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Górski A, Międzybrodzki R, Jończyk-Matysiak E, Kniotek M, Letkiewicz S. Therapeutic Phages as Modulators of the Immune Response: Practical Implications. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 77:S433-S439. [PMID: 37932118 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
While the medical community awaits formal proof of the efficacy of phage therapy, as is required by evidence-based medicine, existing data suggest that phages could also be applied based on their non-antibacterial action, especially phage-mediated immunomodulation. Promising avenues have been revealed by findings indicating that phages may mediate diverse actions in the immune system, while the list of phages able to dampen the aberrant immunity associated with a variety of disorders continuously grows. Here we summarize what is known in this field and possible options for the future. While available data are still scarce and preliminary, it appears that "phage repurposing" is worthy of more research, which could reveal new perspectives on applying phage therapy in contemporary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Górski
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), Wrocław, Poland
- Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), Wrocław, Poland
- Clinic of Immunology, Transplantology, and Internal Medicine, Infant Jesus Hospital, The Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ryszard Międzybrodzki
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), Wrocław, Poland
- Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), Wrocław, Poland
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), Wrocław, Poland
| | - Monika Kniotek
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sławomir Letkiewicz
- Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), Wrocław, Poland
- Collegium Medicum, Jan Długosz University, Częstochowa, Poland
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Chen Y, Chai H, Li Z, Liu B, Tan M, Li S, Ma Y. Gut microbiota and their metabolite profiles following peripheral nerve xenotransplantation. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18529. [PMID: 37554826 PMCID: PMC10404661 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal pathogens are associated with xenotransplantation tolerance and rejection. However, changes in the gut microbiota in patients who have undergone peripheral nerve xenotransplantation and their association with immune rejection have not yet been reported. OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore intestinal microbes and their metabolites at different time points after peripheral nerve transplantation to provide new insight into improving transplant tolerance. METHODS A peripheral nerve xenotransplantation model was constructed by suturing the segmented nerves of Sprague Dawley rats to those of C57 male mice using xenotransplantation nerve bridging. Fecal samples and intestinal contents were collected at three time points: before surgery (Pre group; n = 10), 1 month after transplantation (Pos1 m group; n = 10), and 3 months after transplantation (Pos3 m group; n = 10) for 16S DNA sequencing and nontargeted metabolome detection. RESULTS Alpha diversity results suggested that species diversity was significantly downregulated after peripheral nerve xenotransplantation. There were six gut flora genera with significantly different expression levels after xenotransplantation: four were downregulated and two were upregulated. A comparison of the Pre vs. Pos1 m groups and the Pos1 m vs. Pos3 m groups revealed that the most significant differentially expressed Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes metabolite pathways were involved in phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, as well as histidine metabolism. Metabolites with a strong relationship to the differentially expressed microbial flora were identified. CONCLUSION Our study found lower gut microbiome diversity, with increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing and sulfate-reducing bacteria at 1 month post peripheral nerve xenotransplantation, and these were decreased at 3 months post-transplantation. The identification of specific bacterial metabolites is essential for recognizing potential diagnostic markers of xenotransplantation rejection or characterizing therapeutic targets to prevent post-transplant infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dongguan People's Hospital (Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Southern Medical University), Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Huihui Chai
- Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510360, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenzhen Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dongguan People's Hospital (Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Southern Medical University), Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dongguan People's Hospital (Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Southern Medical University), Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Minxuan Tan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dongguan People's Hospital (Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Southern Medical University), Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaopeng Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dongguan People's Hospital (Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Southern Medical University), Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanxia Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, The National Key Clinical Specialty, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Abenavoli L, Scarlata GGM, Paravati MR, Boccuto L, Luzza F, Scarpellini E. Gut Microbiota and Liver Transplantation: Immune Mechanisms behind the Rejection. