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Aziz UBA, Saoud A, Bermudez M, Mieth M, Atef A, Rudolf T, Arkona C, Trenkner T, Böttcher C, Ludwig K, Hoelzemer A, Hocke AC, Wolber G, Rademann J. Targeted small molecule inhibitors blocking the cytolytic effects of pneumolysin and homologous toxins. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3537. [PMID: 38670939 PMCID: PMC11053136 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47741-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pneumolysin (PLY) is a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) from Streptococcus pneumoniae, the main cause for bacterial pneumonia. Liberation of PLY during infection leads to compromised immune system and cytolytic cell death. Here, we report discovery, development, and validation of targeted small molecule inhibitors of PLY (pore-blockers, PB). PB-1 is a virtual screening hit inhibiting PLY-mediated hemolysis. Structural optimization provides PB-2 with improved efficacy. Cryo-electron tomography reveals that PB-2 blocks PLY-binding to cholesterol-containing membranes and subsequent pore formation. Scaffold-hopping delivers PB-3 with superior chemical stability and solubility. PB-3, formed in a protein-templated reaction, binds to Cys428 adjacent to the cholesterol recognition domain of PLY with a KD of 256 nM and a residence time of 2000 s. It acts as anti-virulence factor preventing human lung epithelial cells from PLY-mediated cytolysis and cell death during infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae and is active against the homologous Cys-containing CDC perfringolysin (PFO) as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umer Bin Abdul Aziz
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ali Saoud
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcel Bermudez
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 48, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Maren Mieth
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine, and Critical Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Amira Atef
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assuit University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
| | - Thomas Rudolf
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Arkona
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Timo Trenkner
- Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, 20251, Germany
| | - Christoph Böttcher
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Research Center of Electron Microscopy (FZEM), Freie Universität Berlin, Fabeckstraße 36A, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai Ludwig
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Research Center of Electron Microscopy (FZEM), Freie Universität Berlin, Fabeckstraße 36A, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelique Hoelzemer
- Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, 20251, Germany
- First Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas C Hocke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine, and Critical Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerhard Wolber
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Rademann
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
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Michellod D, Bien T, Birgel D, Violette M, Kleiner M, Fearn S, Zeidler C, Gruber-Vodicka HR, Dubilier N, Liebeke M. De novo phytosterol synthesis in animals. Science 2023; 380:520-526. [PMID: 37141360 PMCID: PMC11139496 DOI: 10.1126/science.add7830] [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: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Sterols are vital for nearly all eukaryotes. Their distribution differs in plants and animals, with phytosterols commonly found in plants whereas most animals are dominated by cholesterol. We show that sitosterol, a common sterol of plants, is the most abundant sterol in gutless marine annelids. Using multiomics, metabolite imaging, heterologous gene expression, and enzyme assays, we show that these animals synthesize sitosterol de novo using a noncanonical C-24 sterol methyltransferase (C24-SMT). This enzyme is essential for sitosterol synthesis in plants, but not known from most bilaterian animals. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed that C24-SMTs are present in representatives of at least five animal phyla, indicating that the synthesis of sterols common to plants is more widespread in animals than currently known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolma Michellod
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Tanja Bien
- Institute of Hygiene, University of Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 41, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Daniel Birgel
- Institute for Geology, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, University of Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marlene Violette
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Manuel Kleiner
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Sarah Fearn
- Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Zeidler
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Dubilier
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- MARUM, Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Manuel Liebeke
