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Luo G, Ming T, Yang L, He L, Tao T, Wang Y. Modulators targeting protein-protein interactions in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Microbiol Res 2024; 284:127675. [PMID: 38636239 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127675] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), mainly transmitted through droplets to infect the lungs, and seriously affecting patients' health and quality of life. Clinically, anti-TB drugs often entail side effects and lack efficacy against resistant strains. Thus, the exploration and development of novel targeted anti-TB medications are imperative. Currently, protein-protein interactions (PPIs) offer novel avenues for anti-TB drug development, and the study of targeted modulators of PPIs in M. tuberculosis has become a prominent research focus. Furthermore, a comprehensive PPI network has been constructed using computational methods and bioinformatics tools. This network allows for a more in-depth analysis of the structural biology of PPIs and furnishes essential insights for the development of targeted small-molecule modulators. Furthermore, this article provides a detailed overview of the research progress and regulatory mechanisms of PPI modulators in M. tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB. Additionally, it summarizes potential targets for anti-TB drugs and discusses the prospects of existing PPI modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofeng Luo
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Tianqi Ming
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Luchuan Yang
- Institute of traditional Chinese medicine, Sichuan College of traditional Chinese Medicine (Sichuan Second Hospital of TCM), Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Lei He
- Institute of traditional Chinese medicine, Sichuan College of traditional Chinese Medicine (Sichuan Second Hospital of TCM), Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Tao Tao
- Institute of traditional Chinese medicine, Sichuan College of traditional Chinese Medicine (Sichuan Second Hospital of TCM), Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Yanmei Wang
- Institute of traditional Chinese medicine, Sichuan College of traditional Chinese Medicine (Sichuan Second Hospital of TCM), Chengdu 610031, China.
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Jones A, Davies CA, Fitch S, Al Dulayymi JR, Gwenin CD, Gibbons J, Williams AP, Baird MS. Elevated serum antibody responses to synthetic mycobacterial lipid antigens among UK farmers: an indication of exposure to environmental mycobacteria? RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:213-221. [PMID: 34046610 PMCID: PMC8128033 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00325e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: mycobacterial cells contain complex mixtures of mycolic acid esters. These can be used as antigens recognised by antibodies in the serum of individuals with active tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In high burden populations, a significant number of false positives are observed; possibly these antigens are also recognised by antibodies generated by other mycobacterial infections, particularly ubiquitous 'environmental mycobacteria'. This suggests similar responses may be observed in a low burden TB population, particularly in groups regularly exposed to mycobacteria. Methods: ELISA using single synthetic trehalose mycolates corresponding to major classes in many mycobacteria was used to detect antibodies in serum of individuals with no known mycobacterial infection, comprising farmers, abattoir workers, and rural and urban populations. Results: serum from four Welsh or Scottish cohorts showed lower (with some antigens significantly lower) median responses than those reported for TB negatives from high-burden TB populations, and significantly lower responses than those with active TB. A small fraction, particularly older farmers, showed strong responses. A second study examined BCG vaccinated and non-vaccinated farmers and non-farmers. Farmers gave significantly higher median responses than non-farmers with three of five antigens, while there was no significant difference between vaccinated or non-vaccinated for either farmer or non-farmer groups. Conclusions: this initial study shows that serodiagnosis with mycobacterial lipid antigens can detect antibodies in a population sub-group that is significantly exposed to mycobacteria, in an assay that is not interfered with by vaccination. Given the links between mycobacterial exposure and a range of immune system diseases, further understanding such responses may provide a new opportunity for monitoring public health and directing treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University Bangor Gwynedd LL57 2UW UK
| | - Carys A Davies
- School of Chemistry, Bangor University Bangor LL57 2UW UK
| | - Samuel Fitch
- School of Chemistry, Bangor University Bangor LL57 2UW UK
| | | | - Christopher D Gwenin
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University Bangor Gwynedd LL57 2UW UK
- Department of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park Suzhou Jiangsu Province 215123 P. R. China
| | - James Gibbons
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University Bangor Gwynedd LL57 2UW UK
| | - A Prysor Williams
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University Bangor Gwynedd LL57 2UW UK
| | - Mark S Baird
- School of Chemistry, Bangor University Bangor LL57 2UW UK
