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Hale M, Takehara KK, Thouvenel CD, Moustafa DA, Repele A, Fontana MF, Netland J, McNamara S, Gibson RL, Goldberg JB, Rawlings DJ, Pepper M. Monoclonal antibodies derived from B cells in subjects with cystic fibrosis reduce Pseudomonas aeruginosa burden in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.08.588618. [PMID: 38645147 PMCID: PMC11030358 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.08.588618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic, frequently multidrug-resistant pathogen that can cause severe infections in hospitalized patients. Antibodies against the PA virulence factor, PcrV, protect from death and disease in a variety of animal models. However, clinical trials of PcrV-binding antibody-based products have thus far failed to demonstrate benefit. Prior candidates were derivations of antibodies identified using protein-immunized animal systems and required extensive engineering to optimize binding and/or reduce immunogenicity. Of note, PA infections are common in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), who are generally believed to mount normal adaptive immune responses. Here we utilized a tetramer reagent to detect and isolate PcrV-specific B cells in pwCF and, via single-cell sorting and paired-chain sequencing, identified the B cell receptor (BCR) variable region sequences that confer PcrV-specificity. We derived multiple high affinity anti-PcrV monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from PcrV-specific B cells across 3 donors, including mAbs that exhibit potent anti-PA activity in a murine pneumonia model. This robust strategy for mAb discovery expands what is known about PA-specific B cells in pwCF and yields novel mAbs with potential for future clinical use.
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Simonis A, Kreer C, Albus A, Rox K, Yuan B, Holzmann D, Wilms JA, Zuber S, Kottege L, Winter S, Meyer M, Schmitt K, Gruell H, Theobald SJ, Hellmann AM, Meyer C, Ercanoglu MS, Cramer N, Munder A, Hallek M, Fätkenheuer G, Koch M, Seifert H, Rietschel E, Marlovits TC, van Koningsbruggen-Rietschel S, Klein F, Rybniker J. Discovery of highly neutralizing human antibodies targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cell 2023; 186:5098-5113.e19. [PMID: 37918395 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) poses an emerging threat to human health with urgent need for alternative therapeutic approaches. Here, we deciphered the B cell and antibody response to the virulence-associated type III secretion system (T3SS) in a cohort of patients chronically infected with PA. Single-cell analytics revealed a diverse B cell receptor repertoire directed against the T3SS needle-tip protein PcrV, enabling the production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) abrogating T3SS-mediated cytotoxicity. Mechanistic studies involving cryoelectron microscopy identified a surface-exposed C-terminal PcrV epitope as the target of highly neutralizing mAbs with broad activity against drug-resistant PA isolates. These anti-PcrV mAbs were as effective as treatment with conventional antibiotics in vivo. Our study reveals that chronically infected patients represent a source of neutralizing antibodies, which can be exploited as therapeutics against PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Simonis
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany.
| | - Christoph Kreer
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexandra Albus
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Katharina Rox
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Biao Yuan
- Institute of Structural and Systems Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 22607 Hamburg, Germany; Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), 22607 Hamburg, Germany; Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron Zentrum (DESY), 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dmitriy Holzmann
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Joana A Wilms
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Sylvia Zuber
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Lisa Kottege
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Sandra Winter
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Meike Meyer
- CF Centre, Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergology, University Children's Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Centre for Rare Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Kristin Schmitt
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Henning Gruell
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Sebastian J Theobald
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Hellmann
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children's Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Christina Meyer
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Meryem Seda Ercanoglu
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Nina Cramer
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Antje Munder
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Hallek
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Gerd Fätkenheuer
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Manuel Koch
- Institute for Dental Research and Oral Musculoskeletal Biology, Center for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Harald Seifert
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ernst Rietschel
- CF Centre, Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergology, University Children's Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Centre for Rare Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas C Marlovits
- Institute of Structural and Systems Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 22607 Hamburg, Germany; Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), 22607 Hamburg, Germany; Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron Zentrum (DESY), 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Silke van Koningsbruggen-Rietschel
- CF Centre, Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergology, University Children's Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Centre for Rare Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Florian Klein
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan Rybniker
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany.
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Inoue K, Kinoshita M, Muranishi K, Ohara J, Sudo K, Kawaguchi K, Shimizu M, Naito Y, Moriyama K, Sawa T. Effect of a Novel Trivalent Vaccine Formulation against Acute Lung Injury Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1088. [PMID: 37376477 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061088] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
An effective vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa would benefit people susceptible to severe infection. Vaccination targeting V antigen (PcrV) of the P. aeruginosa type III secretion system is a potential prophylactic strategy for reducing P. aeruginosa-induced acute lung injury and acute mortality. We created a recombinant protein (designated POmT) comprising three antigens: full-length PcrV (PcrV#1-#294), the outer membrane domain (#190-342) of OprF (OprF#190-#342), and a non-catalytic mutant of the carboxyl domain (#406-613) of exotoxin A (mToxA#406-#613(E553Δ)). In the combination of PcrV and OprF, mToxA, the efficacy of POmT was compared with that of single-antigen vaccines, two-antigen mixed vaccines, and a three-antigen mixed vaccine in a murine model of P. aeruginosa pneumonia. As a result, the 24 h-survival rates were 79%, 78%, 21%, 7%, and 36% in the POmT, PcrV, OprF, mTox, and alum-alone groups, respectively. Significant improvement in acute lung injury and reduction in acute mortality within 24 h after infection was observed in the POmT and PcrV groups than in the other groups. Overall, the POmT vaccine exhibited efficacy comparable to that of the PcrV vaccine. The future goal is to prove the efficacy of the POmT vaccine against various P. aeruginosa strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Inoue
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Mao Kinoshita
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Kentaro Muranishi
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
| | - Junya Ohara
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Kazuki Sudo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Ken Kawaguchi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Masaru Shimizu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Naito
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Moriyama
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Kyorin University, Mitaka 181-8611, Japan
| | - Teiji Sawa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
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4
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Elmassry MM, Colmer-Hamood JA, Kopel J, San Francisco MJ, Hamood AN. Anti- Pseudomonas aeruginosa Vaccines and Therapies: An Assessment of Clinical Trials. Microorganisms 2023; 11:916. [PMID: 37110338 PMCID: PMC10144840 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040916] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that causes high morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) and immunocompromised patients, including patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), severely burned patients, and patients with surgical wounds. Due to the intrinsic and extrinsic antibiotic resistance mechanisms, the ability to produce several cell-associated and extracellular virulence factors, and the capacity to adapt to several environmental conditions, eradicating P. aeruginosa within infected patients is difficult. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the six multi-drug-resistant pathogens (ESKAPE) considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an entire group for which the development of novel antibiotics is urgently needed. In the United States (US) and within the last several years, P. aeruginosa caused 27% of deaths and approximately USD 767 million annually in health-care costs. Several P. aeruginosa therapies, including new antimicrobial agents, derivatives of existing antibiotics, novel antimicrobial agents such as bacteriophages and their chelators, potential vaccines targeting specific virulence factors, and immunotherapies have been developed. Within the last 2-3 decades, the efficacy of these different treatments was tested in clinical and preclinical trials. Despite these trials, no P. aeruginosa treatment is currently approved or available. In this review, we examined several of these clinicals, specifically those designed to combat P. aeruginosa infections in CF patients, patients with P. aeruginosa VAP, and P. aeruginosa-infected burn patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moamen M. Elmassry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Jane A. Colmer-Hamood
- Department of Medical Education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Jonathan Kopel
- Department of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Michael J. San Francisco
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
- Honors College, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Abdul N. Hamood
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
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5
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Howlader DR, Das S, Lu T, Mandal RS, Hu G, Varisco DJ, Dietz ZK, Ratnakaram SSK, Ernst RK, Picking WD, Picking WL. A protein subunit vaccine elicits a balanced immune response that protects against Pseudomonas pulmonary infection. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:37. [PMID: 36918600 PMCID: PMC10012293 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00618-w] [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: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) causes severe nosocomial infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals and the elderly. Increasing drug resistance, the absence of a licensed vaccine and increased hospitalizations due to SARS-CoV-2 have made Pa a major healthcare risk. To address this, we formulated a candidate subunit vaccine against Pa (L-PaF), by fusing the type III secretion system tip and translocator proteins with LTA1 in an oil-in-water emulsion (ME). This was mixed with the TLR4 agonist (BECC438b). Lung mRNA sequencing showed that the formulation activates genes from multiple immunological pathways eliciting a protective Th1-Th17 response following IN immunization. Following infection, however, the immunized mice showed an adaptive response while the PBS-vaccinated mice experienced rapid onset of an inflammatory response. The latter displayed a hypoxic lung environment with high bacterial burden. Finally, the importance of IL-17 and immunoglobulins were demonstrated using knockout mice. These findings suggest a need for a balanced humoral and cellular response to prevent the onset of Pa infection and that our formulation could elicit such a response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debaki R Howlader
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Sayan Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Ti Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Rahul Shubhra Mandal
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Gang Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
| | - David J Varisco
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Zackary K Dietz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | | | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - William D Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Wendy L Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Infections, Animal Modeling, and Therapeutics. Cells 2023; 12:cells12010199. [PMID: 36611992 PMCID: PMC9818774 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen which causes many severe acute and chronic infections with high morbidity, and mortality rates as high as 40%. What makes P. aeruginosa a particularly challenging pathogen is its high intrinsic and acquired resistance to many of the available antibiotics. In this review, we review the important acute and chronic infections caused by this pathogen. We next discuss various animal models which have been developed to evaluate P. aeruginosa pathogenesis and assess therapeutics against this pathogen. Next, we review current treatments (antibiotics and vaccines) and provide an overview of their efficacies and their limitations. Finally, we highlight exciting literature on novel antibiotic-free strategies to control P. aeruginosa infections.
