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Esposito TVF, Rodríguez-Rodríguez C, Blackadar C, Kłodzińska S, Mørck Nielsen H, Saatchi K, Häfeli UO. Biodistribution of the cationic host defense peptide LL-37 using SPECT/CT. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 202:114398. [PMID: 38972467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114398] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Human cathelicidin LL-37, a cationic host defense peptide (CHDP), has several important physiological roles, including antimicrobial activity, immune modulation, and wound healing, and is a being investigated as a therapeutic candidate for several indications. While the effects of endogenously produced LL-37 are well studied, the biodistribution of exogenously administered LL-37 are less known. Here we assess the biodistribution of a gallium-67 labeled variant of LL-37 using nuclear imaging techniques over a 48 h period in healthy mice. When administered as an intravenous bolus just over 20 µg, the LL-37-based radiotracer was rapidly cleared from the blood, largely by the liver, while an appreciable fraction of the dose temporarily distributed to the lungs. When administered subcutaneously at the same dose level, the radiotracer was absorbed systemically following a two-phase kinetic model and was predominately cleared renally. Uptake into sites rich in immune cells, such as the lymph nodes and the spleen, was observed for both routes of administration. Scans of free gallium-67 were also performed as controls. Important preclinical insights into the biodistribution of exogenously administered LL-37 were gained from this study, which can aid in the understanding of this and related cationic host-defense peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tullio V F Esposito
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Cristina Rodríguez-Rodríguez
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Colin Blackadar
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sylvia Kłodzińska
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Mørck Nielsen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katayoun Saatchi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Urs O Häfeli
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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2
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Tang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang D, Liu Y, Nussinov R, Zheng J. Exploring pathological link between antimicrobial and amyloid peptides. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:8713-8763. [PMID: 39041297 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00878a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid peptides (AMYs) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered as the two distinct families of peptides, characterized by their unique sequences, structures, biological functions, and specific pathological targets. However, accumulating evidence has revealed intriguing pathological connections between these peptide families in the context of microbial infection and neurodegenerative diseases. Some AMYs and AMPs share certain structural and functional characteristics, including the ability to self-assemble, the presence of β-sheet-rich structures, and membrane-disrupting mechanisms. These shared features enable AMYs to possess antimicrobial activity and AMPs to acquire amyloidogenic properties. Despite limited studies on AMYs-AMPs systems, the cross-seeding phenomenon between AMYs and AMPs has emerged as a crucial factor in the bidirectional communication between the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and host defense against microbial infections. In this review, we examine recent developments in the potential interplay between AMYs and AMPs, as well as their pathological implications for both infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. By discussing the current progress and challenges in this emerging field, this account aims to inspire further research and investments to enhance our understanding of the intricate molecular crosstalk between AMYs and AMPs. This knowledge holds great promise for the development of innovative therapies to combat both microbial infections and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijing Tang
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, The University of Akron, Ohio 44325, USA.
| | - Yanxian Zhang
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Dong Zhang
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Yonglan Liu
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, The University of Akron, Ohio 44325, USA.
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3
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Park H, Jin H, Kim D, Lee J. Cell-Free Systems: Ideal Platforms for Accelerating the Discovery and Production of Peptide-Based Antibiotics. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9109. [PMID: 39201795 PMCID: PMC11354240 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25169109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based antibiotics (PBAs), including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their synthetic mimics, have received significant interest due to their diverse and unique bioactivities. The integration of high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics tools has dramatically enhanced the discovery of enzymes, allowing researchers to identify specific genes and metabolic pathways responsible for producing novel PBAs more precisely. Cell-free systems (CFSs) that allow precise control over transcription and translation in vitro are being adapted, which accelerate the identification, characterization, selection, and production of novel PBAs. Furthermore, these platforms offer an ideal solution for overcoming the limitations of small-molecule antibiotics, which often lack efficacy against a broad spectrum of pathogens and contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance. In this review, we highlight recent examples of how CFSs streamline these processes while expanding our ability to access new antimicrobial agents that are effective against antibiotic-resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeongwoo Park
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea;
| | - Haneul Jin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea; (H.J.); (D.K.)
| | - Dayeong Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea; (H.J.); (D.K.)
| | - Joongoo Lee
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea; (H.J.); (D.K.)
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4
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Liu X, Chen S, Huang J, Du Y, Luo Z, Zhang Y, Liu L, Chen Y. Synthetic polypeptides inhibit nucleic acid-induced inflammation in autoimmune diseases by disrupting multivalent TLR9 binding to LL37-DNA bundles. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024:10.1038/s41565-024-01759-2. [PMID: 39160338 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01759-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
Complexes of extracellular nucleic acids (NAs) with endogenous proteins or peptides, such as LL37, break immune balance and cause autoimmune diseases, whereas NAs with arginine-enriched peptides do not. Inspired by this, we synthesize a polyarginine nanoparticle PEG-TK-NPArg, which effectively inhibits Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9) activation, in contrast to LL37. To explore the discrepancy effect of PEG-TK-NPArg and LL37, we evaluate the periodic structure of PEG-TK-NPArg-NA and LL37-NA complexes using small-angle X-ray scattering. LL37-NA complexes have a larger inter-NA spacing that accommodates TLR9, while the inter-NA spacing in PEG-TK-NPArg-NA complexes mismatches with the cavity of TLR9, thus inhibiting an interaction with multiple TLR9s, limiting their clustering and damping immune induction. Subsequently, the inhibitory inflammation effect of PEG-TK-NPArg is proved in an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. This work on how the scavenger-NA complexes inhibit the immune response may facilitate proof-of-concept research translating to clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingliang Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shi Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Huang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yibo Du
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Luo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Lixin Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yongming Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China.
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5
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Myers C, Cornwall GA. Host defense amyloids: Biosensors of the immune system? Andrology 2024; 12:973-980. [PMID: 37963844 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable evidence showing that highly ordered aggregate structures known as amyloids carry out essential biological roles in species ranging from bacteria to humans. Indeed, many antimicrobial peptides/proteins form amyloids to carry out their host defense functions and many amyloids are antimicrobial. The similarity of host defense amyloids from bacterial biofilms to the mammalian epididymal amyloid matrix implies highly conserved host defense structures/functions. With an emphasis on the epididymal amyloid matrix, here we review the common properties of host defense amyloids including unique traits that would allow them to function as powerful biosensors of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Myers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gail A Cornwall
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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Hirschbeck SS, Lindberg ET, Jang JH, Jacob MR, Lazar Cantrell KL, Do TD. Investigating a Novel Neurodegenerative Disease Toxic Mechanism Involving Lipid Binding Specificity of Amyloid Oligomers. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1523-1532. [PMID: 38488720 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Exploring the mechanisms underlying the toxicity of amyloid oligomers (AOs) presents a significant opportunity for discovering cures and developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, using a combination of ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) and X-ray crystallography (XRC), we showed that the peptide KVKVLWDVIEV, which is the G95W mutant of αB-Crystallin (90-100) and abbreviated as G6W, self-assembles up to a dodecamer that structurally resembles lipid transport proteins. The glycine to tryptophan mutation promotes not only larger oligomers and enhanced cytotoxicity in brain slices than the wild type but also a narrow hydrophobic cavity suitable for fatty acid or phospholipid binding. Here, we determine the plausibility of a novel cytotoxic mechanism where the G6W's structural motif could perturb lipid homeostasis by determining its lipid binding selectivity and specificity. We show that the G6W oligomers have a strong affinity toward unsaturated phospholipids with a preference toward phospholipids containing 16-C alkyl chains. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate how an unsaturated, 16-C phospholipid fits tightly inside and outside G6W's hydrophobic cavity. This binding is exclusive to the G6W peptide, as other amyloid oligomers with different atomic structures, including its wildtype αB-Crystallin (90-100) and several superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) peptides that are known to self-assemble into amyloid oligomers (SOD1P28K and SOD1WG-GW), do not experience the same strong binding affinity. While the existing chaperone-lipid hypothesis on amyloid toxicity suggests amyloid-lipid complexes perforate cell membranes, our work provides a new outlook, indicating that soluble amyloid oligomers disrupt lipid homeostasis via selective protein-ligand interactions. The toxic mechanisms may arise from the formation of unique amyloid oligomer structures assisted by lipid ligands or impaired lipid transports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S Hirschbeck
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Edward T Lindberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Joshua H Jang
- Department of Chemistry, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California 93108, United States
| | - MaKenna R Jacob
- Department of Chemistry, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California 93108, United States
| | | | - Thanh D Do
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
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7
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Juszczuk-Kubiak E. Molecular Aspects of the Functioning of Pathogenic Bacteria Biofilm Based on Quorum Sensing (QS) Signal-Response System and Innovative Non-Antibiotic Strategies for Their Elimination. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2655. [PMID: 38473900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052655] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the key mechanisms enabling bacterial cells to create biofilms and regulate crucial life functions in a global and highly synchronized way is a bacterial communication system called quorum sensing (QS). QS is a bacterial cell-to-cell communication process that depends on the bacterial population density and is mediated by small signalling molecules called autoinducers (AIs). In bacteria, QS controls the biofilm formation through the global regulation of gene expression involved in the extracellular polymeric matrix (EPS) synthesis, virulence factor production, stress tolerance and metabolic adaptation. Forming biofilm is one of the crucial mechanisms of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A common feature of human pathogens is the ability to form biofilm, which poses a serious medical issue due to their high susceptibility to traditional antibiotics. Because QS is associated with virulence and biofilm formation, there is a belief that inhibition of QS activity called quorum quenching (QQ) may provide alternative therapeutic methods for treating microbial infections. This review summarises recent progress in biofilm research, focusing on the mechanisms by which biofilms, especially those formed by pathogenic bacteria, become resistant to antibiotic treatment. Subsequently, a potential alternative approach to QS inhibition highlighting innovative non-antibiotic strategies to control AMR and biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria has been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Juszczuk-Kubiak
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Engineering, Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology-State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland
