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Miyashita A, Miyauchi M, Tabuchi F. The prospects of automation in drug discovery research using silkworms. Drug Discov Ther 2024; 18:130-133. [PMID: 38569832 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2024.01013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
We have established several models of infectious diseases in silkworms to explore disease-causing mechanisms and identify new antimicrobial substances. These models involve injecting laboratory-cultured pathogens into silkworms and monitoring their survival over a period of days. The use of silkworms is advantageous because they are cost-effective and raise fewer ethical concerns than mammalian subjects, allowing for larger experimental group sizes. To capitalize on these benefits, there is a growing importance in mechanizing and automating the experimental processes that currently require manual labor. This paper discusses the future of laboratory automation, specifically through the mechanization and automation of silkworm-based experimental procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fumiaki Tabuchi
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
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2
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Boeder AM, Spiller F, Carlstrom M, Izídio GS. Enterococcus faecalis: implications for host health. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:190. [PMID: 38702495 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04007-w] [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: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The microbiota represents a crucial area of research in maintaining human health due to its potential for uncovering novel biomarkers, therapies, and molecular mechanisms relevant to population identification and experimental model characterization. Among these microorganisms, Enterococcus faecalis, a Gram-positive bacterium found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, holds particular significance. Strains of this bacterial species have sparked considerable debate in the literature due to their dual nature; they can either be utilized as probiotics in the food industry or demonstrate resistance to antibiotics, potentially leading to severe illness, disability, and death. Given the diverse characteristics of Enterococcus faecalis strains, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of their impact on various systems within the host, including the immunological, cardiovascular, metabolic, and nervous systems. Furthermore, we summarize the bacterium-host interaction characteristics and molecular effects to highlight their targets, features, and overall impact on microbial communities and host health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariela Maína Boeder
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fernando Spiller
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Mattias Carlstrom
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Geison Souza Izídio
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Laboratório de Genética do Comportamento, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil.
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3
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Rathod P, Yadav RP. Gut microbiome as therapeutic target for diabesity management: opportunity for nanonutraceuticals and associated challenges. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:17-29. [PMID: 37552394 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01404-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Diabesity is showing rising prevalence. Current treatment modalities include pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, yet associated with various drawbacks. Recently, gut microbial dysbiosis is documented as a crucial factor in the pathogenesis of diabesity. Targeting gut microbiome using modulators shows promising therapeutic strategy for diabesity management. In this line, nanonutraceuticals represent new class of gut microbial modulators. The present article explores the potential of nanonutraceuticals including nanoprobiotics, nanoprebiotics, and plant-derived nanovesicles that are fabricated on the ecofriendly food based scaffold with gut microbial modulatory potential for diabesity management. A number of compelling evidences from different studies support Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, and Bacteroides genera and Lactobacillus plantarum and Akkermansia muciniphila species significant in diabesity management. The probable mechanisms reported for gut microbial dysbiosis-induced diabesity are mentioned. The review findings suggest gut microbiome as significant therapeutic target for diabesity management. Moreover, ecofriendly nanonutraceuticals developed using natural products including food-grade materials are efficient modulators of gut microbiome and indicate next-generation diabesity therapeutics. Clinical studies are imperative as further exploration may provide new dimensions to the future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Rathod
- MGMIHS OMICS Research Center, MGM Central Research Laboratory, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, MGM School of Biomedical Sciences, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Kamothe-410209, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Raman P Yadav
- MGMIHS OMICS Research Center, MGM Central Research Laboratory, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, MGM School of Biomedical Sciences, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Kamothe-410209, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
