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Li Z, Qu W, Zhang D, Sun Y, Shang D. The antimicrobial peptide chensinin-1b alleviates the inflammatory response by targeting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and LPS-mediated sepsis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115227. [PMID: 37536032 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive inflammatory responses are a major contributor to the high mortality associated with sepsis, a prevalent global complication. Therefore, the potential therapeutic strategy for sepsis involves targeting macrophages and reducing proinflammatory cytokine release. Chensinin-1b, an analog of the natural antimicrobial peptide derived from Rana chensinensis skin secretion, exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and adopts a random coil conformation in both PBS and membrane solution. By efficiently neutralizing LPS, chensinin-1b holds promise in alleviating LPS-induced inflammatory responses. In this study, we established a mouse septic shock model by exposing mice to multiple-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as an endotoxin-mediated sepsis model induced by LPS. Administering chensinin-1b significantly prolonged the survival of the experimental mice, concurrently mitigating inflammatory responses and reducing organ damage. Additionally, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of chensinin-1b using a constructed LPS-induced mouse macrophage RAW264.7 inflammatory model. Our findings demonstrated that chensinin-1b effectively mitigated the excessive activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway by directly neutralizing extracellular LPS, thus ameliorating the inflammatory response. Moreover, upon blocking the TLR4 signaling pathway, chensinin-1b further reduced the release of proinflammatory cytokines induced by LPS, indicating alternative modes of regulation. Notably, chensinin-1b rapidly entered RAW264.7 cells within 30 min via endocytosis, diffusing into the cytoplasm while retaining its anti-inflammatory properties intracellularly. Although further investigations are warranted to comprehensively elucidate the intracellular anti-inflammatory mechanism of chensinin-1b, our findings substantiate its possession of anti-inflammatory properties both intracellularly and extracellularly. Thus, chensinin-1b emerges as a promising candidate for mitigating excessive inflammatory responses associated with sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjia Li
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China
| | - Wenzhi Qu
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China
| | - Yue Sun
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China.
| | - Dejing Shang
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China.
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Buccini DF, Roriz BC, Rodrigues JM, Franco OL. Antimicrobial peptides could antagonize uncontrolled inflammation via Toll-like 4 receptor. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1037147. [PMID: 36568291 PMCID: PMC9767961 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1037147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are part of the organism's defense system. They are multifunctional molecules capable of modulating the host's immune system and recognizing molecules present in pathogens such as lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). LPSs are recognized by molecular patterns associated with pathogens known as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that protect the organism from pathological microorganisms. TLR4 is responsible for LPS recognition, thus inducing an innate immune response. TLR4 hyperstimulation induces the uncontrolled inflammatory process that is observed in many illnesses, including neurodegenerative, autoimmune and psoriasis). Molecules that act on TLR4 can antagonize the exacerbated inflammatory process. In this context, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising molecules capable of mediating toll-like receptor signaling. Therefore, here we address the AMPs studied so far with the aim of inhibiting the intense inflammatory process. In addition, we aim to explore some of the interactions between exogenous AMPs and TLR4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danieli F. Buccini
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | | | - Júlia M. Rodrigues
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Octavio L. Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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3
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Romerio A, Peri F. Increasing the Chemical Variety of Small-Molecule-Based TLR4 Modulators: An Overview. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1210. [PMID: 32765484 PMCID: PMC7381287 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) is one of the receptors of innate immunity. It is activated by Pathogen- and Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs and DAMPs) and triggers pro-inflammatory responses that belong to the repertoire of innate immune responses, consequently protecting against infectious challenges and boosting adaptive immunity. Mild TLR4 stimulation by non-toxic molecules resembling its natural agonist (lipid A) provided efficient vaccine adjuvants. The non-toxic TLR4 agonist monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) has been approved for clinical use. This suggests the development of other TLR4 agonists as adjuvants or drugs for cancer immunotherapy. TLR4 excessive activation by a Gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leads to sepsis, while TLR4 stimulation by DAMPs is a common mechanism in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. TLR4 inhibition by small molecules and antibodies could therefore provide access to innovative therapeutics targeting sepsis as well as acute and chronic inflammations. The potential use of TLR4 antagonists as anti-inflammatory drugs with unique selectivity and a new mechanism of action compared to corticosteroids or other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs fueled the search for compounds of natural or synthetic origin able to block or inhibit TLR4 activation and signaling. The wide spectrum of clinical settings to which TLR4 inhibitors can be applied include autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases), vascular inflammation, neuroinflammations, and neurodegenerative diseases. The last advances (from 2017) in TLR4 activation or inhibition by small molecules (molecular weight <2 kDa) are reviewed here. Studies on pre-clinical validation of new chemical entities (drug hits) on cellular or animal models as well as new clinical studies on previously developed TLR4 modulators are reported. Innovative TLR4 modulators discovered by computer-assisted drug design and an artificial intelligence approach are described. Some "old" TLR4 agonists or antagonists such as MPLA or Eritoran are under study for repositioning in different pharmacological contexts. The mechanism of action of the molecules and the level of TLR4 involvement in their biological activity are critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Romerio
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Peri