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Research Progress on Small Molecular Inhibitors of the Type 3 Secretion System. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27238348. [PMID: 36500441 PMCID: PMC9740592 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238348] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The overuse of antibiotics has led to severe bacterial drug resistance. Blocking pathogen virulence devices is a highly effective approach to combating bacterial resistance worldwide. Type three secretion systems (T3SSs) are significant virulence factors in Gram-negative pathogens. Inhibition of these systems can effectively weaken infection whilst having no significant effect on bacterial growth. Therefore, T3SS inhibitors may be a powerful weapon against resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, and there has been increasing interest in the research and development of T3SS inhibitors. This review outlines several reported small-molecule inhibitors of the T3SS, covering those of synthetic and natural origin, including their sources, structures, and mechanisms of action.
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Liao C, Huang X, Wang Q, Yao D, Lu W. Virulence Factors of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Antivirulence Strategies to Combat Its Drug Resistance. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:926758. [PMID: 35873152 PMCID: PMC9299443 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.926758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections in severely ill and immunocompromised patients. Ubiquitously disseminated in the environment, especially in hospitals, it has become a major threat to human health due to the constant emergence of drug-resistant strains. Multiple resistance mechanisms are exploited by P. aeruginosa, which usually result in chronic infections difficult to eradicate. Diverse virulence factors responsible for bacterial adhesion and colonization, host immune suppression, and immune escape, play important roles in the pathogenic process of P. aeruginosa. As such, antivirulence treatment that aims at reducing virulence while sparing the bacterium for its eventual elimination by the immune system, or combination therapies, has significant advantages over traditional antibiotic therapy, as the former imposes minimal selective pressure on P. aeruginosa, thus less likely to induce drug resistance. In this review, we will discuss the virulence factors of P. aeruginosa, their pathogenic roles, and recent advances in antivirulence drug discovery for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongbing Liao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education (MOE)/National Health Commission (NHC)/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)), School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education (MOE)/National Health Commission (NHC)/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)), School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingxia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education (MOE)/National Health Commission (NHC)/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)), School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education (MOE)/National Health Commission (NHC)/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)), School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wuyuan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education (MOE)/National Health Commission (NHC)/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)), School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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9
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Hart RJ, Morici LA. Vaccination to Prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bloodstream Infections. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:870104. [PMID: 35418967 PMCID: PMC8996235 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.870104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is ubiquitous in the environment and causes opportunistic infections in humans. Pa is increasingly becoming one of the most difficult to treat microorganisms due to its intrinsic and acquired resistance to multiple antibiotics. The World Health Organization estimates that at least 700,000 people die each year from drug resistant microbial infections and have listed Pa as one of three bacterial species for which there is the most critical need for the development of novel therapeutics. Pa is a common cause of bloodstream infections (BSI) and bacterial sepsis. With nearly 49 million sepsis cases and 11 million deaths worldwide, an effective vaccine against Pa could prevent the morbidity and mortality resulting from Pa BSI and lessen our dependence on antibiotics. We reviewed the current landscape of Pa vaccines in pre-clinical and clinical stages over the last two decades. It is readily apparent that Pa vaccine development efforts have been largely directed at the prevention of pulmonary infections, likely due to Pa's devastating impact on individuals with cystic fibrosis. However, the increase in nosocomial infections, BSI-related sepsis, and the emergence of widespread antibiotic resistance have converged as a major threat to global public health. In this perspective, we draw attention to potential Pa vaccine candidates and encourage a renewed effort for prophylactic vaccine development to prevent drug-resistant Pa BSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Hart
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Lisa A Morici
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
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10
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Hardy KS, Tuckey AN, Housley NA, Andrews J, Patel M, Al-Mehdi AB, Barrington RA, Cassel SL, Sutterwala FS, Audia JP. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III Secretion System Exoenzyme Effector ExoU Induces Mitochondrial Damage in a Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophage Infection Model. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0047021. [PMID: 35130452 PMCID: PMC8929383 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00470-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen that causes nosocomial pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and bacteremia. A hallmark of P. aeruginosa pathogenesis is disruption of host cell function by the type III secretion system (T3SS) and its cognate exoenzyme effectors. The T3SS effector ExoU is phospholipase A2 (PLA2) that targets the host cell plasmalemmal membrane to induce cytolysis and is an important virulence factor that mediates immune avoidance. In addition, ExoU has been shown to subvert the host inflammatory response in a noncytolytic manner. In primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), P. aeruginosa infection is sensed by the nucleotide-binding domain containing leucine-rich repeats-like receptor 4 (NLRC4) inflammasome, which triggers caspase-1 activation and inflammation. ExoU transiently inhibits NLRC4 inflammasome-mediated activation of caspase-1 and its downstream target, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), to suppress activation of inflammation. In the present study, we sought to identify additional noncytolytic virulence functions for ExoU and discovered an unexpected association between ExoU, host mitochondria, and NLRC4. We show that infection of BMDMs with P. aeruginosa strains expressing ExoU elicited mitochondrial oxidative stress. In addition, mitochondria and mitochondrion-associated membrane fractions enriched from infected cells exhibited evidence of autophagy activation, indicative of damage. The observation that ExoU elicited mitochondrial stress and damage suggested that ExoU may also associate with mitochondria during infection. Indeed, ExoU phospholipase A2 enzymatic activity was present in enriched mitochondria and mitochondrion-associated membrane fractions isolated from P. aeruginosa-infected BMDMs. Intriguingly, enriched mitochondria and mitochondrion-associated membrane fractions isolated from infected Nlrc4 homozygous knockout BMDMs displayed significantly lower levels of ExoU enzyme activity, suggesting that NLRC4 plays a role in the ExoU-mitochondrion association. These observations prompted us to assay enriched mitochondria and mitochondrion-associated membrane fractions for NLRC4, caspase-1, and IL-1β. NLRC4 and pro-caspase-1 were detected in enriched mitochondria and mitochondrion-associated membrane fractions isolated from noninfected BMDMs, and active caspase-1 and active IL-1β were detected in response to P. aeruginosa infection. Interestingly, ExoU inhibited mitochondrion-associated caspase-1 and IL-1β activation. The implications of ExoU-mediated effects on mitochondria and the NLRC4 inflammasome during P. aeruginosa infection are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kierra S. Hardy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Amanda N. Tuckey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Nicole A. Housley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Joel Andrews
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Mita Patel
- Department of Pharmcology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Abu-Bakr Al-Mehdi
- Department of Pharmcology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Robert A. Barrington
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Suzanne L. Cassel
- Women’s Guild Lung Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Fayyaz S. Sutterwala
- Women’s Guild Lung Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jonathon P. Audia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama, USA
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11
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Zhang W, Song X, Zhai L, Guo J, Zheng X, Zhang L, Lv M, Hu L, Zhou D, Xiong X, Yang W. Complete Protection Against Yersinia pestis in BALB/c Mouse Model Elicited by Immunization With Inhalable Formulations of rF1-V10 Fusion Protein via Aerosolized Intratracheal Inoculation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:793382. [PMID: 35154110 PMCID: PMC8825376 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.793382] [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: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumonic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is an infectious disease with high mortality rates unless treated early with antibiotics. Currently, no FDA-approved vaccine against plague is available for human use. The capsular antigen F1, the low-calcium-response V antigen (LcrV), and the recombinant fusion protein (rF1-LcrV) of Y. pestis are leading subunit vaccine candidates under intense investigation; however, the inability of recombinant antigens to provide complete protection against pneumonic plague in animal models remains a significant concern. In this study, we compared immunoprotection against pneumonic plague provided by rF1, rV10 (a truncation of LcrV), and rF1-V10, and vaccinations delivered via aerosolized intratracheal (i.t.) inoculation or subcutaneous (s.c.) injection. We further considered three vaccine formulations: conventional liquid, dry powder produced by spray freeze drying, or dry powder reconstituted in PBS. The main findings are: (i) rF1-V10 immunization with any formulation via i.t. or s.c. routes conferred 100% protection against Y. pestis i.t. infection; (ii) rF1 or rV10 immunization using i.t. delivery provided significantly stronger protection than rF1 or rV10 immunization via s.c. delivery; and (iii) powder formulations of subunit vaccines induced immune responses and provided protection equivalent to those elicited by unprocessed liquid formulations of vaccines. Our data indicate that immunization with a powder formulation of rF1-V10 vaccines via an i.t. route may be a promising vaccination strategy for providing protective immunity against pneumonic plague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Lina Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Jianshu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xinying Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Lingfei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolu Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
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12
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Naito Y, Kato H, Zhou L, Sugita S, He H, Zheng J, Hao Q, Sawa T, Lee JW. Therapeutic Effects of Hyaluronic Acid Against Cytotoxic Extracellular Vesicles Released During Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pneumonia. Shock 2022; 57:408-416. [PMID: 34387224 PMCID: PMC8840981 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000001846] [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] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have now been recognized as important mediators of cellular communication during injury and repair. We previously found that plasma EVs isolated from ex vivo perfused human lungs injured with Escherichia coli bacterial pneumonia were inflammatory, and exogenous administration of high molecular weight (HMW) hyaluronic acid (HA) as therapy bound to these EVs, decreasing inflammation and injury. In the current study, we studied the role of EVs released during severe Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) pneumonia in mice and determined whether intravenous administration of exogenous HMW HA would have therapeutic effects against the bacterial pneumonia. EVs were collected from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice infected with PA103 by ultracentrifugation and analyzed by NanoSight and flow cytometry. In a cytotoxicity assay, administration of EVs released from infected mice (I-EVs) decreased the viability of A549 cells compared to EV isolated from sham control mice (C-EVs). Either exogenous HMW HA or an anti-CD44 antibody, when co-incubated with I-EVs, significantly improved the viability of the A549 cells. In mice with PA103 pneumonia, administration of HMW HA improved pulmonary edema and bacterial count in the lungs and decreased TNF-α and caspase-3 levels in the supernatant of lung homogenates. In conclusion, EVs isolated from BALF of mice with P. aeruginosa pneumonia were cytotoxic and inflammatory, and intravenous HMW HA administration was protective against P. aeruginosa pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Naito
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hideya Kato
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Shinji Sugita
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Hongli He
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Justin Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Qi Hao
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Teiji Sawa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan
| | - Jae-Woo Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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13
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Hardy KS, Tuckey AN, Renema P, Patel M, Al-Mehdi AB, Spadafora D, Schlumpf CA, Barrington RA, Alexeyev MF, Stevens T, Pittet JF, Wagener BM, Simmons JD, Alvarez DF, Audia JP. ExoU Induces Lung Endothelial Cell Damage and Activates Pro-Inflammatory Caspase-1 during Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14020152. [PMID: 35202178 PMCID: PMC8878379 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa utilizes a type III secretion system to inject exoenzyme effectors into a target host cell. Of the four best-studied exoenzymes, ExoU causes rapid cell damage and death. ExoU is a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) that hydrolyses host cell membranes, and P. aeruginosa strains expressing ExoU are associated with poor outcomes in critically ill patients with pneumonia. While the effects of ExoU on lung epithelial and immune cells are well studied, a role for ExoU in disrupting lung endothelial cell function has only recently emerged. Lung endothelial cells maintain a barrier to fluid and protein flux into tissue and airspaces and regulate inflammation. Herein, we describe a pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (PMVEC) culture infection model to examine the effects of ExoU. Using characterized P. aeruginosa strains and primary clinical isolates, we show that strains expressing ExoU disrupt PMVEC barrier function by causing substantial PMVEC damage and lysis, in a PLA2-dependent manner. In addition, we show that strains expressing ExoU activate the pro-inflammatory caspase-1, in a PLA2-dependent manner. Considering the important roles for mitochondria and oxidative stress in regulating inflammatory responses, we next examined the effects of ExoU on reactive oxygen species production. Infection of PMVECs with P. aeruginosa strains expressing ExoU triggered a robust oxidative stress compared to strains expressing other exoenzyme effectors. We also provide evidence that, intriguingly, ExoU PLA2 activity was detectable in mitochondria and mitochondria-associated membrane fractions isolated from P. aeruginosa-infected PMVECs. Interestingly, ExoU-mediated activation of caspase-1 was partially inhibited by reactive oxygen species scavengers. Together, these data suggest ExoU exerts pleiotropic effects on PMVEC function during P. aeruginosa infection that may inhibit endothelial barrier and inflammatory functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kierra S. Hardy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (K.S.H.); (A.N.T.); (C.A.S.); (R.A.B.)
