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Martell EM, González-Garcia M, Ständker L, Otero-González AJ. Host defense peptides as immunomodulators: The other side of the coin. Peptides 2021; 146:170644. [PMID: 34464592 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) exhibit a broad range of antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. In this sense, both functions are like different sides of the same coin. The direct antimicrobial side was discovered first, and widely studied for the development of anti-infective therapies. In contrast, the immunomodulatory side was recognized later and in the last 20 years the interest in this field has been continuously growing. Different to their antimicrobial activities, the immunomodulatory activities of host defense peptides are more effective in vivo. They offer a great opportunity for new therapeutic applications in the fields of anti-infective therapy, chronic inflammatory diseases treatment, novel vaccine adjuvants development and anticancer immunotherapy. These immune related functions of HDPs includes chemoattraction of leukocytes, modulation of inflammation, enhancement of antigen presentation and polarization of adaptive immune responses. Our attempt with this review is to make a careful evaluation of different aspects of the less explored, but attractive immunomodulatory side of the HDP functional coin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto M Martell
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, Havana University, Cuba
| | | | - Ludger Ständker
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics (CFP), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
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Zsila F, Ricci M, Szigyártó IC, Singh P, Beke-Somfai T. Quorum Sensing Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal Forms Chiral Supramolecular Assemblies With the Host Defense Peptide LL-37. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:742023. [PMID: 34708076 PMCID: PMC8542694 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.742023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Host defense antimicrobial peptides (HDPs) constitute an integral component of the innate immune system having nonspecific activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. They also have diverse biological functions in wound healing, angiogenesis, and immunomodulation, where it has also been demonstrated that they have a high affinity to interact with human lipid signaling molecules. Within bacterial biofilms, quorum sensing (QS), the vital bacterial cell-to-cell communication system, is maintained by similar diffusible small molecules which control phenotypic traits, virulence factors, biofilm formation, and dispersion. Efficient eradication of bacterial biofilms is of particular importance as these colonies greatly help individual cells to tolerate antibiotics and develop antimicrobial resistance. Regarding the antibacterial function, for several HDPs, including the human cathelicidin LL-37, affinity to eradicate biofilms can exceed their activity to kill individual bacteria. However, related underlying molecular mechanisms have not been explored yet. Here, we employed circular dichroism (CD) and UV/VIS spectroscopic analysis, which revealed that LL-37 exhibits QS signal affinity. This archetypal representative of HDPs interacts with the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) molecules, producing co-assemblies with peculiar optical activity. The binding of PQS onto the asymmetric peptide chains results in chiral supramolecular architectures consisting of helically disposed, J-aggregated molecules. Besides the well-known bacterial membrane disruption activity, our data propose a novel action mechanism of LL-37. As a specific case of the so-called quorum quenching, QS signal molecules captured by the peptide are sequestered inside co-assemblies, which may interfere with the microbial QS network helping to prevent and eradicate bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Zsila
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | | | - Tamás Beke-Somfai
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), Budapest, Hungary
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Rodríguez AA, Otero-González A, Ghattas M, Ständker L. Discovery, Optimization, and Clinical Application of Natural Antimicrobial Peptides. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1381. [PMID: 34680498 PMCID: PMC8533436 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widespread in multicellular organisms. These structurally diverse molecules are produced as the first line of defense against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Also known as host defense peptides in higher eukaryotic organisms, AMPs display immunomodulatory and anticancer activities. During the last 30 years, technological advances have boosted the research on antimicrobial peptides, which have also attracted great interest as an alternative to tackling the antimicrobial resistance scenario mainly provoked by some bacterial and fungal pathogens. However, the introduction of natural AMPs in clinical trials faces challenges such as proteolytic digestion, short half-lives, and cytotoxicity upon systemic and oral application. Therefore, some strategies have been implemented to improve the properties of AMPs aiming to be used as effective therapeutic agents. In the present review, we summarize the discovery path of AMPs, focusing on preclinical development, recent advances in chemical optimization and peptide delivery systems, and their introduction into the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando A. Rodríguez
- Core Facility for Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Core Unit of Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Maretchia Ghattas
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo 11511, Egypt;
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Core Facility for Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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Immunotherapy in clinical canine leishmaniosis: a comparative update. Res Vet Sci 2019; 125:218-226. [PMID: 31280121 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum is a complex infection that can affect both humans and dogs, and present a wide range of clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities. The conventional treatment of this disease is challenging due to the fact that complete parasitological cure commonly does not occur. Furthermore, treatment of the disease with the conventionally used drugs has several shortcomings. These include the need for long-term treatment, side effects and the formation of drug resistance. Moreover, it is important to highlight that the host immune responses play a crucial role in the outcome of this infection. For this reason, the use of immunotherapy in clinical leishmaniosis to improve the result of treatment with the conventional anti-leishmanial drugs by enhancing the immune response is imperative. The aim of this review is to provide a comparative overview of the wide range of immunotherapeutical approaches and strategies for the treatment of L. infantum infection in animals focusing on dogs.