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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Elawad MA, Elkhalifa MEM, Hamdoon AAE, Salim LHM, Ahmad Z, Ayaz M. Natural products derived steroids as potential anti-leishmanial agents; disease prevalence, underlying mechanisms and future perspectives. Steroids 2023; 193:109196. [PMID: 36764565 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne infection caused by protozoan parasites from the genus leishmania and is among the most neglected tropical diseases. It is highly prevalent disease, affecting about 350 million population worldwide. Only limited number of anti-leishmanial agents are approved for clinical use till now and they are associated with side effects and have limited efficacy. Subsequently, natural products based discovery of more safe and effective drugs against leishmania is under scientific consideration. Various studies reported the efficacy of natural products against intracellular and extracellular forms of leishmania species. This work is aimed to evaluate current literature focused on the anti-leihmanial efficacy of steroidal moieties from natural products and their mechanism of action. Compounds including steroidal saponins, steroidal alkaloids and phytosterols were found to exhibit considerable anti-leishmanial efficacy. For instance, steroidal saponin, (25R)-spirost-5-en-3b-ol,3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[a-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-glucopyranoside isolated from A. paradoxum has completely eradicated Leishmania major promastigotes at 50 µg mL-1 dose. Spirostanic saponins isolated from Solanum paniculatum L. were effective against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. Turgidosterones isolated from Panicum turgidum exhibited high leishmanicidal potentials against Leishmania donovani promastigotes with IC50 of 4.95-8.03 µg mL-1 and even better activity against amastigotes exhibiting an IC50 of 4.50-9.29 µg mL-1. Likewise, racemoside-A from Asparagus racemosus was found effective against an antimonial sensitive (AG83) and antimonial resistant (GE1F8R) strains of the L. donovani. Moreover, steroidal alkaloids including hookerianamide-1, hookerianamide-H, hookerianamide-J, hookerianamide-K, dehydrosarsalignone, vagenine-A, sarcovagine-C, holaphylline, saracodine, holamine, 15-α hydroxyholamine, holacurtin, N-desmethyl holacurtine and elasticine has exhibited time and dose-dependent efficacy against various strains of leishmania. β-sitosterol was found active against multiple strains of leishmania. These compounds mainly exhibit their therapeutic efficacy via liberation of ROS, mitochondrial depolarization, morphological and ultra-structural changes, accumulation of lipid droplets, depletion of non-protein thiols and triggering apoptotic pathways. In conclusion, leishmaniasis is a major health problem in many countries. Plants-derived steroids moieties have reveled efficacy against leishmaniasis and is a source of lead compounds. Further detailed molecular studies are warranted for the discovery of more effective and safe anti-leishmanial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Ahmed Elawad
- Public Health Department, Health Sciences College at Lieth, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; University of Khartoum, Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Sudan.
| | - Modawy Elnour Modawy Elkhalifa
- Public Health Department, Health Sciences College at Lieth, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; University of Khartoum, Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Sudan.
| | - Alashary Adam Eisa Hamdoon
- Public Health Department, Health Sciences College at Lieth, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; University of Khartoum, Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Sudan.
| | - Liga Hasan Mohammed Salim
- Public Health Department, Health Sciences College at Lieth, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; University of Khartoum, Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Sudan.
| | - Zeeshan Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy, Facutly of Biological Sciences, University of Malakand, Chakdara 18000, Dir (L), KPK, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ayaz
- Department of Pharmacy, Facutly of Biological Sciences, University of Malakand, Chakdara 18000, Dir (L), KPK, Pakistan.
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Sławińska N, Zając J, Olas B. Paulownia Organs as Interesting New Sources of Bioactive Compounds. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021676. [PMID: 36675191 PMCID: PMC9860774 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Paulownia spp. is a genus of trees in the Paulowniaceae family. It is native to southeastern Asia (especially China), where it has been cultivated for decorative, cultural, and medicinal purposes for over 2000 years. Depending on taxonomic classification, there are 6 to 17 species of Paulownia; P. tomentosa, P. elongata, P. fortunei, and P. catalpifolia are considered the most popular. Nowadays, Paulownia trees are planted in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia for commercial, medical, and decorative purposes. Lately, growing interest in Paulownia has led to the development of various hybrids, the best-known being Clone in vitro 112, Shan Tong, Sundsu 11, and Cotevisa 2. Paulownia Clone in vitro 112 is an artificially created hybrid of two species of Paulownia: P. elongata and P. fortunei. The present review of selected papers from electronic databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SCOPUS before 15 November 2022 describes the phytochemical characteristics, biological properties, and economic significance of various organs from different Paulownia species and hybrids, including P. tomentosa, P. elongata, P. fortunei, and Paulownia Clone in vitro 112. Many compounds from Paulownia demonstrate various biological activities and are promising candidates for natural preparations; for example, the leaves of Clone in vitro 112 have anti-radical and anticoagulant potential. However, further in vivo studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanism of action of the active substances and their long-term effects.