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3
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Kubota M, Iizasa E, Chuuma Y, Kiyohara H, Hara H, Yoshida H. Adjuvant activity of Mycobacteria-derived mycolic acids. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04064. [PMID: 32490252 PMCID: PMC7260583 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful vaccination, especially with safe vaccines such as component/subunit vaccines, requires proper activation of innate immunity and, for this purpose, adjuvant is used. For clinical use, alum is frequently used while, for experimental use, CFA, containing Mycobacterial components, was often used. In this report, we demonstrated that mycolic acids (MA), major and essential lipid components of the bacterial cell wall of the genus Mycobacterium, has adjuvant activity. MA plus model antigen-immunization induced sufficient humoral response, which was largely comparable to conventional CFA plus antigen-immunization. Importantly, while CFA plus antigen-immunization induced Th17-biased severe and destructive inflammatory responses at the injected site, MA plus antigen-immunization induced Th1-biased mild inflammation at the site. MA induced dendritic cell activation by co-stimulatory molecule induction as well as inflammatory cytokine/chemokine induction. MA plus antigen-immunization successfully protected mice from tumor progression both in prevention and in therapy models. We thus submit that MA is a promising adjuvant candidate material for clinical purposes and for experimental purposes from a perspective of animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mio Kubota
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunoscience, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, 849-8501, Japan
- Saga-ken Medical Center Koseikan, Saga, 840-8571, Japan
| | - Ei'ichi Iizasa
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunoscience, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, 849-8501, Japan
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Yasushi Chuuma
- Research and Development Department, Japan BCG Laboratory, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-0022, Japan
| | - Hideyasu Kiyohara
- Research and Development Department, Japan BCG Laboratory, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-0022, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Hara
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunoscience, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, 849-8501, Japan
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yoshida
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunoscience, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, 849-8501, Japan
- Corresponding author.
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Groenewald W, Parra-Cruz RA, Jäger CM, Croft AK. Revealing solvent-dependent folding behavior of mycolic acids from Mycobacterium tuberculosis by advanced simulation analysis. J Mol Model 2019; 25:68. [PMID: 30762132 PMCID: PMC7019640 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-019-3943-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains a persistent pathogen, partly due to its lipid rich cell wall, of which mycolic acids (MAs) are a major component. The fluidity and conformational flexibilities of different MAs in the bacterial cell wall significantly influence its properties, function, and observed pathogenicity; thus, a proper conformational description of different MAs in different environments (e.g., in vacuum, in solution, in monolayers) can inform about their potential role in the complex setup of the bacterial cell wall. Previously, we have shown that molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of MA folding in vacuo can be used to characterize MA conformers in seven groupings relating to bending at the functional groups (W, U and Z-conformations). Providing a new OPLS-based forcefield parameterization for the critical cyclopropyl group of MAs and extensive simulations in explicit solvents (TIP4P water, hexane), we now present a more complete picture of MA folding properties together with improved simulation analysis techniques. We show that the 'WUZ' distance-based analysis can be used to pinpoint conformers with hairpin bends at the functional groups, with these conformers constituting only a fraction of accessible conformations. Applying principle component analysis (PCA) and refinement using free energy landscapes (FELs), we are able to discriminate a complete and unique set of conformational preferences for representative alpha-, methoxy- and keto-MAs, with overall preference for folded conformations. A control backbone-MA without any mero-chain functional groups showed significantly less folding in the mero-chain, confirming the role of functionalization in directing folding. Keto-MA showed the highest percentage of WUZ-type conformations and, in particular, a tendency to fold at its alpha-methyl trans-cyclopropane group, in agreement with results from Villeneuve et al. MAs demonstrate similar folding in vacuum and water, with a majority of folded conformations around the W-conformation, although the molecules are more flexible in vacuum than in water. Exchange between conformations, with a disperse distribution that includes unfolded conformers, is common in hexane for all MAs, although with more organization for Keto-MA. Globular, folded conformations are newly defined and may be specifically relevant in biofilms. Graphical abstract Through advanced simulation analysis, including principle component analysis and free energy landscapes, we reveal detailed physical insights into the solvent-dependant folding behavior of mycolic acids from M. tb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilma Groenewald