- Center for Lung Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (P.R.); (M.P.); (A.-B.A.-M.); (M.F.A.); (T.S.); (J.D.S.); (D.F.A.)
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amanda N. Tuckey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (K.S.H.); (A.N.T.); (C.A.S.); (R.A.B.)
- Center for Lung Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (P.R.); (M.P.); (A.-B.A.-M.); (M.F.A.); (T.S.); (J.D.S.); (D.F.A.)
| | - Phoibe Renema
- Center for Lung Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (P.R.); (M.P.); (A.-B.A.-M.); (M.F.A.); (T.S.); (J.D.S.); (D.F.A.)
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Allied Health, University of South Alabama Mobile, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Mita Patel
- Center for Lung Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (P.R.); (M.P.); (A.-B.A.-M.); (M.F.A.); (T.S.); (J.D.S.); (D.F.A.)
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Abu-Bakr Al-Mehdi
- Center for Lung Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (P.R.); (M.P.); (A.-B.A.-M.); (M.F.A.); (T.S.); (J.D.S.); (D.F.A.)
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Domenico Spadafora
- Flow Cytometry Core Lab, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA;
| | - Cody A. Schlumpf
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (K.S.H.); (A.N.T.); (C.A.S.); (R.A.B.)
| | - Robert A. Barrington
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (K.S.H.); (A.N.T.); (C.A.S.); (R.A.B.)
- Center for Lung Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (P.R.); (M.P.); (A.-B.A.-M.); (M.F.A.); (T.S.); (J.D.S.); (D.F.A.)
- Flow Cytometry Core Lab, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA;
| | - Mikhail F. Alexeyev
- Center for Lung Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (P.R.); (M.P.); (A.-B.A.-M.); (M.F.A.); (T.S.); (J.D.S.); (D.F.A.)
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Troy Stevens
- Center for Lung Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (P.R.); (M.P.); (A.-B.A.-M.); (M.F.A.); (T.S.); (J.D.S.); (D.F.A.)
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Jean-Francois Pittet
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Birmingham School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (J.-F.P.); (B.M.W.)
| | - Brant M. Wagener
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Birmingham School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (J.-F.P.); (B.M.W.)
| | - Jon D. Simmons
- Center for Lung Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (P.R.); (M.P.); (A.-B.A.-M.); (M.F.A.); (T.S.); (J.D.S.); (D.F.A.)
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Diego F. Alvarez
- Center for Lung Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (P.R.); (M.P.); (A.-B.A.-M.); (M.F.A.); (T.S.); (J.D.S.); (D.F.A.)
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Sam Houston State University, Conroe, TX 77304, USA
| | - Jonathon P. Audia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (K.S.H.); (A.N.T.); (C.A.S.); (R.A.B.)
- Center for Lung Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (P.R.); (M.P.); (A.-B.A.-M.); (M.F.A.); (T.S.); (J.D.S.); (D.F.A.)
- Correspondence:
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14
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Toale C, Kelly A, Leahy F, Meagher H, Stapleton PJ, Moloney MA, Kavanagh EG. Effect of Pseudomonas colonisation on lower limb venous ulcer healing: a systematic review. J Wound Care 2022; 31:186-192. [PMID: 35148629 DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2022.31.2.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacillus that commonly colonises lower limb venous ulcers. Its effects on venous ulcer healing are widely debated. It produces exotoxins and elastase, as well as forming biofilms in hard-to-heal wounds. It is postulated that these virulence factors lead to slower healing times in patients with lower limb venous ulcers colonised with Pseudomonas. This review aimed to summarise the available evidence pertaining to this topic. METHOD A systematic review was performed in August 2019, where the Pubmed, Cochrane and Embase databases were searched for relevant literature according to PRISMA guidelines. Retrospective and prospective studies examining the effect of Pseudomonas colonisation on any measure of ulcer healing were included. RESULTS Some 282 articles were screened, of which seven studies including 491 patients were ultimately included for analysis. Of these, no study demonstrated a significant association between Pseudomonas colonisation and delayed healing of venous ulcers. In five of the seven studies, the effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on initial ulcer size at presentation was recorded. CONCLUSION All the studies demonstrated an association between ulcer size and the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. While Pseudomonas aeruginosa may colonise larger ulcers or those with a worse prognosis, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that this colonisation had a negative impact on lower limb venous ulcer healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor Toale
- Department of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
| | - Aisling Kelly
- Department of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
| | - Fiona Leahy
- Department of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
| | - Helen Meagher
- Department of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
| | | | - Michael A Moloney
- Department of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
| | - Eamon G Kavanagh
- Department of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland.,Department of Microbiology, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
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15
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Vaccination of mice with hybrid protein containing Exotoxin S and PcrV with adjuvants alum and MPL protects Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1325. [PMID: 35079054 PMCID: PMC8789797 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05157-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a common pathogen causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) has been resistant to different antibiotics and developing an effective vaccine can be an alternative strategy. In the present study, the immunogenicity and protection efficacy of formulations composed of a hybrid protein composed of P. aeruginosa V-antigen (PcrV) and exoenzyme S (ExoS) with alum and MPL were evaluated. The hybrid protein could increase the specific systemic and mucosal immune responses, as well as cellular responses as compared with control groups. Combining of alum or MPL adjuvant with the hybrid protein significantly improved the levels of IgG1, serum IgA, mucosal IgG, and IL-17 as compared to the ExoS.PcrV alone. After bladder challenge with a P. aeruginosa strain, the bacterial loads of bladder and kidneys were significantly decreased in mice received ExoS.PcrV admixed with alum and ExoS.PcrV admixed with MPL than controls. The present study indicated that immunization of mice with a hybrid protein composed of ExoS and PcrV could induce multifactorial immune responses and opsonize the bacteria and decrease the viable bacterial cells. Because P. aeruginosa have caused therapeutic challenges worldwide, our study proposed ExoS.PcrV + alum and ExoS.PcrV + MPL as promising candidates for the prevention of infections caused by P. aeruginosa.
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Kinoshita M, Sawa T. Serological immune response against major secretory proteins expressed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa upon intratracheal infection in mice. Respir Investig 2022; 60:318-321. [PMID: 35031257 DOI: 10.1016/j.resinv.2021.12.002] [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: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that severely affects human health. Immunotherapy has attracted substantial attention as an alternative treatment to decrease antimicrobial drug use. Considering previous studies on antibody and vaccine therapy, we focused on quantifying antibodies specific to the V antigen (PcrV) and type III secretory protein (ExoU) expressed by P. aeruginosa to evaluate the serological immune response. We intratracheally infected male ICR mice with several P. aeruginosa strains and quantified antigen-specific antibody titers across 8 weeks. Intratracheal infection of P. aeruginosa PA103 at a sublethal dose decreased the body temperature of mice. The IgG and IgA serum titers against PcrV and ExoU did not increase over 8 weeks, and the IgM titer initially increased for 4 weeks and then decreased. Specific antibodies against PcrV and ExoU may be difficult to produce naturally. Therefore, the IgM expression against major secretory proteins of P. aeruginosa is critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Kinoshita
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
| | - Teiji Sawa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
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17
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Goldberg JB, Crisan CV, Luu JM. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Antivirulence Strategies: Targeting the Type III Secretion System. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1386:257-280. [PMID: 36258075 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08491-1_9] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system (T3SS) is a complex molecular machine that delivers toxic proteins from the bacterial cytoplasm directly into host cells. This apparatus spans the inner and outer membrane and employs a needle-like structure that penetrates through the eucaryotic cell membrane into the host cell cytosol. The expression of the P. aeruginosa T3SS is highly regulated by environmental signals including low calcium and host cell contact. P. aeruginosa strains with mutations in T3SS genes are less pathogenic, suggesting that the T3SS is a virulence mechanism. Given that P. aeruginosa is naturally antibiotic resistant and multidrug resistant isolates are rapidly emerging, new antibiotics to target P. aeruginosa are needed. Furthermore, even if new antibiotics were to be developed, the timeline between when an antibiotic is released and resistance development is relatively short. Therefore, the concept of targeting virulence factors has garnered attention. So-called "antivirulence" approaches do not kill the microbe but instead focus on rendering it harmless and therefore unable to cause damage. Since these therapies target a particular system or pathway, the normal microbiome is unlikely to be affected and there is less concern about the spread to other microbes. Finally, and most importantly, since any antivirulence drug does not kill the microbe, there should be less selective pressure to develop resistance to these inhibitors. The P. aeruginosa T3SS has been well studied due to its importance for pathogenesis in numerous human and animal infections. Thus, many P. aeruginosa T3SS inhibitors have been described as potential antivirulence therapeutics, some of which have progressed to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna B Goldberg
- Division of Pulmonary, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airway Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Cristian V Crisan
- Division of Pulmonary, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airway Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Justin M Luu
- Division of Pulmonary, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airway Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Potential Therapeutic Targets for Combination Antibody Therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10121530. [PMID: 34943742 PMCID: PMC8698887 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10121530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in antimicrobial therapy and even the advent of some effective vaccines, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) remains a significant cause of infectious disease, primarily due to antibiotic resistance. Although P. aeruginosa is commonly treatable with readily available therapeutics, these therapies are not always efficacious, particularly for certain classes of patients (e.g., cystic fibrosis (CF)) and for drug-resistant strains. Multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa infections are listed on both the CDC’s and WHO’s list of serious worldwide threats. This increasing emergence of drug resistance and prevalence of P. aeruginosa highlights the need to identify new therapeutic strategies. Combinations of monoclonal antibodies against different targets and epitopes have demonstrated synergistic efficacy with each other as well as in combination with antimicrobial agents typically used to treat these infections. Such a strategy has reduced the ability of infectious agents to develop resistance. This manuscript details the development of potential therapeutic targets for polyclonal antibody therapies to combat the emergence of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa infections. In particular, potential drug targets for combinational immunotherapy against P. aeruginosa are identified to combat current and future drug resistance.
