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Cruickshank D, Hamilton DE, Iloba I, Jensen GS. Secreted Metabolites from Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Borrelia Biofilm: Modulation of Immunogenicity by a Nutraceutical Enzyme and Botanical Blend. Microorganisms 2024; 12:991. [PMID: 38792820 PMCID: PMC11124038 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are hardy, adaptable colonies, evading immune recognition while triggering and sustaining inflammation. The goals for this study were to present a method for testing the immunogenicity of secreted metabolites from pathogenic biofilm and to document whether biofilm treated with a nutraceutical enzyme and botanical blend (NEBB) showed evidence of reprogrammed bacterial metabolism, potentially becoming more recognizable to the immune system. We screened immune-modulating properties of metabolites from established biofilm from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa), Stapholycoccus simulans (Ss), and Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Secreted metabolites significantly increased the cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, including Interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), macrophage inflammatory protein-1-alpha (MIP-1α), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Pa metabolites triggered the most robust increase in IL-1β, whereas Bb metabolites triggered the most robust increase in IL-10. NEBB-disrupted biofilm produced metabolites triggering altered immune modulation compared to metabolites from untreated biofilm. Metabolites from NEBB-disrupted biofilm triggered increased MIP-1α levels and reduced IL-10 levels, suggesting a reduced ability to suppress the recruitment of phagocytes compared to untreated biofilm. The results suggest that nutraceutical biofilm disruption offers strategies for inflammation management in chronic infectious illnesses. Further clinical studies are warranted to evaluate clinical correlations in infected human hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ifeanyi Iloba
- NIS Labs, 1437 Esplanade, Klamath Falls, OR 97601, USA;
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Horowitz RI, Fallon J, Freeman PR. Combining Double-Dose and High-Dose Pulsed Dapsone Combination Therapy for Chronic Lyme Disease/Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome and Co-Infections, Including Bartonella: A Report of 3 Cases and a Literature Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:909. [PMID: 38792737 PMCID: PMC11124288 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Three patients with relapsing and remitting borreliosis, babesiosis, and bartonellosis, despite extended anti-infective therapy, were prescribed double-dose dapsone combination therapy (DDDCT) for 8 weeks, followed by one or several two-week courses of pulsed high-dose dapsone combination therapy (HDDCT). We discuss these patients' cases to illustrate three important variables required for long-term remission. First, diagnosing and treating active co-infections, including Babesia and Bartonella were important. Babesia required rotations of multiple anti-malarial drug combinations and herbal therapies, and Bartonella required one or several 6-day HDDCT pulses to achieve clinical remission. Second, all prior oral, intramuscular (IM), and/or intravenous (IV) antibiotics used for chronic Lyme disease (CLD)/post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), irrespective of the length of administration, were inferior in efficacy to short-term pulsed biofilm/persister drug combination therapy i.e., dapsone, rifampin, methylene blue, and pyrazinamide, which improved resistant fatigue, pain, headaches, insomnia, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Lastly, addressing multiple factors on the 16-point multiple systemic infectious disease syndrome (MSIDS) model was important in achieving remission. In conclusion, DDDCT with one or several 6-7-day pulses of HDDCT, while addressing abnormalities on the 16-point MSIDS map, could represent a novel effective clinical and anti-infective strategy in CLD/PTLDS and associated co-infections including Bartonella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard I. Horowitz
- New York State Department of Health Tick-Borne Working Group, Albany, NY 12224, USA
- Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, Hyde Park, NY 12538, USA; (J.F.); (P.R.F.)
| | - John Fallon
- Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, Hyde Park, NY 12538, USA; (J.F.); (P.R.F.)
| | - Phyllis R. Freeman
- Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, Hyde Park, NY 12538, USA; (J.F.); (P.R.F.)
