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Vázquez R, Gutiérrez D, Dezutter Z, Criel B, de Groote P, Briers Y. You get what you test for: The killing effect of phage lysins is highly dependent on buffer tonicity and ionic strength. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14513. [PMID: 38962879 PMCID: PMC11222872 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The phage lysin field has done nothing but grow in the last decades. As a result, many different research groups around the world are contributing to the field, often with certain methodological differences that pose a challenge to the interpretation and comparison of results. In this work, we present the case study of three Acinetobacter baumannii-targeting phage lysins (wild-type endolysin LysMK34 plus engineered lysins eLysMK34 and 1D10) plus one lysin with broad activity against Gram-positive bacteria (PlySs2) to provide exemplary evidence on the risks of generalization when using one of the most common lysin evaluation assays: the killing assay with resting cells. To that end, we performed killing assays with the aforementioned lysins using hypo-, iso- and hypertonic buffers plus human serum either as the reaction or the dilution medium in a systematic manner. Our findings stress the perils of creating hypotonic conditions or a hypotonic shock during a killing assay, suggesting that hypotonic buffers should be avoided as a test environment or as diluents before plating to avoid overestimation of the killing effect in the assayed conditions. As a conclusion, we suggest that the nature of both the incubation and the dilution buffers should be always clearly identified when reporting killing activity data, and that for experimental consistency the same incubation buffer should be used as a diluent for posterior serial dilution and plating unless explicitly required by the experimental design. In addition, the most appropriate buffer mimicking the final application must be chosen to obtain relevant results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Vázquez
- Department of BiotechnologyGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES)MadridSpain
| | | | - Zoë Dezutter
- Department of BiotechnologyGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Bjorn Criel
- Department of BiotechnologyGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | | | - Yves Briers
- Department of BiotechnologyGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
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2
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Mitkowski P, Jagielska E, Sabała I. Engineering of chimeric enzymes with expanded tolerance to ionic strength. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0354623. [PMID: 38695664 PMCID: PMC11237380 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03546-23] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant global threat, reaching dangerously high levels as reported by the World Health Organization. The emergence and rapid spread of new resistance mechanisms, coupled with the absence of effective treatments in recent decades, have led to thousands of deaths annually from infections caused by drug-resistant microorganisms. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of new compounds capable of combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A promising class of molecules exhibiting potent bactericidal effects is peptidoglycan hydrolases. Previously, we cloned and characterized the biochemical properties of the M23 catalytic domain of the EnpA (EnpACD) protein from Enterococcus faecalis. Unlike other enzymes within the M23 family, EnpACD demonstrates broad specificity. However, its activity is constrained under low ionic strength conditions. In this study, we present the engineering of three chimeric enzymes comprising EnpACD fused with three distinct SH3b cell wall-binding domains. These chimeras exhibit enhanced tolerance to environmental conditions and sustained activity in bovine and human serum. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that the addition of SH3b domains influences the activity of the chimeric enzymes, thereby expanding their potential applications in combating antimicrobial resistance.IMPORTANCEThese studies demonstrate that the addition of the SH3b-binding domain to the EnpACD results in generation of chimeras with a broader tolerance to ionic strength and pH values, enabling them to remain active over a wider range of conditions. Such approach offers a relatively straightforward method for obtaining antibacterial enzymes with tailored properties and emphasizes the potential for proteins' engineering with enhanced functionality, contributing to the ongoing efforts to address antimicrobial resistance effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Mitkowski
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Jagielska
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Izabela Sabała
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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3
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Araújo D, Silva AR, Fernandes R, Serra P, Barros MM, Campos AM, Oliveira R, Silva S, Almeida C, Castro J. Emerging Approaches for Mitigating Biofilm-Formation-Associated Infections in Farm, Wild, and Companion Animals. Pathogens 2024; 13:320. [PMID: 38668275 PMCID: PMC11054384 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040320] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The importance of addressing the problem of biofilms in farm, wild, and companion animals lies in their pervasive impact on animal health and welfare. Biofilms, as resilient communities of microorganisms, pose a persistent challenge in causing infections and complicating treatment strategies. Recognizing and understanding the importance of mitigating biofilm formation is critical to ensuring the welfare of animals in a variety of settings, from farms to the wild and companion animals. Effectively addressing this issue not only improves the overall health of individual animals, but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainable agriculture, wildlife conservation, and responsible pet ownership. This review examines the current understanding of biofilm formation in animal diseases and elucidates the complex processes involved. Recognizing the limitations of traditional antibiotic treatments, mechanisms of resistance associated with biofilms are explored. The focus is on alternative therapeutic strategies to control biofilm, with illuminating case studies providing valuable context and practical insights. In conclusion, the review highlights the importance of exploring emerging approaches to mitigate biofilm formation in animals. It consolidates existing knowledge, highlights gaps in understanding, and encourages further research to address this critical facet of animal health. The comprehensive perspective provided by this review serves as a foundation for future investigations and interventions to improve the management of biofilm-associated infections in diverse animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Araújo