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Cima Cabal MD, Molina F, López-Sánchez JI, Pérez-Santín E, Del Mar García-Suárez M. Pneumolysin as a target for new therapies against pneumococcal infections: A systematic review. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282970. [PMID: 36947540 PMCID: PMC10032530 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review evaluates pneumolysin (PLY) as a target for new treatments against pneumococcal infections. Pneumolysin is one of the main virulence factors produced by all types of pneumococci. This toxin (53 kDa) is a highly conserved protein that binds to cholesterol in eukaryotic cells, forming pores that lead to cell destruction. METHODS The databases consulted were MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus. Articles were independently screened by title, abstract, and full text by two researchers, and using consensus to resolve any disagreements that occurred. Articles in other languages different from English, patents, cases report, notes, chapter books and reviews were excluded. Searches were restricted to the years 2000 to 2021. Methodological quality was evaluated using OHAT framework. RESULTS Forty-one articles describing the effects of different molecules that inhibit PLY were reviewed. Briefly, the inhibitory molecules found were classified into three main groups: those exerting a direct effect by binding and/or blocking PLY, those acting indirectly by preventing its effects on host cells, and those whose mechanisms are unknown. Although many molecules are proposed as toxin blockers, only some of them, such as antibiotics, peptides, sterols, and statins, have the probability of being implemented as clinical treatment. In contrast, for other molecules, there are limited studies that demonstrate efficacy in animal models with sufficient reliability. DISCUSSION Most of the studies reviewed has a good level of confidence. However, one of the limitations of this systematic review is the lack of homogeneity of the studies, what prevented to carry out a statistical comparison of the results or meta-analysis. CONCLUSION A panel of molecules blocking PLY activity are associated with the improvement of the inflammatory process triggered by the pneumococcal infection. Some molecules have already been used in humans for other purposes, so they could be safe for use in patients with pneumococcal infections. These patients might benefit from a second line treatment during the initial stages of the infection preventing acute respiratory distress syndrome and invasive pneumococcal diseases. Additional research using the presented set of compounds might further improve the clinical management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Dolores Cima Cabal
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería y Tecnología (ESIT), Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, UNIR, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Felipe Molina
- Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - José Ignacio López-Sánchez
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería y Tecnología (ESIT), Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, UNIR, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Efrén Pérez-Santín
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería y Tecnología (ESIT), Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, UNIR, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - María Del Mar García-Suárez
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería y Tecnología (ESIT), Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, UNIR, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
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β-sitosterol ameliorates inflammation and Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in a mouse model. J Cyst Fibros 2023; 22:156-160. [PMID: 35973900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that β-sitosterol (BSS) inhibits the expression of the chemokine IL-8 in CF bronchial epithelial cells exposed to P. aeruginosa. In the mouse model of lung chronic infection, herein shown, BSS significantly reduced leukocyte recruitment in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and decreased bacteria recovered in the airways. Treatment with BSS decreased the expression of key cytokines involved in immune response, mainly neutrophil chemotaxis, in the lung homogenate. This anti-inflammatory activity is accompanied by a beneficial protecting activity against infection and improvement of health status. Our data suggest that BSS has the potential to become a new drug to target the excessive neutrophil recruitment in lungs chronically infected by P. aeruginosa and encourage future investigations on mechanism of protection driven by BSS.