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4
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Alsharairi NA. Exploring the Diet-Gut Microbiota-Epigenetics Crosstalk Relevant to Neonatal Diabetes. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051017. [PMID: 37239377 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal diabetes (NDM) is a rare monogenic disorder that presents as hyperglycemia during the first six months of life. The link between early-life gut microbiota dysbiosis and susceptibility to NDM remains uncertain. Experimental studies have demonstrated that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) could develop into meconium/gut microbiota dysbiosis in newborns, and thus, it is thought to be a mediator in the pathogenesis of NDM. Epigenetic modifications have been considered as potential mechanisms by which the gut microbiota and susceptibility genes interact with the neonatal immune system. Several epigenome-wide association studies have revealed that GDM is associated with neonatal cord blood and/or placental DNA methylation alterations. However, the mechanisms linking diet in GDM with gut microbiota alterations, which may in turn induce the expression of genes linked to NDM, are yet to be unraveled. Therefore, the focus of this review is to highlight the impacts of diet, gut microbiota, and epigenetic crosstalk on altered gene expression in NDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naser A Alsharairi
- Heart, Mind & Body Research Group, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD P.O. Box 4222, Australia
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5
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Extraction Optimization, Preliminary Identification, and Bioactivities in Corn Silk. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2023; 2023:5685174. [PMID: 36777625 PMCID: PMC9911244 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5685174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
For thousands of years, corn silk has been widely used as an antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic and for other effects, but there is a lack of studies that correlate the extracts of flavonoid composition with their biological activities. Thus, the objectives of this study were to optimize the conditions for extracting flavonoids, identify flavonoids, and correlate the flavonoid composition with the biological activities in corn silk. The response surface experiments showed that the highest flavonoid content was predicted at 45.321 min, 57.349°C, 26.089 mL/g, and 71.269%, respectively. The verification experiment results under these optimized conditions showed an ultrasonic time of 45 min, an ultrasonic temperature of 57°C, a liquid-to-material ratio of 26, and an ethanol volume fraction of 70%. No significant differences (the relative error is 4.378%) were observed between the theoretical and experimental TFC values, indicating that the developed models were accurate. Under these optimum extraction conditions, 20 major compounds were identified and quantified by UPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS. Furthermore, these optimum ethanol extracts of corn silk are effective against Bacillus subtilis and hypoglycemic activity compared with the traditional heating reflux extraction method. Six corn silk components seem to be the main contributors to the inhibitory effect against Bacillus subtilis and hyperglycemia activities. These results are useful for the application of corn silk in the food or pharmaceutical industry.
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Ma L, Duan M, He Z, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Li B, Rao MJ, Hu L, Wang L. Sugarcane Wax Metabolites and Their Toxicity to Silkworms. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020286. [PMID: 36836643 PMCID: PMC9959631 DOI: 10.3390/life13020286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Sugarcane wax has the potential to be utilized as a novel natural insecticide, which could help to reduce the large yield losses caused by agricultural pests. By employing the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) approach, we conducted a study to analyze the composition of epicuticular wax from the rind of the sugarcane variety YT71210. A total of 157 metabolites, categorized into 15 classes, were identified, with naphthalene, a metabolite with insect-resistant properties, being the most prevalent. The feeding trial experiment suggested that sugarcane wax is toxic to silkworms by impacting the internal organs. Intestinal microbial diversity analysis suggested that the abundance of Enterococcus genus was significantly increased in both ordure and gut of silkworm after wax treatment. The results indicated that the feeding of wax has an adverse effect on the gut microbial composition of silkworms. Our findings lay a foundation for the efficacy of sugarcane waxes as a valuable natural insecticide and for the prediction of promising sugarcane varieties with insect resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
| | - Mingzheng Duan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
| | - Ziwei He
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yiting Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
| | - Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid Rao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
| | - Lihua Hu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Correspondence: (L.H.); (L.W.)
| | - Lingqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning 530004, China
- Correspondence: (L.H.); (L.W.)
