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Lushington GH, Linde A, Melgarejo T. Bacterial Proteases as Potentially Exploitable Modulators of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Logic from the Literature, Informatics, and Inspiration from the Dog. BIOTECH 2023; 12:61. [PMID: 37987478 PMCID: PMC10660736 DOI: 10.3390/biotech12040061] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic left many intriguing mysteries. Retrospective vulnerability trends tie as strongly to odd demographics as to exposure profiles, genetics, health, or prior medical history. This article documents the importance of nasal microbiome profiles in distinguishing infection rate trends among differentially affected subgroups. (2) Hypothesis: From a detailed literature survey, microbiome profiling experiments, bioinformatics, and molecular simulations, we propose that specific commensal bacterial species in the Pseudomonadales genus confer protection against SARS-CoV-2 infections by expressing proteases that may interfere with the proteolytic priming of the Spike protein. (3) Evidence: Various reports have found elevated Moraxella fractions in the nasal microbiomes of subpopulations with higher resistance to COVID-19 (e.g., adolescents, COVID-19-resistant children, people with strong dietary diversity, and omnivorous canines) and less abundant ones in vulnerable subsets (the elderly, people with narrower diets, carnivorous cats and foxes), along with bioinformatic evidence that Moraxella bacteria express proteases with notable homology to human TMPRSS2. Simulations suggest that these proteases may proteolyze the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in a manner that interferes with TMPRSS2 priming.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annika Linde
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
| | - Tonatiuh Melgarejo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
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Wang X, Chan YS, Wong K, Yoshitake R, Sadava D, Synold TW, Frankel P, Twardowski PW, Lau C, Chen S. Mechanism-Driven and Clinically Focused Development of Botanical Foods as Multitarget Anticancer Medicine: Collective Perspectives and Insights from Preclinical Studies, IND Applications and Early-Phase Clinical Trials. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:701. [PMID: 36765659 PMCID: PMC9913787 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer progression and mortality remain challenging because of current obstacles and limitations in cancer treatment. Continuous efforts are being made to explore complementary and alternative approaches to alleviate the suffering of cancer patients. Epidemiological and nutritional studies have indicated that consuming botanical foods is linked to a lower risk of cancer incidence and/or improved cancer prognosis after diagnosis. From these observations, a variety of preclinical and clinical studies have been carried out to evaluate the potential of botanical food products as anticancer medicines. Unfortunately, many investigations have been poorly designed, and encouraging preclinical results have not been translated into clinical success. Botanical products contain a wide variety of chemicals, making them more difficult to study than traditional drugs. In this review, with the consideration of the regulatory framework of the USFDA, we share our collective experiences and lessons learned from 20 years of defining anticancer foods, focusing on the critical aspects of preclinical studies that are required for an IND application, as well as the checkpoints needed for early-phase clinical trials. We recommend a developmental pipeline that is based on mechanisms and clinical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiang Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology & Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Yin S. Chan
- Department of Cancer Biology & Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Kelly Wong
- Department of Cancer Biology & Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ryohei Yoshitake
- Department of Cancer Biology & Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - David Sadava
- Department of Cancer Biology & Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Timothy W. Synold
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Paul Frankel
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Przemyslaw W. Twardowski
- Department of Urologic Oncology, Saint John’s Cancer Institute, 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
| | - Clayton Lau
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Shiuan Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology & Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Mirończuk-Chodakowska I, Kujawowicz K, Witkowska AM. Beta-Glucans from Fungi: Biological and Health-Promoting Potential in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era. Nutrients 2021; 13:3960. [PMID: 34836215 PMCID: PMC8623785 DOI: 10.3390/nu13113960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta-glucans comprise a group of polysaccharides of natural origin found in bacteria, algae, and plants, e.g., cereal seeds, as well as microfungi and macrofungi (mushrooms), which are characterized by diverse structures and functions. They are known for their metabolic and immunomodulatory properties, including anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral. Recent reports suggest a potential of beta-glucans in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. In contrast to β-glucans from other sources, β-glucans from mushrooms are characterized by β-1,3-glucans with short β-1,6-side chains. This structure is recognized by receptors located on the surface of immune cells; thus, mushroom β-glucans have specific immunomodulatory properties and gained BRM (biological response modifier) status. Moreover, mushroom beta-glucans also owe their properties to the formation of triple helix conformation, which is one of the key factors influencing the bioactivity of mushroom beta-glucans. This review summarizes the latest findings on biological and health-promoting potential of mushroom beta-glucans for the treatment of civilization and viral diseases, with particular emphasis on COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Mirończuk-Chodakowska
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Bialystok, Szpitalna 37, 15-295 Bialystok, Poland; (K.K.); (A.M.W.)
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