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Selected Seeds as Sources of Bioactive Compounds with Diverse Biological Activities. Nutrients 2022; 15:nu15010187. [PMID: 36615843 PMCID: PMC9823554 DOI: 10.3390/nu15010187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Seeds contain a variety of phytochemicals that exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Plant-derived compounds are often investigated for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-platelet, anti-apoptotic, anti-nociceptive, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, hepatoprotective, or neuroprotective properties. In this review, we have described the chemical content and biological activity of seeds from eight selected plant species-blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.), black raspberry (Rubus coreanus Miq.), grape (Vitis vinifera L.), Moringa oleifera Lam., sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Sprenger), hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), and sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L). This review is based on studies identified in electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SCOPUS. Numerous preclinical, and some clinical studies have found that extracts, fractions, oil, flour, proteins, polysaccharides, or purified chemical compounds isolated from the seeds of these plants display promising, health-promoting effects, and could be utilized in drug development, or to make nutraceuticals and functional foods. Despite that, many of these properties have been studied only in vitro, and it's unsure if their effects would be relevant in vivo as well, so there is a need for more animal studies and clinical trials that would help determine if they could be applied in disease prevention or treatment.
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Du R, Wang T, Lv H, Zou Y, Hou X, Hou N, Zhang P, Li H, Chi G. Shionone-Targeted Pneumolysin to Ameliorate Acute Lung Injury Induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae In Vivo and In Vitro. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196258. [PMID: 36234795 PMCID: PMC9573397 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), as a Gram-positive bacterium, can cause severe bacterial pneumonia, and result in high morbidity and mortality in infected people. Meanwhile, isolated drug-resistant S. pneumoniae is growing, which raises concerns about strategies for combatting S. pneumoniae infection. To disturb S. pneumoniae pathogenicity and its drug-resistance, developing novel anti-infective strategies or compounds is urgent. In this study, the anti-infective effect of shionone was explored. A minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay and growth curve determination were performed to evaluate the effect of the tetracyclic triterpenoid compound shionone against S. pneumoniae. Hemolysis tests, western blotting, oligomerization inhibition assays, and molecular docking were carried out to explore the anti-infective mechanism of shionone. Moreover, the protective effect of shionone was also confirmed in a mousepneumonia model. The results showed that the excellent hemolytic inhibitory activity of shionone was observed at less than 8 μg/mL. Meanwhile, shionone could disturb the oligomerization of pneumolysin (PLY) but did not interfere with PLY expression at less than 4 μg/mL. Molecular docking suggested that shionone targeted the ASP-59, ILE-60, THR-57, PHE-344, and ASN-346 amino acid sites to reduce S. pneumoniae pathogenicity. Furthermore, shionone alleviated lung histopathologic injury and decreased lung bacterial colonization in vivo. The above results showed that shionone could bind to the PLY active pocket under the concentrations of 8 μg/mL and neutralize PLY hemolysis activity to reduce S. pneumoniae pathogenicity in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runbao Du
- The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010107, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Hongfa Lv
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yinuo Zou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Xiaoning Hou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Nana Hou
- The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010107, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Hongen Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Medical Center, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (G.C.)
| | - Gefu Chi
- The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010107, China
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (G.C.)
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Xie T, Liu W, Chen Y, Zhou Y. An evaluation of graded levels of beta-sitosterol supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, and intestinal permeability-related parameters and morphology in broiler chickens at an early age. Poult Sci 2022; 101:102108. [PMID: 36099659 PMCID: PMC9472065 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to examine the effects of different levels of beta-sitosterol (BS) supplementation on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, redox status, and intestinal permeability-related parameters and morphology of young broilers. Two hundred and forty male Arbor Acres broiler chicks were allocated into 5 groups of 6 replicates with 8 birds each, and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg BS for 21-d, respectively. The BS quadratically decreased feed conversion ratio during 1 to 14 d and 1 to 21 d, with its effect being more prominent at 25 or 50 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The BS linearly and quadratically reduced 14-d plasma diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate level, and this effect was more pronounced when its supplemental level was 25 or 50 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The BS linearly increased duodenal villus height (VH) and quadratically increased jejunal