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Grossi de Oliveira AL, Chaves AT, Santos Cardoso M, Gomide Pinheiro GR, Parreiras de Jesus AC, de Faria Grossi MA, Lyon S, Lacerda Bueno L, da Costa Rocha MO, Toshio Fujiwara R, Alves da Silva Menezes C. Hypovitaminosis D and reduced cathelicidin are strongly correlated during the multidrug therapy against leprosy. Microb Pathog 2020; 147:104373. [PMID: 32645421 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium leprae infection depends on the competence of the host immune defense to induce effective protection against this intracellular pathogen. The present study investigated the serum levels of vitamin D and the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin, to determine the statistical correlation between them in leprosy patients before and post-six months of multidrug therapy (MDT), household contacts, and healthy individuals. Previous studies associated these molecules with high risks to develop mycobacterial diseases, such as tuberculosis and leprosy. A total of 34 leprosy patients [paucibacillary (n = 14), multibacillary (n = 20)], and 25 household contacts were recruited. Eighteen healthy adults were selected as a control group. Serum concentrations of vitamin D (25(OH)VD3) and cathelicidin were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, respectively. There were no significant differences in serum levels of 25(OH)VD3 between all groups, and the overall prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency was 67.1%. Cathelicidin levels were significantly lower in both untreated and treated patients when compared to controls and household contacts (p < 0.05). Strong correlations between hypovitaminosis D and reduced cathelicidin in untreated (r = 0.86) and post-six months of MDT (r = 0.79) leprosy patients were observed. These results suggest that vitamin D status and cathelicidin levels are strongly correlated during multidrug therapy for leprosy and nutritional supplementation from the beginning of treatment could strengthen the immune response against leprosy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Thereza Chaves
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariana Santos Cardoso
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Sandra Lyon
- Hospital Eduardo de Menezes, Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lilian Lacerda Bueno
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Cochet F, Facchini FA, Zaffaroni L, Billod JM, Coelho H, Holgado A, Braun H, Beyaert R, Jerala R, Jimenez-Barbero J, Martin-Santamaria S, Peri F. Novel carboxylate-based glycolipids: TLR4 antagonism, MD-2 binding and self-assembly properties. Sci Rep 2019; 9:919. [PMID: 30696900 PMCID: PMC6351529 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37421-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
New monosaccharide-based lipid A analogues were rationally designed through MD-2 docking studies. A panel of compounds with two carboxylate groups as phosphates bioisosteres, was synthesized with the same glucosamine-bis-succinyl core linked to different unsaturated and saturated fatty acid chains. The binding of the synthetic compounds to purified, functional recombinant human MD-2 was studied by four independent methods. All compounds bound to MD-2 with similar affinities and inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the LPS-stimulated TLR4 signaling in human and murine cells, while being inactive as TLR4 agonists when provided alone. A compound of the panel was tested in vivo and was not able to inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines in animals. This lack of activity is probably due to strong binding to serum albumin, as suggested by cell experiments in the presence of the serum. The interesting self-assembly property in solution of this type of compounds was investigated by computational methods and microscopy, and formation of large vesicles was observed by cryo-TEM microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florent Cochet
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabio A Facchini
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Lenny Zaffaroni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Jean-Marc Billod
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas, CIB-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Helena Coelho
- Molecular Recognition & Host-Pathogen Interactions Programme, CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801 A, 48170, Derio, Spain.,UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Quimica, Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal.,Department of Organic Chemistry II, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Aurora Holgado
- Unit for Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, VIB Technologiepark 927, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University Technologiepark 927, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Harald Braun
- Unit for Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, VIB Technologiepark 927, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University Technologiepark 927, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rudi Beyaert
- Unit for Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, VIB Technologiepark 927, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University Technologiepark 927, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jesus Jimenez-Barbero
- Molecular Recognition & Host-Pathogen Interactions Programme, CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801 A, 48170, Derio, Spain.,Department of Organic Chemistry II, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Maria Diaz de Haro 13, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Sonsoles Martin-Santamaria
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas, CIB-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francesco Peri
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milano, Italy.
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Facchini FA, Coelho H, Sestito SE, Delgado S, Minotti A, Andreu D, Jiménez-Barbero J, Peri F. Co-administration of Antimicrobial Peptides Enhances Toll-like Receptor 4 Antagonist Activity of a Synthetic Glycolipid. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:280-287. [PMID: 29265636 PMCID: PMC5900894 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This study examines the effect of co‐administration of antimicrobial peptides and the synthetic glycolipid FP7, which is active in inhibiting inflammatory cytokine production caused by TLR4 activation and signaling. The co‐administration of two lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐neutralizing peptides (a cecropin A–melittin hybrid peptide and a human cathelicidin) enhances by an order of magnitude the potency of FP7 in blocking the TLR4 signal. Interestingly, this is not an additional effect of LPS neutralization by peptides, because it also occurs if cells are stimulated by the plant lectin phytohemagglutinin, a non‐LPS TLR4 agonist. Our data suggest a dual mechanism of action for the peptides, not exclusively based on LPS binding and neutralization, but also on a direct effect on the LPS‐binding proteins of the TLR4 receptor complex. NMR experiments in solution show that peptide addition changes the aggregation state of FP7, promoting the formation of larger micelles. These results suggest a relationship between the aggregation state of lipid A‐like ligands and the type and intensity of the TLR4 response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio A Facchini
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Helena Coelho
- Molecular Recognition & Host-Pathogen Interactions Programme, CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48170, Derio, Spain.,Department of Organic Chemistry II, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.,UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Stefania E Sestito
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Sandra Delgado
- Molecular Recognition & Host-Pathogen Interactions Programme, CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48170, Derio, Spain
| | - Alberto Minotti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- Molecular Recognition & Host-Pathogen Interactions Programme, CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48170, Derio, Spain.,Department of Organic Chemistry II, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Maria Diaz de Haro 13, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Francesco Peri
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
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