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Airway surface liquid acidification initiates host defense abnormalities in Cystic Fibrosis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6516. [PMID: 31019198 PMCID: PMC6482305 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42751-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by defective Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein. Morbidity is mainly due to early airway infection. We hypothesized that S. aureus clearance during the first hours of infection was impaired in CF human Airway Surface Liquid (ASL) because of a lowered pH. The ASL pH of human bronchial epithelial cell lines and primary respiratory cells from healthy controls (WT) and patients with CF was measured with a pH microelectrode. The antimicrobial capacity of airway cells was studied after S. aureus apical infection by counting surviving bacteria. ASL was significantly more acidic in CF than in WT respiratory cells. This was consistent with a defect in bicarbonate secretion involving CFTR and SLC26A4 (pendrin) and a persistent proton secretion by ATP12A. ASL demonstrated a defect in S. aureus clearance which was improved by pH normalization. Pendrin inhibition in WT airways recapitulated the CF airway defect and increased S. aureus proliferation. ATP12A inhibition by ouabain decreased bacterial proliferation. Antimicrobial peptides LL-37 and hBD1 demonstrated a pH-dependent activity. Normalizing ASL pH might improve innate airway defense in newborns with CF during onset of S. aureus infection. Pendrin activation and ATP12A inhibition could represent novel therapeutic strategies to normalize pH in CF airways.
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Selectivity of Antimicrobial Peptides: A Complex Interplay of Multiple Equilibria. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1117:175-214. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-3588-4_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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A Novel Class of Cationic and Non-Peptidic Small Molecules as Hits for the Development of Antimicrobial Agents. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23071513. [PMID: 29932141 PMCID: PMC6099707 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23071513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic and non-peptide small molecules containing a total of six positive charges arranged on one side and a long aliphatic tail on the other have been synthesized and tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The positive charges have been contributed by two aminophenol residues. These molecules have showed remarkable antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria including multidrug-resistant strains. Our structure⁻activity relationship studies demonstrated the importance of the length and flexibility of the hydrophobic tail for the antimicrobial activity. Importantly, these compounds are non-toxic to eukaryotic cells at the concentration affecting growth in bacteria, reflecting an acceptable margin of safety. The small size and easy synthetic accessibility of our molecules can be of interest for the further development of novel antimicrobials against Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains.
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Taniguchi M, Ochiai A, Namae T, Saito K, Kato T, Saitoh E, Tanaka T. The antimicrobial and anti-endotoxic peptide AmyI-1-18 from rice α-amylase and its [N3L] analog promote angiogenesis and cell migration. Peptides 2018; 104:78-84. [PMID: 29709624 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In our previous studies, we showed that AmyI-1-18 and its single amino acid-substituted analogs have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-endotoxic activities and cause little or no hemolysis or cytotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the potential of these peptides to promote proliferation, angiogenesis (tube formation), and migration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Among five single amino acid-substituted analogs, [N3L]AmyI-1-18 induced cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner with similar efficacy to AmyI-1-18. In tube formation assays, AmyI-1-18 and [N3L]AmyI-1-18 had angiogenic activities at 1 μM and their effects were similar to those of LL-37. Moreover, scratch migration assays showed that AmyI-1-18, [N3L]AmyI-1-18, and LL-37 promote cell migration with optimum concentrations of 10, 1, and 0.1 μM, respectively. Subsequently, we performed tube formation assays using HUVECs pretreated with SU5416, which is an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, and revealed that AmyI-1-18 and [N3L]AmyI-1-18 induce angiogenesis by activating VEGF receptors. Similarly, after pretreating HUVECs with mitomycin C, which inhibits cell proliferation, [N3L]AmyI-1-18 significantly contributed to wound closure in scratch migration assays. Moreover, enhancements of hydrophobicity following substitution of AmyI-1-18 asparagine with leucine led to greater increases in cell migration. The present data indicate that both peptides, particularly [N3L]AmyI-1-18, are candidates for use as wound healing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Taniguchi
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan.
