); (E.B.)
| | - Michał Czopowicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska Str. 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (M.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Karolina Rutkowska
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 3c Str., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Ewelina Kawecka-Grochocka
- Department of Animal Improvement and Nutrigenomics, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding Polish Academy of Sciences, Postepu 36A Str., 05-552 Jastrzębiec, Poland; (A.K.-K.); (E.B.)
| | - Marcin Mickiewicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska Str. 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (M.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Jarosław Kaba
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska Str. 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (M.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Emilia Bagnicka
- Department of Animal Improvement and Nutrigenomics, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding Polish Academy of Sciences, Postepu 36A Str., 05-552 Jastrzębiec, Poland; (A.K.-K.); (E.B.)
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150
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Carrera-Aubesart A, Gallo M, Defaus S, Todorovski T, Andreu D. Topoisomeric Membrane-Active Peptides: A Review of the Last Two Decades. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2451. [PMID: 37896211 PMCID: PMC10610229 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102451] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, bioactive peptides have been gaining recognition in various biomedical areas, such as intracellular drug delivery (cell-penetrating peptides, CPPs) or anti-infective action (antimicrobial peptides, AMPs), closely associated to their distinct mode of interaction with biological membranes. Exploiting the interaction of membrane-active peptides with diverse targets (healthy, tumoral, bacterial or parasitic cell membranes) is opening encouraging prospects for peptides in therapeutics. However, ordinary peptides formed by L-amino acids are easily decomposed by proteases in biological fluids. One way to sidestep this limitation is to use topoisomers, namely versions of the peptide made up of D-amino acids in either canonic (enantio) or inverted (retroenantio) sequence. Rearranging peptide sequences in this fashion provides a certain degree of native structure mimicry that, in appropriate contexts, may deliver desirable biological activity while avoiding protease degradation. In this review, we will focus on recent accounts of membrane-active topoisomeric peptides with therapeutic applications as CPP drug delivery vectors, or as antimicrobial and anticancer candidates. We will also discuss the most common modes of interaction of these peptides with their membrane targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Carrera-Aubesart
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Maria Gallo
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Sira Defaus
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Toni Todorovski
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
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