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Silva
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Rúben Fernandes
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Patrícia Serra
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Maria Margarida Barros
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CECAV—Veterinary and Animal Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Maria Campos
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Ricardo Oliveira
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- AliCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sónia Silva
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Carina Almeida
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- AliCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Castro
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Wang H, Fan Q, Wang Y, Yi L, Wang Y. Rethinking the control of Streptococcus suis infection: Biofilm formation. Vet Microbiol 2024; 290:110005. [PMID: 38280304 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110005] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Streptococcus suis is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that is widespread in swine populations. The control of S. suis infection and its associated diseases is a daunting challenge worldwide. Biofilm formation appears to be the main reason for the persistence of S. suis. In this review we gather existing knowledge on S. suis biofilm, describing the role of biofilm formation in S. suis virulence and drug resistance, the regulatory factors of S. suis biofilm formation, and the research progress of inhibiting S. suis biofilm formation, with the aim of providing guidance for future studies related to the field of S. suis biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haikun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China
| | - Qingying Fan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China
| | - Yuxin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China
| | - Li Yi
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China; College of Life Science, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China.
| | - Yang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.
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5
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Xi H, Fu Y, Chen C, Feng X, Han W, Gu J, Ji Y. Aerococcus viridans Phage Lysin AVPL Had Lytic Activity against Streptococcus suis in a Mouse Bacteremia Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16670. [PMID: 38068990 PMCID: PMC10706753 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a swine pathogen that can cause sepsis, meningitis, endocarditis, and other infectious diseases; it is also a zoonotic pathogen that has caused a global surge in fatal human infections. The widespread prevalence of multidrug-resistant S. suis strains and the decline in novel antibiotic candidates have necessitated the development of alternative antimicrobial agents. In this study, AVPL, the Aerococcus viridans (A. viridans) phage lysin, was found to exhibit efficient bactericidal activity and broad lytic activity against multiple serotypes of S. suis. A final concentration of 300 μg/mL AVPL reduced S. suis counts by 4-4.5 log10 within 1 h in vitro. Importantly, AVPL effectively inhibited 48 h S. suis biofilm formation and disrupted preformed biofilms. In a mouse model, 300 μg/mouse AVPL protected 100% of mice from infection following the administration of lethal doses of multidrug-resistant S. suis type 2 (SS2) strain SC19, reduced the bacterial load in different organs, and effectively alleviated inflammation and histopathological damage in infected mice. These data suggest that AVPL is a valuable candidate antimicrobial agent for treating S. suis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengyu Xi
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (H.X.); (Y.F.); (C.C.); (W.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Yao Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (H.X.); (Y.F.); (C.C.); (W.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Chong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (H.X.); (Y.F.); (C.C.); (W.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Xin Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (H.X.); (Y.F.); (C.C.); (W.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Wenyu Han
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (H.X.); (Y.F.); (C.C.); (W.H.); (J.G.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jingmin Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (H.X.); (Y.F.); (C.C.); (W.H.); (J.G.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yalu Ji
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (H.X.); (Y.F.); (C.C.); (W.H.); (J.G.)
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6
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Combination Treatment for Inhibition of the Growth of Staphylococcus aureus with Recombinant SAP8 Endolysin and Nisin. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11091185. [PMID: 36139964 PMCID: PMC9494987 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11091185] [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: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus, a pathogenic species of genus Staphylococcus involved in foodborne illness always remain among the top priorities of the world major concerns. In the present study, we have used recombinant SAP8 endolysin from the bacteriophage SAP8 and commercial nisin to inhibit the viability of pathogenic S. aureus KCTC 3881 cells; however, the approach was not identified as cost-effective. A gradual decrease in the viable S. aureus KCTC 3881 cell counts was observed with an increase in the concentrations of recombinant SAP8 endolysin and nisin. However, combined treatment with recombinant SAP8 endolysin and nisin decreased the viable S. aureus KCTC 3881 cell counts in a significant manner. The combination of 0.01 µM of recombinant SAP8 endolysin with 9 IU/mL and 18 IU/mL of nisin demonstrated a promising decrease in the viable cell counts of the strain. Under the scanning electron microscope, the combination treatment with 0.01 µM of recombinant SAP8 endolysin and 18 IU/mL of nisin showed complete cellular destruction of S. aureus KCTC 3881. We propose that a combination of recombinant SAP8 endolysin and nisin could be a strong alternative to antibiotics to control the growth of S. aureus including MRSA.