| | - Akihito Ochiai
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
| | - Toshiki Namae
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
| | - Kazuki Saito
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Kato
- Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Eiichi Saitoh
- Graduate School of Technology, Niigata Institute of Technology, Niigata 945-1195, Japan
| | - Takaaki Tanaka
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
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Abdossamadi Z, Seyed N, Zahedifard F, Taheri T, Taslimi Y, Montakhab-Yeganeh H, Badirzadeh A, Vasei M, Gharibzadeh S, Rafati S. Human Neutrophil Peptide 1 as immunotherapeutic agent against Leishmania infected BALB/c mice. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006123. [PMID: 29253854 PMCID: PMC5749894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Neutrophil Peptide 1 (HNP1) produced by neutrophils, is a well-known antimicrobial peptide which plays a role both in innate as well as in adaptive immunity and is under intensive investigation as a potential therapeutic agent. Previous in vitro experiments have indicated the leishmaniacidal effect of recombinant HNP1 on Leishmania major (L. major) promastigotes and amastigotes. In the current study, we further extended the idea to explore the remedial effect of HNP1 in the two modalities of peptide therapy (folded HNP1) and gene therapy in L. major infected BALB/c mice. To this end, mice in five different groups received synthetic folded HNP1 (G1), pcDNA-HNP1-EGFP (G2), pcDNA-EGFP (G3), Amphotericin B (G4) and PBS (G5), which was started three weeks after infection for three consecutive weeks. Footpad swelling was monitored weekly and a day after the therapy ended, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-6 and nitric oxide produced by splenocytes were analyzed together with the parasite load in draining lymph nodes. Arginase activity and dermal histopathological changes were also analyzed in the infected footpads. We demonstrated that both therapeutic approaches effectively induced Th1 polarization and restricted parasite burden. It can control disease progression in contrast to non-treated groups. However, pcDNA-HNP1-EGFP is more promising in respect to parasite control than folded HNP1, but less effective than AmB treatment. We concluded with the call for a future approach, that is, a DNA-based expression of HNP1 combined with AmB as it can improve the leishmaniacidal efficacy. The outbreak level of cutaneous leishmaniasis is approximated between one and 1.5 million individuals per year. Owning to several disadvantages of current therapies, special attention to expand novel and efficient therapies has been demanded. Among Anti-Microbial Peptides (AMPs), Human Neutrophil Peptide 1 (HNP1) is one of the most potential defensins. Our promising in vitro experiments have shown the leishmaniacidal effect of recombinant HNP1. Here, we displayed the remedial effect of HNP1 in two approaches including peptide therapy and gene therapy in susceptible mice infected with L. major. Our investigation showed that although both approaches could decrease the parasite load and induce Th1 immune response compared to the control group, pcDNA-HNP1-EGFP has a better effect compared to the folded HNP1. Hence, immunotherapy by HNP1 can help elicit proper immunity despite the direct effect on promastigotes and amastigotes forms of parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Abdossamadi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Seyed
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farnaz Zahedifard
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Taheri
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasaman Taslimi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Montakhab-Yeganeh
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Badirzadeh
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Vasei
- Cell-Based Therapies Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute and Department of Pathology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Safoora Gharibzadeh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- * E-mail: ,
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Morinda citrifolia lipid transfer protein 1 exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by modulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Int J Biol Macromol 2017; 103:1121-1129. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.05.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Taniguchi M, Saito K, Nomoto T, Namae T, Ochiai A, Saitoh E, Tanaka T. Identification and characterization of multifunctional cationic and amphipathic peptides from soybean proteins. Biopolymers 2017; 108. [PMID: 28459130 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we identified and chemically synthesized three cationic and amphipathic peptides (Glycinin-17, BCAS-16, and BCBS-11) from soybean proteins. These peptides had high isoelectric points, high positive net charges, and included multiple hydrophobic amino acids. Subsequently, we identified multiple functions of these peptides, including antimicrobial, lipopolysaccharide-neutralizing, and angiogenic activities, and examined their cytotoxic activities against mammalian red blood cells. Glycinin-17, BCAS-16, and BCBS-11 exhibited antimicrobial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Candida albicans whereas Glycinin-17 did not possess antimicrobial effects on Propionibacterium acnes and Streptococcus mutans. Membrane-depolarization assays and flow cytometric analyses showed that the antimicrobial properties of Glycinin-17, BCAS-16, and BCBS-11 against P. gingivalis, P. acnes, and S. mutans were dependent on membrane-disrupting potential. In contrast, major antimicrobial activities of these peptides against C. albicans were dependent on interactions with targets other than cell membranes. Furthermore, chromogenic Limulus amebocyte lysate assays showed that 50% effective concentrations (EC50 , 0.12-0.31 μM) of these three peptides neutralize LPS with similar potency (EC50 : 0.11 μM) to that of polymyxin B. Moreover, tube-formation assays in human umbilical vein endothelial cells showed similar angiogenic activities of the three peptides as that following treatment with LL-37. Although BCAS-16 exhibited hemolytic activity, the rate of hemolysis for Glycinin-17 and BCBS-11 in the presence of 500-μM Glycinin-17 and BCBS-11 was less than 2%. These results demonstrate that cationic and amphipathic peptides from soybean proteins, particularly Glycinin-17 and BCBS-11, have potential as multifunctional ingredients for healthcare applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Taniguchi