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8
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John T, Rampioni A, Poger D, Mark AE. Molecular Insights into the Dynamics of Amyloid Fibril Growth: Elongation and Lateral Assembly of GNNQQNY Protofibrils. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:716-723. [PMID: 38235697 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The self-assembly of peptides and proteins into β-sheet rich amyloid fibrils is linked to both functional and pathological states. In this study, the growth of fibrillar structures of the short peptide GNNQQNY, a fragment from the yeast prion Sup35 protein, was examined. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to study alternative mechanisms of fibril growth, including elongation through binding of monomers as well as fibril self-assembly into larger, more mature structures. It was found that after binding, monomers diffused along preformed fibrils toward the ends, supporting the mechanism of fibril growth via elongation. Lateral assembly of protofibrils was found to occur readily, suggesting that this could be the key to transitioning from isolated fibrils to mature multilayer structures. Overall, the work provides mechanistic insights into the competitive pathways that govern amyloid fibril growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten John
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Aldo Rampioni
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - David Poger
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alan E Mark
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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9
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Zhang Y, Zheng M, Wang Z, Liu Z, Chen S, Li X, Shi Y, Hu H. Discovery of novel antibacterial agent for the infected wound treatment: all-hydrocarbon stapling optimization of LL-37. Theranostics 2024; 14:1181-1194. [PMID: 38323312 PMCID: PMC10845205 DOI: 10.7150/thno.87916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Antimicrobial peptide LL-37 has been recognized as a favorable alternative to antibiotics due to its broad antibacterial spectrum, low resistance development and diverse biological activities. However, its high manufactory cost, poor proteolytic stability, and unpredictable cytotoxicity seriously hindered its medical translation. Methods: To push the frontiers of its clinical application, all-hydrocarbon stapling strategy was exploited here for the structural modification of KR-12, the core and minimal fragment of LL-37. Results: Based on a library of KR-12 derivatives that designed and synthesized to be stapled at positions of either i, i+4 or i, i+7, structure to activity relationship was investigated. Among them, KR-12(Q5, D9) with the glutamine and aspartic acid residues stapled displayed increased helical content and positive charge. The reinforced α-helical conformation not only protected it from proteolytic hydrolysis but also improved its antibacterial efficacy via effective membrane perturbation and anti-inflammatory efficacy via compact LPS binding. Besides, the increased positive charge endowed it with an enhanced therapeutic index. On infected wound mouse model, it was demonstrated to eliminate bacteria and promote wound closure and regeneration effectively. Conclusion: Overall, the all-hydrocarbon stapling was proven to lay the foundation for the future development of antibacterial agents. KR-12(Q5, D9) could serve as a lead compound for the clinical treatment of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Mengjun Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Institute of Bioengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Zhinan Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Sumeng Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yejiao Shi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Honggang Hu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
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10
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Gao N, Wang J, Fang C, Bai P, Sun Y, Wu W, Shan A. Combating bacterial infections with host defense peptides: Shifting focus from bacteria to host immunity. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 72:101030. [PMID: 38043443 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101030] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections necessitates the exploration of novel paradigms for anti-infective therapy. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as host defense peptides (HDPs), have garnered extensive recognition as immunomodulatory molecules that leverage natural host mechanisms to enhance therapeutic benefits. The unique immune mechanism exhibited by certain HDPs that involves self-assembly into supramolecular nanonets capable of inducing bacterial agglutination and entrapping is significantly important. This process effectively prevents microbial invasion and subsequent dissemination and significantly mitigates selective pressure for the evolution of microbial resistance, highlighting the potential of HDP-based antimicrobial therapy. Recent advancements in this field have focused on developing bio-responsive materials in the form of supramolecular nanonets. A comprehensive overview of the immunomodulatory and bacteria-agglutinating activities of HDPs, along with a discussion on optimization strategies for synthetic derivatives, is presented in this article. These optimized derivatives exhibit improved biological properties and therapeutic potential, making them suitable for future clinical applications as effective anti-infective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Gao
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
| | - Chunyang Fang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Pengfei Bai
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Yu Sun
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Wanpeng Wu
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Anshan Shan
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
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11
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Arad E, Pedersen KB, Malka O, Mambram Kunnath S, Golan N, Aibinder P, Schiøtt B, Rapaport H, Landau M, Jelinek R. Staphylococcus aureus functional amyloids catalyze degradation of β-lactam antibiotics. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8198. [PMID: 38081813 PMCID: PMC10713593 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43624-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance of bacteria is considered one of the most alarming developments in modern medicine. While varied pathways for bacteria acquiring antibiotic resistance have been identified, there still are open questions concerning the mechanisms underlying resistance. Here, we show that alpha phenol-soluble modulins (PSMαs), functional bacterial amyloids secreted by Staphylococcus aureus, catalyze hydrolysis of β-lactams, a prominent class of antibiotic compounds. Specifically, we show that PSMα2 and, particularly, PSMα3 catalyze hydrolysis of the amide-like bond of the four membered β-lactam ring of nitrocefin, an antibiotic β-lactam surrogate. Examination of the catalytic activities of several PSMα3 variants allowed mapping of the active sites on the amyloid fibrils' surface, specifically underscoring the key roles of the cross-α fibril organization, and the combined electrostatic and nucleophilic functions of the lysine arrays. Molecular dynamics simulations further illuminate the structural features of β-lactam association upon the fibril surface. Complementary experimental data underscore the generality of the functional amyloid-mediated catalytic phenomenon, demonstrating hydrolysis of clinically employed β-lactams by PSMα3 fibrils, and illustrating antibiotic degradation in actual S. aureus biofilms and live bacteria environments. Overall, this study unveils functional amyloids as catalytic agents inducing degradation of β-lactam antibiotics, underlying possible antibiotic resistance mechanisms associated with bacterial biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elad Arad
- Ilse Katz Institute (IKI) for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Kasper B Pedersen
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Orit Malka
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Sisira Mambram Kunnath
- Ilse Katz Institute (IKI) for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Nimrod Golan
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Polina Aibinder
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Birgit Schiøtt
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Hanna Rapaport
- Ilse Katz Institute (IKI) for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Meytal Landau
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg, 22607, Germany
| | - Raz Jelinek
- Ilse Katz Institute (IKI) for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel.
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel.
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12
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Bhatt T, Dam B, Khedkar SU, Lall S, Pandey S, Kataria S, Ajnabi J, Gulzar SEJ, Dias PM, Waskar M, Raut J, Sundaramurthy V, Vemula PK, Ghatlia N, Majumdar A, Jamora C. Niacinamide enhances cathelicidin mediated SARS-CoV-2 membrane disruption. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1255478. [PMID: 38022563 PMCID: PMC10663372 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1255478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The continual emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants threatens to compromise the effectiveness of worldwide vaccination programs, and highlights the need for complementary strategies for a sustainable containment plan. An effective approach is to mobilize the body's own antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection and propagation. We have found that human cathelicidin (LL37), an AMP found at epithelial barriers as well as in various bodily fluids, has the capacity to neutralise multiple strains of SARS-CoV-2. Biophysical and computational studies indicate that LL37's mechanism of action is through the disruption of the viral membrane. This antiviral activity of LL37 is enhanced by the hydrotropic action of niacinamide, which may increase the bioavailability of the AMP. Interestingly, we observed an inverse correlation between LL37 levels and disease severity of COVID-19 positive patients, suggesting enhancement of AMP response as a potential therapeutic avenue to mitigate disease severity. The combination of niacinamide and LL37 is a potent antiviral formulation that targets viral membranes of various variants and can be an effective strategy to overcome vaccine escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanay Bhatt
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Binita Dam
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Department of Biological Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Sneha Uday Khedkar
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sahil Lall
- National Centre for Biological Sciences (TIFR), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Subhashini Pandey
- Integrative Chemical Biology, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sunny Kataria
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Johan Ajnabi
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Department of Biological Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Praveen Kumar Vemula
- Integrative Chemical Biology, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | - Colin Jamora
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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13
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Alamdari-Palangi V, Jaberi KR, Shahverdi M, Naeimzadeh Y, Tajbakhsh A, Khajeh S, Razban V, Fallahi J. Recent advances and applications of peptide-agent conjugates for targeting tumor cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:15249-15273. [PMID: 37581648 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05144-9] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer, being a complex disease, presents a major challenge for the scientific and medical communities. Peptide therapeutics have played a significant role in different medical practices, including cancer treatment. METHOD This review provides an overview of the current situation and potential development prospects of anticancer peptides (ACPs), with a particular focus on peptide vaccines and peptide-drug conjugates for cancer treatment. RESULTS ACPs can be used directly as cytotoxic agents (molecularly targeted peptides) or can act as carriers (guiding missile) of chemotherapeutic agents and radionuclides by specifically targeting cancer cells. More than 60 natural and synthetic cationic peptides are approved in the USA and other major markets for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Compared to traditional cancer treatments, peptides exhibit anticancer activity with high specificity and the ability to rapidly kill target cancer cells. ACP's target and kill cancer cells via different mechanisms, including membrane disruption, pore formation, induction of apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, and regulation of the immune system. Modified peptides have been developed as carriers for drugs, vaccines, and peptide-drug conjugates, which have been evaluated in various phases of clinical trials for the treatment of different types of solid and leukemia cancer. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the potential of ACPs as a promising therapeutic option for cancer treatment, particularly through the use of peptide vaccines and peptide-drug conjugates. Despite the limitations of peptides, such as poor metabolic stability and low bioavailability, modified peptides show promise in addressing these challenges. Various mechanism of action of anticancer peptides. Modes of action against cancer cells including: inducing apoptosis by cytochrome c release, direct cell membrane lysis (necrosis), inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing autophagy-mediated cell death and immune cell regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahab Alamdari-Palangi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran
| | - Khojaste Rahimi Jaberi
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahshid Shahverdi
- Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Yasaman Naeimzadeh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran
| | - Amir Tajbakhsh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sahar Khajeh
- Bone and Joint Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Vahid Razban
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran.
| | - Jafar Fallahi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7133654361, Iran.
