1
|
Chen X, Yang J, Qu C, Zhang Q, Sun S, Liu L. Anti- Staphylococcus aureus effects of natural antimicrobial peptides and the underlying mechanisms. Future Microbiol 2024; 19:355-372. [PMID: 38440873 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2023-0168] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus can cause localized infections such as abscesses and pneumonia, as well as systemic infections such as bacteremia and sepsis. Especially, methicillin-resistant S. aureus often presents multidrug resistance, which becomes a major clinical challenge. One of the most common reasons for methicillin-resistant S. aureus antibiotic resistance is the presence of biofilms. Natural antimicrobial peptides derived from different species have shown effectiveness in combating S. aureus biofilms. In this review, we summarize the inhibitory activity of antimicrobial peptides against S. aureus planktonic cells and biofilms. We also summarize the possible inhibitory mechanisms, involving cell adhesion inhibition, membrane fracture, biofilm disruption and DNA disruption. We believe this can provide the basis for further research against S. aureus biofilm-associated infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueqi Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiuli Yang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Shandong Engineering & Technology Research Center for Pediatric Drug Development, Shandong Medicine & Health Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy, Jinan, 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang Qu
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Daxing District Hospital of Integrated Chinese & Western Medicine. Beijing, 102600, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujuan Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital. Jinan, 250022, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihong Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rangel K, Lechuga GC, Provance DW, Morel CM, De Simone SG. An Update on the Therapeutic Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides against Acinetobacter baumannii Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1281. [PMID: 37765087 PMCID: PMC10537560 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The rise in antibiotic-resistant strains of clinically important pathogens is a major threat to global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the urgent need to develop alternative treatments to address the growing list of priority pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) rank among the suggested options with proven activity and high potential to be developed into effective drugs. Many AMPs are naturally produced by living organisms protecting the host against pathogens as a part of their innate immunity. Mechanisms associated with AMP actions include cell membrane disruption, cell wall weakening, protein synthesis inhibition, and interference in nucleic acid dynamics, inducing apoptosis and necrosis. Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical pathogen, as severe clinical implications have developed from isolates resistant to current antibiotic treatments and conventional control procedures, such as UV light, disinfectants, and drying. Here, we review the natural AMPs representing primary candidates for new anti-A. baumannii drugs in post-antibiotic-era and present computational tools to develop the next generation of AMPs with greater microbicidal activity and reduced toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karyne Rangel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - David W. Provance
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos M. Morel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Salvatore G. De Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Science and Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 22040-036, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Parasitic Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Crocodile defensin (CpoBD13) antifungal activity via pH-dependent phospholipid targeting and membrane disruption. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1170. [PMID: 36859344 PMCID: PMC9977887 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36280-y] [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: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Crocodilians are an order of ancient reptiles that thrive in pathogen-rich environments. The ability to inhabit these harsh environments is indicative of a resilient innate immune system. Defensins, a family of cysteine-rich cationic host defence peptides, are a major component of the innate immune systems of all plant and animal species, however crocodilian defensins are poorly characterised. We now show that the saltwater crocodile defensin CpoBD13 harbors potent antifungal activity that is mediated by a pH-dependent membrane-targeting action. CpoBD13 binds the phospholipid phosphatidic acid (PA) to form a large helical oligomeric complex, with specific histidine residues mediating PA binding. The utilisation of histidine residues for PA engagement allows CpoBD13 to exhibit differential activity at a range of environmental pH values, where CpoBD13 is optimally active in an acidic environment.
Collapse
|
4
|
Novel Alligator Cathelicidin As-CATH8 Demonstrates Anti-Infective Activity against Clinically Relevant and Crocodylian Bacterial Pathogens. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11111603. [DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11111603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) represent an alternative way to address the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Crocodylians are interesting species for the study of these molecules because of their potent immune system, which confers high resistance to infection. Profile hidden Markov models were used to screen the genomes of four crocodylian species for encoded cathelicidins and eighteen novel sequences were identified. Synthetic cathelicidins showed broad spectrum antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against several clinically important antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In particular, the As-CATH8 cathelicidin showed potent in vitro activity profiles similar to the last-resort antibiotics vancomycin and polymyxin B. In addition, As-CATH8 demonstrated rapid killing of planktonic and biofilm cells, which correlated with its ability to cause cytoplasmic membrane depolarization and permeabilization as well as binding to DNA. As-CATH8 displayed greater antibiofilm activity than the human cathelicidin LL-37 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a human organoid model of biofilm skin infection. Furthermore, As-CATH8 demonstrated strong antibacterial effects in a murine abscess model of high-density bacterial infections against clinical isolates of S. aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii, two of the most common bacterial species causing skin infections globally. Overall, this work expands the repertoire of cathelicidin peptides known in crocodylians, including one with considerable therapeutic promise for treating common skin infections.