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Krukiewicz K, Kazek-Kęsik A, Brzychczy-Włoch M, Łos MJ, Ateba CN, Mehrbod P, Ghavami S, Shyntum DY. Recent Advances in the Control of Clinically Important Biofilms. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179526. [PMID: 36076921 PMCID: PMC9455909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are complex structures formed by bacteria, fungi, or even viruses on biotic and abiotic surfaces, and they can be found in almost any part of the human body. The prevalence of biofilm-associated diseases has increased in recent years, mainly because of the frequent use of indwelling medical devices that create opportunities for clinically important bacteria and fungi to form biofilms either on the device or on the neighboring tissues. As a result of their resistance to antibiotics and host immunity factors, biofilms have been associated with the development or persistence of several clinically important diseases. The inability to completely eradicate biofilms drastically increases the burden of disease on both the patient and the healthcare system. Therefore, it is crucial to develop innovative ways to tackle the growth and development of biofilms. This review focuses on dental- and implant-associated biofilm infections, their prevalence in humans, and potential therapeutic intervention strategies, including the recent advances in pharmacology and biomedical engineering. It lists current strategies used to control the formation of clinically important biofilms, including novel antibiotics and their carriers, antiseptics and disinfectants, small molecule anti-biofilm agents, surface treatment strategies, and nanostructure functionalization, as well as multifunctional coatings particularly suitable for providing antibacterial effects to the surface of implants, to treat either dental- or implant-related bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Krukiewicz
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, M. Strzody 9, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Centre for Organic and Nanohybrid Electronics, Silesian University of Technology, Konarskiego 22B, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (D.Y.S.); Tel.: +48-32-237-1773 (K.K.)
| | - Alicja Kazek-Kęsik
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 8 Street, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Monika Brzychczy-Włoch
- Department of Molecular Medical Microbiology, Chair of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Czysta 18 Street, 31-121 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marek J. Łos
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-344 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Collins Njie Ateba
- Food Security and Safety Niche Area, North West University, Private Bag X2046, Mahikeng 2735, South Africa
| | - Parvaneh Mehrbod
- Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, University of Technology in Katowice, Academia of Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
- Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba-University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
- Biology of Breathing Theme, Children Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
| | - Divine Yufetar Shyntum
- Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 8 Street, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (D.Y.S.); Tel.: +48-32-237-1773 (K.K.)
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Wong KY, Megat Mazhar Khair MH, Song AAL, Masarudin MJ, Chong CM, In LLA, Teo MYM. Endolysins against Streptococci as an antibiotic alternative. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:935145. [PMID: 35983327 PMCID: PMC9378833 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.935145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-drug resistance has called for a race to uncover alternatives to existing antibiotics. Phage therapy is one of the explored alternatives, including the use of endolysins, which are phage-encoded peptidoglycan hydrolases responsible for bacterial lysis. Endolysins have been extensively researched in different fields, including medicine, food, and agricultural applications. While the target specificity of various endolysins varies greatly between species, this current review focuses specifically on streptococcal endolysins. Streptococcus spp. causes numerous infections, from the common strep throat to much more serious life-threatening infections such as pneumonia and meningitis. It is reported as a major crisis in various industries, causing systemic infections associated with high mortality and morbidity, as well as economic losses, especially in the agricultural industry. This review highlights the types of catalytic and cell wall-binding domains found in streptococcal endolysins and gives a comprehensive account of the lytic ability of both native and engineered streptococcal endolysins studied thus far, as well as its potential application across different industries. Finally, it gives an overview of the advantages and limitations of these enzyme-based antibiotics, which has caused the term enzybiotics to be conferred to it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Yee Wong
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Megat Hamzah Megat Mazhar Khair
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Adelene Ai-Lian Song
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mas Jaffri Masarudin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chou Min Chong
- Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lionel Lian Aun In
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Lionel Lian Aun In,
| | - Michelle Yee Mun Teo
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Michelle Yee Mun Teo,
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9
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Li X, Chen Y, Wang S, Duan X, Zhang F, Guo A, Tao P, Chen H, Li X, Qian P. Exploring the Benefits of Metal Ions in Phage Cocktail for the Treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:2689-2702. [PMID: 35655790 PMCID: PMC9154003 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s362743] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important zoonotic pathogen worldwide. Infections due to MRSA are associated with higher mortality rates compared with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. Meanwhile, bacteriophages have been shown to overcome the emergence of MRSA. Methods Phage PHB22a, PHB25a, PHB38a, and PHB40a were isolated. Here, we evaluated the ability of a phage cocktail containing phages PHB22a, PHB25a, PHB38a, and PHB40a against MRSA S-18 strain in vivo and in vitro. Phage whole-genome sequencing, host-range determination, lytic activity, and biofilm clearance experiments were performed in vitro. Galleria mellonella larvae and a mouse systemic infection model to evaluate the efficacy of phage therapy in vivo. Results The phage cocktail exhibited enhanced antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects compared to the single phage. Phage cocktail contained with Ca2+/Zn2+ significantly reduced the number of viable bacteria (24-h or 48-h biofilm) by more than 0.81-log compared to the phage cocktail alone. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the addition of Ca2+ and Zn2+ phage cocktail could increase the survival rate of G. mellonella larvae infected with S. aureus by 10% compared with phage cocktail alone. This was further confirmed in the mouse model, which showed a 2.64-log reduction of host bacteria S-18, when Ca2+ and Zn2+ were included in the cocktail compared with the phage cocktail alone. Conclusion Our results indicated that phage cocktail supplemented with Ca2+/Zn2+ could effectively remove bacteria in biofilms and mice tissues infected with S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, the Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yibao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, the Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, the Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaochao Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, the Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fenqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, the Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Aizhen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, the Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pan Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, the Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huanchun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, the Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangmin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, the Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ping Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, the Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Ping Qian, Tel +86-27-87282608, Fax +86-27-87282608, Email
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10
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Lu B, Yao X, Han G, Luo Z, Zhang J, Yong K, Wang Y, Luo Y, Yang Z, Ren M, Cao S. Isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae Phage vB_KpnS_MK54 and Pathological Assessment of Endolysin in the Treatment of Pneumonia Mice Model. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:854908. [PMID: 35387089 PMCID: PMC8978833 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.854908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
With the improper use of antibiotics, an increasing number of multidrug-resistant bacteria have been reported worldwide, posing challenges for disease treatment. Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important zoonotic pathogen that colonises the respiratory tract. Endolysin therapy has emerged with the development of phages. In this study, a lytic phage vB_KpnS_MK54 was isolated from the drinking water of a forest musk deer (FMD) farm in Sichuan Province. It was the first reported phage obtained from FMD. The primary biological characteristics were determined, and whole-genome sequencing analysis was performed. The phage which belongs to the family Siphoviridae is highly specific for lytic host bacteria and is moderately adaptable to different environments. Whole-genome sequencing results showed that the phage genome size was 46,218 bp. There were 80 coding DNA sequences (CDSs) in total, 32 of which had known functions. The last CDS is the phage endolysin LysG24. A new peptide-modified endolysin (LysCA) was constituted by connecting the cecropin A peptide residues with LysG24 to investigate the antibacterial activities of both LysG24 and LysCA. The results showed that the lytic profile of LysG24 and LysCA was wider than that of phage MK54. For in vitro tests, both endolysins destroyed 99% of the host bacteria within 6 h. The lysing ability and environmental adaptability of LysCA were significantly stronger than those of LysG24. For in vivo tests, LysG24 and LysCA exhibited therapeutic effects in a mouse model of pneumonia wherewith the mice were infected with K. pneumoniae (LPKP), wherein both LysG24 and LysCA can effectively reduce the pulmonary inflammatory response. The LPKP bacterial load in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the bacterial group, among which LysCA displayed a more obvious therapeutic effect. Furthermore, the safety test showed that the endolysins had no toxic effects on mice. In general, both LysG24 and LysCA showed excellent antibacterial activity in vivo and in vitro, with high safety and strong adaptability to the environment, manifesting their latent potential as new antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Lu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Xueping Yao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Guangli Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Zidan Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Jieru Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Kang Yong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Chongqing Three Gorges Vocational College, Chongqing, China
| | - Yin Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Zexiao Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Meishen Ren
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Suizhong Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
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11
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Biofilm Formation by Pathogenic Bacteria: Applying a Staphylococcus aureus Model to Appraise Potential Targets for Therapeutic Intervention. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040388. [PMID: 35456063 PMCID: PMC9027693 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Carried in the nasal passages by up to 30% of humans, Staphylococcus aureus is recognized to be a successful opportunistic pathogen. It is a frequent cause of infections of the upper respiratory tract, including sinusitis, and of the skin, typically abscesses, as well as of food poisoning and medical device contamination. The antimicrobial resistance of such, often chronic, health conditions is underpinned by the unique structure of bacterial biofilm, which is the focus of increasing research to try to overcome this serious public health challenge. Due to the protective barrier of an exopolysaccharide matrix, bacteria that are embedded within biofilm are highly resistant both to an infected individual’s immune response and to any treating antibiotics. An in-depth appraisal of the stepwise progression of biofilm formation by S. aureus, used as a model infection for all cases of bacterial antibiotic resistance, has enhanced understanding of this complicated microscopic structure and served to highlight possible intervention targets for both patient cure and community infection control. While antibiotic therapy offers a practical means of treatment and prevention, the most favorable results are achieved in combination with other methods. This review provides an overview of S. aureus biofilm development, outlines the current range of anti-biofilm agents that are used against each stage and summarizes their relative merits.