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
- Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Niigata University, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
| | - Kengo Saito
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
| | - Takafumi Nomoto
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
| | - Toshiki Namae
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
| | - Akihito Ochiai
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
| | - Eiichi Saitoh
- Graduate School of Technology, Niigata Institute of Technology, Niigata, 945-1195, Japan
| | - Takaaki Tanaka
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan
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Taniguchi M, Kameda M, Namae T, Ochiai A, Saitoh E, Tanaka T. Identification and characterization of multifunctional cationic peptides derived from peptic hydrolysates of rice bran protein. J Funct Foods 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2017.04.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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13
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Abdossamadi Z, Seyed N, Rafati S. Mammalian host defense peptides and their implication on combating Leishmania infection. Cell Immunol 2016; 309:23-31. [PMID: 27729107 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Infection with parasites of the genus Leishmania is a health problem in many countries around the world. No effective vaccine is available against leishmaniasis, so chemotherapy is the only alternative for treatment of all forms of the disease. However, drawbacks including toxicity and severe adverse reactions restrain the use of currently available chemotherapeutics. Therefore development of new drugs and therapeutic approaches is highly demanded. Mammalian host defense peptides (mHDP) and/or mammalian antimicrobial peptides (mAMP) are among promising compounds considered effective to control the infectious diseases. These are potential multifunctional molecules that modulate the immune response besides direct killing of pathogens. Here we have reviewed the hallmark characteristics of the mHDPs in respect to the potential role they can play against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Abdossamadi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Seyed
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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AmyI-1–18, a cationic α-helical antimicrobial octadecapeptide derived from α-amylase in rice, inhibits the translation and folding processes in a protein synthesis system. J Biosci Bioeng 2016; 122:385-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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15
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First isolation and antinociceptive activity of a lipid transfer protein from noni ( Morinda citrifolia ) seeds. Int J Biol Macromol 2016; 86:71-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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16
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Taniguchi M, Ochiai A, Takahashi K, Nakamichi SI, Nomoto T, Saitoh E, Kato T, Tanaka T. Effect of alanine, leucine, and arginine substitution on antimicrobial activity against candida albicans and action mechanism of a cationic octadecapeptide derived from α-amylase of rice. Biopolymers 2016; 106:219-229. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.22817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Taniguchi
- Department of Materials Science and Technology; Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University; Niigata 950-2181 Japan
- Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Niigata University; Niigata 950-2181 Japan
| | - Akihito Ochiai
- Department of Materials Science and Technology; Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University; Niigata 950-2181 Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Takahashi
- Department of Materials Science and Technology; Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University; Niigata 950-2181 Japan
| | - Shun-ichi Nakamichi
- Department of Materials Science and Technology; Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University; Niigata 950-2181 Japan
| | - Takafumi Nomoto
- Department of Materials Science and Technology; Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University; Niigata 950-2181 Japan
| | - Eiichi Saitoh
- Graduate School of Technology; Niigata Institute of Technology; Niigata 945-1195 Japan
| | - Tetsuo Kato
- Department of Chemistry; Tokyo Dental College; Tokyo 101-0062 Japan
| | - Takaaki Tanaka
- Department of Materials Science and Technology; Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University; Niigata 950-2181 Japan