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1792. [PMID: 37509432 PMCID: PMC10376769 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071792] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) is the treatment of choice for patients with cirrhosis, decompensated disease, acute liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In 3-25% of cases, an alarming problem is acute and chronic cellular rejection after LT, and this event can lead to the need for new transplantation or the death of the patient. On the other hand, gut microbiota is involved in several mechanisms sustaining the model of the "gut-liver axis". These include modulation of the immune response, which is altered in case of gut dysbiosis, possibly resulting in acute graft rejection. Some studies have evaluated the composition of the gut microbiota in cirrhotic patients before and after LT, but few of them have assessed its impact on liver rejection. This review underlines the changes in gut microbiota composition before and after liver transplantation, hypothesizing possible immune mechanisms linking dysbiosis to transplantation rejection. Evaluation of changes in the gut microbiota composition in these patients is therefore essential in order to monitor the success of LT and eventually adopt appropriate preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovico Abenavoli
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | | | - Luigi Boccuto
- School of Nursing, Healthcare Genetics Program, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
- School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Francesco Luzza
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emidio Scarpellini
- Translationeel Onderzoek van Gastro-Enterologische Aandoeningen (TARGID.), Gasthuisberg University Hospital, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Przybyciński J, Drożdżal S, Wilk A, Dziedziejko V, Szumilas K, Pawlik A. The Effect of the Gut Microbiota on Transplanted Kidney Function. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021260. [PMID: 36674775 PMCID: PMC9866452 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal microflora is extremely important, not only in the processes of absorption, digestion and biosynthesis of vitamins, but also in shaping the immune and cognitive functions of the human body. Several studies demonstrate a correlation between microbiota composition and such events as graft rejection, kidney interstitial fibrosis, urinary tract infections, and diarrhoea or graft tolerance. Some of those changes might be directly linked with pathologies such as colonization with pathogenic bacterial strains. Gut microbiota composition also plays an important role in metabolic complications and viral infections after transplantation. From the other side, gut microbiota might induce graft tolerance by promotion of T and B regulatory cells. Graft tolerance induction is still an extremely important issue regarding transplantology and might allow the reduction or even avoidance of immunosuppressive treatment. Although there is a rising evidence of the pivotal role of gut microbiota in aspects of kidney transplantation there is still a lack of knowledge on the direct mechanisms of microbiota action. Furthermore, some of those negative effects could be reversed by probiotics of faecal microbiota trapoinsplantation. While diabetes and hypertension as well as BKV and CMV viremia are common and important complications of transplantation, both worsening the graft function and causing systemic injuries, it opens up potential clinical treatment options. As has been also suggested in the current review, some bacterial subsets exhibit protective properties. However, currently, there is a lack of evidence on pro- and prebiotic supplementation in kidney transplant patients. In the current review, we describe the effect of the microbiota on the transplanted kidney in renal transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarosław Przybyciński
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Sylwester Drożdżal
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Wilk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Violetta Dziedziejko
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Kamila Szumilas
- Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pawlik
- Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
- Correspondence:
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Kleinová P, Beliančinová M, Vnučák M, Graňák K, Dedinská I. Gut microbiome and renal transplantation. VNITRNI LEKARSTVI 2023; 69:41-46. [PMID: 36931881 DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2023.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Gut microbiome research has been a surge of interest in many branches of medicine in the last decade. Our main aim is to show ability of microbes to infuence the functions of human body, especially in the immune system, and on the other hand to clarify changes in composition of gut microbiome in the post-transplantation period and their function for the long-term survival of the graft and the patient in the context of the occurrence of a wide range of complications. Kidney transplantation with the subsequent use of immunosuppressants and antibiotics affects the composition of gut microbiome. The subsequent development of dysbiosis significantly increases the risk of acute rejection, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy of the graft, post-transplant diarrhoea, organ´s infections and metabolic complications such as post-transplant diabetes mellitus. Also important is the influence of the microorganisms of the gut microbiome on metabolism of immunosuppressants with the production of less effective components and the subsequent necessity of modifying their levels with a higher risk of underdosing and the occurrence of graft rejection. Support of the composition of the gut microbiome in the post-transplantation period in favor of bacteria producing short chain fatty acids (SCFA) is possible by changing of diet with predominance of fiber, the application of probiotics, prebiotics. According to available studies, it can lead to benefits in term of metabolic compensation, to the induction of donor-specific tolerance and many others, with an overall improvement in the quality of patient and graft survival.