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12
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Ioannides G, Kourouklides I, Astolfi A. Spatiotemporal dynamics in spiking recurrent neural networks using modified-full-FORCE on EEG signals. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2896. [PMID: 35190579 PMCID: PMC8861015 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06573-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Methods on modelling the human brain as a Complex System have increased remarkably in the literature as researchers seek to understand the underlying foundations behind cognition, behaviour, and perception. Computational methods, especially Graph Theory-based methods, have recently contributed significantly in understanding the wiring connectivity of the brain, modelling it as a set of nodes connected by edges. Therefore, the brain’s spatiotemporal dynamics can be holistically studied by considering a network, which consists of many neurons, represented by nodes. Various models have been proposed for modelling such neurons. A recently proposed method in training such networks, called full-Force, produces networks that perform tasks with fewer neurons and greater noise robustness than previous least-squares approaches (i.e. FORCE method). In this paper, the first direct applicability of a variant of the full-Force method to biologically-motivated Spiking RNNs (SRNNs) is demonstrated. The SRNN is a graph consisting of modules. Each module is modelled as a Small-World Network (SWN), which is a specific type of a biologically-plausible graph. So, the first direct applicability of a variant of the full-Force method to modular SWNs is demonstrated, evaluated through regression and information theoretic metrics. For the first time, the aforementioned method is applied to spiking neuron models and trained on various real-life Electroencephalography (EEG) signals. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, all the contributions of this paper are novel. Results show that trained SRNNs match EEG signals almost perfectly, while network dynamics can mimic the target dynamics. This demonstrates that the holistic setup of the network model and the neuron model which are both more biologically plausible than previous work, can be tuned into real biological signal dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Ioannides
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Ioannis Kourouklides
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, 33 Saripolou Street, 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Alessandro Astolfi
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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13
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Ho MKY, Zhang P, Chen X, Xia J, Leung SSY. Bacteriophage endolysins against gram-positive bacteria, an overview on the clinical development and recent advances on the delivery and formulation strategies. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 48:303-326. [PMID: 34478359 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.1962803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Facing the increasing threat of multi-drug antimicrobial resistance (AMR), humans strive to search for antibiotic drug candidates and antibacterial alternatives from all possible places, from soils in remote areas to deep in the sea. In this "gold rush for antibacterials," researchers turn to the natural enemy of bacterial cells, bacteriophage (phages), and find them a rich source of weapons for AMR bacteria. Endolysins (lysins), the enzymes phages use to break the bacterial cells from within, have been shown to be highly selective and efficient in killing their target bacteria from outside while maintaining a low occurrence of bacterial resistance. In this review, we start with the structures and mechanisms of action of lysins against Gram-positive (GM+) bacteria. The developmental history of lysins is also outlined. Then, we detail the latest preclinical and clinical research on their safety and efficacy against GM+ bacteria, focusing on the formulation strategies of these enzymes. Finally, the challenges and potential hurdles are discussed. Notwithstanding these limitations, the trends in development indicate that the first, approved lysin drugs will be available soon in the near future. Overall, this review presents a timely summary of the current progress on lysins as antibacterial enzymes for AMR GM+ bacteria, and provides a guidebook for biomaterial researchers who are dedicating themselves to the battle against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Kai Yuen Ho
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiang Xia
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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14
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Xu Y. Phage and phage lysins: New era of bio-preservatives and food safety agents. J Food Sci 2021; 86:3349-3373. [PMID: 34302296 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.15843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
There has been an increase in the search and application of new antimicrobial agents as alternatives to use of chemical preservatives and antibiotic-like compounds by the food industry. The massive use of antibiotic has created a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that find their way from farm to humans. Thus, there exists an imperative need to explore new antibacterial options and bacteriophages perfectly fit into the class of safe and potent antimicrobials. Phage bio-control has come a long way owing to advances with use of phage cocktails, recombinant phages, and phage lysins; however, there still exists unmet challenges that restrict the number of phage-based products reaching the market. Hence, further studies are required to explore for more efficient phage-based bio-control strategies that can become an integral part of food safety protocols. This review thus aims to highlight the recent developments made in the application of phages and phage enzymes covering pre-harvest as well as post-harvest usage. It further focuses on the major issues in both phage and phage lysin research hindering their optimum use while detailing out the advances made by researchers lately in this direction for full exploitation of phages and phage lysins in the food sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingmin Xu