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Qureshi A, Tandon H, Kumar M. AVP-IC50 Pred: Multiple machine learning techniques-based prediction of peptide antiviral activity in terms of half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Biopolymers 2015; 104:753-63. [PMID: 26213387 PMCID: PMC7161829 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Peptide-based antiviral therapeutics has gradually paved their way into mainstream drug discovery research. Experimental determination of peptides' antiviral activity as expressed by their IC50 values involves a lot of effort. Therefore, we have developed "AVP-IC50 Pred," a regression-based algorithm to predict the antiviral activity in terms of IC50 values (μM). A total of 759 non-redundant peptides from AVPdb and HIPdb were divided into a training/test set having 683 peptides (T(683)) and a validation set with 76 independent peptides (V(76)) for evaluation. We utilized important peptide sequence features like amino-acid compositions, binary profile of N8-C8 residues, physicochemical properties and their hybrids. Four different machine learning techniques (MLTs) namely Support vector machine, Random Forest, Instance-based classifier, and K-Star were employed. During 10-fold cross validation, we achieved maximum Pearson correlation coefficients (PCCs) of 0.66, 0.64, 0.56, 0.55, respectively, for the above MLTs using the best combination of feature sets. All the predictive models also performed well on the independent validation dataset and achieved maximum PCCs of 0.74, 0.68, 0.59, 0.57, respectively, on the best combination of feature sets. The AVP-IC50 Pred web server is anticipated to assist the researchers working on antiviral therapeutics by enabling them to computationally screen many compounds and focus experimental validation on the most promising set of peptides, thus reducing cost and time efforts. The server is available at http://crdd.osdd.net/servers/ic50avp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Qureshi
- Bioinformatics Centre, Institute of Microbial TechnologyCouncil of Scientific and Industrial ResearchSector 39‐AChandigarh160036India
| | - Himani Tandon
- Bioinformatics Centre, Institute of Microbial TechnologyCouncil of Scientific and Industrial ResearchSector 39‐AChandigarh160036India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Bioinformatics Centre, Institute of Microbial TechnologyCouncil of Scientific and Industrial ResearchSector 39‐AChandigarh160036India
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Taniguchi M, Ochiai A, Kondo H, Fukuda S, Ishiyama Y, Saitoh E, Kato T, Tanaka T. Pyrrhocoricin, a proline-rich antimicrobial peptide derived from insect, inhibits the translation process in the cell-free Escherichia coli protein synthesis system. J Biosci Bioeng 2015; 121:591-8. [PMID: 26472128 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that pyrrhocoricin, a proline-rich antimicrobial peptide (PrAMP), killed sensitive species in a dose-dependent manner by specifically binding to DnaK. Here, on the basis of the finding that DnaK-deficient Escherichia coli strains are susceptible to PrAMPs, we used pyrrhocoricin to investigate internal targets other than DnaK. Using conventional antibiotics (bleomycin, streptomycin, and fosfomycin) that have known modes of action, first, we validated the availability of an assay using a cell-free rapid translation system (RTS), which is an in vitro protein synthesis system based on E. coli lysate, for evaluating inhibition of protein synthesis. We found that, similarly to bleomycin and streptomycin, pyrrhocoricin inhibited GFP synthesis in RTS in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, blockage of transcription and translation steps in RTS was individually estimated using RT-PCR after gene expression to determine mRNA products and using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to determine the amounts of GFP expressed from purified mRNA, respectively. The results demonstrated that this inhibition of GFP synthesis by pyrrhocoricin did not occur at the transcription step but rather at the translation step, in a manner similar to that of GFP synthesis by streptomycin, an inhibitor of the translation step by causing misreading of tRNA. These results suggest that RTS is a powerful assay system for determining if antimicrobial peptides inhibit protein synthesis and its transcription and/or translation steps. This is the first study to have shown that pyrrhocoricin inhibited protein synthesis by specifically repressing the translation step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Taniguchi
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan; Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan.
| | - Akihito Ochiai
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kondo
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
| | - Shun Fukuda
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
| | - Yohei Ishiyama
- Center for Fostering Innovative Leadership, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
| | - Eiichi Saitoh
- Graduate School of Technology, Niigata Institute of Technology, Niigata 945-1195, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Kato
- Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Takaaki Tanaka
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
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Ghosh C, Haldar J. Membrane-Active Small Molecules: Designs Inspired by Antimicrobial Peptides. ChemMedChem 2015; 10:1606-24. [PMID: 26386345 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Infectious diseases continue to be one of the major contributors to human morbidity. The rapid rate at which pathogenic microorganisms have developed resistance against frontline antimicrobials has compelled scientists to look for new alternatives. Given their vast antimicrobial repertoire, substantial research effort has been dedicated toward the development of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as alternative drugs. However, inherent limitations of AMPs have driven substantial efforts worldwide to develop synthetic mimics of AMPs. This review focuses on the progress that has been made toward the development of small molecules that emulate the properties of AMPs, both in terms of design and biological activity. Herein we provide an extensive discussion of the structural features of various designs and we examine biological properties that have been exploited. Furthermore, we raise a number of questions for which the field has yet to provide solutions and discuss possible future research directions that remain either unexploited or underexploited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandradhish Ghosh
- Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Jakkur, Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka (India)
| | - Jayanta Haldar
- Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Jakkur, Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka (India).