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Effects of Microbial Transfer during Food-Gut-Feces Circulation on the Health of Bombyx mori. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0235722. [PMID: 36318051 PMCID: PMC9769633 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02357-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Change in habitual diet may negatively affect health. The domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) is an economically important oligophagous insect that feeds on mulberry leaves. The growth, development, and immune-disease resistance of silkworms have declined under artificial dietary conditions. In this study, we used B. mori as a model insect to explore the relationship between changes in diet and balance of intestinal microbes due to its simpler guts compared with those of mammals. We found that artificial diets reduced the intestinal bacterial diversity in silkworms and resulted in a simple intestinal microbial structure. By analyzing the correlations among food, gut, and fecal microbial diversity, we found that an artificial diet was more easily fermented and enriched the lactic acid bacteria in the gut of the silkworms. This diet caused intestinal acidification and microbial imbalance (dysbiosis). When combined with the artificial diet, Enterococcus mundtii, a colonizing opportunistic pathogen, caused dysbiosis and allowed the frequent outbreak of bacterial diseases in the silkworms. This study provides further systematic indicators and technical references for future investigations of the relationship between diet-based environmental changes and intestinal microbial balance. IMPORTANCE The body often appears unwell after habitual dietary changes. The domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) raised on artificial diets is a good model to explore the relationship between dietary changes and the balance of intestinal microbes. In this study, the food-gut-feces microbial model was established, and some potential key genera that could regulate the balance of intestinal microbiota were screened out. Our findings will provide a reference for future research to further our understanding of healthy silkworm development and may even be useful for similar research on other animals.
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Hamamoto H, Ogasawara AA, Iwasa M, Sekimizu K. Establishment of a polymerase chain reaction-based method for strain-level management of Enterococcus faecalis EF-2001 using species-specific sequences identified by whole genome sequences. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:959063. [PMID: 36033901 PMCID: PMC9411961 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.959063] [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: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the development and manufacture of fermented foods, it is crucial to control and manage the bacterial species used in the products. We previously reported a complete genome sequence analysis of the Enterococcus faecalis EF-2001 strain that was used for supplements. By comparing this sequence to the publicly available complete genome sequence of E. faecalis strains, we were able to identify specific sequences of the EF-2001 strain. We designed primer sets to amplify these specific regions and performed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We confirmed that the DNA fragments were specifically amplified in the genome of the EF-2001 strain, but not those of other lactic acid bacteria (LABs) or strains of the same genus. Furthermore, these primers amplified DNA fragments even in genomic DNA extracted from heat-treated bacteria at 121°C and foods containing the EF-2001 strain. These results suggest that this method allows for simple and highly accurate identification of specific fermentation strains, such as LABs at the strain level, which will be useful for controlling the quality of fermented foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Hamamoto
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Hachio-ji shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Kazuhisa Sekimizu
- Drug Discoveries by Silkworm Models, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Hachio-ji shi, Tokyo, Japan
- Genome Pharmaceuticals Institute, Ltd., Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Kazuhisa Sekimizu,
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9
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Diabetes Mellitus Influencing the Bacterial Species in Surgical Site Infections of Orthopedic Trauma Patients. INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1097/ipc.0000000000001065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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10