- Food Technology College Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, China
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15
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Design, Overproduction and Purification of the Chimeric Phage Lysin MLTphg Fighting against Staphylococcus aureus. Processes (Basel) 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/pr8121587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
With the increasing spread of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens, it is of great importance to develop alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Here, we report the generation of a chimeric phage lysin, MLTphg, which was assembled by joining the lysins derived from Meiothermus bacteriophage MMP7 and Thermus bacteriophage TSP4 with a flexible linker via chimeolysin engineering. As a potential antimicrobial agent, MLTphg can be obtained by overproduction in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells and the following Ni-affinity chromatography. Finally, we recovered about 40 ± 1.9 mg of MLTphg from 1 L of the host E. coli BL21(DE3) culture. The purified MLTphg showed peak activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538 between 35 and 40 °C, and maintained approximately 44.5 ± 2.1% activity at room temperature (25 °C). Moreover, as a produced chimera, it exhibited considerably improved bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus (2.9 ± 0.1 log10 reduction was observed upon 40 nM MLTphg treatment at 37 °C for 30 min) and also a group of antibiotic-resistant bacteria compared to its parental lysins, TSPphg and MMPphg. In the current age of growing antibiotic resistance, our results provide an engineering basis for developing phage lysins as novel antimicrobial agents and shed light on bacteriophage-based strategies to tackle bacterial infections.
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16
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Yi L, Du Y, Mao C, Li J, Jin M, Sun L, Wang Y. Immunogenicity and protective ability of RpoE against Streptococcus suis serotype 2. J Appl Microbiol 2020; 130:1075-1083. [PMID: 32996241 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS RpoE is quite immunogenic and can be used as a candidate vaccine for Streptococcus suis infection via immunoproteomics as reported in our previous studies. In this study, we aimed to verify the immunogenicity of recombinant RpoE and its protective effect against of S. suis. METHODS AND RESULTS The RpoE protein was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified recombinant protein was mixed with ISA206 to prepare an S. suis subunit vaccine. Mice were immunized with the RpoE subunit vaccine and then infected with the virulent S. suis strain ZY05719. Subunit vaccine-immunized mice achieved 50% protection, less pathological damage and less bacterial distribution in each organ compared with the control mice. Furthermore, in vitro culture, showed that mouse antisera significantly (P < 0·001) inhibited the growth of S. suis, and qRT-PCR results showed that RpoE successfully induced the up-regulation of IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines. CONCLUSIONS RpoE mice were vaccinated to obtain immune protection, which may be candidates for S. suis subunit vaccine. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The results of this study will provide new ideas for the development of safe and effective recombinant subunits vaccines for S. suis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Yi
- College of Life Science, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China
| | - Y Du
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - C Mao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - J Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - M Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - L Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Y Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathogen and Immunology of Animal of Luoyang, Luoyang, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
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17
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Ferriol-González C, Domingo-Calap P. Phages for Biofilm Removal. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9050268. [PMID: 32455536 PMCID: PMC7277876 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9050268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are clusters of bacteria that live in association with surfaces. Their main characteristic is that the bacteria inside the biofilms are attached to other bacterial cells and to the surface by an extracellular polymeric matrix. Biofilms are capable of adhering to a wide variety of surfaces, both biotic and abiotic, including human tissues, medical devices, and other materials. On these surfaces, biofilms represent a major threat causing infectious diseases and economic losses. In addition, current antibiotics and common disinfectants have shown limited ability to remove biofilms adequately, and phage-based treatments are proposed as promising alternatives for biofilm eradication. This review analyzes the main advantages and challenges that phages can offer for the elimination of biofilms, as well as the most important factors to be taken into account in order to design effective phage-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pilar Domingo-Calap
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain;