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Rosario-Acevedo R, Biryukov SS, Bozue JA, Cote CK. Plague Prevention and Therapy: Perspectives on Current and Future Strategies. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101421. [PMID: 34680537 PMCID: PMC8533540 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Plague, caused by the bacterial pathogen Yersinia pestis, is a vector-borne disease that has caused millions of human deaths over several centuries. Presently, human plague infections continue throughout the world. Transmission from one host to another relies mainly on infected flea bites, which can cause enlarged lymph nodes called buboes, followed by septicemic dissemination of the pathogen. Additionally, droplet inhalation after close contact with infected mammals can result in primary pneumonic plague. Here, we review research advances in the areas of vaccines and therapeutics for plague in context of Y. pestis virulence factors and disease pathogenesis. Plague continues to be both a public health threat and a biodefense concern and we highlight research that is important for infection mitigation and disease treatment.
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Recombinant Pseudomonas bio-nanoparticles induce protection against pneumonic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0039621. [PMID: 34310892 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00396-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To develop an effective Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) outer-membrane-vesicles (OMVs) vaccine, we eliminated multiple virulence factors from a wild-type P. aeruginosa PA103 strain (PA103) to generate a recombinant strain, PA-m14. The PA-m14 strain was tailored with a pSMV83 plasmid encoding the pcrV-hitAT fusion gene to produce OMVs. The recombinant OMVs enclosed increased amounts of PcrV-HitAT bivalent antigen (PH) (termed OMV-PH) and exhibited reduced toxicity compared to the OMVs from PA103. Intramuscular vaccination with OMV-PH from PA-m14(pSMV83) afforded 70% protection against intranasal challenge with 6.5 × 106 CFU (∼30 LD50) of PA103, while immunization using OMVs without the PH antigen (termed OMV-NA) or the PH antigen alone failed to offer effective protection against the same challenge. Further immune analysis showed that the OMV-PH immunization significantly stimulated potent antigen-specific humoral and T-cell (Th1/Th17) responses in comparison to the PH or OMV-NA immunization in mice, which can effectively hinder PA infection. Undiluted anti-sera from OMV-PH-immunized mice displayed significant opsonophagocytic killing of WT PA103 compared to antisera from PH antigen- or OMV-NA-immunized mice. Moreover, the OMV-PH immunization afforded significant antibody-indentpednet cross-protection to mice against PAO1 and a clinical isolate AMC-PA10 strains. Collectively, the recombinant PA OMV delivering the PH bivalent antigen exhibits high immunogenicity and would be a promising next-generation vaccine candidate against PA infection.
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21
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Metallacarborane Derivatives Effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Yersinia enterocolitica. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136762. [PMID: 34201818 PMCID: PMC8267647 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that has become a nosocomial health problem worldwide. The pathogen has multiple drug removal and virulence secretion systems, is resistant to many antibiotics, and there is no commercial vaccine against it. Yersinia pestis is a zoonotic pathogen that is on the Select Agents list. The bacterium is the deadliest pathogen known to humans and antibiotic-resistant strains are appearing naturally. There is no commercial vaccine against the pathogen, either. In the current work, novel compounds based on metallacarborane cage were studied on strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a Yersinia pestis substitute, Yersinia enterocolitica. The representative compounds had IC50 values below 10 µM against Y. enterocolitica and values of 20–50 μM against P. aeruginosa. Artificial generation of compound-resistant Y. enterocolitica suggested a common mechanism for drug resistance, the first reported in the literature, and suggested N-linked metallacarboranes as impervious to cellular mechanisms of resistance generation. SEM analysis of the compound-resistant strains showed that the compounds had a predominantly bacteriostatic effect and blocked bacterial cell division in Y. enterocolitica. The compounds could be a starting point towards novel anti-Yersinia drugs and the strategy presented here proposes a mechanism to bypass any future drug resistance in bacteria.
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Swietnicki W. Secretory System Components as Potential Prophylactic Targets for Bacterial Pathogens. Biomolecules 2021; 11:892. [PMID: 34203937 PMCID: PMC8232601 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial secretory systems are essential for virulence in human pathogens. The systems have become a target of alternative antibacterial strategies based on small molecules and antibodies. Strategies to use components of the systems to design prophylactics have been less publicized despite vaccines being the preferred solution to dealing with bacterial infections. In the current review, strategies to design vaccines against selected pathogens are presented and connected to the biology of the system. The examples are given for Y. pestis, S. enterica, B. anthracis, S. flexneri, and other human pathogens, and discussed in terms of effectiveness and long-term protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieslaw Swietnicki
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. R. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland
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23
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Hajra D, Nair AV, Chakravortty D. An elegant nano-injection machinery for sabotaging the host: Role of Type III secretion system in virulence of different human and animal pathogenic bacteria. Phys Life Rev 2021; 38:25-54. [PMID: 34090822 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Various Gram-negative bacteria possess a specialized membrane-bound protein secretion system known as the Type III secretion system (T3SS), which transports the bacterial effector proteins into the host cytosol thereby helping in bacterial pathogenesis. The T3SS has a special needle-like translocon that can sense the contact with the host cell membrane and translocate effectors. The export apparatus of T3SS recognizes these effector proteins bound to chaperones and translocates them into the host cell. Once in the host cell cytoplasm, these effector proteins result in modulation of the host system and promote bacterial localization and infection. Using molecular biology, bioinformatics, genetic techniques, electron microscopic studies, and mathematical modeling, the structure and function of the T3SS and the corresponding effector proteins in various bacteria have been studied. The strategies used by different human pathogenic bacteria to modulate the host system and thereby enhance their virulence mechanism using T3SS have also been well studied. Here we review the history, evolution, and general structure of the T3SS, highlighting the details of its comparison with the flagellar export machinery. Also, this article provides mechanistic details about the common role of T3SS in subversion and manipulation of host cellular processes. Additionally, this review describes specific T3SS apparatus and the role of their specific effectors in bacterial pathogenesis by considering several human and animal pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipasree Hajra
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, India
| | - Abhilash Vijay Nair
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, India
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24
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López-Siles M, Corral-Lugo A, McConnell MJ. Vaccines for multidrug resistant Gram negative bacteria: lessons from the past for guiding future success. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:fuaa054. [PMID: 33289833 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to global public health. Vaccination is an effective approach for preventing bacterial infections, however it has not been successfully applied to infections caused by some of the most problematic multidrug resistant pathogens. In this review, the potential for vaccines to contribute to reducing the burden of disease of infections caused by multidrug resistant Gram negative bacteria is presented. Technical, logistical and societal hurdles that have limited successful vaccine development for these infections in the past are identified, and recent advances that can contribute to overcoming these challenges are assessed. A synthesis of vaccine technologies that have been employed in the development of vaccines for key multidrug resistant Gram negative bacteria is included, and emerging technologies that may contribute to future successes are discussed. Finally, a comprehensive review of vaccine development efforts over the last 40 years for three of the most worrisome multidrug resistant Gram negative pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is presented, with a focus on recent and ongoing studies. Finally, future directions for the vaccine development field are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia López-Siles
- Intrahospital Infections Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrés Corral-Lugo
- Intrahospital Infections Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael J McConnell
- Intrahospital Infections Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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25
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Horna G, Ruiz J. Type 3 secretion system as an anti-Pseudomonal target. Microb Pathog 2021; 155:104907. [PMID: 33930424 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Type 3 secretion systems (T3SSs) are a series of mechanisms involved in bacterial pathogenesis. While Pseudomonas aeruginosa only possess one T3SS, it plays a key role in the virulence of P. aeruginosa virulence. This finding suggests that T3SS impairment may be an alternative for antimicrobial agents, allowing P. aeruginosa infections to be directly combated avoiding antimicrobial pressure on this and other microorganisms. To date, different approaches have been proposed, including T3SS inhibition, vaccination strategies, development of anti-T3SS antibodies and gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gertrudis Horna
- Universidad Catolica Los Angeles de Chimbote, Instituto de Investigación, Chimbote, Peru
| | - Joaquim Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Genómica Bacteriana, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru.