- School of Chemistry, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Ricardo A Parra-Cruz
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Christof M Jäger
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Anna K Croft
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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Choubini E, Habibi M, Khorshidi A, Ghasemi A, Asadi Karam MR, Bouzari S. A novel multi-peptide subunit vaccine admixed with AddaVax adjuvant produces significant immunogenicity and protection against Proteus mirabilis urinary tract infection in mice model. Mol Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29525454 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is a common pathogen in urinary tract infections (UTIs). There is no vaccine against P. mirabilis, thus a novel multi-peptide vaccine of MrpA, UcaA and Pta factors of P. mirabilis we designed and a mice model was used to evaluate its efficacy in combination with AddaVax adjuvant. According to the bioinformatics studies, 7 fragments of MrpA (31-75, 112-146), UcaA (68-117, 132-156) and Pta (210-265, 340-400, 496-570) with B and T cell epitope regions were selected for fusion construction. Mice subcutaneously vaccinated with the fusion MrpA.Pta.UcaA induced a significant increase in serum and mucosal IgG and IgA responses. The fusion also showed a significant induction in cellular responses (Th1 and Th2). The addition of AddaVax to fusion and the mixture of MrpA, UcaA, and Pta (MUP) improved the humoral and cellular responses, especially the IgG2a and IFN-γ (Th1 responses) levels. Fusion with and without AddaVax and MUP + AddaVax could maintain significant humoral responses until 6 months after the first vaccine dose. All vaccine combinations with and without adjuvant showed high effectiveness in the protection of the bladder and kidney against experimental UTI; this could be attributed to the significant humoral and cellular responses. The present study suggests that the AddaVax-based vaccine formulations especially the fusion Pta.MrpA.UcaA admixed with AddaVax as potential vaccine candidates for protection against P. mirabilis. Furthermore, AddaVax could be considered as an effective adjuvant in designing other vaccines against UTI pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Choubini
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Pasteur Ave., Tehran 13164, Iran
| | - Mehri Habibi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Pasteur Ave., Tehran 13164, Iran
| | - Ahmad Khorshidi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Amir Ghasemi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | | | - Saeid Bouzari
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Pasteur Ave., Tehran 13164, Iran
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Chang X, Yu W, Ji S, Shen L, Tan A, Hu T. Conjugation of PEG-hexadecane markedly increases the immunogenicity of pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine. Vaccine 2017; 35:1698-1704. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Tientcheu LD, Koch A, Ndengane M, Andoseh G, Kampmann B, Wilkinson RJ. Immunological consequences of strain variation within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Eur J Immunol 2017; 47:432-445. [PMID: 28150302 PMCID: PMC5363233 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201646562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In 2015, there were an estimated 10.4 million new cases of tuberculosis (TB) globally, making it one of the leading causes of death due to an infectious disease. TB is caused by members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), with human disease resulting from infection by M. tuberculosis sensu stricto and M. africanum. Recent progress in genotyping techniques, in particular the increasing availability of whole genome sequence data, has revealed previously under appreciated levels of genetic diversity within the MTBC. Several studies have shown that this genetic diversity may translate into differences in TB transmission, clinical manifestations of disease, and host immune responses. This suggests the existence of MTBC genotype‐dependent host–pathogen interactions which may influence the outcome of infection and progression of disease. In this review, we highlight the studies demonstrating differences in innate and adaptive immunological outcomes consequent on MTBC genetic diversity, and discuss how these differences in immune response might influence the development of TB vaccines, diagnostics and new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leopold D Tientcheu
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, Banjul, The Gambia.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Anastasia Koch
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Republic of South Africa
| | - Mthawelenga Ndengane
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Republic of South Africa
| | - Genevieve Andoseh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Beate Kampmann
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, Banjul, The Gambia.,Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert J Wilkinson
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Republic of South Africa.,Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
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