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D-Amino acids incorporation in the frog skin-derived peptide esculentin-1a(1-21)NH2 is beneficial for its multiple functions. Amino Acids 2015; 47:2505-19. [PMID: 26162435 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-2041-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent promising future antibiotics. We have previously isolated esculentin-1a(1-21)NH2, a short peptide derived from the frog skin AMP esculentin-1a, with a potent anti-Pseudomonal activity. Here, we investigated additional functions of the peptide and properties responsible for these activities. For that purpose, we synthesized the peptide, as well as its structurally altered analog containing two D-amino acids. The peptides were then biophysically and biologically investigated for their cytotoxicity and immunomodulating activities. The data revealed that compared to the wild-type, the diastereomer: (1) is significantly less toxic towards mammalian cells, in agreement with its lower α-helical structure, as determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy; (2) is more effective against the biofilm form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (responsible for lung infections in cystic fibrosis sufferers), while maintaining a high activity against the free-living form of this important pathogen; (3) is more stable in serum; (4) has a higher activity in promoting migration of lung epithelial cells, and presumably in healing damaged lung tissue, and (5) disaggregates and detoxifies the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), albeit less than the wild-type. Light scattering studies revealed a correlation between anti-LPS activity and the ability to disaggregate the LPS. Besides shedding light on the multifunction properties of esculentin-1a(1-21)NH2, the D-amino acid containing isomer may serve as an attractive template for the development of new anti-Pseudomonal compounds with additional beneficial properties. Furthermore, together with other studies, incorporation of D-amino acids may serve as a general approach to optimize the future design of new AMPs.
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Zhu X, Zhang L, Wang J, Ma Z, Xu W, Li J, Shan A. Characterization of antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of low amphipathic peptides with different α-helical propensity. Acta Biomater 2015; 18:155-67. [PMID: 25735802 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2015.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) serve as a defense mechanism within multicellular organisms and are attracting increasing attention because of their potential application in the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections. Amphipathicity has long been believed to be the most important consideration for the structural modification and design of both naturally occurring and synthetic AMPs. Previous studies indicated that disruptive amphipathicity formed by replacing the paired charged amino acid residues on the polar face of an amphipathic helix with tryptophan residues linked with hydrogen bonds on the basis of α-helical protein folding principles endowed the AMPs with increased cell selectivity. In an attempt to augment and hone this strategy further, we designed a series of imperfect amphipathic peptides by placing different types of amino acid residues at the hydrogen bond linked positions of α-helix structures to characterize their antimicrobial properties and mechanism of action. The d-Trp-substituted sequence (PRW4-d) showed greater antimicrobial potency than Cys-(C4), Asp-(D4), Ile-(I4), and Pro-(P4) substituted sequences, comparable to the l-Trp-substituted parent sequence (PRW4). Furthermore, the total replacement of Lys residues with Arg residues along the peptide sequence (PRW4-R) exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity and cell selectivity. In addition, no cytotoxicity was observed among these synthetic peptides. PRW4-d and PRW4-R maintained their activities in the presence of physiological salts and human serum. The fluorescence spectroscopy, flow cytometry, and electron microscopy observations indicated that the optimized sequences exhibited excellent antimicrobial potency by inducing cytoplasmic membrane potential loss, membrane permeabilization and disruption. Collectively, the results could be useful for designing short AMPs with great antimicrobial activity and cell selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Licong Zhang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhi Ma
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Jianping Li
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Anshan Shan
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
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Sumi CD, Yang BW, Yeo IC, Hahm YT. Antimicrobial peptides of the genus Bacillus: a new era for antibiotics. Can J Microbiol 2014; 61:93-103. [PMID: 25629960 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2014-0613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The rapid onset of resistance reduces the efficacy of most conventional antimicrobial drugs and is a general cause of concern for human well-being. Thus, there is great demand for a continuous supply of novel antibiotics to combat this problem. Bacteria-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have long been used as food preservatives; moreover, prior to the development of conventional antibiotics, these AMPs served as an efficient source of antibiotics. Recently, peptides produced by members of the genus Bacillus were shown to have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microbes. Bacillus-derived AMPs can be synthesized both ribosomally and nonribosomally and can be classified according to peptide biosynthesis, structure, and molecular weight. The precise mechanism of action of these AMPs is not yet clear; however, one proposed mechanism is that these AMPs kill bacteria by forming channels in and (or) disrupting the bacterial cell wall. Bacillus-derived AMPs have potential in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the food and agricultural sectors. Here, we focus on Bacillus-derived AMPs as a novel alternative approach to antibacterial drug development. We also provide an overview of the biosynthesis, mechanisms of action, applications, and effectiveness of different AMPs produced by members of the Bacillus genus, including several recently identified novel AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Datta Sumi
- a Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, 72-1 Nae-Ri, Daeduk-Myun, Anseong-Si, Gyeonggi-Do 456-756, South Korea