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Olek K, Kuczaj A, Gruca O, Olek M, Ochman M, Przybyłowski P, Tanasiewicz M. Condition of the Oral Cavity in Patients After Heart Transplantation: A Preliminary Report. Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e937734. [PMID: 36560867 PMCID: PMC9793640 DOI: 10.12659/aot.937734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The constant impairment of the immune system caused by lifelong use of immunosuppressive drugs in patients after heart transplantation has a significant impact on oral cavity health. The aim of this study was to analyze the health of the oral cavity in patients after heart transplantation, with particular regard to occurring pathogens. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 25 patients after heart transplantation. The research scheme was divided into 2 parts. The first part consisted of a survey on general health and oral hygiene habits. The second part of the examination consisted of an analysis of the health of the oral cavity: the mucosa, periodontium, and hard dental tissues. Particular attention was paid to PET (test for the presence of pathogens causing periodontitis/periimplantitis) and CAT (diagnostic test for the presence of Candida in the oral cavity), which are real-time PCR tests used to detect pathogens causing periodontitis and microorganisms present in oral candidiasis. RESULTS The conducted research and in-depth analysis of the results showed that the oral health condition in patients after heart transplantation is not satisfactory, regardless of the time that has elapsed since the surgery, sex, age, hygiene habits, or the type of immunosuppression used. The oral cavity of patients after heart transplantation is colonized with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Candida albicans. CONCLUSIONS The cooperation of the dentist with the attending physician at each stage of the treatment should play an unquestionable role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Olek
- Department of Dental Propedeutics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kuczaj
- Department of Cardiac, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Transplantology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Olaf Gruca
- Department of Dental Prosthetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Marcin Olek
- Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Marek Ochman
- Department of Cardiac, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Transplantology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Piotr Przybyłowski
- Department of Cardiac, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Transplantology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Marta Tanasiewicz
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
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Hidi L, Kovács GI, Szabó D, Makra N, Pénzes K, Juhász J, Sótonyi P, Ostorházi E. Human blood vessel microbiota in healthy adults based on common femoral arteries of brain-dead multi-organ donors. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1056319. [PMID: 36530429 PMCID: PMC9747773 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1056319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Discovery of human microbiota is fundamentally changing our perceptions of certain diseases and their treatments. However little is known about the human blood vessel microbiota, it may have important effects on vascular pathological lesions and vascular homograft failure. In our prospective survey study fourteen femoral arteries, harvested from donors in multi-organ donations, were examined using the V3-V4 region 16S rRNA sequencing method. The most abundant phyla in the human vascular microbiota were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. At the genus level, the most abundant taxa were Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Acinetobacter and Propionibacterium. Of the bacterial taxa that have an indirect effect on the development of atherosclerosis, we found Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella nigrescens and Enterobacteriaceae spp. with different abundances in our samples. Of the bacteria that are more common in the intestinal flora of healthy than of atherosclerosis patients, Roseburia and Ruminococcus occurred in the majority of samples. The human arterial wall has a unique microbiota that is significantly different in composition from that of other areas of the body. Our present study provides a basis for ensuing research that investigates the direct role of the microbiota in vascular wall abnormalities and the success of vascular allograft transplantations.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Hidi
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergely Imre Kovács
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Szabó
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Makra
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kinga Pénzes
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Juhász
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary,Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Sótonyi
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Ostorházi
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary,*Correspondence: Eszter Ostorházi,
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Farfán J, Gonzalez JM, Vives M. The immunomodulatory potential of phage therapy to treat acne: a review on bacterial lysis and immunomodulation. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13553. [PMID: 35910763 PMCID: PMC9332329 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Characterized by an inflammatory pathogenesis, acne is the most common skin disorder worldwide. Altered sebum production, abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes, and microbiota dysbiosis represented by disbalance in Cutibacterium acnes population structure, have a synergic effect on inflammation of acne-compromised skin. Although the role of C. acnes as a single factor in acne development is still under debate, it is known that skin and skin-resident immune cells recognize this bacterium and produce inflammatory markers as a result. Control of the inflammatory response is frequently the target for acne treatment, using diverse chemical or physical agents including antibiotics. However, some of these treatments have side effects that compromise patient adherence and drug safety and in the case of antibiotics, it has been reported C. acnes resistance to these molecules. Phage therapy is an alternative to treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and have been recently proposed as an immunomodulatory therapy. Here, we explore this perspective about phage therapy for acne, considering the potential immunomodulatory role of phages. Methodology Literature review was performed using four different databases (Europe PubMed Central-ePMC, Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect). Articles were ordered and selected according to their year of publication, number of citations, and quartile of the publishing journal. Results The use of lytic bacteriophages to control bacterial infections has proven its promising results, and anti-inflammatory effects have been found for some bacteriophages and phage therapy. These effects can be related to bacterial elimination or direct interaction with immune cells that result in the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Studies on C. acnes bacteriophages have investigated their lytic activity, genomic structure, and stability on different matrices. However, studies exploring the potential of immunomodulation of these bacteriophages are still scarce. Conclusions C. acnes bacteriophages, as well as other phages, may have direct immunomodulatory effects that are yet to be fully elucidated. To our knowledge, to the date that this review was written, there are only two studies that investigate anti-inflammatory properties for C. acnes bacteriophages. In those studies, it has been evidenced reduction of pro-inflammatory response to C. acnes inoculation in mice after bacteriophage application. Nevertheless, these studies were conducted in mice, and the interaction with the immune response was not described. Phage therapy to treat acne can be a suitable therapeutic alternative to C. acnes control, which in turn can aid to restore the skin's balance of microbiota. By controlling C. acnes colonization, C. acnes bacteriophages can reduce inflammatory reactions triggered by this bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Farfán
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - John M. Gonzalez
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Martha Vives
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
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