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Paudel A, Furuta Y, Higashi H. Silkworm model for Bacillus anthracis infection and virulence determination. Virulence 2021; 12:2285-2295. [PMID: 34490836 PMCID: PMC8425766 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1965830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is an obligate pathogen and a causative agent of anthrax. Its major virulence factors are plasmid-coded; however, recent studies have revealed chromosome-encoded virulence factors, indicating that the current understanding of its virulence mechanism is elusive and needs further investigation. In this study, we established a silkworm (Bombyx mori) infection model of B. anthracis. We showed that silkworms were killed by B. anthracis Sterne and cured of the infection when administered with antibiotics. We quantitatively determined the lethal dose of the bacteria that kills 50% larvae and effective doses of antibiotics that cure 50% infected larvae. Furthermore, we demonstrated that B. anthracis mutants with disruption in virulence genes such as pagA, lef, and atxA had attenuated silkworm-killing ability and reduced colonization in silkworm hemolymph. The silkworm infection model established in this study can be utilized in large-scale infection experiments to identify novel virulence determinants and develop novel therapeutic options against B. anthracis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atmika Paudel
- Division of Infection and Immunity, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Furuta
- Division of Infection and Immunity, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hideaki Higashi
- Division of Infection and Immunity, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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11
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Kurakado S, Matsumoto Y, Sugita T. Efficacy of Posaconazole against Rhizopus oryzae Infection in Silkworm. Med Mycol J 2021; 62:53-57. [PMID: 34471035 DOI: 10.3314/mmj.21-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Rhizopus oryzae causes fatal invasive mucormycosis, especially in immunocompromised patients. Posaconazole is used to treat mucormycosis caused by R. oryzae, which is resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole. We evaluated the efficacy of posaconazole against R. oryzae in vivo using a silkworm infection model at 37℃, the human body temperature. The level of pathogenicity differed among the R. oryzae isolates, and posaconazole prolonged the survival of infected silkworms. Therefore, the silkworm infection model is suitable for investigating the virulence factors of R. oryzae and developing antifungal agents for mucormycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanae Kurakado
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University
| | | | - Takashi Sugita
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University
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12
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Miyashita A, Hamamoto H, Sekimizu K. Applying the silkworm model for the search of immunosuppressants. Drug Discov Ther 2021; 15:139-142. [PMID: 34234062 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2021.01041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Various stresses (high temperature, starvation, or sublethal Cryptococcal infection) increased the susceptibility of silkworms to bacterial infection by up to 100-fold, confirming the stress-induced immunosuppression reported in a range of species. When the silkworm was injected with a steroidal drug, betamethasone (1 mg/larva), the susceptibility of the silkworm to bacterial infection increased about 100-fold. This indicates that the immune function of the silkworm can be suppressed by a known compound that shows immunosuppressive effects in humans. We further tested the immunosuppressive effect of the culture supernatants (acetone extracts) of soil bacteria, and 24 out of 193 isolates showed the immunosuppressive activity. These results suggest that it is possible to search for immunosuppressive agents targeting innate immunity by using a silkworm bacterial infection model as a screening system, and that there may be candidate compounds for immunosuppressive agents among the substances produced by soil bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kazuhisa Sekimizu
- Drug Discoveries by Silkworm Models, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Genome Pharmaceuticals Institute Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
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13
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Evaluation of Antibacterial Drugs Using Silkworms Infected by Cutibacterium acnes. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12070619. [PMID: 34357279 PMCID: PMC8303438 DOI: 10.3390/insects12070619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cutibacterium acnes is a causative agent of inflammatory skin diseases and systemic infections. Systemic infections caused by C. acnes are difficult to treat, and the development of a systemic infection model for C. acnes would be useful for elucidating the mechanisms of infection and searching for therapeutic agents. In this study, we established a silkworm infection model as a new experimental system to evaluate the interaction between C. acnes and the host, and the efficacy of antibacterial drugs. Silkworms infected with C. acnes died when reared at 37 °C. The dose of injected bacterial cells required to kill half of the silkworms (LD50) was determined under rearing conditions at 37 °C. The viable cell number of C. acnes was increased in the hemolymph and fat body of the infected silkworms. Silkworms injected with autoclaved C. acnes cells did not die during the study period. The survival time of silkworms injected with C. acnes was prolonged by the injection of antibacterial drugs such as tetracycline and clindamycin. These findings suggest that the silkworm C. acnes infection model can be used to evaluate host toxicity caused by C. acnes and the in vivo efficacy of antimicrobial drugs.