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26
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Characterization of a novel mCH3 conjugated anti-PcrV scFv molecule. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7154. [PMID: 33785781 PMCID: PMC8010009 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86491-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a leading cause of nosocomial infections and death in cystic fibrosis patients. The study was conducted to evaluate the physicochemical structure, biological activity and serum stability of a recombinant anti-PcrV single chain variable antibody fragment genetically attached to the mCH3cc domain. The stereochemical properties of scFv-mCH3 (YFL001) and scFv (YFL002) proteins as well as molecular interactions towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa PcrV were evaluated computationally. The subcloned fragments encoding YFL001 and YFL002 in pET28a were expressed within the E. coli BL21-DE3 strain. After Ni–NTA affinity chromatography, the biological activity of the proteins in inhibition of PA induced hemolysis as well as cellular cytotoxicity was assessed. In silico analysis revealed the satisfactory stereochemical quality of the models as well as common residues in their interface with PcrV. The structural differences of proteins through circular dichroism spectroscopy were confirmed by NMR analysis. Both proteins indicated inhibition of ExoU positive PA strains in hemolysis of red blood cells compared to ExoU negative strains as well as cytotoxicity effect on lung epithelial cells. The ELISA test showed the longer serum stability of the YFL001 molecule than YFL002. The results were encouraging to further evaluation of these two scFv molecules in animal models.
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27
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Zhang P, Guo Q, Wei Z, Yang Q, Guo Z, Shen L, Duan K, Chen L. Baicalin Represses Type Three Secretion System of Pseudomonas aeruginosa through PQS System. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26061497. [PMID: 33801847 PMCID: PMC8001617 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutics that target the virulence of pathogens rather than their viability offer a promising alternative for treating infectious diseases and circumventing antibiotic resistance. In this study, we searched for anti-virulence compounds against Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Chinese herbs and investigated baicalin from Scutellariae radix as such an active anti-virulence compound. The effect of baicalin on a range of important virulence factors in P. aeruginosa was assessed using luxCDABE-based reporters and by phenotypical assays. The molecular mechanism of the virulence inhibition by baicalin was investigated using genetic approaches. The impact of baicalin on P. aeruginosa pathogenicity was evaluated by both in vitro assays and in vivo animal models. The results show that baicalin diminished a plenty of important virulence factors in P. aeruginosa, including the Type III secretion system (T3SS). Baicalin treatment reduced the cellular toxicity of P. aeruginosa on the mammalian cells and attenuated in vivo pathogenicity in a Drosophila melanogaster infection model. In a rat pulmonary infection model, baicalin significantly reduced the severity of lung pathology and accelerated lung bacterial clearance. The PqsR of the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) system was found to be required for baicalin's impact on T3SS. These findings indicate that baicalin is a promising therapeutic candidate for treating P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pansong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (P.Z.); (Z.W.); (Q.Y.); (Z.G.); (L.S.)
| | - Qiao Guo
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China;
| | - Zhihua Wei
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (P.Z.); (Z.W.); (Q.Y.); (Z.G.); (L.S.)
| | - Qin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (P.Z.); (Z.W.); (Q.Y.); (Z.G.); (L.S.)
| | - Zisheng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (P.Z.); (Z.W.); (Q.Y.); (Z.G.); (L.S.)
| | - Lixin Shen
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (P.Z.); (Z.W.); (Q.Y.); (Z.G.); (L.S.)
| | - Kangmin Duan
- Department of Oral Biology & Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 780 Bannatyne Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada
- Correspondence: (K.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Lin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (P.Z.); (Z.W.); (Q.Y.); (Z.G.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence: (K.D.); (L.C.)
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28
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Wang Y, Cheng X, Wan C, Wei J, Gao C, Zhang Y, Zeng H, Peng L, Luo P, Lu D, Zou Q, Gu J. Development of a Chimeric Vaccine Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Based on the Th17-Stimulating Epitopes of PcrV and AmpC. Front Immunol 2021; 11:601601. [PMID: 33552056 PMCID: PMC7859429 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.601601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) has created an urgent need for an efficient vaccine, but the protection induced by current candidates is limited, partially because of the high variability of the PA genome. Antigens targeting pulmonary Th17 responses are able to provide antibody-independent and broad-spectrum protection; however, little information about Th17-stimulating antigens in PA is available. Herein, we identified two novel PA antigens that effectively induce Th17-dependent protection, namely, PcrV (PA1706) and AmpC (PA4110). Compared to intramuscular immunization, intranasal immunization enhanced the protection of rePcrV due to activation of a Th17 response. The Th17-stimulating epitopes of PcrV and AmpC were identified, and the recombinant protein PVAC was designed and generated by combining these Th17-stimulating epitopes. PVAC was successfully produced in soluble form and elicited broad protective immunity against PA. Our results provide an alternative strategy for the development of Th17-based vaccines against PA and other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Cheng
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuang Wan
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinning Wei
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chen Gao
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hao Zeng
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liusheng Peng
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Luo
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongshui Lu
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quanming Zou
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiang Gu
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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29
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Defining the Mechanistic Correlates of Protection Conferred by Whole-Cell Vaccination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Acute Murine Pneumonia. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00451-20. [PMID: 33199354 PMCID: PMC7822147 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00451-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative pathogen that causes severe pulmonary infections associated with high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The development of a vaccine against P. aeruginosa could help prevent infections caused by this highly antibiotic-resistant microorganism. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative pathogen that causes severe pulmonary infections associated with high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The development of a vaccine against P. aeruginosa could help prevent infections caused by this highly antibiotic-resistant microorganism. We propose that identifying the vaccine-induced correlates of protection against P. aeruginosa will facilitate the development of a vaccine against this pathogen. In this study, we investigated the mechanistic correlates of protection of a curdlan-adjuvanted P. aeruginosa whole-cell vaccine (WCV) delivered intranasally. The WCV significantly decreased bacterial loads in the respiratory tract after intranasal P. aeruginosa challenge and raised antigen-specific antibody titers. To study the role of B and T cells during vaccination, anti-CD4, -CD8, and -CD20 depletions were performed prior to WCV vaccination and boosting. The depletion of CD4+, CD8+, or CD20+ cells had no impact on the bacterial burden in mock-vaccinated animals. However, depletion of CD20+ B cells, but not CD8+ or CD4+ T cells, led to the loss of vaccine-mediated bacterial clearance. Also, passive immunization with serum from WCV group mice alone protected naive mice against P. aeruginosa, supporting the role of antibodies in clearing P. aeruginosa. We observed that in the absence of T cell-dependent antibody production, mice vaccinated with the WCV were still able to reduce bacterial loads. Our results collectively highlight the importance of the humoral immune response for protection against P. aeruginosa and suggest that the production of T cell-independent antibodies may be sufficient for bacterial clearance induced by whole-cell P. aeruginosa vaccination.
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30
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Identification of Small Molecules Blocking the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III Secretion System Protein PcrV. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11010055. [PMID: 33406810 PMCID: PMC7824769 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that employs its type III secretion system (T3SS) during the acute phase of infection to translocate cytotoxins into the host cell cytoplasm to evade the immune system. The PcrV protein is located at the tip of the T3SS, facilitates the integration of pore-forming proteins into the eukaryotic cell membrane, and is required for translocation of cytotoxins into the host cell. In this study, we used surface plasmon resonance screening to identify small molecule binders of PcrV. A follow-up structure-activity relationship analysis resulted in PcrV binders that protect macrophages in a P. aeruginosa cell-based infection assay. Treatment of P. aeruginosa infections is challenging due to acquired, intrinsic, and adaptive resistance in addition to a broad arsenal of virulence systems such as the T3SS. Virulence blocking molecules targeting PcrV constitute valuable starting points for development of next generation antibacterials to treat infections caused by P. aeruginosa.
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31
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Sainz-Mejías M, Jurado-Martín I, McClean S. Understanding Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Host Interactions: The Ongoing Quest for an Efficacious Vaccine. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122617. [PMID: 33291484 PMCID: PMC7762141 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of chronic respiratory infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchiectasis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acute infections in immunocompromised individuals. The adaptability of this opportunistic pathogen has hampered the development of antimicrobial therapies, and consequently, it remains a major threat to public health. Due to its antimicrobial resistance, vaccines represent an alternative strategy to tackle the pathogen, yet despite over 50 years of research on anti-Pseudomonas vaccines, no vaccine has been licensed. Nevertheless, there have been many advances in this field, including a better understanding of the host immune response and the biology of P. aeruginosa. Multiple antigens and adjuvants have been investigated with varying results. Although the most effective protective response remains to be established, it is clear that a polarised Th2 response is sub-optimal, and a mixed Th1/Th2 or Th1/Th17 response appears beneficial. This comprehensive review collates the current understanding of the complexities of P. aeruginosa-host interactions and its implication in vaccine design, with a view to understanding the current state of Pseudomonal vaccine development and the direction of future efforts. It highlights the importance of the incorporation of appropriate adjuvants to the protective antigen to yield optimal protection.