VH and ratio of VH and crypt depth (CD) at 14 d, and these effects in 25 mg/kg group were more remarkable (P < 0.05). Similarly, BS linearly or quadratically increased VH and ratio of VH and CD, but decreased CD in the jejunum and ileum at 21 d, with these effects being more pronounced at 50 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The BS supplementation especially at 50 or 75 mg/kg linearly or quadratically reduced 14-d serum and 21-d hepatic malondialdehyde concentration, and increased serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities at 14 and 21 d (P < 0.05). Moreover, the BS administration linearly and/or quadratically increased glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione level, and reduced malondialdehyde accumulation in the intestinal mucosa at 14 and/or 21 d, and these consequences were more significant in 50 to 100 mg/kg BS-supplemented groups (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that BS administration could improve growth performance, intestinal barrier function, and antioxidant status of broilers at an early age, with these effects being more pronounced at a level of 50 mg/kg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xie
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenhan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Yueping Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yanmin Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, People's Republic of China
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10
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Pereira JM, Xu S, Leong JM, Sousa S. The Yin and Yang of Pneumolysin During Pneumococcal Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:878244. [PMID: 35529870 PMCID: PMC9074694 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.878244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumolysin (PLY) is a pore-forming toxin produced by the human pathobiont Streptococcus pneumoniae, the major cause of pneumonia worldwide. PLY, a key pneumococcal virulence factor, can form transmembrane pores in host cells, disrupting plasma membrane integrity and deregulating cellular homeostasis. At lytic concentrations, PLY causes cell death. At sub-lytic concentrations, PLY triggers host cell survival pathways that cooperate to reseal the damaged plasma membrane and restore cell homeostasis. While PLY is generally considered a pivotal factor promoting S. pneumoniae colonization and survival, it is also a powerful trigger of the innate and adaptive host immune response against bacterial infection. The dichotomy of PLY as both a key bacterial virulence factor and a trigger for host immune modulation allows the toxin to display both "Yin" and "Yang" properties during infection, promoting disease by membrane perforation and activating inflammatory pathways, while also mitigating damage by triggering host cell repair and initiating anti-inflammatory responses. Due to its cytolytic activity and diverse immunomodulatory properties, PLY is integral to every stage of S. pneumoniae pathogenesis and may tip the balance towards either the pathogen or the host depending on the context of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana M. Pereira
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Molecular and Cellular (MC) Biology PhD Program, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciência Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Shuying Xu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA, United States
| | - John M. Leong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sandra Sousa
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Díaz-Núñez JL, Pérez-López M, Espinosa N, Campos-Hernández N, García-Contreras R, Díaz-Guerrero M, Cortes-López H, Vázquez-Sánchez M, Quezada H, Martínez-Vázquez M, Soto-Hernández RM, Burgos-Hernández M, González-Pedrajo B, Castillo-Juárez I. Anti-Virulence Properties of Plant Species: Correlation between In Vitro Activity and Efficacy in a Murine Model of Bacterial Infection. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2424. [PMID: 34946027 PMCID: PMC8706108 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122424] [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: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Several plant extracts exhibit anti-virulence properties due to the interruption of bacterial quorum sensing (QS). However, studies on their effects at the preclinical level are scarce. Here, we used a murine model of abscess/necrosis induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to evaluate the anti-pathogenic efficacy of 24 plant extracts at a sub-inhibitory concentration. We analyzed their ability to inhibit QS-regulated virulence factors such as swarming, pyocyanin production, and secretion of the ExoU toxin via the type III secretion system (T3SS). Five of the seven extracts with the best anti-pathogenic activity reduced ExoU secretion, and the extracts of Diphysa americana and Hibiscus sabdariffa were identified as the most active. Therefore, the abscess/necrosis model allows identification of plant extracts that have the capacity to reduce pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, we evaluated the activity of the plant extracts on Chromobacterium violaceum. T3SS (ΔescU) and QS (ΔcviI) mutant strains were assessed in both the abscess/necrosis and sepsis models. Only the ΔescU strain had lower pathogenicity in the animal models, although no activity of plant extracts was observed. These results demonstrate differences between the anti-virulence activity recorded in vitro and pathogenicity in vivo and between the roles of QS and T3S systems as virulence determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Díaz-Núñez
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, Posgrado de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco 56230, Mexico; (J.L.D.-N.); (M.P.-L.); (N.C.-H.); (H.C.-L.); (M.V.-S.); (R.M.S.-H.); (M.B.-H.)