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de Souza Cândido E, e Silva Cardoso MH, Sousa DA, Viana JC, de Oliveira-Júnior NG, Miranda V, Franco OL. The use of versatile plant antimicrobial peptides in agribusiness and human health. Peptides 2014; 55:65-78. [PMID: 24548568 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Revised: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Plant immune responses involve a wide diversity of physiological reactions that are induced by the recognition of pathogens, such as hypersensitive responses, cell wall modifications, and the synthesis of antimicrobial molecules including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These proteinaceous molecules have been widely studied, presenting peculiar characteristics such as conserved domains and a conserved disulfide bond pattern. Currently, many AMP classes with diverse modes of action are known, having been isolated from a large number of organisms. Plant AMPs comprise an interesting source of studies nowadays, and among these there are reports of different classes, including defensins, albumins, cyclotides, snakins and several others. These peptides have been widely used in works that pursue human disease control, including nosocomial infections, as well as for agricultural purposes. In this context, this review will focus on the relevance of the structural-function relations of AMPs derived from plants and their proper use in applications for human health and agribusiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabete de Souza Cândido
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Marlon Henrique e Silva Cardoso
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Daniel Amaro Sousa
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Juliane Cançado Viana
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Nelson Gomes de Oliveira-Júnior
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Vívian Miranda
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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Di Grazia A, Luca V, Segev-Zarko LAT, Shai Y, Mangoni ML. Temporins A and B stimulate migration of HaCaT keratinocytes and kill intracellular Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:2520-7. [PMID: 24514087 PMCID: PMC3993219 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02801-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2013] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing number of microbial pathogens resistant to available antibiotics is a serious threat to human life. Among them is the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which colonizes keratinocytes, the most abundant cell type in the epidermis. Its intracellular accumulation complicates treatments against resulting infections, mainly due to the limited diffusion of conventional drugs into the cells. Temporins A (Ta) and B (Tb) are short frog skin antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Despite extensive studies regarding their antimicrobial activity, very little is known about their activity on infected cells or involvement in various immunomodulatory functions. Here we show that Tb kills both ATCC-derived and multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of S. aureus within infected HaCaT keratinocytes (80% and 40% bacterial mortality, respectively) at a nontoxic concentration, i.e., 16 μM, whereas a weaker effect is displayed by Ta. Furthermore, the peptides prevent killing of keratinocytes by the invading bacteria. Further studies revealed that both temporins promote wound healing in a monolayer of HaCaT cells, with front speed migrations of 19 μm/h and 12 μm/h for Ta and Tb, respectively. Migration is inhibited by mitomycin C and involves the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. Finally, confocal fluorescence microscopy indicated that the peptides diffuse into the cells. By combining antibacterial and wound-healing activities, Ta and Tb may act as multifunctional mediators of innate immunity in humans. Particularly, their nonendogenous origin may reduce microbial resistance to them as well as the risk of autoimmune diseases in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Di Grazia
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli,” Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Luca
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli,” Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Yechiel Shai
- The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli,” Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
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Silva PM, Gonçalves S, Santos NC. Defensins: antifungal lessons from eukaryotes. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:97. [PMID: 24688483 PMCID: PMC3960590 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last years, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been the focus of intense research toward the finding of a viable alternative to current antifungal drugs. Defensins are one of the major families of AMPs and the most represented among all eukaryotic groups, providing an important first line of host defense against pathogenic microorganisms. Several of these cysteine-stabilized peptides present a relevant effect against fungi. Defensins are the AMPs with the broader distribution across all eukaryotic kingdoms, namely, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia, and were recently shown to have an ancestor in a bacterial organism. As a part of the host defense, defensins act as an important vehicle of information between innate and adaptive immune system and have a role in immunomodulation. This multidimensionality represents a powerful host shield, hard for microorganisms to overcome using single approach resistance strategies. Pathogenic fungi resistance to conventional antimycotic drugs is becoming a major problem. Defensins, as other AMPs, have shown to be an effective alternative to the current antimycotic therapies, demonstrating potential as novel therapeutic agents or drug leads. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on some eukaryotic defensins with antifungal action. An overview of the main targets in the fungal cell and the mechanism of action of these AMPs (namely, the selectivity for some fungal membrane components) are presented. Additionally, recent works on antifungal defensins structure, activity, and cytotoxicity are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia M Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sónia Gonçalves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