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32
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Das S, Howlader DR, Zheng Q, Ratnakaram SSK, Whittier SK, Lu T, Keith JD, Picking WD, Birket SE, Picking WL. Development of a Broadly Protective, Self-Adjuvanting Subunit Vaccine to Prevent Infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583008. [PMID: 33281815 PMCID: PMC7705240 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be difficult to treat due to innate and acquired antibiotic resistance and this is exacerbated by the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains. Unfortunately, no licensed vaccine yet exists to prevent Pseudomonas infections. Here we describe a novel subunit vaccine that targets the P. aeruginosa type III secretion system (T3SS). This vaccine is based on the novel antigen PaF (Pa Fusion), a fusion of the T3SS needle tip protein, PcrV, and the first of two translocator proteins, PopB. Additionally, PaF is made self-adjuvanting by the N-terminal fusion of the A1 subunit of the mucosal adjuvant double-mutant heat-labile enterotoxin (dmLT). Here we show that this triple fusion, designated L-PaF, can activate dendritic cells in vitro and elicits strong IgG and IgA titers in mice when administered intranasally. This self-adjuvanting vaccine expedites the clearance of P. aeruginosa from the lungs of challenged mice while stimulating host expression of IL-17A, which may be important for generating a protective immune response in humans. L-PaF's protective capacity was recapitulated in a rat pneumonia model, further supporting the efficacy of this novel fusion vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Das
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Debaki R Howlader
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Qi Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Siva Sai Kumar Ratnakaram
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Sean K Whittier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States.,Hafion LLC, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Ti Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Johnathan D Keith
- Department of Medicine and Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - William D Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Susan E Birket
- Department of Medicine and Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Wendy L Picking
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States.,Hafion LLC, Lawrence, KS, United States
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33
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Carruthers NJ, McClellan SA, Somayajulu M, Pitchaikannu A, Bessert D, Peng X, Huitsing K, Stemmer PM, Hazlett LD. Effects of Glycyrrhizin on Multi-Drug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9090766. [PMID: 32962036 PMCID: PMC7557769 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9090766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of glycyrrhizin (GLY) on multi-drug resistant (MDR) systemic (MDR9) vs. ocular (B1045) Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates were determined. Proteomes of each isolate with/without GLY treatment were profiled using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The effect of GLY on adherence of MDR isolates to immortalized human (HCET) and mouse (MCEC) corneal epithelial cells, and biofilm and dispersal was tested. Both isolates were treated with GLY (0.25 minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 10 mg/mL for MDR9 and 3.75 mg/mL for B1045) and subjected to proteomic analysis. MDR9 had a greater response to GLY (51% of identified proteins affected vs. <1% in B1045). In MDR9 vs. controls, GLY decreased the abundance of proteins for: antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and type III secretion. Further, antibiotic resistance and type III secretion proteins had higher control abundances in MDR9 vs. B1045. GLY (5 and 10 mg/mL) significantly reduced binding of both isolates to MCEC, and B1045 to HCET. MDR9 binding to HCET was only reduced at 10 mg/mL GLY. GLY (5 and 10 mg/mL) enhanced dispersal for both isolates, at early (6.5 h) but not later times (24–72 h). This study provides evidence that GLY has a greater effect on the proteome of MDR9 vs. B1045, yet it was equally effective at disrupting adherence and early biofilm dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Carruthers
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (N.J.C.); (P.M.S.)
| | - Sharon A. McClellan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (S.A.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (D.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Mallika Somayajulu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (S.A.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (D.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Ahalya Pitchaikannu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (S.A.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (D.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Denise Bessert
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (S.A.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (D.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Xudong Peng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China;
| | - Kylie Huitsing
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (S.A.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (D.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Paul M. Stemmer
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (N.J.C.); (P.M.S.)
| | - Linda D. Hazlett
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (S.A.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (D.B.); (K.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-313-577-1079; Fax: +1-313-577-3125
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Shao X, Xie Y, Zhang Y, Liu J, Ding Y, Wu M, Wang X, Deng X. Novel therapeutic strategies for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:1403-1423. [PMID: 32880507 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1803274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Persistent infections caused by the superbug Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents are huge threats to patients with cystic fibrosis as well as those with compromised immune systems. Multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa has posed a major challenge to conventional antibiotics and therapeutic approaches, which show limited efficacy and cause serious side effects. The public demand for new antibiotics is enormous; yet, drug development pipelines have started to run dry with limited targets available for inventing new antibacterial drugs. Consequently, it is important to uncover potential therapeutic targets. AREAS COVERED The authors review the current state of drug development strategies that are promising in terms of the development of novel and potent drugs to treat P. aeruginosa infection. EXPERT OPINION The prevention of P. aeruginosa infection is increasingly challenging. Furthermore, targeting key virulence regulators has great potential for developing novel anti-P. aeruginosa drugs. Additional promising strategies include bacteriophage therapy, immunotherapies, and antimicrobial peptides. Additionally, the authors believe that in the coming years, the overall network of molecular regulatory mechanism of P. aeruginosa virulence will be fully elucidated, which will provide more novel and promising drug targets for treating P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Shao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yingpeng Xie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yingchao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jingui Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yiqing Ding
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota , Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong , Shenzhen, China
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Moir DT, Bowlin NO, Berube BJ, Yabut J, Mills DM, Nguyen GT, Aron ZD, Williams JD, Mecsas J, Hauser AR, Bowlin TL. A Structure-Function-Inhibition Analysis of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III Secretion Needle Protein PscF. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:e00055-20. [PMID: 32601072 PMCID: PMC7925083 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00055-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system (T3SS) needle comprised of multiple PscF subunits is essential for the translocation of effector toxins into human cells, facilitating the establishment and dissemination of infection. Mutations in the pscF gene provide resistance to the phenoxyacetamide (PhA) series of T3SS inhibitory chemical probes. To better understand PscF functions and interactions with PhA, alleles of pscF with 71 single mutations altering 49 of the 85 residues of the encoded protein were evaluated for their effects on T3SS phenotypes. Of these, 37% eliminated and 63% maintained secretion, with representatives of both evenly distributed across the entire protein. Mutations in 14 codons conferred a degree of PhA resistance without eliminating secretion, and all but one were in the alpha-helical C-terminal 25% of PscF. PhA-resistant mutants exhibited no cross-resistance to two T3SS inhibitors with different chemical scaffolds. Two mutations caused constitutive T3SS secretion. The pscF allele at its native locus, whether wild type (WT), constitutive, or PhA resistant, was dominant over other pscF alleles expressed from nonnative loci and promoters, but mixed phenotypes were observed in chromosomal ΔpscF strains with both WT and mutant alleles at nonnative loci. Some PhA-resistant mutants exhibited reduced translocation efficiency that was improved in a PhA dose-dependent manner, suggesting that PhA can bind to those resistant needles. In summary, these results are consistent with a direct interaction between PhA inhibitors and the T3SS needle, suggest a mechanism of blocking conformational changes, and demonstrate that PscF affects T3SS regulation, as well as carrying out secretion and translocation.IMPORTANCEP. aeruginosa effector toxin translocation into host innate immune cells is critical for the establishment and dissemination of P. aeruginosa infections. The medical need for new anti-P. aeruginosa agents is evident by the fact that P. aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia is associated with a high mortality rate (40 to 69%) and recurs in >30% of patients, even with standard-of-care antibiotic therapy. The results described here confirm roles for the PscF needle in T3SS secretion and translocation and suggest that it affects regulation, possibly by interaction with T3SS regulatory proteins. The results also support a model of direct interaction of the needle with PhA and suggest that, with further development, members of the PhA series may prove useful as drugs for P. aeruginosa infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bryan J Berube
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jaden Yabut
- Microbiotix, Inc., Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Giang T Nguyen
- Tufts Graduate School in Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Joan Mecsas
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alan R Hauser
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Pan X, Fan Z, Chen L, Liu C, Bai F, Wei Y, Tian Z, Dong Y, Shi J, Chen H, Jin Y, Cheng Z, Jin S, Lin J, Wu W. PvrA is a novel regulator that contributes to Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis by controlling bacterial utilization of long chain fatty acids. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:5967-5985. [PMID: 32406921 PMCID: PMC7293031 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During infection of a host, Pseudomonas aeruginosa orchestrates global gene expression to adapt to the host environment and counter the immune attacks. P. aeruginosa harbours hundreds of regulatory genes that play essential roles in controlling gene expression. However, their contributions to the bacterial pathogenesis remain largely unknown. In this study, we analysed the transcriptomic profile of P. aeruginosa cells isolated from lungs of infected mice and examined the roles of upregulated regulatory genes in bacterial virulence. Mutation of a novel regulatory gene pvrA (PA2957) attenuated the bacterial virulence in an acute pneumonia model. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-Seq and genetic analyses revealed that PvrA directly regulates genes involved in phosphatidylcholine utilization and fatty acid catabolism. Mutation of the pvrA resulted in defective bacterial growth when phosphatidylcholine or palmitic acid was used as the sole carbon source. We further demonstrated that palmitoyl coenzyme A is a ligand for the PvrA, enhancing the binding affinity of PvrA to its target promoters. An arginine residue at position 136 was found to be essential for PvrA to bind palmitoyl coenzyme A. Overall, our results revealed a novel regulatory pathway that controls genes involved in phosphatidylcholine and fatty acid utilization and contributes to the bacterial virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zheng Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life Science Nankai University, Tianjin 300071 China
| | - Chang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Fang Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yu Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhenyang Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yuanyuan Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jing Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yongxin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhihui Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shouguang Jin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jianping Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Weihui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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Jing H, Zhang X, Zou J, Yuan Y, Chen Z, Liu D, Wu W, Yang F, Lu D, Zou Q, Zhang J. Oligomerization of IC43 resulted in improved immunogenicity and protective efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 159:174-182. [PMID: 32413471 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.05.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
IC43, a truncate form of outer membrane proteins OprF190-342 and OprI21-83 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a promising candidate antigen and exists as monomer in solution. In this study, we generated the heptamer of IC43 by carrier protein aided oligomerization, which was confirmed by gel-filtration and chemical cross-linking analysis. The carrier protein naturally exists as a homo-heptamer, and IC43 was displayed on the surface of the carrier protein in the fusion protein. Immunization with this fusion protein resulted in increased level of antigen specific IgG antibodies and higher survival rate after infection. The improved efficacy was correlated with lower bacteria burden, inflammation and tissue damage in the lungs of immunized mice. Further studies revealed that immunization with this fusion protein resulted in increased levels of IL-4 and antigen specific IgG1, suggesting a stronger Th2 immune response was induced. The improved immunogenicity may be attributed to the exposure of more epitopes on the antigen, which was confirmed by results from immune-dominant peptide mapping and passive immunization. These results demonstrated a possible strategy to improve the immunogenicity of an antigen by carrier protein aided oligomerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiming Jing
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Jintao Zou
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Yue Yuan
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Zhifu Chen
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Dong Liu
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Weiru Wu
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Feng Yang
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Dongshui Lu
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Quanming Zou
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Jinyong Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China.