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14
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Yasu T, Matsumoto Y, Sugita T. Pharmacokinetics of voriconazole and its alteration by Candida albicans infection in silkworms. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2021; 74:443-449. [PMID: 34045695 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-021-00428-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Voriconazole (VRCZ) is a triazole antifungal agent used for the treatment and prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections. Therapeutic drug monitoring of VRCZ is widely applied clinically because of the large inter-individual variability that is generally observed in VRCZ exposure. The blood levels of VRCZ are increased during an underlying inflammatory reaction, which is associated with infections. Silkworms are useful experimental animals for evaluating the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of compounds. In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetic parameters, such as elimination half-life, clearance, and distribution volume of VRCZ using silkworms. The pharmacokinetic parameters of VRCZ were determined based on the concentrations in silkworm hemolymph after injection of VRCZ. The elimination half-life of VRCZ in silkworms was found to be similar to that observed in humans. In addition, we assessed the impact of Candida albicans infection on VRCZ concentrations in a silkworm infection model. The VRCZ concentration at 12 h after injection in the Candida albicans-infected group was significantly higher than that in the non-infected group. In the silkworm infection model, we were able to reproduce the relationship between inflammation and VRCZ blood concentrations, as observed in humans. We demonstrate that silkworms can be an effective alternative model animal for studying the pharmacokinetics of VRCZ. We also show that silkworms can be used to indicate essential infection and inflammation-based pharmacokinetic variations in VRCZ, which is usually observed in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Yasu
- Department of Medicinal Therapy Research, Pharmaceutical Education and Research Center, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Kiyose, Japan.
| | - Yasuhiko Matsumoto
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Kiyose, Japan.
| | - Takashi Sugita
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Kiyose, Japan
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15
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Miyashita A, Sekimizu K. Using silkworms to search for lactic acid bacteria that contribute to infection prevention and improvement of hyperglycemia. Drug Discov Ther 2021; 15:51-54. [PMID: 33746185 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2021.01020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Bombyx mori, the silkworm, has biological functions in common with mammals, including humans. Since the molecular design of silkworm's innate immune system is analogous to that of mammals, understanding the silkworm's innate immunity is expected to contribute to the control of infection in humans. It is also possible to use silkworms to explore foodstuffs that activate innate immunity. Lactic acid bacteria have long been used in the production of fermented foods, and in recent years, their use as supplements has been attracting attention. Using silkworms, which are laboratory animals, functional lactic acid bacteria can be explored and isolated at low cost. Fermented foods produced by this method are expected to contribute to the maintenance of human health. In addition to the immune system, humans and silkworms share a common mechanism for maintaining blood glucose homeostasis, and it is possible to construct a pathological model of diabetes and search for therapeutic substances using silkworms. Taken together, we propose that the silkworm is useful for assessing the functions of lactic acid bacterial for health purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kazuhisa Sekimizu
- Institute of Medical Mycology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Genome Pharmaceuticals Institute Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
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16
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Panthee S, Paudel A, Hamamoto H, Ogasawara AA, Iwasa T, Blom J, Sekimizu K. Complete genome sequence and comparative genomic analysis of Enterococcus faecalis EF-2001, a probiotic bacterium. Genomics 2021; 113:1534-1542. [PMID: 33771633 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.03.021] [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: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis is a common human gut commensal bacterium. While some E. faecalis strains are probiotic, others are known to cause opportunistic infections, and clear distinction between these strains is difficult using traditional taxonomic approaches. In this study, we completed the genome sequencing of EF-2001, a probiotic strain, using our in-house hybrid assembly approach. Comparative analysis showed that EF-2001 was devoid of cytolysins, major factors associated with pathogenesis, and was phylogenetically distant from pathogenic E. faecalis V583. Genomic analysis of strains with a publicly available complete genome sequence predicted that drug-resistance genes- dfrE, efrA, efrB, emeA, and lsaA were present in all strains, and EF-2001 lacked additional drug-resistance genes. Core- and pan-genome analyses revealed a higher degree of genomic fluidity. We found 49 genes specific to EF-2001, further characterization of which may provide insights into its diverse biological activities. Our comparative genomic analysis approach could help predict the pathogenic or probiotic potential of E. faecalis leading to an early distinction based on genome sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Panthee
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Hachioji, Otsuka 359, Tokyo 192-0395, Japan.
