1
|
Myers C, Cornwall GA. Host defense amyloids: Biosensors of the immune system? Andrology 2024; 12:973-980. [PMID: 37963844 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13555] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable evidence showing that highly ordered aggregate structures known as amyloids carry out essential biological roles in species ranging from bacteria to humans. Indeed, many antimicrobial peptides/proteins form amyloids to carry out their host defense functions and many amyloids are antimicrobial. The similarity of host defense amyloids from bacterial biofilms to the mammalian epididymal amyloid matrix implies highly conserved host defense structures/functions. With an emphasis on the epididymal amyloid matrix, here we review the common properties of host defense amyloids including unique traits that would allow them to function as powerful biosensors of the immune system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Myers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gail A Cornwall
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gao X, Ding J, Liao C, Xu J, Liu X, Lu W. Defensins: The natural peptide antibiotic. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 179:114008. [PMID: 34673132 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Defensins are a family of cationic antimicrobial peptides active against a broad range of infectious microbes including bacteria, viruses and fungi, playing important roles as innate effectors and immune modulators in immunological control of microbial infection. Their antibacterial properties and unique mechanisms of action have garnered considerable interest in developing defensins into a novel class of natural antibiotic peptides to fend off pathogenic infection by bacteria, particularly those resistant to conventional antibiotics. However, serious pharmacological and technical obstacles, some of which are unique to defensins and others are common to peptide drugs in general, have hindered the development and clinical translation of defensins as anti-infective therapeutics. To overcome them, several technologies have been developed, aiming for improved functionality, prolonged circulation time, enhanced proteolytic stability and bioavailability, and efficient and controlled delivery and release of defensins to the site of infection. Additional challenges include the alleviation of potential toxicity of defensins and their cost-effective manufacturing. In this review, we briefly introduce defensin biology, focus on various transforming strategies and practical techniques developed for defensins and their derivatives as antibacterial therapeutics, and conclude with a summation of future challenges and possible solutions.
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
Defensins are a major family of host defense peptides expressed predominantly in neutrophils and epithelial cells. Their broad antimicrobial activities and multifaceted immunomodulatory functions have been extensively studied, cementing their role in innate immunity as a core host-protective component against bacterial, viral and fungal infections. More recent studies, however, paint defensins in a bad light such that they are "alleged" to promote viral and bacterial infections in certain biological settings. This mini review summarizes the latest findings on the potential pathogenic properties of defensins against the backdrop of their protective roles in antiviral and antibacterial immunity. Further, a succinct description of both tumor-proliferative and -suppressive activities of defensins is also given to highlight their functional and mechanistic complexity in antitumor immunity. We posit that given an enabling environment defensins, widely heralded as the "Swiss army knife," can function as a "double-edged sword" in host immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- Institute of Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wuyuan Lu
- Institute of Human Virology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zeng L, Tan J, Xue M, Liu L, Wang M, Liang L, Deng J, Chen W, Chen Y. An engineering probiotic producing defensin-5 ameliorating dextran sodium sulfate-induced mice colitis via Inhibiting NF-kB pathway. J Transl Med 2020; 18:107. [PMID: 32122364 PMCID: PMC7053090 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02272-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human defensin-5 (HD-5) is a key antimicrobial peptide which plays an important role in host immune defense, while the short half-life greatly limits its clinical application. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an engineering probiotic producing HD-5 on intestinal barrier and explore its underlying mechanism Methods We constructed the pN8148-SHD-5 vector, and transfected this plasmid into Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) to create the recombinant NZ9000SHD-5 strain, which continuously produces mature HD-5. NZ9000SHD-5 was administrated appropriately in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model. Alterations in the wounded intestine were analyzed by hematoxylin–eosin staining. The changes of intestinal permeability were detected by FITC-dextran permeability test, the tight junction (TJ) proteins ZO-1 and occludin and cytokines were analyzed by western blotting or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. In Caco-2 cell monolayers, the permeability were analyzed by transepithelial electrical resistance, and the TJ proteins were detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. In addition, NF-κB signaling pathway was investigated to further analyze the molecular mechanism of NZ9000SHD-5 treatment on inducing intestinal protection in vitro. Results We found oral administration with NZ9000SHD-5 significantly reduced colonic glandular structure destruction and inflammatory cell infiltration, downregulated expression of several inflammation-related molecules and preserved epithelial barrier integrity. The same protective effects were observed in in vitro experiments, and pretreatment of macrophages with NZ9000SHD-5 culture supernatants prior to LPS application significantly reduced the expression of phosphorylated nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and its inhibitor IκBα. Conclusions These results indicate the NZ9000SHD-5 can alleviate DSS-induced mucosal damage by suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway, and NZ9000SHD-5 may be a novel therapeutic means for ulcerative colitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lishan Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiasheng Tan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dongguan Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Dongguan Shilong People's Hospital of Southern Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Xue
- Department of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingming Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Liping Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|