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, ISysBio, Universitat de València-CSIC, 46910 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-963-543-261
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18
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Linker Editing of Pneumococcal Lysin ClyJ Conveys Improved Bactericidal Activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01610-19. [PMID: 31767724 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01610-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading human pathogen uniquely characterized by choline moieties on the bacterial surface. Our previous work reported a pneumococcus-specific chimeric lysin, ClyJ, which combines the CHAP (cysteine, histidine-dependent amidohydrolase/peptidase) enzymatically active domain (EAD) from the PlyC lysin and the cell wall binding domain (CBD) from the phage SPSL1 lysin, which imparts choline binding specificity. Here, we demonstrate that the lytic activity of ClyJ can be further improved by editing the linker sequence adjoining the EAD and CBD. Keeping the net charge of the linker constant, we constructed three ClyJ variants containing different lengths of linker sequence. Circular dichroism showed that linker editing has only minor effects on the folding of the EAD and CBD. However, thermodynamic examination combined with biochemical analysis demonstrated that one variant, ClyJ-3, with the shortest linker, displayed improved thermal stability and bactericidal activity, as well as reduced cytotoxicity. In a pneumococcal mouse infection model, ClyJ-3 showed significant protective efficacy compared to that of the ClyJ parental lysin or the Cpl-1 lysin, with 100% survival at a single ClyJ-3 intraperitoneal dose of 100 μg/mouse. Moreover, a ClyJ-3 dose of 2 μg/mouse had the same efficacy as a ClyJ dose of 40 μg/mouse, suggesting a 20-fold improvement in vivo Taking these results together, the present study not only describes a promising pneumococcal lysin with improved potency, i.e., ClyJ-3, but also implies for the first time that the linker sequence plays an important role in determining the activity of a chimeric lysin, providing insight for future lysin engineering studies.
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19
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Gondil VS, Harjai K, Chhibber S. Endolysins as emerging alternative therapeutic agents to counter drug-resistant infections. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2019; 55:105844. [PMID: 31715257 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Endolysins are the lytic products of bacteriophages which play a specific role in the release of phage progeny by degrading the peptidoglycan of the host bacterium. In the light of antibiotic resistance, endolysins are being considered as alternative therapeutic agents because of their exceptional ability to target bacterial cells when applied externally. Endolysins have been studied against a number of drug-resistant pathogens to assess their therapeutic ability. This review focuses on the structure of endolysins in terms of cell binding and catalytic domains, lytic ability, resistance, safety, immunogenicity and future applications. It primarily reviews recent advancements made in evaluation of the therapeutic potential of endolysins, including their origin, host range, applications, and synergy with conventional and non-conventional antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Singh Gondil
- Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kusum Harjai
- Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sanjay Chhibber
- Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
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20
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Shang X, Nelson DC. Contributions of Net Charge on the PlyC Endolysin CHAP Domain. Antibiotics (Basel) 2019; 8:antibiotics8020070. [PMID: 31142020 PMCID: PMC6628322 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics8020070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage endolysins, enzymes that degrade the bacterial peptidoglycan (PG), have gained an increasing interest as alternative antimicrobial agents, due to their ability to kill antibiotic resistant pathogens efficiently when applied externally as purified proteins. Typical endolysins derived from bacteriophage that infect Gram-positive hosts consist of an N-terminal enzymatically-active domain (EAD) that cleaves covalent bonds in the PG, and a C-terminal cell-binding domain (CBD) that recognizes specific ligands on the surface of the PG. Although CBDs are usually essential for the EADs to access the PG substrate, some EADs possess activity in the absence of CBDs, and a few even display better activity profiles or an extended host spectrum than the full-length endolysin. A current hypothesis suggests a net positive charge on the EAD enables it to reach the negatively charged bacterial surface via ionic interactions in the absence of a CBD. Here, we used the PlyC CHAP domain as a model EAD to further test the hypothesis. We mutated negatively charged surface amino acids of the CHAP domain that are not involved in structured regions to neutral or positively charged amino acids in order to increase the net charge from -3 to a range from +1 to +7. The seven mutant candidates were successfully expressed and purified as soluble proteins. Contrary to the current hypothesis, none of the mutants were more active than wild-type CHAP. Analysis of electrostatic surface potential implies that the surface charge distribution may affect the activity of a positively charged EAD. Thus, we suggest that while charge should continue to be considered for future engineering efforts, it should not be the sole focus of such engineering efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoran Shang
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
| | - Daniel C Nelson