| | - Macrina Pérez-López
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, Posgrado de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco 56230, Mexico; (J.L.D.-N.); (M.P.-L.); (N.C.-H.); (H.C.-L.); (M.V.-S.); (R.M.S.-H.); (M.B.-H.)
| | - Norma Espinosa
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico; (N.E.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Nayelli Campos-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, Posgrado de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco 56230, Mexico; (J.L.D.-N.); (M.P.-L.); (N.C.-H.); (H.C.-L.); (M.V.-S.); (R.M.S.-H.); (M.B.-H.)
| | - Rodolfo García-Contreras
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Miguel Díaz-Guerrero
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico; (N.E.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Humberto Cortes-López
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, Posgrado de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco 56230, Mexico; (J.L.D.-N.); (M.P.-L.); (N.C.-H.); (H.C.-L.); (M.V.-S.); (R.M.S.-H.); (M.B.-H.)
| | - Monserrat Vázquez-Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, Posgrado de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco 56230, Mexico; (J.L.D.-N.); (M.P.-L.); (N.C.-H.); (H.C.-L.); (M.V.-S.); (R.M.S.-H.); (M.B.-H.)
| | - Héctor Quezada
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Inmunología y Proteómica, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Ciudad de México 06720, Mexico;
| | - Mariano Martínez-Vázquez
- Departamento de Productos Naturales, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autόnoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Ramón Marcos Soto-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, Posgrado de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco 56230, Mexico; (J.L.D.-N.); (M.P.-L.); (N.C.-H.); (H.C.-L.); (M.V.-S.); (R.M.S.-H.); (M.B.-H.)
| | - Mireya Burgos-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, Posgrado de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco 56230, Mexico; (J.L.D.-N.); (M.P.-L.); (N.C.-H.); (H.C.-L.); (M.V.-S.); (R.M.S.-H.); (M.B.-H.)
| | - Bertha González-Pedrajo
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico; (N.E.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Israel Castillo-Juárez
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, Posgrado de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco 56230, Mexico; (J.L.D.-N.); (M.P.-L.); (N.C.-H.); (H.C.-L.); (M.V.-S.); (R.M.S.-H.); (M.B.-H.)
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12
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Rui D, Yan Z, Xiangzhu X, Yunfeng H, Jing N, Xuming D, Qiu J, Lv Q. Inhibitory effect of hederagenin on Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumolysin in vitro. Microbes Infect 2021; 24:104888. [PMID: 34547436 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2021.104888] [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: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important pathogen that causes otitis media, pneumonia, meningitis and bacteremia. As an important virulence factors of S. pneumoniae, pneumolysin (PLY) can penetrate cell membranes and lead to cell lysis and inflammation, which is one of the main causes of infection and damage of S. pneumoniae. Therefore, using pneumolysin as a target to study its inhibitors can provide a new treatment strategy for pneumococcal disease. This study analyzed the inhibitory effect of the natural compound hederagenin on PLY in vitro. The results show that hederagenin has great potential as a new strategy for the treatment of pneumococcal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ding Rui
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Zhang Yan
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xu Xiangzhu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Hou Yunfeng
- Shandong Jinzhuji Pharmaceuticals CO.,Ltd., Jinan 271100, Shandong, China
| | - Nie Jing
- Shandong Jinzhuji Pharmaceuticals CO.,Ltd., Jinan 271100, Shandong, China
| | - Deng Xuming
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Jiazhang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Qianghua Lv
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
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13
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Zhang LL, He Y, Sheng F, Hu YF, Song Y, Li W, Chen J, Zhang J, Zou L. Towards a better understanding of Fagopyrum dibotrys: a systematic review. Chin Med 2021; 16:89. [PMID: 34530893 PMCID: PMC8447528 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-021-00498-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Fagopyrum dibotrys (F. dibotrys) (D.Don) H.Hara is a well-known edible herbal medicine in Asian countries. It has been widely used for the treatment of lung diseases, swelling, etc., and is also an important part of many Chinese medicine prescriptions. At present, more than 100 compounds have been isolated and identified from F. dibotrys, and these compounds can be primarily divided into flavonoids, phenols, terpenes, steroids, and fatty acids. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds are considered to be the main active ingredients of F. dibotrys. Previous pharmacological studies have shown that F. dibotrys possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-diabetic activities. Additional studies on functional genes have led to a better understanding of the metabolic pathways and regulatory factors related with the flavonoid active ingredients in F. dibotrys. In this paper, we systemically reviewed the research advances on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of F. dibotrys, as well as the functional genes related to the synthesis of active ingredients, aiming to promote the development and utilization of F. dibotrys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le-Le Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Feiya Sheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Ying-Fan Hu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Song