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Virulence-Inhibiting Herbal Compound Falcarindiol Significantly Reduced Mortality in Mice Infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9030136. [PMID: 32213958 PMCID: PMC7148489 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9030136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antipathogenic compounds that target the virulence of pathogenic bacteria rather than their viability offer a promising alternative approach to treat infectious diseases. Using extracts from 30 Chinese herbs that are known for treating symptoms resembling infections, we identified an active compound falcarindiol from Notopterygium incisum Ting ex H. T. Chang that showed potent inhibitory activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa multiple virulence factors. Falcarindiol significantly repressed virulence-related genes, including the type III secretion system (T3SS); quorum sensing synthase genes lasIR and rhlIR; lasB; motility-related genes fliC and fliG; and phenazine synthesis genes phzA1 and phzA2. P. aeruginosa swarming motility and pyocyanin production were reduced significantly. In a burned mouse model, falcarindiol treatment significantly reduced the mortality in mice infected with P. aeruginosa, indicating that falcarindiol is a promising antipathogenic drug candidate for treating P. aeruginosa infections.
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Kinoshita M, Shimizu M, Akiyama K, Kato H, Moriyama K, Sawa T. Epidemiological survey of serum titers from adults against various Gram-negative bacterial V-antigens. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0220924. [PMID: 32155175 PMCID: PMC7064248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The V-antigen, a virulence-associated protein, was first identified in Yersinia pestis more than half a century ago. Since then, other V-antigen homologs and orthologs have been discovered and are now considered as critical molecules for the toxic effects mediated by the type III secretion system during infections caused by various pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. After purifying recombinant V-antigen proteins, including PcrV from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, LcrV from Yersinia, LssV from Photorhabdus luminescens, AcrV from Aeromonas salmonicida, and VcrV from Vibrio parahaemolyticus, we developed an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay to measure titers against each V-antigen in sera collected from 186 adult volunteers. Different titer-specific correlation levels were determined for the five V-antigens. The anti-LcrV and anti-AcrV titers shared the highest correlation with each other with a correlation coefficient of 0.84. The next highest correlation coefficient was between anti-AcrV and anti-VcrV titers at 0.79, while the lowest correlation was found between anti-LcrV and anti-VcrV titers, which were still higher than 0.7. Sera from mice immunized with one of the five recombinant V-antigens displayed cross-antigenicity with some of the other four V-antigens, supporting the results from the human sera. Thus, the serum anti-V-antigen titer measurement system may be used for epidemiological investigations of various pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Kinoshita
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masaru Shimizu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koichi Akiyama
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hideya Kato
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Moriyama
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Teiji Sawa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Sawa T, Kinoshita M, Inoue K, Ohara J, Moriyama K. Immunoglobulin for Treating Bacterial Infections: One More Mechanism of Action. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:antib8040052. [PMID: 31684203 PMCID: PMC6963986 DOI: 10.3390/antib8040052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the effects of immunoglobulins on bacterial infections are thought to involve bacterial cell lysis via complement activation, phagocytosis via bacterial opsonization, toxin neutralization, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Nevertheless, recent advances in the study of the pathogenicity of Gram-negative bacteria have raised the possibility of an association between immunoglobulin and bacterial toxin secretion. Over time, new toxin secretion systems like the type III secretion system have been discovered in many pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. With this system, the bacterial toxins are directly injected into the cytoplasm of the target cell through a special secretory apparatus without any exposure to the extracellular environment, and therefore with no opportunity for antibodies to neutralize the toxin. However, antibodies against the V-antigen, which is located on the needle-shaped tip of the bacterial secretion apparatus, can inhibit toxin translocation, thus raising the hope that the toxin may be susceptible to antibody targeting. Because multi-drug resistant bacteria are now prevalent, inhibiting this secretion mechanism is an attractive alternative or adjunctive therapy against lethal bacterial infections. Thus, it is not unreasonable to define the blocking effect of anti-V-antigen antibodies as the fifth mechanism for immunoglobulin action against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teiji Sawa
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
| | - Mao Kinoshita
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
| | - Keita Inoue
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
| | - Junya Ohara
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
| | - Kiyoshi Moriyama
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review details the management of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections covering both current and future treatment options that are and may be available for the clinicians. RECENT FINDINGS Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are a great concern in hospital-acquired infections with very limited therapeutic options. The increasing antibiotic resistance has led to a need for different treatment choices that range from the use of new antibiotics to new nonantibiotic alternative agents to kill or disarm the pathogen. SUMMARY New molecules such as ceftolozane-tazobactam, ceftazidime-avibactam, and imipenem-relebactam have shown an adequate activity against P. aeruginosa, especially against multidrug resistance strains. Other nonantibiotic alternative treatments, such as antibodies, bacteriocins or phage therapy, have shown promising results, but future clinical studies are needed.
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Ranjbar M, Behrouz B, Norouzi F, Mousavi Gargari SL. Anti-PcrV IgY antibodies protect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in both acute pneumonia and burn wound models. Mol Immunol 2019; 116:98-105. [PMID: 31634816 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common nosocomial pathogen in burn patients, and rapidly acquires antibiotic resistance; thus, developing an effective therapeutic approach is the most promising strategy for combating infection. Type III secretion system (T3SS) translocates bacterial toxins into the cytosol of the targeted eukaryotic cells, which plays important roles in the virulence of P. aeruginosa infections in both acute pneumonia and burn wound models. The PcrV protein, a T3SS translocating protein, is required for T3SS function and is a well-validated target in animal models of immunoprophylactic strategies targeting P. aeruginosa. In the present study, we evaluated the protective efficacy of chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) raised against recombinant PcrV (r-PcrV) in both acute pneumonia and burn wound models. R-PcrV protein was generated by expressing the pcrV gene (cloned in pET-28a vector) in E. coli BL-21. Anti-PcrV IgY was obtained by immunization of hen. Anti-PcrV IgY induced greater protection in P. aeruginosamurine acute pneumonia and burn wound models than control IgY (C-IgY) and PBS groups. Anti-PcrV IgY improved opsonophagocytic killing and inhibition of bacterial invasion of host cells. Taken together, our data provide evidence that anti-PcrV IgY can be a promising therapeutic candidate for combating P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahya Ranjbar
- Department of Microbiology, Shahed University, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahador Behrouz
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Norouzi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
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Tabor DE, Oganesyan V, Keller AE, Yu L, McLaughlin RE, Song E, Warrener P, Rosenthal K, Esser M, Qi Y, Ruzin A, Stover CK, DiGiandomenico A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PcrV and Psl, the Molecular Targets of Bispecific Antibody MEDI3902, Are Conserved Among Diverse Global Clinical Isolates. J Infect Dis 2019; 218:1983-1994. [PMID: 30016475 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bispecific antibody MEDI3902, targeting the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type 3 secretion system (PcrV) and Psl exopolysaccharide, is currently in phase 2b development for prevention of nosocomial pneumonia in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. We surveyed a diverse collection of isolates to study MEDI3902 epitope conservation and protective activity. Methods P. aeruginosa clinical isolates (n = 913) were collected from diverse patients and geographic locations during 2003-2014. We conducted whole-genome sequencing; performed PcrV and Psl expression analyses via immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively; performed crystallography to determine the MEDI3902 PcrV epitope, using anti-PcrV Fab and PcrV components (resolved at 2.8 Å); and evaluated MEDI3902 protective activity against select isolates in vitro and in vivo. Results Intact psl operon and pcrV genes were present in 94% and 99% of isolates, respectively, and 99.9% of isolates contained at least one of the genetic elements. Anti-Psl binding was confirmed in tested isolates harboring a complete Psl operon or lacking nonessential psl genes. We identified 46 PcrV variant sequences, and MEDI3902-PcrV contact residues were preserved. MEDI3902 maintained potent in vivo activity against various strains, including strains expressing only a single target. Conclusions Psl and PcrV are highly prevalent in global clinical isolates, suggesting MEDI3902 can mediate broad coverage against P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Tabor
- Translational Medicine, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - V Oganesyan
- Antibody Development and Protein Engineering, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - A E Keller
- Microbial Sciences, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - L Yu
- Biostatistics, MedImmune, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - R E McLaughlin
- Global Medicines Development, AstraZeneca, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - E Song
- Translational Medicine, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - P Warrener
- Microbial Sciences, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - K Rosenthal
- Antibody Development and Protein Engineering, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - M Esser
- Translational Medicine, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Y Qi
- Translational Medicine, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - A Ruzin
- Translational Medicine, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - C K Stover
- Microbial Sciences, Gaithersburg, Maryland
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Nagaoka K, Yamashita Y, Kimura H, Kimura H, Suzuki M, Fukumoto T, Hayasaka K, Yoshida M, Hara T, Maki H, Ohkawa T, Konno S. Anti-PcrV titers in non-cystic fibrosis patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiratory tract infection. Int J Infect Dis 2019; 87:54-59. [PMID: 31419482 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2019.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The epidemiology and role of the anti-PcrV titer in non-cystic fibrosis patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway tract infections is not fully understood. This study was performed to compare the anti-PcrV titers of patients with and without P. aeruginosa respiratory tract infections. METHODS This prospective cohort study was conducted at Hokkaido University Hospital in Japan. Participants had blood and sputum specimens collected on admission. They were divided into two groups based on their sputum culture results. Those with a P. aeruginosa infection were assigned to the P. aeruginosa (PA) group and those without a P. aeruginosa infection were assigned to the non-PA group. Serum anti-PcrV titers were measured using a validated ELISA. RESULTS Of the 44 participants, 15 were assigned to the PA group and 29 were assigned to the non-PA group. In the PA group, 10/15 participants (66.7%) had an anti-PcrV titer >1000ng/ml compared to 3/29 participants (10.3%) in the non-PA group (p<0.001). In the PA group, two of the five participants with an anti-PcrV titer <1000 ng/ml died of recurrent P. aeruginosa pneumonia; the other three participants did not develop pneumonia. CONCLUSION The anti-PcrV titers in participants with P. aeruginosa infection varied considerably. Patients with low anti-PcrV titers and refractory P. aeruginosa infections need to be monitored closely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Nagaoka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Yu Yamashita
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Kimura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kimura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Masaru Suzuki
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Fukumoto
- Division of Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kasumi Hayasaka
- Division of Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mari Yoshida
- Translational Research Unit, Biomarker R&D Department, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Takafumi Hara
- Drug Discovery & Disease Research Laboratory, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Hideki Maki
- Drug Discovery & Disease Research Laboratory, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Ohkawa
- Translational Research Unit, Biomarker R&D Department, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Konno
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