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14
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Li D, Ma Y, Xia W, Tao Y, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Li D, Dai B, Liu C. Creating an Amyloid 'Kaleidoscope' Using Short Iodinated Peptides. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202310737. [PMID: 37650358 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202310737] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils formed by peptides with different sequences exhibit diversified morphologies, material properties and activities, making them valuable for developing functional bionanomaterials. However, the molecular understanding underlying the structural diversity of peptide fibrillar assembly at atomic level is still lacking. In this study, by using cryogenic electron microscopy, we first revealed the structural basis underlying the highly reversible assembly of 1 GFGGNDNFG9 (referred to as hnRAC1) peptide fibril. Furthermore, by installing iodine at different sites of hnRAC1, we generated a collection of peptide fibrils with distinct thermostability. By determining the atomic structures of the iodinated fibrils, we discovered that iodination at different sites of the peptide facilitates the formation of diverse halogen bonds and triggers the assembly of entirely different structures of iodinated fibrils. Finally, based on this structural knowledge, we designed an iodinated peptide that assembles into new atomic structures of fibrils, exhibiting superior thermostability, that aligned with our design. Our work provides an in-depth understanding of the atomic-level processes underlying the formation of diverse peptide fibril structures, and paves the way for creating an amyloid "kaleidoscope" by employing various modifications and peptide sequences to fine-tune the atomic structure and properties of fibrillar nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Li
- School of Sensing Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yeyang Ma
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wencheng Xia
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Youqi Tao
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yiling Zhang
- School of Sensing Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- School of Sensing Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Dan Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Bin Dai
- School of Sensing Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
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15
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Mitra A, Paul S. Pathways of hLL-37 17-29 Aggregation Give Insight into the Mechanism of α-Amyloid Formation. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8162-8175. [PMID: 37707359 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c04742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
α-amyloids present a novel self-assembly principle that can be utilized to prepare functional biomaterials. Evidence of α-amyloid formation in the active core of the human LL-37 protein (comprising residues 17 to 29) was associated with this peptide's membranolytic property. Though mechanistic pathways of β-amyloid formation are known, such studies are scarce in α-amyloids. Modern computational techniques allow such mechanistic studies in molecular detail. Here, we propose aggregation pathways in hLL-3717-29 through molecular dynamics simulations. We first identified oligomers among peptides based on a distance criterion. The distribution of oligomers was then used to build Markov state models from which pathways were obtained using the framework of transition path theory. We checked the structural stability of the peptides during oligomerization, which is crucial from their functional point of view. We also investigated the key residues that participate in oligomer formation, the interactions between them, and the effect of residue mutations on the binding free energy of the peptides. Our findings suggest that larger oligomers are produced from the association of smaller and intermediate oligomers. The peptides retain their helical structure during aggregation with transient occurrences of 3-10 helix and turns. Hydrophobic interactions are vital in the aggregation of these peptides with Ile24 playing a crucial role. Mutation of this residue to alanine decreases the peptides' binding free energy, resulting in reduced aggregation tendency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aritra Mitra
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Sandip Paul
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
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16
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Liu C, Henning-Knechtel A, Österlund N, Wu J, Wang G, Gräslund RAO, Kirmizialtin S, Luo J. Oligomer Dynamics of LL-37 Truncated Fragments Probed by α-Hemolysin Pore and Molecular Simulations. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206232. [PMID: 37170734 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Oligomerization of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is critical in their effects on pathogens. LL-37 and its truncated fragments are widely investigated regarding their structures, antimicrobial activities, and application, such as developing new antibiotics. Due to the small size and weak intermolecular interactions of LL-37 fragments, it is still elusive to establish the relationship between oligomeric states and antimicrobial activities. Here, an α-hemolysin nanopore, mass spectrometry (MS), and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations are used to characterize the oligomeric states of two LL-37 fragments. Nanopore studies provide evidence of trapping events related to the oligomer formation and provide further details on their stabilities, which are confirmed by MS and MD simulations. Furthermore, simulation results reveal the molecular basis of oligomer dynamics and states of LL-37 fragments. This work provides unique insights into the relationship between the oligomer dynamics of AMPs and their antimicrobial activities at the single-molecule level. The study demonstrates how integrating methods allows deciphering single molecule level understanding from nanopore sensing approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Anja Henning-Knechtel
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 129188, UAE
| | - Nicklas Österlund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Jinming Wu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA
| | | | - Serdal Kirmizialtin
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 129188, UAE
| | - Jinghui Luo
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
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17
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Myszor IT, Gudmundsson GH. Modulation of innate immunity in airway epithelium for host-directed therapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1197908. [PMID: 37251385 PMCID: PMC10213533 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1197908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity of the mucosal surfaces provides the first-line defense from invading pathogens and pollutants conferring protection from the external environment. Innate immune system of the airway epithelium consists of several components including the mucus layer, mucociliary clearance of beating cilia, production of host defense peptides, epithelial barrier integrity provided by tight and adherens junctions, pathogen recognition receptors, receptors for chemokines and cytokines, production of reactive oxygen species, and autophagy. Therefore, multiple components interplay with each other for efficient protection from pathogens that still can subvert host innate immune defenses. Hence, the modulation of innate immune responses with different inducers to boost host endogenous front-line defenses in the lung epithelium to fend off pathogens and to enhance epithelial innate immune responses in the immunocompromised individuals is of interest for host-directed therapy. Herein, we reviewed possibilities of modulation innate immune responses in the airway epithelium for host-directed therapy presenting an alternative approach to standard antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona T. Myszor
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Biomedical Center, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Gudmundur Hrafn Gudmundsson
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Biomedical Center, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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18
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Xie W, Patel DJ. Structure-based mechanisms of 2'3'-cGAMP intercellular transport in the cGAS-STING immune pathway. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:450-467. [PMID: 37147228 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.04.006] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Upon activation by double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), the cytosolic dsDNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) synthesizes the diffusible cyclic dinucleotide 2'3'-cGAMP (cyclic GMP-AMP), which subsequently binds to the adaptor STING, triggering a cascade of events leading to an inflammatory response. Recent studies have highlighted the role of 2'3'-cGAMP as an 'immunotransmitter' between cells, a process facilitated by gap junctions as well as by specialized membrane-spanning importer and exporter channels. This review highlights recent advances from a structural perspective of intercellular trafficking of 2'3'-cGAMP, with particular emphasis on the binding of importer SLC19A1 to 2'3'-cGAMP, as well as the significance of associated folate nutrients and antifolate therapeutics. This provides a path forward for structure-guided understanding of the transport cycle in immunology, as well as for candidate targeting approaches towards therapeutic intervention in inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xie
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311027, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.
| | - Dinshaw J Patel
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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19
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Yang S, Duncan G. Synthetic Mucus Biomaterials for Antimicrobial Peptide Delivery. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.07.531025. [PMID: 36945438 PMCID: PMC10028879 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.07.531025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Despite the promise of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections, their therapeutic efficacy is limited due to the rapid degradation and low bioavailability of AMPs. To address this, we have developed and characterized a synthetic mucus (SM) biomaterial capable of delivering AMPs and enhancing their therapeutic effect. LL37 loaded SM hydrogels demonstrated controlled release of LL37 over 8 hours as a result of charge-mediated interactions between mucins and LL37 AMPs. Compared to treatment with LL37 alone where antimicrobial activity was reduced after 3 hours, LL37-SM hydrogels inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 growth over 12 hours. LL37-SM hydrogel treatment reduced PAO1 viability over 6 hours whereas a rebound in bacterial growth was observed when treated with LL37 only. These data demonstrate LL37-SM hydrogels enhance antimicrobial activity by preserving LL37 AMP activity and bioavailability. Overall, this work establishes SM biomaterials as a platform for enhanced AMP delivery for antimicrobial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Yang
- University of Maryland, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, College Park, MD
| | - Gregg Duncan
- University of Maryland, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, College Park, MD
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20
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Evolutionary and in silico guided development of novel peptide analogues for antibacterial activity against ESKAPE pathogens. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2023; 4:100183. [PMID: 37032813 PMCID: PMC10073642 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2023.100183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
According to WHO, to combat the resistant strains, new effective anti-microbial agents are needed on an urgent basis and global researchers should focus their efforts and discovery programs on developing them against antibiotic-resistant pathogens or priority pathogens like ESKAPE. In this context, Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being explored extensively as promising next-generation antimicrobials due to their broad range, fast kinetics and multifunctional role. Despite recent advances, it is still a daunting challenge to identify and design a potent AMP with no cytotoxicity, but with broad specific antimicrobial activity, stability and efficacy under in vivo conditions in a cost-effective and robust manner. In this work, as a proof of concept, we designed novel potent AMPs using artificial intelligence based in silico programs. Shortlisted peptide sequences were synthesized using the fmoc chemistry approach, assessed their antimicrobial activity, cell selectivity, mode of action and in vivo efficacy using a series of experiments. The synthesized peptide analogues demonstrated their antimicrobial activity (MIC in the range of 2.5-80 μM) against bacteria. The identified potential lead molecules showed antibacterial activity in physiological conditions with no signs of cytotoxicity. We further tested the antimicrobial activity of peptide analogues for treating wounds infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the mice burn wound model. In drug-development programs, the identification of lead antimicrobial agents is always challenging and involves screening a large number of molecules which is time-consuming and expensive. This work demonstrates the utility of artificial intelligence based in silico analysis programs in discovering novel antimicrobial agents in an economical, robust way.