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Huang MB, Brena D, Wu JY, Shelton M, Bond VC. SMR peptide antagonizes Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0258323. [PMID: 38170991 PMCID: PMC10846015 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02583-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence and international dissemination of multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains challenge current antibiotic-based therapies, representing an urgent threat to public health worldwide. In the U.S. alone, S. aureus infections are responsible for 11,000 deaths and 500,000 hospitalizations annually. Biofilm formation is a major contributor to antibiotic tolerance and resistance-induced delays in empirical therapy with increased infection severity, frequency, treatment failure, and mortality. Developing novel treatment strategies to prevent and disrupt biofilm formation is imperative. In this article, we test the Secretion Modification Region (SMR) peptides for inhibitory effects on resistant S. aureus biofilm-forming capacity by targeting the molecular chaperone DnaK. The dose effect of SMR peptides on biofilm formation was assessed using microtiter plate methods and confocal microscopy. Interaction between the antagonist and DnaK was determined by immune precipitation with anti-Flag M2 Affinity and Western blot analysis. Increasing SMR peptide concentrations exhibited increasing blockade of S. aureus biofilm formation with significant inhibition found at 18 µM, 36 µM, and 72 µM. This work supports the potential therapeutic benefit of SMR peptides in reducing biofilm viability and could improve the susceptibility to antimicrobial agents.IMPORTANCEThe development of anti-biofilm agents is critical to restoring bacterial sensitivity, directly combating the evolution of resistance, and overall reducing the clinical burden related to pervasive biofilm-mediated infections. Thus, in this study, the SMR peptide, a novel small molecule derived from the HIV Nef protein, was preliminarily explored for anti-biofilm properties. The SMR peptide was shown to effectively target the molecular chaperone DnaK and inhibit biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. These results support further investigation into the mechanism of SMR peptide-mediated biofilm formation and inhibition to benefit rational drug design and the identification of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Bo Huang
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Dara Brena
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jennifer Y. Wu
- Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Martin Shelton
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- NanoString Technologies, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Vincent C. Bond
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Katsipis G, Avgoulas DI, Geromichalos GD, Petala M, Pantazaki AA. In vitro and in silico evaluation of the serrapeptase effect on biofilm and amyloids of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:7269-7285. [PMID: 37741938 PMCID: PMC10638192 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12772-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an emerging threat for hospitalized and cystic fibrosis patients. Biofilm, a microbial community embedded in extracellular polymeric substance, fortifies bacteria against the immune system. In biofilms, the expression of functional amyloids is linked with highly aggregative, multi-resistant strains, and chronic infections. Serrapeptase (SPT), a protease possessing similar or superior anti-microbial properties with many antibiotics, presents anti-amyloid potential. However, studies on the employment of SPT against Pseudomonas biofilms and Fap amyloid, or the possible mechanisms of action are scarce. Here, SPT inhibited biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 on both plastic and glass surfaces, with an IC50 of 11.26 µg/mL and 0.27 µg/mL, respectively. The inhibitory effect of SPT on biofilm was also verified with optical microscopy of crystal violet-stained biofilms and with confocal microscopy. Additionally, SPT caused a dose-dependent decrease of bacterial viability (IC50 of 3.07 µg/mL) as demonstrated by MTT assay. Reduction of bacterial functional amyloids was also demonstrated, employing both fluorescence microscopy with thioflavin T and photometrical determination of Congo-red-positive compounds. Both viability and functional amyloids correlated significantly with biofilm inhibition. Finally, in silico molecular docking studies provided a mechanistic insight into the interaction of SPT with FapC or FapD, proving that both peptides are possible targets of SPT. These results offer new insights into the biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa and potentiate the involvement of SPT in the prevention and eradication of Pseudomonas biofilms. KEY POINTS: • Serrapeptase inhibits biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa on plastic and glass. • Biofilm inhibition correlated with reduced viability and functional amyloid levels. • In silico studies indicated that serrapeptase may target FapC and FapD peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Katsipis
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios I Avgoulas
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Technology, Deparment of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54 124, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George D Geromichalos
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Petala
- Laboratory of Environmental Engineering & Planning, Department of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasia A Pantazaki