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Abstract
Ureaplasma species commonly colonize the adult urogenital tract and are implicated in invasive diseases of adults and neonates. Factors that permit the organisms to cause chronic colonization or infection are poorly understood. We sought to investigate whether host innate immune responses, specifically, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are involved in determining the outcome of Ureaplasma infections. THP-1 cells, a human monocytoid tumor line, were cocultured with Ureaplasma parvum and U. urealyticum. Gene expression levels of a variety of host defense genes were quantified by real-time PCR. In vitro antimicrobial activities of synthetic AMPs against Ureaplasma spp. were determined using a flow cytometry-based assay. Chromosomal histone modifications in host defense gene promoters were tested by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). DNA methylation status in the AMP promoter regions was also investigated. After stimulation with U. parvum and U. urealyticum, the expression of cell defense genes, including the AMP genes (DEFB1, DEFA5, DEFA6, and CAMP), was significantly downregulated compared to that of TNFA and IL-8, which were upregulated. In vitro flow cytometry-based antimicrobial assay revealed that synthetic peptides LL-37, hBD-3, and hBD-1 had activity against Ureaplasma spp. Downregulation of the AMP genes was associated with chromatin modification alterations, including the significantly decreased histone H3K9 acetylation with U. parvum infection. No DNA methylation status changes were detected upon Ureaplasma infection. In conclusion, AMPs have in vitro activity against Ureaplasma spp., and suppression of AMP expression might be important for the organisms to avoid this aspect of the host innate immune response and to establish chronic infection and colonization.
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Hervé V, Meudal H, Labas V, Réhault-Godbert S, Gautron J, Berges M, Guyot N, Delmas AF, Nys Y, Landon C. Three-dimensional NMR structure of Hen Egg Gallin (Chicken Ovodefensin) reveals a new variation of the β-defensin fold. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:7211-7220. [PMID: 24443564 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.507046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gallin is a 41-residue protein, first identified as a minor component of hen egg white and found to be antimicrobial against Escherichia coli. Gallin may participate in the protection of the embryo during its development in the egg. Its sequence is related to antimicrobial β-defensin peptides. In the present study, gallin was chemically synthesized 1) to further investigate its antimicrobial spectrum and 2) to solve its three-dimensional NMR structure and thus gain insight into structure-function relationships, a prerequisite to understanding its mode(s) of action. Antibacterial assays confirmed that gallin was active against Escherichia coli, but no additional antibacterial activity was observed against the other Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria tested. The three-dimensional structure of gallin, which is the first ovodefensin structure to have been solved to date, displays a new five-stranded arrangement. The gallin three-dimensional fold contains the three-stranded antiparallel β-sheet and the disulfide bridge array typical of vertebrate β-defensins. Gallin can therefore be unambiguously classified as a β-defensin. However, an additional short two-stranded β-sheet reveals that gallin and presumably the other ovodefensins form a new structural subfamily of β-defensins. Moreover, gallin and the other ovodefensins calculated by homology modeling exhibit atypical hydrophobic surface properties, compared with the already known vertebrate β-defensins. These specific structural features of gallin might be related to its restricted activity against E. coli and/or to other yet unknown functions. This work provides initial understanding of a critical sequence-structure-function relationship for the ovodefensin family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Hervé
- From Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), UR83 Recherches Avicoles, Fonction et Régulation des Protéines de l'œuf, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; Université François Rabelais, UMR 1100, F-37032 Tours, France; INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires, UMR 1100/EA6305, F-37032 Tours, France
| | - Hervé Meudal
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, Université d'Orléans, Rue Charles Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Valérie Labas
- Plate-forme d'Analyse Intégrative des Biomolécules UMR INRA 85-CNRS 7247, Université François Rabelais, Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Équitation (IFCE), F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Sophie Réhault-Godbert
- From Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), UR83 Recherches Avicoles, Fonction et Régulation des Protéines de l'œuf, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Joël Gautron
- From Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), UR83 Recherches Avicoles, Fonction et Régulation des Protéines de l'œuf, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Magali Berges
- From Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), UR83 Recherches Avicoles, Fonction et Régulation des Protéines de l'œuf, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Nicolas Guyot
- From Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), UR83 Recherches Avicoles, Fonction et Régulation des Protéines de l'œuf, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Agnès F Delmas
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, Université d'Orléans, Rue Charles Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Yves Nys
- From Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), UR83 Recherches Avicoles, Fonction et Régulation des Protéines de l'œuf, F-37380 Nouzilly, France.
| | - Céline Landon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, Université d'Orléans, Rue Charles Sadron, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France.
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28
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Franco OL, Santos NC. Peptides from agribusiness to human health. Biopolymers 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.22113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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