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21
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Synthetic peptides that form nanostructured micelles have potent antibiotic and antibiofilm activity against polymicrobial infections. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219679120. [PMID: 36649429 PMCID: PMC9942841 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219679120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens is a growing threat to global public health. Here, we report the development and characterization of a panel of nine-amino acid residue synthetic peptides that display potent antibacterial activity and the ability to disrupt preestablished microbial biofilms. The lead peptide (Peptide K6) showed bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in culture and in monocultures and mixed biofilms in vitro. Biophysical analysis revealed that Peptide K6 self-assembled into nanostructured micelles that correlated with its strong antibiofilm activity. When surface displayed on the outer membrane protein LamB, two copies of the Peptide K6 were highly bactericidal to Escherichia coli. Peptide K6 rapidly increased the permeability of bacterial cells, and resistance to this toxic peptide occurred less quickly than that to the potent antibiotic gentamicin. Furthermore, we found that Peptide K6 was safe and effective in clearing mixed P. aeruginosa-S. aureus biofilms in a mouse model of persistent infection. Taken together, the properties of Peptide K6 suggest that it is a promising antibiotic candidate and that design of additional short peptides that form micelles represents a worthwhile approach for the development of antimicrobial agents.
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22
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Yang W, Seo J, Kim JH. Protein-mimetic peptoid nanoarchitectures for pathogen recognition and neutralization. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:975-986. [PMID: 36541218 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05326h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Recent outbreaks of both new and existing infectious pathogens have threatened healthcare systems around the world. Therefore, it is vital to detect and neutralize pathogens to prevent their spread and treat infected patients. This consideration has led to the development of biosensors and antibiotics inspired by the structure and function of antibodies and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which constitute adaptive and innate immunity, efficiently protecting the human body against invading pathogens. Herein, we provide an overview of recent advances in the detection and neutralization of pathogens using protein-mimetic peptoid nanoarchitectures. Peptoids are bio-inspired and sequence-defined polymers composed of repeating N-substituted glycine units. They can spontaneously fold into well-defined three-dimensional nanostructures that encode chemical information depending on their sequences. Loop-functionalized peptoid nanosheets have been constructed by mimicking antibodies containing chemically variable loops as binding motifs for their respective target pathogen. Furthermore, by mimicking the cationic amphipathic features of natural AMPs, helical peptoids and their assemblies have been developed to achieve selective anti-infective activity owing to their intrinsic ability to interact with bacterial membranes and viral envelopes. We believe that this mini-review furnishes in-depth insight into how to construct protein-like nanostructures via the self-assembly of peptoids for application in the detection of pathogens and the treatment of infectious diseases for future healthcare applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woojin Yang
- Soft Hybrid Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jiwon Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae Hong Kim
- Soft Hybrid Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea.
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23
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Ramirez RX, Campbell O, Pradhan AJ, Atilla-Gokcumen GE, Monje-Galvan V. Modeling the molecular fingerprint of protein-lipid interactions of MLKL on complex bilayers. Front Chem 2023; 10:1088058. [PMID: 36712977 PMCID: PMC9877227 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1088058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipids, the structural part of membranes, play important roles in biological functions. However, our understanding of their implication in key cellular processes such as cell division and protein-lipid interaction is just emerging. This is the case for molecular interactions in mechanisms of cell death, where the role of lipids for protein localization and subsequent membrane permeabilization is key. For example, during the last stage of necroptosis, the mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) protein translocates and, eventually, permeabilizes the plasma membrane (PM). This process results in the leakage of cellular content, inducing an inflammatory response in the microenvironment that is conducive to oncogenesis and metastasis, among other pathologies that exhibit inflammatory activity. This work presents insights from long all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of complex membrane models for the PM of mammalian cells with an MLKL protein monomer. Our results show that the binding of the protein is initially driven by the electrostatic interactions of positively charged residues. The protein bound conformation modulates lipid recruitment to the binding site, which changes the local lipid environment recruiting PIP lipids and cholesterol, generating a unique fingerprint. These results increase our knowledge of protein-lipid interactions at the membrane interface in the context of molecular mechanisms of the necroptotic pathway, currently under investigation as a potential treatment target in cancer and inflamatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo X. Ramirez
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Oluwatoyin Campbell
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Apoorva J. Pradhan
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - G. Ekin Atilla-Gokcumen
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Viviana Monje-Galvan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Viviana Monje-Galvan,
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24
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LL-37-Coupled Porous Composite Scaffold for the Treatment of Infected Segmental Bone Defect. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010088. [PMID: 36678716 PMCID: PMC9864206 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased multiantibiotic-resistant bacteria means that infected bone defects remain a significant challenge to clinics. Great interest has emerged in the use of non-antibiotic antimicrobials to reduce the rate of multiantibiotic-resistant bacterial infection and facilitate bone regeneration. The cationic antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is the sole human cathelicidin and has shown nonspecific activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. In this study, we fabricated the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/β-calcium phosphate/peptide LL-37 (PLGA/TCP/LL-37, PTL) scaffold with low-temperature 3D-printing technology for the treatment of infected segmental bone defects. The prepared scaffolds were divided into three groups: a high LL-37 concentration group (PTHL), low LL-37 concentration group (PTLL) and blank control group (PT). The cytocompatibility and antimicrobial activity of the engineered scaffolds were tested in vitro, and their osteogenesis properties were assessed in vivo in a rat infected bone defect model. We found the fabricated PTL scaffold had a well-designed porous structure that could support a steady and prolonged LL-37 release. Furthermore, the PTHL group showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) without any inhibition of the proliferation or alkaline phosphatase activity of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro. In addition, the infected femoral defects implanted with PTHL group displayed new bone formation in four weeks without any evidence of residual bacteria, which showed similar antibacterial outcomes to the vancomycin and cancellous bone mixture group. In conclusion, the PTHL composite scaffold is a promising non-antibiotic antimicrobial graft with good biodegradability, biocompatibility, and osteogenic capability for infected bone defects.
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25
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Udyavara Nagaraj V, Juhász T, Quemé-Peña M, Szigyártó IC, Bogdán D, Wacha A, Mihály J, Románszki L, Varga Z, Andréasson J, Mándity I, Beke-Somfai T. Stimuli-Responsive Membrane Anchor Peptide Nanofoils for Tunable Membrane Association and Lipid Bilayer Fusion. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:55320-55331. [PMID: 36473125 PMCID: PMC9782321 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c11946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembled peptide nanostructures with stimuli-responsive features are promising as functional materials. Despite extensive research efforts, water-soluble supramolecular constructs that can interact with lipid membranes in a controllable way are still challenging to achieve. Here, we have employed a short membrane anchor protein motif (GLFD) and coupled it to a spiropyran photoswitch. Under physiological conditions, these conjugates assemble into ∼3.5 nm thick, foil-like peptide bilayer morphologies. Photoisomerization from the closed spiro (SP) form to the open merocyanine (MC) form of the photoswitch triggers rearrangements within the foils. This results in substantial changes in their membrane-binding properties, which also varies sensitively to lipid composition, ranging from reversible nanofoil reformation to stepwise membrane adsorption. The formed peptide layers in the assembly are also able to attach to various liposomes with different surface charges, enabling the fusion of their lipid bilayers. Here, SP-to-MC conversion can be used both to trigger and to modulate the liposome fusion efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Udyavara Nagaraj
- Institute
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
- Hevesy
György Ph.D. School of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
| | - Tünde Juhász
- Institute
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
| | - Mayra Quemé-Peña
- Institute
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
- Hevesy
György Ph.D. School of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
| | - Imola Cs. Szigyártó
- Institute
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
| | - Dóra Bogdán
- Institute
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, BudapestH-1092, Hungary
| | - András Wacha
- Institute
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
| | - Judith Mihály
- Institute
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
| | - Loránd Románszki
- Institute
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Varga
- Institute
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
| | - Joakim Andréasson
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, GothenburgSE-412 96, Sweden
| | - István Mándity
- Institute
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, BudapestH-1092, Hungary
| | - Tamás Beke-Somfai
- Institute
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, BudapestH-1117, Hungary
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, GothenburgSE-412 96, Sweden
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26
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Jiang X, Yang C, Qiu J, Ma D, Xu C, Hu S, Han W, Yuan B, Lu Y. Nanomolar LL-37 induces permeability of a biomimetic mitochondrial membrane. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:17654-17660. [PMID: 36413063 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05409d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
LL-37, the only human host cathelicidin peptide, is proposed to be able to induce host cell apoptosis through mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP). Detailed pathways of the LL-37-triggered MMP are however still disputed. It is generally believed that cationic peptides permeate a membrane mostly in conditions of micromolar peptide concentrations and negatively charged membranes, which are not usually satisfied in the mitochondrial circumstance. Herein, using a variety of single-molecule techniques, we show that nanomolar LL-37 specifically induces permeability of a phosphoethanolamine (PE)-rich biomimetic mitochondrial membrane in a protein-independent manner. The insertion dynamics of single LL-37 molecules exhibit different metastable states in bilayers composed of different lipids. Moreover, the PE lipids significantly facilitate adsorption and accumulation of LL-37 on the PE-rich bilayer, and produce deeper insertion of peptide oligomers, especially tetramers, into the bilayer. This work offers an alternative pathway of the LL-37-triggered MMP and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jiang
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China.
| | - Chenguang Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Qiu
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China.
| | - Dongfei Ma
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China.
| | - Cheng Xu
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China.