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Mousavi Ghahfarrokhi SS, Mahdigholi FS, Amin M. Collateral beauty in the damages: an overview of cosmetics and therapeutic applications of microbial proteases. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:375. [PMID: 37935975 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03713-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Microbial proteases are enzymes secreted by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, and have attracted significant attention due to their versatile applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, certain proteases have been used in the development of skin health products and cosmetics. This article provides a review of microbial proteases in terms of their classification, sources, properties, and applications. Moreover, different pharmacological and molecular investigations have been reviewed. Various biological activities of microbial proteases, such as Arazyme, collagenase, elastin, and Nattokinase, which are involved in the digestion of dietary proteins, as well as their potential anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antithrombotic, and immunomodulatory effects have been included. Furthermore, their ability to control infections and treat various disorders has been discussed. Finally, this review highlights the potential applications and future perspectives of microbial proteases in biotechnology and biomedicine, and proposes further studies to develop new perspectives for disease control and health-promoting strategies using microbial resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Sadeq Mousavi Ghahfarrokhi
- Department of Drug and Food Control, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology Group, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Fateme Sadat Mahdigholi
- Department of Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Amin
- Department of Drug and Food Control, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology Group, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Room No. 1-221, Faculty of Pharmacy, 16th Azar Street, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Horowitz RI, Fallon J, Freeman PR. Comparison of the Efficacy of Longer versus Shorter Pulsed High Dose Dapsone Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Lyme Disease/Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome with Bartonellosis and Associated Coinfections. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2301. [PMID: 37764145 PMCID: PMC10537894 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Twenty-five patients with relapsing and remitting Borreliosis, Babesiosis, and bartonellosis despite extended anti-infective therapy were prescribed double-dose dapsone combination therapy (DDDCT), followed by one or several courses of High Dose Dapsone Combination Therapy (HDDCT). A retrospective chart review of these 25 patients undergoing DDDCT therapy and HDDCT demonstrated that 100% improved their tick-borne symptoms, and patients completing 6-7 day pulses of HDDCT had superior levels of improvement versus 4-day pulses if Bartonella was present. At the completion of treatment, 7/23 (30.5%) who completed 8 weeks of DDDCT followed by a 5-7 day pulse of HDDCT remained in remission for 3-9 months, and 3/23 patients (13%) who recently finished treatment were 1 ½ months in full remission. In conclusion, DDDCT followed by 6-7 day pulses of HDDCT could represent a novel, effective anti-infective strategy in chronic Lyme disease/Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) and associated co-infections, including Bartonella, especially in individuals who have failed standard antibiotic protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard I. Horowitz
- Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Working Group, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12224, USA
- Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, Hyde Park, NY 12538, USA; (J.F.); (P.R.F.)
| | - John Fallon
- Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, Hyde Park, NY 12538, USA; (J.F.); (P.R.F.)
| | - Phyllis R. Freeman
- Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, Hyde Park, NY 12538, USA; (J.F.); (P.R.F.)
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Lazar V, Oprea E, Ditu LM. Resistance, Tolerance, Virulence and Bacterial Pathogen Fitness-Current State and Envisioned Solutions for the Near Future. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050746. [PMID: 37242416 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The current antibiotic crisis and the global phenomena of bacterial resistance, inherited and non-inherited, and tolerance-associated with biofilm formation-are prompting dire predictions of a post-antibiotic era in the near future. These predictions refer to increases in morbidity and mortality rates as a consequence of infections with multidrug-resistant or pandrug-resistant microbial strains. In this context, we aimed to highlight the current status of the antibiotic resistance phenomenon and the significance of bacterial virulence properties/fitness for human health and to review the main strategies alternative or complementary to antibiotic therapy, some of them being already clinically applied or in clinical trials, others only foreseen and in the research phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Lazar
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 1-3 Portocalelor Street, 060101 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Eliza Oprea
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 1-3 Portocalelor Street, 060101 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Lia-Mara Ditu
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 1-3 Portocalelor Street, 060101 Bucharest, Romania
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