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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21
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Vázquez R, García E, García P. Phage Lysins for Fighting Bacterial Respiratory Infections: A New Generation of Antimicrobials. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2252. [PMID: 30459750 PMCID: PMC6232686 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Lower respiratory tract infections and tuberculosis are responsible for the death of about 4.5 million people each year and are the main causes of mortality in children under 5 years of age. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial pathogen associated with severe pneumonia, although other Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria are involved in respiratory infections as well. The ability of these pathogens to persist and produce infection under the appropriate conditions is also associated with their capacity to form biofilms in the respiratory mucous membranes. Adding to the difficulty of treating biofilm-forming bacteria with antibiotics, many of these strains are becoming multidrug resistant, and thus the alternative therapeutics available for combating this kind of infections are rapidly depleting. Given these concerns, it is urgent to consider other unconventional strategies and, in this regard, phage lysins represent an attractive resource to circumvent some of the current issues in infection treatment. When added exogenously, lysins break specific bonds of the peptidoglycan and have potent bactericidal effects against susceptible bacteria. These enzymes possess interesting features, including that they do not trigger an adverse immune response and raise of resistance is very unlikely. Although Gram-negative bacteria had been considered refractory to these compounds, strategies to overcome this drawback have been developed recently. In this review we describe the most relevant in vitro and in vivo results obtained to date with lysins against bacterial respiratory pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Vázquez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ernesto García
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro García
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
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22
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Xu J, Yang H, Bi Y, Li W, Wei H, Li Y. Activity of the Chimeric Lysin ClyR against Common Gram-Positive Oral Microbes and Its Anticaries Efficacy in Rat Models. Viruses 2018; 10:v10070380. [PMID: 30036941 PMCID: PMC6070986 DOI: 10.3390/v10070380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dental caries is a common disease caused by oral bacteria. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are the primary cariogenic microbes that often survive as biofilms on teeth. In this study, we evaluated the activity of ClyR, a well-known chimeric lysin with extended streptococcal host range, against common Gram-positive oral microbes and its anticaries efficacy in rat models. ClyR demonstrated high lytic activity against S. mutans MT8148 and S. sobrinus ATCC6715, with minor activity against Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus oralis, and Streptococcus salivarius, which are considered as harmless commensal oral bacteria. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that the number of viable cells in 72-h aged S. mutans and S. sobrinus biofilms are significantly (p < 0.05) decreased after treatment with 50 µg/mL ClyR for 5 min. Furthermore, continuous administration of ClyR for 40 days (5 µg/day) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the severity of caries in rat models infected with a single or a mixed bacteria of S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Therefore, ClyR could be a promising agent or additive for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Xu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Hang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Yongli Bi
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Wuyou Li
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Hongping Wei
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Yuhong Li
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
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23
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Engineering of Phage-Derived Lytic Enzymes: Improving Their Potential as Antimicrobials. Antibiotics (Basel) 2018; 7:antibiotics7020029. [PMID: 29565804 PMCID: PMC6023083 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics7020029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Lytic enzymes encoded by bacteriophages have been intensively explored as alternative agents for combating bacterial pathogens in different contexts. The antibacterial character of these enzymes (enzybiotics) results from their degrading activity towards peptidoglycan, an essential component of the bacterial cell wall. In fact, phage lytic products have the capacity to kill target bacteria when added exogenously in the form of recombinant proteins. However, there is also growing recognition that the natural bactericidal activity of these agents can, and sometimes needs to be, substantially improved through manipulation of their functional domains or by equipping them with new functions. In addition, often, native lytic proteins exhibit features that restrict their applicability as effective antibacterials, such as poor solubility or reduced stability. Here, I present an overview of the engineering approaches that can be followed not only to overcome these and other restrictions, but also to generate completely new antibacterial agents with significantly enhanced characteristics. As conventional antibiotics are running short, the remarkable progress in this field opens up the possibility of tailoring efficient enzybiotics to tackle the most menacing bacterial infections.
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