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research & School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Shuxin Hu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Weijing Han
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China.
| | - Bing Yuan
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China.
| | - Ying Lu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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27
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Baltutis V, O'Leary PD, Martin LL. Self-Assembly of Linear, Natural Antimicrobial Peptides: An Evolutionary Perspective. Chempluschem 2022; 87:e202200240. [PMID: 36198638 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202200240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are an ancient and innate system of host defence against a wide range of microbial assailants. Mechanistically, unstructured peptides undergo a secondary structure transition into amphipathic α-helices, upon contact with membrane surfaces. This leads to peptide binding and removal of the membrane components in a detergent-like manner or via self-organisation into trans-membrane pores (either barrel-stave or toroidal pore) thereby destroying the microbe. Self-assembly of antimicrobial peptides into oligomers and ultimately amyloid has been mostly examined in parallel, however recent findings link diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease as an aberrant activity of a protective neuropeptide with antimicrobial activity. These self-assembled oligomers can also interact with membranes. Here, we review those antimicrobial peptides reported to self-assemble into amyloid, where supported by structural evidence. We consider their membrane activities as antimicrobial peptides and present evidence of consistent self-assembly patterns across major evolutionary groups. Trends are apparent across these groups, supporting the mounting data that self-assembly of antimicrobial peptides into amyloid should be considered as synergistic to the antimicrobial peptide response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verity Baltutis
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, 3800, Clayton, Vic, Australia
| | - Paul D O'Leary
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, 3800, Clayton, Vic, Australia
| | - Lisandra L Martin
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, 3800, Clayton, Vic, Australia
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28
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Myers C, Hastert MC, Cornwall GA. Host defense functions of the epididymal amyloid matrix. Mol Hum Reprod 2022; 28:6823549. [PMID: 36367296 PMCID: PMC9709822 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaac038] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The epididymal lumen is an immunologically distinct environment. It maintains tolerance for the naturally antigenic spermatozoa to allow their maturation into functional cells while simultaneously defending against pathogens that can ascend the male tract and cause infertility. We previously demonstrated that a nonpathological amyloid matrix that includes several cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic (CRES) subgroup family members is distributed throughout the mouse epididymal lumen but its function was unknown. Here, we reveal a role for the epididymal amyloid matrix in host defense and demonstrate that the CRES amyloids and CD-1 mouse epididymal amyloid matrix exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against bacterial strains that commonly cause epididymal infections in men. We show the CRES and epididymal amyloids use several defense mechanisms including bacterial trapping, disruption of bacterial membranes and promotion of unique bacterial ghost-like structures. Remarkably, these antimicrobial actions varied depending on the bacterial strain indicating CRES amyloids and the epididymal amyloids elicit strain-specific host defense responses. We also demonstrate that the CRES monomer and immature assemblies of the epididymal amyloid transitioned into advanced structures in the presence of bacteria, suggesting their amyloid-forming/shape-shifting properties allows for a rapid reaction to a pathogen and provides an inherent plasticity in their host defense response. Together, our studies reveal new mechanistic insight into how the male reproductive tract defends against pathogens. Future studies using a mouse model for human epididymitis are needed to establish the epididymal amyloid responses to pathogens in vivo. Broadly, our studies provide an example of why nature has maintained the amyloid fold throughout evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Myers
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | | | - Gail A Cornwall
- Correspondence address. Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; E-mail:
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29
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Coya JM, Fraile-Ágreda V, de Tapia L, García-Fojeda B, Sáenz A, Bengoechea JA, Kronqvist N, Johansson J, Casals C. Cooperative action of SP-A and its trimeric recombinant fragment with polymyxins against Gram-negative respiratory bacteria. Front Immunol 2022; 13:927017. [PMID: 36159837 PMCID: PMC9493720 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.927017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The exploration of therapies combining antimicrobial lung proteins and conventional antibiotics is important due to the growing problem of multidrug-resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate whether human SP-A and a recombinant trimeric fragment (rfhSP-A) have cooperative antimicrobial activity with antibiotics against pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. We found that SP-A bound the cationic peptide polymyxin B (PMB) with an apparent dissociation constant (K D) of 0.32 ± 0.04 µM. SP-A showed synergistic microbicidal activity with polymyxin B and E, but not with other antibiotics, against three SP-A-resistant pathogenic bacteria: Klebsiella pneumoniae, non-typable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. SP-A was not able to bind to K. pneumoniae, NTHi, or to mutant strains thereof expressing long-chain lipopolysaccharides (or lipooligosaccharides) and/or polysaccharide capsules. In the presence of PMB, SP-A induced the formation of SP-A/PMB aggregates that enhance PMB-induced bacterial membrane permeabilization. Furthermore, SP-A bound to a molecular derivative of PMB lacking the acyl chain (PMBN) with a K D of 0.26 ± 0.02 μM, forming SP-A/PMBN aggregates. PMBN has no bactericidal activity but can bind to the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Surprisingly, SP-A and PMBN showed synergistic bactericidal activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Unlike native supratrimeric SP-A, the trimeric rfhSP-A fragment had small but significant direct bactericidal activity against K. pneumoniae, NTHi, and P. aeruginosa. rfhSP-A did not bind to PMB under physiological conditions but acted additively with PMB and other antibiotics against these pathogenic bacteria. In summary, our results significantly improve our understanding of the antimicrobial actions of SP-A and its synergistic action with PMB. A peptide based on SP-A may aid the therapeutic use of PMB, a relatively cytotoxic antibiotic that is currently being reintroduced into clinics due to the global problem of antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Coya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Fraile-Ágreda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lidia de Tapia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén García-Fojeda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra Sáenz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José A. Bengoechea
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Nina Kronqvist
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Cristina Casals
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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30
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Zhu CL, Wang L, Zhao XQ, Yang R, Zhang BY, Zhao YY, Xia XJ, Zhang HH, Chen SJ, Jiang JQ, Hu JH, Zhang GP, Bai YY, Lei LC, Zhang XM. Antimicrobial peptide MPX attenuates LPS-induced inflammatory response and blood-testis barrier dysfunction in Sertoli cells. Theriogenology 2022; 189:301-312. [PMID: 35842953 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.07.001] [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: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Orchitis accounts for a high proportion of male animal reproductive disorders. Hence, it is urgent to identify drugs for the prevention and treatment of orchitis. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are currently recognized as one of the most promising alternatives to antibiotics. However, the protective effects of AMPs on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced orchitis have not been reported. In this study, we developed an LPS-induced orchitis model in which primary bovine Sertoli cells were used as model cells. MPX was indicated to effectively reduce the inflammatory response of Sertoli cells. MPX attenuated the gene expression of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β by suppressing the MAPK pathway, especially the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK. MPX also decreased the oxidative stress response caused by LPS and upregulated Occludin and Claudin-1 expression, thereby maintaining the integrity of the blood-testis barrier. Moreover, we found that MPX inhibited apoptosis in Sertoli cells. In a mouse model, we found that MPX significantly inhibited the disruptive effects of LPS, reducing seminiferous epithelium damage, vacuolations, hyperplasia, and apoptosis in spermatogenic cells and rescuing spermatogenesis. In addition, the expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6 and TNF-α was decreased after MPX treatment in the mouse testes. MPX had no effect on other organs in mice, indicating its safety. This study was undertaken to investigate how MPX regulates the inflammatory response in Sertoli cells and provide a reference for the clinical prevention and treatment of male animal orchitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ling Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Xue-Qin Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Rui Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Bo-Yang Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Ya-Ya Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Xia
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Hui-Hui Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Shi-Jun Chen
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Jin-Qing Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Jian-He Hu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Gai-Ping Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Yue-Yu Bai
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Lian-Cheng Lei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Xue-Ming Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China.
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31
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Ragonis-Bachar P, Rayan B, Barnea E, Engelberg Y, Upcher A, Landau M. Natural Antimicrobial Peptides Self-assemble as α/β Chameleon Amyloids. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:3713-3727. [PMID: 35947777 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid protein fibrils and some antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) share biophysical and structural properties. This observation suggests that ordered self-assembly can act as an AMP-regulating mechanism, and, vice versa, that human amyloids play a role in host defense against pathogens, as opposed to their common association with neurodegenerative and systemic diseases. Based on previous structural information on toxic amyloid peptides, we developed a sequence-based bioinformatics platform and, led by its predictions, experimentally identified 14 fibril-forming AMPs (ffAMPs) from living organisms, which demonstrated cross-β and cross-α amyloid properties. The results support the amyloid-antimicrobial link. The high prevalence of ffAMPs produced by amphibians and marine creatures among other species suggests that they confer unique advantageous properties in distinctive environments, potentially providing stability and adherence properties. Most of the newly identified 14 ffAMPs showed lipid-induced and/or time-dependent secondary structure transitions in the fibril form, indicating structural and functional cross-α/β chameleons. Specifically, ffAMP cytotoxicity against human cells correlated with the inherent or lipid-induced α-helical fibril structure. The findings raise hypotheses about the role of fibril secondary structure switching in regulation of processes, such as the transition between a stable storage conformation and an active state with toxicity against specific cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peleg Ragonis-Bachar
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Bader Rayan
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Eilon Barnea
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Yizhaq Engelberg
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Alexander Upcher
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Meytal Landau
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel.,European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg 22607, Germany
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32
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Barak D, Engelberg S, Assaraf YG, Livney YD. Selective Targeting and Eradication of Various Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines Using Self-Assembled Aptamer-Decorated Nanoparticles. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081650. [PMID: 36015276 PMCID: PMC9414336 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081650] [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: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The leading cause of cancer mortality remains lung cancer (LC), of which non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the predominant type. Chemotherapy achieves only low response rates while inflicting serious untoward toxicity. Herein, we studied the binding and internalization of S15-aptamer (S15-APT)-decorated polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (PEG-PCL) nanoparticles (NPs) by various human NSCLC cell lines. All the NSCLC cell lines were targeted by S15-APT-decorated NPs. Confocal microscopy revealed variable levels of NP binding and uptake amongst these NSCLC cell lines, decreasing in the following order: Adenocarcinoma (AC) A549 cells > H2228 (AC) > H1299 (large cell carcinoma) > H522 (AC) > H1975 (AC). Flow cytometry analysis showed a consistent variation between these NSCLC cell lines in the internalization of S15-APT-decorated quantum dots. We obtained a temperature-dependent NP uptake, characteristic of active internalization. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assays with APT-NPs entrapping paclitaxel, revealed that A549 cells had the lowest IC50 value of 0.03 µM PTX (determined previously), whereas H2228, H1299, H522 and H1975 exhibited higher IC50 values of 0.38 µM, 0.92 µM, 2.31 µM and 2.59 µM, respectively (determined herein). Cytotoxicity was correlated with the binding and internalization of APT-NPs in the various NSCLC cells, suggesting variable expression of the putative S15 target receptor. These findings support the development of APT-targeted NPs in precision nanomedicine for individual NSCLC patient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Barak
- Lab of Biopolymers for Food & Health, Department of Biotechnology & Food Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Shira Engelberg
- Lab of Biopolymers for Food & Health, Department of Biotechnology & Food Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Yehuda G. Assaraf
- The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Lab, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
- Correspondence: (Y.G.A.); (Y.D.L.)
| | - Yoav D. Livney
- Lab of Biopolymers for Food & Health, Department of Biotechnology & Food Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
- Correspondence: (Y.G.A.); (Y.D.L.)