| | - Atmika Paudel
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Hachioji, Otsuka 359, Tokyo 192-0395, Japan; Division of Infection and Immunity, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Hamamoto
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Hachioji, Otsuka 359, Tokyo 192-0395, Japan.
| | | | - Toshihiro Iwasa
- NIHON BERUMU CO., LTD., 2-14-3 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan.
| | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Kazuhisa Sekimizu
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Hachioji, Otsuka 359, Tokyo 192-0395, Japan.
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17
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Miyashita A, Shimomura K, Nakajima H, Matsumoto Y, Sekimizu K. A digital scheme of human trials for the evaluation of functional foods. Drug Discov Ther 2021; 15:9-13. [PMID: 33642540 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2021.01018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we designed a method for conducting a human study by the following process. (1) The host computer stores the subject information. (2) The sample preparer prepares a food sample. (3) The subject (healthy human volunteer) sends the information of an intake of the food sample to the host computer, which creates an event entry for the event. (4) The medical professional (typically a physician) collects and stores the subject's blood sample in a container with the subject's identification (e.g., ID number). (5) The sample analyst analyzes the blood biochemical profiles. (6)The host computer stores the blood biochemical data, and by matching the blood biochemical data with the subject IDs, a final analysis report will automatically be created. In this study, we also run a test case, based on this design, where we obtained a blood biochemical dataset from healthy volunteers. This scheme can reduce the cost of human trials for functional foods and will help acquiring the scientific basis of functional foods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hiroto Nakajima
- Institute of Medical Mycology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Matsumoto
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Sekimizu
- Institute of Medical Mycology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Genome Pharmaceuticals Institute Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Abstract
Drugs are developed through basic studies and clinical trials. In basic studies, researchers seek drug candidates using in vitro evaluation systems and subsequently examine their effectiveness in animal experiments as in vivo evaluations. Drug candidates identified in basic studies are tested to determine whether they are effective against human diseases in clinical trials. However, most drug candidates identified in in vitro evaluation systems do not show therapeutic effects in animal experiments due to pharmacokinetics and toxicity problems in the in vivo evaluations. This review outlines drug discovery using insect disease models that allow us to perform in vivo screening. Since insects have various advantages as experimental animals such as low cost for rearing and few ethical concerns, researchers can perform large-scale in vivo screening to find drug candidates. Silkworms are insects frequently used for studies of drug efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity. Based on silkworm research, I describe the benefits of using insect disease models for drug discovery. The use of insect disease models for in vivo screening is expected to facilitate drug discovery.
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19
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A novel silkworm infection model with fluorescence imaging using transgenic Trichosporon asahii expressing eGFP. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10991. [PMID: 32620930 PMCID: PMC7335072 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67841-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichosporon asahii is a pathogenic fungus that causes deep mycosis in patients with neutropenia. Establishing an experimental animal model for quantitatively evaluating pathogenicity and developing a genetic recombination technology will help to elucidate the infection mechanism of T. asahii and promote the development of antifungal drugs. Here we established a silkworm infection model with a transgenic T. asahii strain expressing eGFP. Injecting T. asahii into silkworms eventually killed the silkworms. Moreover, the administration of antifungal agents, such as amphotericin B, fluconazole, and voriconazole, prolonged the survival time of silkworms infected with T. asahii. A transgenic T. asahii strain expressing eGFP was obtained using a gene recombination method with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The T. asahii strain expressing eGFP showed hyphal formation in the silkworm hemolymph. Both hyphal growth and the inhibition of hyphal growth by the administration of antifungal agents were quantitatively estimated by monitoring fluorescence. Our findings suggest that a silkworm infection model using T. asahii expressing eGFP is useful for evaluating both the pathogenicity of T. asahii and the efficacy of antifungal drugs.