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Feng C, Huang Y, He W, Cheng X, Liu H, Huang Y, Ma B, Zhang W, Liao C, Wu W, Shao Y, Xu D, Su Z, Lu W. Tanshinones: First-in-Class Inhibitors of the Biogenesis of the Type 3 Secretion System Needle of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for Antibiotic Therapy. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2019; 5:1278-1288. [PMID: 31403076 PMCID: PMC6662154 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.9b00452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The type 3 secretion system (T3SS) found as cell-surface appendages of many pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, although nonessential for bacterial survival, is an important therapeutic target for drug discovery and development aimed at inhibiting bacterial virulence without inducing antibiotic resistance. We designed a fluorescence-polarization-based assay for high-throughput screening as a mechanistically well-defined general strategy for antibiotic discovery targeting the T3SS and made a serendipitous discovery of a subset of tanshinones-natural herbal compounds in traditional Chinese medicine widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases-as effective inhibitors of the biogenesis of the T3SS needle of multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By inhibiting the T3SS needle assembly and, thus, cytotoxicity and pathogenicity, selected tanshinones reduced the secretion of bacterial virulence factors toxic to macrophages in vitro, and rescued experimental animals challenged with lethal doses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a murine model of acute pneumonia. As first-in-class inhibitors with a demonstrable safety profile in humans, tanshinones may be used directly to alleviate Pseudomonas-aeruginosa-associated pulmonary infections without inducing antibiotic resistance. Since the T3SS is highly conserved among Gram-negative bacteria, this antivirulence strategy may be applicable to the discovery and development of novel classes of antibiotics refractory to existing resistance mechanisms for the treatment of many bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Feng
- Center
for Translational Medicine, Frontier Institute of Science
and Technology, Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children’s
Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry
of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, China
| | - Yinong Huang
- Center
for Translational Medicine, Frontier Institute of Science
and Technology, Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children’s
Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry
of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, China
| | - Wangxiao He
- Center
for Translational Medicine, Frontier Institute of Science
and Technology, Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children’s
Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry
of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, China
| | - Xiyao Cheng
- Department
of Biological and Food Engineering, Hubei
University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Huili Liu
- State
Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yongqi Huang
- Department
of Biological and Food Engineering, Hubei
University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Bohan Ma
- Center
for Translational Medicine, Frontier Institute of Science
and Technology, Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children’s
Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry
of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Center
for Translational Medicine, Frontier Institute of Science
and Technology, Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children’s
Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry
of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, China
| | - Chongbing Liao
- Center
for Translational Medicine, Frontier Institute of Science
and Technology, Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children’s
Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry
of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, China
| | - Weihui Wu
- State Key
Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular
Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department
of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yongping Shao
- Center
for Translational Medicine, Frontier Institute of Science
and Technology, Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children’s
Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry
of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Center
for Translational Medicine, Frontier Institute of Science
and Technology, Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Affiliated Children’s
Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry
of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, China
| | - Zhengding Su
- Department
of Biological and Food Engineering, Hubei
University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Wuyuan Lu
- Institute
of Human Virology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
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46
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Fitting Pieces into the Puzzle of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III Secretion System Gene Expression. J Bacteriol 2019; 201:JB.00209-19. [PMID: 31010903 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00209-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Type III secretion systems (T3SS) are widely distributed in Gram-negative microorganisms and critical for host-pathogen and host-symbiont interactions with plants and animals. Central features of the T3SS are a highly conserved set of secretion and translocation genes and contact dependence wherein host-pathogen interactions trigger effector protein delivery and serve as an inducing signal for T3SS gene expression. In addition to these conserved features, there are pathogen-specific properties that include a unique repertoire of effector genes and mechanisms to control T3SS gene expression. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa T3SS serves as a model system to understand transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms involved in the control of T3SS gene expression. The central regulatory feature is a partner-switching system that controls the DNA-binding activity of ExsA, the primary regulator of T3SS gene expression. Superimposed upon the partner-switching mechanism are cyclic AMP and cyclic di-GMP signaling systems, two-component systems, global regulators, and RNA-binding proteins that have positive and negative effects on ExsA transcription and/or synthesis. In the present review, we discuss advances in our understanding of how these regulatory systems orchestrate the activation of T3SS gene expression in the context of acute infections and repression of the T3SS as P. aeruginosa adapts to and colonizes the cystic fibrosis airways.
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47
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Liu J, Chen X, Dou M, He H, Ju M, Ji S, Zhou J, Chen C, Zhang D, Miao C, Song Y. Particulate matter disrupts airway epithelial barrier via oxidative stress to promote Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. J Thorac Dis 2019; 11:2617-2627. [PMID: 31372298 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2019.05.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Airborne particulate matter (PM) is associated with increasing susceptibility to respiratory bacterial infection. Tight junctions (TJs) are protein complexes that form airway epithelial barrier against infection. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PM on the airway TJs in response to infection. Methods The cytotoxicity of PM to BEAS-2B was evaluated. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured by the flow cytometry. Colony forming units (CFUs) assay and confocal microscopy were utilized to evaluate the number of bacteria. Immunofluorescence and western blot assay were conducted to detect the expressions of TJs proteins. Animal models were used to investigate the role of TJs in PM-induced lung injury upon bacterial infection. Results In vitro, PM decreased cell viability, increased ROS production, and increased the number of intracellular bacteria accompanying by the degradation of TJs. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly reversed the PM-induced bacterial invasion and PM-induced disruption of TJs. In vivo, PM increases bacteria-infected lung injury, lung bacteria burden and blood bacterial dissemination, which was closely correlated to the degradation of TJs. Conclusions PM disrupts TJs via oxidative stress to promote bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinguo Liu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Maosen Dou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hong He
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Mohan Ju
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shimeng Ji
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Cuicui Chen
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Donghui Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Changhong Miao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuanlin Song
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, Shanghai 200032, China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Qingpu Branch, Shanghai 200032, China
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48
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Phase 1 study of MEDI3902, an investigational anti–Pseudomonas aeruginosa PcrV and Psl bispecific human monoclonal antibody, in healthy adults. Clin Microbiol Infect 2019; 25:629.e1-629.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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49
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Wan C, Zhang J, Zhao L, Cheng X, Gao C, Wang Y, Xu W, Zou Q, Gu J. Rational Design of a Chimeric Derivative of PcrV as a Subunit Vaccine Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Immunol 2019; 10:781. [PMID: 31068928 PMCID: PMC6491502 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a major cause of nosocomial infections, which remain an unsolved problem in the clinic despite conventional antibiotic treatment. A PA vaccine could be both an effective and economical strategy to address this issue. Many studies have shown that PcrV, a structural protein of the type 3 secretion system (T3SS) from PA, is an ideal target for immune prevention and therapy. However, difficulties in the production of high-quality PcrV likely hinder its further application in the vaccine industry. Thus, we hypothesized that an optimized PcrV derivative with a rational design could be produced. In this study, the full-length PcrV was divided into four domains with the guidance of its structure, and the Nter domain (Met1-Lys127) and H12 domain (Leu251-Ile294) were found to be immunodominant. Subsequently, Nter and H12 were combined with a flexible linker to generate an artificial PcrV derivative (PcrVNH). PcrVNH was successfully produced in E. coli and behaved as a homogenous monomer. Moreover, immunization with PcrVNH elicited a multifactorial immune response and conferred broad protection in an acute PA pneumonia model and was equally effective to full-length PcrV. In addition, passive immunization with anti-PcrVNH antibodies alone also showed significant protection, at least based on inhibition of the T3SS and mediation of opsonophagocytic killing activities. These results provide an additional example for the rational design of antigens and suggest that PcrVNH is a promising vaccine candidate for the control of PA infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Wan
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liqun Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chen Gao
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wanting Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quanming Zou
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiang Gu
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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50
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A Live Salmonella Vaccine Delivering PcrV through the Type III Secretion System Protects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. mSphere 2019; 4:4/2/e00116-19. [PMID: 30996108 PMCID: PMC6470209 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00116-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen that causes infections in cystic fibrosis and hospitalized patients. Therapeutic treatments are limited due to the emergence and spread of new antibiotic-resistant strains. In this context, the development of a vaccine is a priority. Here, we used an attenuated strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as a vehicle to express and deliver the Pseudomonas antigen PcrV. This vaccine induced the generation of specific antibodies in mice and protected them from lethal infections with P. aeruginosa. This is an important step toward the development of an effective vaccine for the prevention of infections caused by P. aeruginosa in humans. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that is intrinsically resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. The development of a broadly protective vaccine against P. aeruginosa remains a major challenge. Here, we used an attenuated strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as a vehicle to express P. aeruginosa antigens. A fusion between the S. enterica type III secretion effector protein SseJ and the P. aeruginosa antigen PcrV expressed under the control of the sseA promoter was translocated by Salmonella into host cells in vitro and elicited the generation of specific antibodies in mice. Mice immunized with attenuated Salmonella expressing this fusion had reduced bacterial loads in the spleens and lungs and lower serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines than control mice after P. aeruginosa infection. Importantly, immunized mice also showed significantly enhanced survival in this model. These results suggest that type III secretion effectors of S. enterica are appropriate carriers in the design of a live vaccine to prevent infections caused by P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE The Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen that causes infections in cystic fibrosis and hospitalized patients. Therapeutic treatments are limited due to the emergence and spread of new antibiotic-resistant strains. In this context, the development of a vaccine is a priority. Here, we used an attenuated strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as a vehicle to express and deliver the Pseudomonas antigen PcrV. This vaccine induced the generation of specific antibodies in mice and protected them from lethal infections with P. aeruginosa. This is an important step toward the development of an effective vaccine for the prevention of infections caused by P. aeruginosa in humans.
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