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33
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LL-37, a Multi-Faceted Amphipathic Peptide Involved in NETosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152463. [PMID: 35954305 PMCID: PMC9368159 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity responds to infections and inflammatory stimuli through a carefully choreographed set of interactions between cells, stimuli and their specific receptors. Of particular importance are endogenous peptides, which assume roles as defensins or alarmins, growth factors or wound repair inducers. LL-37, a proteolytic fragment of cathelicidin, fulfills the roles of a defensin by inserting into the membranes of bacterial pathogens, functions as alarmin in stimulating chemotaxis of innate immune cells, and alters the structure and efficacy of various cytokines. Here, we draw attention to the direct effect of LL-37 on neutrophils and the release of extracellular traps (NETs), as NETs have been established as mediators of immune defense against pathogens but also as important contributors to chronic disease and tissue pathogenesis. We propose a specific structural basis for LL-37 function, in part by highlighting the structural flexibility of LL-37 and its ability to adapt to distinct microenvironments and interacting counterparts.
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34
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Arad E, Jelinek R. Catalytic amyloids. TRENDS IN CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trechm.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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35
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Bücker R, Seuring C, Cazey C, Veith K, García-Alai M, Grünewald K, Landau M. The Cryo-EM structures of two amphibian antimicrobial cross-β amyloid fibrils. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4356. [PMID: 35896552 PMCID: PMC9329304 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32039-z] [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: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The amyloid-antimicrobial link hypothesis is based on antimicrobial properties found in human amyloids involved in neurodegenerative and systemic diseases, along with amyloidal structural properties found in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Supporting this hypothesis, we here determined the fibril structure of two AMPs from amphibians, uperin 3.5 and aurein 3.3, by cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), revealing amyloid cross-β fibrils of mated β-sheets at atomic resolution. Uperin 3.5 formed a 3-blade symmetrical propeller of nine peptides per fibril layer including tight β-sheet interfaces. This cross-β cryo-EM structure complements the cross-α fibril conformation previously determined by crystallography, substantiating a secondary structure switch mechanism of uperin 3.5. The aurein 3.3 arrangement consisted of six peptides per fibril layer, all showing kinked β-sheets allowing a rounded compactness of the fibril. The kinked β-sheets are similar to LARKS (Low-complexity, Amyloid-like, Reversible, Kinked Segments) found in human functional amyloids.
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Grants
- Joachim Herz Foundation (Add-on fellowship, R.B.).
- This research was supported by the Ministry of Science, Research, Equalities and Districts of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (K.G., M.L., R.B.), Israel Science Foundation (grant no. 2111/20, M.L.), Israel Ministry of Science, Technology & Space (grant no. 3-15517, M.L.), U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) (grant no. 2017280, M.L.),
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Bücker
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Rigaku Europe SE, Neu-Isenburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Seuring
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Cazey
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Veith
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria García-Alai
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kay Grünewald
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
- Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany.
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Meytal Landau
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel.
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36
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Blair JMA, Zeth K, Bavro VN, Sancho-Vaello E. The role of bacterial transport systems in the removal of host antimicrobial peptides in Gram-negative bacteria. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:6617596. [PMID: 35749576 PMCID: PMC9629497 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a global issue that threatens our progress in healthcare and life expectancy. In recent years, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been considered as promising alternatives to the classic antibiotics. AMPs are potentially superior due to their lower rate of resistance development, since they primarily target the bacterial membrane ('Achilles' heel' of the bacteria). However, bacteria have developed mechanisms of AMP resistance, including the removal of AMPs to the extracellular space by efflux pumps such as the MtrCDE or AcrAB-TolC systems, and the internalization of AMPs to the cytoplasm by the Sap transporter, followed by proteolytic digestion. In this review, we focus on AMP transport as a resistance mechanism compiling all the experimental evidence for the involvement of efflux in AMP resistance in Gram-negative bacteria and combine this information with the analysis of the structures of the efflux systems involved. Finally, we expose some open questions with the aim of arousing the interest of the scientific community towards the AMPs-efflux pumps interactions. All the collected information broadens our understanding of AMP removal by efflux pumps and gives some clues to assist the rational design of AMP-derivatives as inhibitors of the efflux pumps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M A Blair
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Kornelius Zeth
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Universitetsvej 1, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Vassiliy N Bavro
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Enea Sancho-Vaello
- Corresponding author. College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom. E-mail:
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Golan N, Engelberg Y, Landau M. Structural Mimicry in Microbial and Antimicrobial Amyloids. Annu Rev Biochem 2022; 91:403-422. [PMID: 35729071 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-032620-105157] [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: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The remarkable variety of microbial species of human pathogens and microbiomes generates significant quantities of secreted amyloids, which are structured protein fibrils that serve diverse functions related to virulence and interactions with the host. Human amyloids are associated largely with fatal neurodegenerative and systemic aggregation diseases, and current research has put forward the hypothesis that the interspecies amyloid interactome has physiological and pathological significance. Moreover, functional and molecular-level connections between antimicrobial activity and amyloid structures suggest a neuroimmune role for amyloids that are otherwise known to be pathological. Compared to the extensive structural information that has been accumulated for human amyloids, high-resolution structures of microbial and antimicrobial amyloids are only emerging. These recent structures reveal both similarities and surprising departures from the typical amyloid motif, in accordance with their diverse activities, and advance the discovery of novel antivirulence and antimicrobial agents. In addition, the structural information has led researchers to postulate that amyloidogenic sequences are natural targets for structural mimicry, for instance in host-microbe interactions. Microbial amyloid research could ultimately be used to fight aggressive infections and possibly processes leading to autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimrod Golan
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel;
| | - Yizhaq Engelberg
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel;
| | - Meytal Landau
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; .,European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and Center for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, Germany
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38
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Ting DSJ, Mohammed I, Lakshminarayanan R, Beuerman RW, Dua HS. Host Defense Peptides at the Ocular Surface: Roles in Health and Major Diseases, and Therapeutic Potentials. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:835843. [PMID: 35783647 PMCID: PMC9243558 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.835843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sight is arguably the most important sense in human. Being constantly exposed to the environmental stress, irritants and pathogens, the ocular surface – a specialized functional and anatomical unit composed of tear film, conjunctival and corneal epithelium, lacrimal glands, meibomian glands, and nasolacrimal drainage apparatus – serves as a crucial front-line defense of the eye. Host defense peptides (HDPs), also known as antimicrobial peptides, are evolutionarily conserved molecular components of innate immunity that are found in all classes of life. Since the first discovery of lysozyme in 1922, a wide range of HDPs have been identified at the ocular surface. In addition to their antimicrobial activity, HDPs are increasingly recognized for their wide array of biological functions, including anti-biofilm, immunomodulation, wound healing, and anti-cancer properties. In this review, we provide an updated review on: (1) spectrum and expression of HDPs at the ocular surface; (2) participation of HDPs in ocular surface diseases/conditions such as infectious keratitis, conjunctivitis, dry eye disease, keratoconus, allergic eye disease, rosacea keratitis, and post-ocular surgery; (3) HDPs that are currently in the development pipeline for treatment of ocular diseases and infections; and (4) future potential of HDP-based clinical pharmacotherapy for ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Shu Jeng Ting
- Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Darren Shu Jeng Ting
| | - Imran Mohammed
- Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Roger W. Beuerman
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Harminder S. Dua
- Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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39
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Wei X, Zhang L, Yang Y, Hou Y, Xu Y, Wang Z, Su H, Han F, Han J, Liu P, Hu S, Koci MD, Sun X, Zhang C. LL-37 transports immunoreactive cGAMP to activate STING signaling and enhance interferon-mediated host antiviral immunity. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110880. [PMID: 35649354 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic 2',3'-GMP-AMP (cGAMP) binds to and activates stimulator of interferon genes (STING), which then induces interferons to drive immune responses against tumors and pathogens. Exogenous cGAMP produced by infected and malignant cells and synthetic cGAMP used in immunotherapy must traverse the cell membrane to activate STING in target cells. However, as an anionic hydrophilic molecule, cGAMP is not inherently membrane permeable. Here, we show that LL-37, a human host defense peptide, can function as a transporter of cGAMP. LL-37 specifically binds cGAMP and efficiently delivers cGAMP into target cells. cGAMP transferred by LL-37 activates robust interferon responses and host antiviral immunity in a STING-dependent manner. Furthermore, we report that LL-37 inducers vitamin D3 and sodium butyrate promote host immunity by enhancing endogenous LL-37 expression and its mediated cGAMP immune response. Collectively, our data uncover an essential role of LL-37 in innate immune activation and suggest new strategies for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xubiao Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yinlong Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfei Hou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yifang Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhimeng Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huili Su
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Fangping Han
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Han
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peiyuan Liu
- School of Life Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuiqing Hu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Matthew D Koci
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Xuxu Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai, China.
