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Zhang T, Zhang X, Chen J, Zhang X, Zhang Y. Harnessing microbial antigens as cancer antigens: a promising avenue for cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1411490. [PMID: 39139570 PMCID: PMC11319170 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1411490] [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: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by leveraging the immune system's innate capabilities to combat malignancies. Despite the promise of tumor antigens in stimulating anti-tumor immune responses, their clinical utility is hampered by limitations in eliciting robust and durable immune reactions, exacerbated by tumor heterogeneity and immune evasion mechanisms. Recent insights into the immunogenic properties of host homologous microbial antigens have sparked interest in their potential for augmenting anti-tumor immunity while minimizing off-target effects. This review explores the therapeutic potential of microbial antigen peptides in tumor immunotherapy, beginning with an overview of tumor antigens and their challenges in clinical translation. We further explore the intricate relationship between microorganisms and tumor development, elucidating the concept of molecular mimicry and its implications for immune recognition of tumor-associated antigens. Finally, we discuss methodologies for identifying and characterizing microbial antigen peptides, highlighting their immunogenicity and prospects for therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xilong Zhang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, First People’s Hospital of Xuzhou City, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jianquan Chen
- Central Laboratory, Translational Medicine Research Center, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiuwei Zhang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, First People’s Hospital of Xuzhou City, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yunlei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Central Laboratory, Translational Medicine Research Center, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Lerner A, Benzvi C, Vojdani A. The Frequently Used Industrial Food Process Additive, Microbial Transglutaminase: Boon or Bane. Nutr Rev 2024:nuae087. [PMID: 38960726 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae087] [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: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial transglutaminase (mTG) is a frequently consumed processed food additive, and use of its cross-linked complexes is expanding rapidly. It was designated as a processing aid and was granted the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) classification decades ago, thus avoiding thorough assessment according to current criteria of toxicity and public health safety. In contrast to the manufacturer's declarations and claims, mTG and/or its transamidated complexes are proinflammatory, immunogenic, allergenic, pathogenic, and potentially toxic, hence raising concerns for public health. Being a member of the transglutaminase family and functionally imitating the tissue transglutaminase, mTG was recently identified as a potential inducer of celiac disease. Microbial transglutaminase and its docked complexes have numerous detrimental effects. Those harmful aspects are denied by the manufacturers, who claim the enzyme is deactivated when heated or by gastric acidity, and that its covalently linked isopeptide bonds are safe. The present narrative review describes the potential side effects of mTG, highlighting its thermostability and activity over a broad pH range, thus, challenging the manufacturers' and distributers' safety claims. The national food regulatory authorities and the scientific community are urged to reevaluate mTG's GRAS status, prioritizing public health protection against the possible risks associated with this enzyme and its health-damaging consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Lerner
- Research Department, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, 52621 Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Carina Benzvi
- Research Department, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, 52621 Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Aristo Vojdani
- Research Department, Immunosciences Lab., Inc., Los Angeles, CA 90035, USA
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Kolotylo V, Piwowarek K, Kieliszek M. Production of microbial transglutaminase by Streptoverticillium cinnamoneum KKP 1658. EXCLI JOURNAL 2024; 23:655-671. [PMID: 38887389 PMCID: PMC11180937 DOI: 10.17179/excli2024-7033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Transglutaminase finds broad applications in the food industry, influencing texture, shelf life and overall food quality. It can be utilized to create products with enhanced sensory and technological properties and serves as a tool to reduce food waste. The aim of this study was to optimize the production of microbial transglutaminase (MTG) by the genetically unmodified strain of Streptoverticillium cinnamoneum KKP 1658. Tryptone soy broth (TSB) was chosen as the optimal inoculation medium due to its high MTG activity in the cultivation substrate. The optimal inoculum incubation time was determined as 24 hours, with a dosage of 10 %. Various nitrogen sources were investigated while maintaining a consistent nitrogen dosage (0.2 %) (including aminobak, corn steep liquor, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate) to achieve the highest microbiological transglutaminase activity. The combination of aminobak with corn steep liquor and a cultivation period of 72 hours (28 °C; pH 6.0-6.5) yielded the highest MTG activity at 6.59 U/mL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaliy Kolotylo
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159 C, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamil Piwowarek
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159 C, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Kieliszek
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159 C, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
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Guo C, Feng Q, Xie X, Li Y, Hu H, Hu J, Fang S, Shang L. Cross-reaction mediated by distinct key amino acid combinations in the complementary-determining region (CDR) of a monoclonal antibody. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29430. [PMID: 38285507 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29430] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
In immunology, cross-reaction between antigens and antibodies are commonly observed. Prior research has shown that various monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can recognize a broad spectrum of epitopes related to influenza viruses. However, existing theories on cross-reactions fall short in explaining the phenomena observed. This study explored the interaction characteristics of H1-74 mAb with three peptides: two natural peptides, LVLWGIHHP and LPFQNI, derived from the hemagglutinin (HA) antigen of the H1N1 influenza virus, and one synthetic peptide, WPFQNY. Our findings indicate that the complementarity-determining region (CDR) of H1-74 mAb comprised five antigen-binding sites, containing eight key amino acid residues from the light chain variable region and 16 from the heavy chain variable region. These critical residues formed distinct hydrophobic or hydrophilic clusters and functional groups within the binding sites, facilitating interaction with antigen epitopes through hydrogen bonding, salt bridge formation, and π-π stacking. The study revealed that the formation of the antibody molecule led to the creation of binding groups and small units in the CDR, allowing the antibody to attach to a variety of antigen epitopes through diverse combinations of these small units and functional groups. This unique ability of the antibody to bind with antigen epitopes provides a new molecular basis for explaining the phenomenon of antibody cross-reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Guo
- Central Laboratory of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Research Center of Cell Immunological Engineering and Technology of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qing Feng
- Central Laboratory of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Research Center of Cell Immunological Engineering and Technology of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xin Xie
- Central Laboratory of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yan Li
- Central Laboratory of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Research Center of Cell Immunological Engineering and Technology of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hanyu Hu
- Shaanxi Ruiqi Biology Sci-Tech Co., Ltd., Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jun Hu
- Central Laboratory of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Research Center of Cell Immunological Engineering and Technology of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Senbiao Fang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Lijun Shang
- School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London, UK
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Lerner A, Benzvi C, Vojdani A. The Potential Harmful Effects of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) on the Intestinal Microbiome and Public Health. Microorganisms 2024; 12:238. [PMID: 38399642 PMCID: PMC10892181 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020238] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Gut luminal dysbiosis and pathobiosis result in compositional and biodiversified alterations in the microbial and host co-metabolites. The primary mechanism of bacterial evolution is horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and the acquisition of new traits can be achieved through the exchange of mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Introducing genetically engineered microbes (GEMs) might break the harmonized balance in the intestinal compartment. The present objectives are: 1. To reveal the role played by the GEMs' horizontal gene transfers in changing the landscape of the enteric microbiome eubiosis 2. To expand on the potential detrimental effects of those changes on the human genome and health. A search of articles published in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scielo from 2000 to August 2023 using appropriate MeSH entry terms was performed. The GEMs' horizontal gene exchanges might induce multiple human diseases. The new GEMs can change the long-term natural evolution of the enteric pro- or eukaryotic cell inhabitants. The worldwide regulatory authority's safety control of GEMs is not enough to protect public health. Viability, biocontainment, and many other aspects are only partially controlled and harmful consequences for public health should be avoided. It is important to remember that prevention is the most cost-effective strategy and primum non nocere should be the focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Lerner
- Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel;
- Ariel Campus, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
| | - Carina Benzvi
- Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel;
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