Collapse
|
5
|
Unger F, Eisenberg T, Prenger-Berninghoff E, Leidner U, Semmler T, Ewers C. Imported Pet Reptiles and Their “Blind Passengers”—In-Depth Characterization of 80 Acinetobacter Species Isolates. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10050893. [PMID: 35630338 PMCID: PMC9144363 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reptiles are popular pet animals and important food sources, but the trade of this vertebrate class is—besides welfare and conservation—under debate due to zoonotic microbiota. Ninety-two shipments of live reptiles were sampled during border inspections at Europe’s most relevant transshipment point for the live animal trade. Acinetobacter spp. represented one significant fraction of potentially MDR bacteria that were further analyzed following non-selective isolation or selective enrichment from feces, urinate, or skin samples. Taxonomic positions of respective isolates were confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS and whole-genome sequencing analysis (GBDP, dDDH, ANIb, and rMLST). The majority of the 80 isolates represented established species; however, a proportion of potentially novel taxa was found. Antimicrobial properties and genome-resistance gene screening revealed novel and existing resistance mechanisms. Acinetobacter spp. strains were most often resistant to 6–10 substance groups (n = 63) in vitro. Resistance to fluorchinolones (n = 4) and colistin (n = 7), but not to carbapenems, was noted, and novel oxacillinase variants (n = 39) were detected among other genes. Phylogenetic analysis (MLST) assigned few isolates to the known STs (25, 46, 49, 220, and 249) and to a number of novel STs. No correlation was found to indicate that MDR Acinetobacter spp. in reptiles were associated with harvesting mode, e.g., captive-bred, wild-caught, or farmed in natural ecosystems. The community of Acinetobacter spp. in healthy reptiles turned out to be highly variable, with many isolates displaying a MDR phenotype or genotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Unger
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (F.U.); (E.P.-B.); (U.L.)
| | | | - Ellen Prenger-Berninghoff
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (F.U.); (E.P.-B.); (U.L.)
| | - Ursula Leidner
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (F.U.); (E.P.-B.); (U.L.)
| | - Torsten Semmler
- NG1 Microbial Genomics, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Christa Ewers
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (F.U.); (E.P.-B.); (U.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-641-9938300
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Akat E, Yenmiş M, Pombal MA, Molist P, Megías M, Arman S, Veselỳ M, Anderson R, Ayaz D. Comparison of Vertebrate Skin Structure at Class Level: A Review. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2022; 305:3543-3608. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.24908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Esra Akat
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department Bornova, İzmir Turkey
| | - Melodi Yenmiş
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department Bornova, İzmir Turkey
| | - Manuel A. Pombal
- Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional e Ciencias da Saúde, Facultade de Bioloxía‐IBIV Vigo, España
| | - Pilar Molist
- Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional e Ciencias da Saúde, Facultade de Bioloxía‐IBIV Vigo, España
| | - Manuel Megías
- Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional e Ciencias da Saúde, Facultade de Bioloxía‐IBIV Vigo, España
| | - Sezgi Arman
- Sakarya University, Faculty of Science and Letters, Biology Department Sakarya Turkey
| | - Milan Veselỳ
- Palacky University, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology Olomouc Czechia
| | - Rodolfo Anderson
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista São Paulo Brazil
| | - Dinçer Ayaz
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department Bornova, İzmir Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Siddiqui R, Maciver SK, Khan NA. Gut microbiome-immune system interaction in reptiles. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 132:2558-2571. [PMID: 34984778 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Reptiles are ectothermic amniotes in a world dominated by endotherms. Reptiles originated more than 300 million years ago and they often dwell in polluted environments which may expose them to pathogenic micro-organisms, radiation and/or heavy metals. Reptiles also possess greater longevity and may live much longer than similar-sized land mammals, for example, turtles, tortoises, crocodiles and tuatara are long-lived reptiles living up to 100 years or more. Many recent studies have emphasized the pivotal role of the gut microbiome on its host; thus, we postulated that reptilian gut microbiome and/or its metabolites and the interplay with their robust immune system may contribute to their longevity and overall hardiness. Herein, we discuss the composition of the reptilian gut microbiome, immune system-gut microbiome cross-talk, antimicrobial peptides, reptilian resistance to infectious diseases and cancer, ageing, as well the current knowledge of the genome and epigenome of these remarkable species. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that microbial gut flora of reptiles such as crocodiles, tortoises, water monitor lizard and python exhibit remarkable anticancer and antibacterial properties, as well as comprise novel gut bacterial metabolites and antimicrobial peptides. The underlying mechanisms between the gut microbiome and the immune system may hold clues to developing new therapies overall for health, and possible extrapolation to exploit the ancient defence systems of reptiles for Homo sapiens benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sutherland K Maciver
- Centre for Discovery Brain Science, Edinburgh Medical School, Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yu SS, Zhao ZH, Gong XF, Fan XL, Lin ZH, Chen J. Antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity of beta-defensin from the Chinese spiny frog (Quasipaa spinosa). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 126:104264. [PMID: 34551359 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The β-defensins are important components of the vertebrate innate immune system. While mammalian β-defensins have wide-ranging antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities, those of amphibians remain largely uncharacterised. In this study, β-defensin cDNA was identified from the skin transcriptome of the Chinese spiny frog Quasipaa spinosa. This β-defensin (QS-BD) consists of a signal and a mature peptide. Sequence alignments with other amphibian β-defensins showed conservation of the functional mature peptide and that its closest relative is β-defensin from Zhangixalus puerensis. Synthetic QS-BD showed antibacterial activity against Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio harveyi, Streptococcus iniae, and Aeromonas hydrophila. QS-BD showed bactericidal activity by destroying the cell membrane integrity, but did not hydrolyse genomic DNA. QS-BD treatment promoted respiratory bursts and upregulated the expression of interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α in the murine leukemic monocyte/macrophage cell line RAW264.7. This is the first demonstration of immunomodulatory activity by an amphibian β-defensin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shui-Sheng Yu
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China; Ecological Forestry Development Center of Suichang County, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Zeng-Hui Zhao
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Gong
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China; Ecological Forestry Development Center of Suichang County, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Xiao-Li Fan
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Lin
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China.
| | - Jie Chen
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China.
| |
Collapse
|