| | - Conggang Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
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40
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Evolving and assembling to pierce through: Evolutionary and structural aspects of antimicrobial peptides. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:2247-2258. [PMID: 35615024 PMCID: PMC9117813 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The burgeoning menace of antimicrobial resistance across the globe has necessitated investigations into other chemotherapeutic strategies to combat infections. Antimicrobial peptides, or host defense peptides, are a set of promising therapeutic candidates in this regard. Most of them cause membrane permeabilization and are a key component of the innate immune response to pathogenic invasion. It has also been reported that peptide self-assembly is a driving factor governing the microbicidal activity of these peptide candidates. While efforts have been made to develop novel synthetic peptides against various microbes, many clinical trials of such peptides have failed due to toxicity and hemolytic activity to the host. A function-guided rational peptide engineering, based on evolutionary principles, physicochemical properties and activity determinants of AMP activity, is expected to help in targeting specific microbes. Furthermore, it is important to develop a unified understanding of the evolution of AMPs in order to fully appreciate their importance in host defense. This review seeks to explore the evolution of AMPs and the physicochemical determinants of AMP activity. The specific interactions driving AMP self-assembly have also been reviewed, emphasizing implications of this self-assembly on microbicidal and immunomodulatory activity.
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41
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Tokajuk J, Deptuła P, Piktel E, Daniluk T, Chmielewska S, Wollny T, Wolak P, Fiedoruk K, Bucki R. Cathelicidin LL-37 in Health and Diseases of the Oral Cavity. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1086. [PMID: 35625823 PMCID: PMC9138798 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms for maintaining oral cavity homeostasis are subject to the constant influence of many environmental factors, including various chemicals and microorganisms. Most of them act directly on the oral mucosa, which is the mechanical and immune barrier of the oral cavity, and such interaction might lead to the development of various oral pathologies and systemic diseases. Two important players in maintaining oral health or developing oral pathology are the oral microbiota and various immune molecules that are involved in controlling its quantitative and qualitative composition. The LL-37 peptide is an important molecule that upon release from human cathelicidin (hCAP-18) can directly perform antimicrobial action after insertion into surface structures of microorganisms and immunomodulatory function as an agonist of different cell membrane receptors. Oral LL-37 expression is an important factor in oral homeostasis that maintains the physiological microbiota but is also involved in the development of oral dysbiosis, infectious diseases (including viral, bacterial, and fungal infections), autoimmune diseases, and oral carcinomas. This peptide has also been proposed as a marker of inflammation severity and treatment outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Tokajuk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Białystok, Poland; (J.T.); (P.D.); (T.D.); (S.C.); (K.F.)
- Dentistry and Medicine Tokajuk, Zelazna 9/7, 15-297 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Piotr Deptuła
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Białystok, Poland; (J.T.); (P.D.); (T.D.); (S.C.); (K.F.)
| | - Ewelina Piktel
- Independent Laboratory of Nanomedicine, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2B, 15-222 Białystok, Poland;
| | - Tamara Daniluk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Białystok, Poland; (J.T.); (P.D.); (T.D.); (S.C.); (K.F.)
| | - Sylwia Chmielewska
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Białystok, Poland; (J.T.); (P.D.); (T.D.); (S.C.); (K.F.)
| | - Tomasz Wollny
- Holy Cross Oncology Center of Kielce, Artwińskiego 3, 25-734 Kielce, Poland;
| | - Przemysław Wolak
- Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland;
| | - Krzysztof Fiedoruk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Białystok, Poland; (J.T.); (P.D.); (T.D.); (S.C.); (K.F.)
| | - Robert Bucki
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Białystok, Poland; (J.T.); (P.D.); (T.D.); (S.C.); (K.F.)
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Qu X, Wang M, Wang M, Tang H, Zhang S, Yang H, Yuan W, Wang Y, Yang J, Yue B. Multi-Mode Antibacterial Strategies Enabled by Gene-Transfection and Immunomodulatory Nanoparticles in 3D-Printed Scaffolds for Synergistic Exogenous and Endogenous Treatment of Infections. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2200096. [PMID: 35267223 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202200096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As research on refractory Staphylococcus aureus-related implant infection intensifies, certain challenges remain, including low antibiotic concentrations within infected areas, immune escape achieved by intracellular bacteria, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) inducing regional immunosuppression, and recurrence of residual pathogenic bacteria after drug suspension. Herein, a novel antimicrobial system to simultaneously address these issues is proposed. Specifically, an oxygen-species-responsive 3D-printed scaffold with shell-core nanoparticles is designed, which are loaded with an antimicrobial peptide plasmid (LL37 plasmid) and have LL37 grafted on their surface (LL37@ZIF8-LL37). The surface-grafted LL37 directly kills S. aureus and, following entry into cells, the nanoparticles kill intracellular bacteria. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo, following translation of the LL37 plasmid, cells function as factories of the antimicrobial peptide, thereby generating a continuous, prolonged antibacterial effect at the site of infection. This system significantly reduces the abnormal increase in MDSCs within the infected microenvironment, thus relieving the immunosuppressive state and restoring a protective antimicrobial immune response. Hence, this proposed antimicrobial system provides an antimicrobial immune response and a novel strategy for S. aureus-related infections by offering a combined active antimicrobial and immunotherapeutic strategy, thereby significantly reducing the recurrence rate following recovery from implant-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhua Qu
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 145 Shandong Middle Road, Shanghai, 200001, P. R. China
| | - Minqi Wang
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 145 Shandong Middle Road, Shanghai, 200001, P. R. China
| | - Miaochen Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, P. R. China
| | - Haozheng Tang
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 145 Shandong Middle Road, Shanghai, 200001, P. R. China
| | - Shutao Zhang
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 145 Shandong Middle Road, Shanghai, 200001, P. R. China
| | - Hongtao Yang
- School of Medical Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Weien Yuan
- Pharm-X Center, Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - You Wang
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 145 Shandong Middle Road, Shanghai, 200001, P. R. China
| | - Jianping Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, P. R. China
| | - Bing Yue
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 145 Shandong Middle Road, Shanghai, 200001, P. R. China
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43
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Chen CH, Bepler T, Pepper K, Fu D, Lu TK. Synthetic molecular evolution of antimicrobial peptides. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 75:102718. [PMID: 35395425 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
As we learn more about how peptide structure and activity are related, we anticipate that antimicrobial peptides will be engineered to have strong potency and distinct functions and that synthetic peptides will have new biomedical applications, such as treatments for emerging infectious diseases. As a result of the enormous number of possible amino acid sequences and the low-throughput nature of antimicrobial peptide assays, computational tools for peptide design and optimization are needed for direct experimentation toward obtaining functional sequences. Recent developments in computational tools have improved peptide design, saving labor, reagents, costs, and time. At the same time, improvements in peptide synthesis and experimental platforms continue to reduce the cost and increase the throughput of peptide-drug screening. In this review, we discuss the current methods of peptide design and engineering, including in silico methods and peptide synthesis and screening, and highlight areas of potential improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H Chen
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Tristan Bepler
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Simons Machine Learning Center, New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Karen Pepper
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Debbie Fu
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Timothy K Lu
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Senti Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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44
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Kjeldsen A, Kay JE, Baxter S, McColm S, Serrano‐Amatriain C, Parker S, Robb E, Arnold SA, Gilmour C, Raper A, Robertson G, Fleming R, Smith BO, Fotheringham IG, Christie JM, Magneschi L. The fluorescent protein iLOV as a reporter for screening of high‐yield production of antimicrobial peptides in
Pichia pastoris. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:2126-2139. [PMID: 35312165 PMCID: PMC9249318 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14034] [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: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris is commonly used for the production of recombinant proteins at scale. The identification of an optimally overexpressing strain following transformation can be time and reagent consuming. Fluorescent reporters like GFP have been used to assist identification of superior producers, but their relatively big size, maturation requirements and narrow temperature range restrict their applications. Here, we introduce the use of iLOV, a flavin‐based fluorescent protein, as a fluorescent marker to identify P. pastoris high‐yielding strains easily and rapidly. The use of this fluorescent protein as a fusion partner is exemplified by the production of the antimicrobial peptide NI01, a difficult target to overexpress in its native form. iLOV fluorescence correlated well with protein expression level and copy number of the chromosomally integrated gene. An easy and simple medium‐throughput plate‐based screen directly following transformation is demonstrated for low complexity screening, while a high‐throughput method using fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) allowed for comprehensive library screening. Both codon optimization of the iLOV_NI01 fusion cassettes and different integration strategies into the P. pastoris genome were tested to produce and isolate a high‐yielding strain. Checking the genetic stability, process reproducibility and following the purification of the active native peptide are eased by visualization of and efficient cleavage from the iLOV reporter. We show that this system can be used for expression and screening of several different antimicrobial peptides recombinantly produced in P. pastoris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemette Kjeldsen
- Ingenza Ltd Roslin Innovation Centre Charnock Bradley Building Roslin EH25 9RG UK
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences University of Glasgow Bower Building Glasgow G12 8QQ UK
| | - Jack E. Kay
- Ingenza Ltd Roslin Innovation Centre Charnock Bradley Building Roslin EH25 9RG UK
| | - Scott Baxter
- Ingenza Ltd Roslin Innovation Centre Charnock Bradley Building Roslin EH25 9RG UK
| | - Stephen McColm
- Ingenza Ltd Roslin Innovation Centre Charnock Bradley Building Roslin EH25 9RG UK
| | | | - Scott Parker
- Ingenza Ltd Roslin Innovation Centre Charnock Bradley Building Roslin EH25 9RG UK
| | - Ellis Robb
- Ingenza Ltd Roslin Innovation Centre Charnock Bradley Building Roslin EH25 9RG UK
| | - S. Alison Arnold