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20
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Matsumoto Y, Takahashi M, Sekimizu K. Polysaccharides of a fermented food, natto, suppress sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in an in vivo evaluation system and inhibit glucose uptake by human intestinal cells. Drug Discov Ther 2020; 14:8-13. [PMID: 32147629 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2020.01002] [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] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Natto is a well-known traditional Japanese food produced by fermenting soybeans with Bacillus subtilis var natto. Here we found that the water-soluble viscous fraction of natto inhibits sucrose- or glucose-induced hyperglycemia in silkworms. The water-soluble viscous fraction treated with DNase I, RNase A, and proteinase K, followed by phenol extraction also suppressed sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in silkworms. The enzyme-treated polysaccharide fraction of natto inhibits glucose uptake by Caco-2 cells, human intestinal epithelial cells. These findings suggest that the polysaccharide components of natto selected on the basis of their suppressive effects on sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in silkworms inhibit glucose uptake by human intestinal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiko Matsumoto
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan.,Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miki Takahashi
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan.,Genome Pharmaceuticals Institute Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Sekimizu
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan.,Genome Pharmaceuticals Institute Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
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21
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Matsumoto Y, Takahashi M, Umehara M, Asano M, Maruki-Uchida H, Morita M, Sekimizu K. Suppressive effects of whey protein hydrolysate on sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in silkworms. Drug Discov Ther 2019; 13:244-247. [PMID: 31611487 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2019.01069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Silkworms are useful for evaluating substances that suppress postprandial hyperglycemia by oral administration. In this study, orally administered whey protein hydrolysate (WPH), obtained by enzymatic treatment of whey protein, suppressed sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in silkworms in a dose-dependent manner. WPH also inhibited glucose-induced hyperglycemia in silkworms. These findings suggest that WPH contains a bioactive peptide that inhibits glucose uptake from the intestinal tract and thereby suppresses sucrose-induced hyperglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiko Matsumoto
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan.,Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miki Takahashi
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan.,Genome Pharmaceuticals Institute Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Umehara
- Health Science Research Center, Research and Development Institute, Morinaga and Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masato Asano
- Health Science Research Center, Research and Development Institute, Morinaga and Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroko Maruki-Uchida
- Health Science Research Center, Research and Development Institute, Morinaga and Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Minoru Morita
- Health Science Research Center, Research and Development Institute, Morinaga and Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Sekimizu
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan.,Genome Pharmaceuticals Institute Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
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22
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Ishii M, Matsumoto Y, Katada T, Sekimizu K. Additive effects of Kothala himbutu (Salacia reticulata) extract and a lactic acid bacterium (Enterococcus faecalis YM0831) for suppression of sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in an in vivo silkworm evaluation system. Drug Discov Ther 2019; 13:133-136. [PMID: 31327788 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2019.01025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Using a silkworm evaluation system, we previously evaluated various substances that suppress postprandial hyperglycemia. Enterococcus faecalis YM0831, a lactic acid bacterium that inhibits glucose uptake by the human intestinal Caco-2 cell line, exhibited hyperglycemia-suppressing effects in the silkworm system. In the present study, we found that Kothala himbutu (Salacia reticulata) extract, a traditional medicine containing α-glucosidase inhibitors, suppressed sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in the silkworm system. Moreover, combined oral administration of lactic acid bacteria YM0831 with Kothala himbutu extract had stronger suppressive effects on sucrose-induced hyperglycemia than single administration of either component. These findings suggest that the silkworm system provides a simple way to evaluate the effects of supplements on the suppression of blood glucose level induced by sucrose ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Ishii
- Genome Pharmaceuticals Institute Co., Ltd.,Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Musashino University
| | - Yasuhiko Matsumoto
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology.,Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University
| | - Toshiaki Katada
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Musashino University
| | - Kazuhisa Sekimizu
- Genome Pharmaceuticals Institute Co., Ltd.,Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology
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