- Ingenza Ltd Roslin Innovation Centre Charnock Bradley Building Roslin EH25 9RG UK
| | - Craig Gilmour
- Ingenza Ltd Roslin Innovation Centre Charnock Bradley Building Roslin EH25 9RG UK
| | - Anna Raper
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies University of Edinburgh Easter Bush Midlothian EH25 9RG UK
| | - Graeme Robertson
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies University of Edinburgh Easter Bush Midlothian EH25 9RG UK
| | - Robert Fleming
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies University of Edinburgh Easter Bush Midlothian EH25 9RG UK
| | - Brian O. Smith
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences University of Glasgow Bower Building Glasgow G12 8QQ UK
| | - Ian G. Fotheringham
- Ingenza Ltd Roslin Innovation Centre Charnock Bradley Building Roslin EH25 9RG UK
| | - John M. Christie
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences University of Glasgow Bower Building Glasgow G12 8QQ UK
| | - Leonardo Magneschi
- Ingenza Ltd Roslin Innovation Centre Charnock Bradley Building Roslin EH25 9RG UK
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45
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Nielsen JE, Alford MA, Yung DBY, Molchanova N, Fortkort JA, Lin JS, Diamond G, Hancock REW, Jenssen H, Pletzer D, Lund R, Barron AE. Self-Assembly of Antimicrobial Peptoids Impacts Their Biological Effects on ESKAPE Bacterial Pathogens. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:533-545. [PMID: 35175731 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising pharmaceutical candidates for the prevention and treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens, which are responsible for the majority of hospital-acquired infections. Clinical translation of AMPs has been limited, in part by apparent toxicity on systemic dosing and by instability arising from susceptibility to proteolysis. Peptoids (sequence-specific oligo-N-substituted glycines) resist proteolytic digestion and thus are of value as AMP mimics. Only a few natural AMPs such as LL-37 and polymyxin self-assemble in solution; whether antimicrobial peptoids mimic these properties has been unknown. Here, we examine the antibacterial efficacy and dynamic self-assembly in aqueous media of eight peptoid mimics of cationic AMPs designed to self-assemble and two nonassembling controls. These amphipathic peptoids self-assembled in different ways, as determined by small-angle X-ray scattering; some adopt helical bundles, while others form core-shell ellipsoidal or worm-like micelles. Interestingly, many of these peptoid assemblies show promising antibacterial, antibiofilm activity in vitro in media, under host-mimicking conditions and antiabscess activity in vivo. While self-assembly correlated overall with antibacterial efficacy, this correlation was imperfect. Certain self-assembled morphologies seem better-suited for antibacterial activity. In particular, a peptoid exhibiting a high fraction of long, worm-like micelles showed reduced antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antiabscess activity against ESKAPE pathogens compared with peptoids that form ellipsoidal or bundled assemblies. This is the first report of self-assembling peptoid antibacterials with activity against in vivo biofilm-like infections relevant to clinical medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefine Eilsø Nielsen
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo 0315, Norway
| | - Morgan Ashley Alford
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Deborah Bow Yue Yung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Natalia Molchanova
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - John A. Fortkort
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Jennifer S. Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Gill Diamond
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, School of Dentistry, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, United States
| | - Robert E. W. Hancock
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Håvard Jenssen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Daniel Pletzer
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Reidar Lund
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo 0315, Norway
| | - Annelise E. Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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46
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Liu X, Razi Othman A, H. Abu-Hamdeh N, Abusorrah AM, Karimipour A, Li Z, Ghaemi F, Baleanu D. The Molecular Dynamics study of atomic structure behavior of LL-37 peptide as the antimicrobial agent, derived from the human cathelicidin, inside a nano domain filled by the aqueous environment. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.118187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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47
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Hong L, Gontsarik M, Amenitsch H, Salentinig S. Human Antimicrobial Peptide Triggered Colloidal Transformations in Bacteria Membrane Lipopolysaccharides. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2104211. [PMID: 34825488 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202104211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Growing concerns of bacterial resistance against conventional antibiotics shifts the research focus toward antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-based materials. Most AMPs kill gram-negative bacteria by destroying their inner membrane, but have to first pass the outer membrane covered with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Their interplay with the LPS is crucial for bactericidal activity, but is yet to be elucidated in detail. In this study, self-assemblies of Escherichia coli LPS with the human cathelicidin AMP LL-37, free and encapsulated into glyceryl monooleate (GMO) lipid nanoparticles, are analyzed using synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. Circular dichroism spectroscopy is used to study modifications in LL-37's secondary structure. LPS is found to form elongated micelles and the addition of LL-37 induces their transformation to multilamellar structures. LPS' addition to GMO cubosomes triggers the swelling of the internal cubic structure, while in multilamellar GMO/LL-37 nanocarriers it causes transitions into unstructured particles. The insights on the interactions among LPS and LL-37, in its free form or encapsulated in GMO dispersions, may guide the design of LPS-responsive antimicrobial nanocarriers. The findings may further assist the formulation of antimicrobial nanomaterials with enhanced penetration of LPS layers for improved destruction of bacterial membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
| | - Mark Gontsarik
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
| | - Heinz Amenitsch
- Institute for Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayergasse 9/V, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Stefan Salentinig
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
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48
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Losasso V, Agarwal K, Waskar M, Majumdar A, Crain J, Winn M, Hoptroff M. Small molecules enhance the potency of natural antimicrobial peptides. Biophys J 2022; 121:491-501. [PMID: 34954157 PMCID: PMC8822605 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The skin-associated microbiome plays an important role in general well-being and in a variety of treatable skin conditions. In this regard, endogenous antimicrobial peptides have both a direct and indirect role in determining the composition of the microbiota. We demonstrate here that certain small molecular species can amplify the antimicrobial potency of naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides. In this study, we have used niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 naturally found in foods and widely used in cosmetic skincare products, and two of its structural analogs, to investigate their cooperativity with the human antimicrobial peptide LL37 on the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. We observed a clear synergistic effect of niacinamide and, to some extent, N-methylnicotinamide, whereas isonicotinamide showed no significant cooperativity with LL37. Adaptively biased molecular dynamics simulations using simplified model membrane substrates and single peptides revealed that these molecules partition into the headgroup region of an anionic bilayer used to mimic the bacterial membrane. The simulated effects on the physical properties of the simulated model membrane are well correlated with experimental activity observed in real biological assays despite the simplicity of the model. In contrast, these molecules have little effect on zwitterionic bilayers that mimic a mammalian membrane. We conclude that niacinamide and N-methylnicotinamide can therefore potentiate the activity of host peptides by modulating the physical properties of the bacterial membrane, and to a lesser extent through direct interactions with the peptide. The level of cooperativity is strongly dependent on the detailed chemistry of the additive, suggesting an opportunity to fine-tune the behavior of host peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Losasso
- Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Sci-Tech Daresbury, Daresbury, UK
| | | | | | | | - Jason Crain
- IBM Research Europe, Hartree Centre, Daresbury, UK,Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Martyn Winn
- Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Sci-Tech Daresbury, Daresbury, UK
| | - Michael Hoptroff
- Unilever Research and Development, Port Sunlight, UK,Corresponding author
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49
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Arghavani P, Badiei A, Ghadami SA, Habibi-Rezaei M, Moosavi-Movahedi F, Delphi L, Moosavi-Movahedi AA. Inhibiting mTTR Aggregation/Fibrillation by a Chaperone-like Hydrophobic Amino Acid-Conjugated SPION. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:1640-1654. [PMID: 35090112 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c08796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) aggregation via misfolding of a mutant or wild-type protein leads to systemic or partial amyloidosis (ATTR). Here, we utilized variable biophysical assays to characterize two distinct aggregation pathways for mTTR (a synthesized monomer TTR incapable of association into a tetramer) at pH 4.3 and also pH 7.4 with agitation, referred to as mTTR aggregation and fibrillation, respectively. The findings suggest that early-stage conformational changes termed monomer activation here determine the aggregation pathway, resulting in developing either amorphous aggregates or well-organized fibrils. Less packed partially unfolded monomers consisting of more non-regular secondary structures that were rapidly produced via a mildly acidic condition form amorphous aggregates. Meanwhile, more hydrophobic and packed monomers consisting of rearranged β sheets and increased helical content developed well-organized fibrils. Conjugating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with leucine and glutamine (L-SPIONs and G-SPIONs in order) via a trimethoxysilane linker provided the chance to study the effect of hydrophobic/hydrophilic surfaces on mTTR aggregation. The results indicated a powerful inhibitory effect of hydrophobic L-SPIONs on both mTTR aggregation and fibrillation. Monomer depletion was introduced as the governing mechanism for inhibiting mTTR aggregation, while a chaperone-like property of L-SPIONs by maintaining an mTTR native structure and adsorbing oligomers suppressed the progression of further fibril formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payam Arghavani
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417466191, Iran
| | - Alireza Badiei
- School of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Seyyed Abolghasem Ghadami
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran 1993893973, Iran
| | - Mehran Habibi-Rezaei
- School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | | | - Ladan Delphi
- Department of Animal Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
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50
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Engelberg Y, Ragonis-Bachar P, Landau M. Rare by Natural Selection: Disulfide-Bonded Supramolecular Antimicrobial Peptides. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:926-936. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yizhaq Engelberg
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Peleg Ragonis-Bachar
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Meytal Landau
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg 22607, Germany
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