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiarong Chen
- Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinming Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Zou
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
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14
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Díaz-Nuñez JL, García-Contreras R, Castillo-Juárez I. The New Antibacterial Properties of the Plants: Quo vadis Studies of Anti-virulence Phytochemicals? Front Microbiol 2021; 12:667126. [PMID: 34025622 PMCID: PMC8137972 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.667126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics has motivated the resurgence of the study of natural antimicrobial products. For centuries, plants have been recognized for their bactericidal properties. However, in the last two decades, it has been reported that several plant derived metabolites at growth subinhibitory concentrations also tend to have anti-virulence properties, since they reduce the expression of factors that cause damage and the establishment of pathogenic bacteria. In this area of study, plants have been positioned as one of the main natural sources of anti-virulence molecules, but only a small portion of the plant species that exist have been investigated. Also, anti-virulence studies have been primarily focused on analyzing the ability of extracts and compounds to inhibit quorum sensing and biofilms formation in vitro. This mini-review discusses the current panorama, the trends in the study of anti-virulence phytochemicals, as well as their potential for the development of antibacterial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Díaz-Nuñez
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, Posgrado de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco, Mexico
| | - Rodolfo García-Contreras
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Israel Castillo-Juárez
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica, Posgrado de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco, Mexico
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15
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Cools F, Delputte P, Cos P. The search for novel treatment strategies for Streptococcus pneumoniae infections. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:6064299. [PMID: 33399826 PMCID: PMC8371276 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This review provides an overview of the most important novel treatment strategies against Streptococcus pneumoniae infections published over the past 10 years. The pneumococcus causes the majority of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia cases, and it is one of the prime pathogens in bacterial meningitis. Over the last 10 years, extensive research has been conducted to prevent severe pneumococcal infections, with a major focus on (i) boosting the host immune system and (ii) discovering novel antibacterials. Boosting the immune system can be done in two ways, either by actively modulating host immunity, mostly through administration of selective antibodies, or by interfering with pneumococcal virulence factors, thereby supporting the host immune system to effectively overcome an infection. While several of such experimental therapies are promising, few have evolved to clinical trials. The discovery of novel antibacterials is hampered by the high research and development costs versus the relatively low revenues for the pharmaceutical industry. Nevertheless, novel enzymatic assays and target-based drug design, allow the identification of targets and the development of novel molecules to effectively treat this life-threatening pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Cools
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - P Delputte
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - P Cos
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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16
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Pramanik PK, Chakraborti S, Bagchi A, Chakraborti T. Bioassay-based Corchorus capsularis L. leaf-derived β-sitosterol exerts antileishmanial effects against Leishmania donovani by targeting trypanothione reductase. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20440. [PMID: 33235245 PMCID: PMC7686382 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77066-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a major neglected tropical disease, affects millions of individuals worldwide. Among the various clinical forms, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the deadliest. Current antileishmanial drugs exhibit toxicity- and resistance-related issues. Therefore, advanced chemotherapeutic alternatives are in demand, and currently, plant sources are considered preferable choices. Our previous report has shown that the chloroform extract of Corchorus capsularis L. leaves exhibits a significant effect against Leishmania donovani promastigotes. In the current study, bioassay-guided fractionation results for Corchorus capsularis L. leaf-derived β-sitosterol (β-sitosterolCCL) were observed by spectroscopic analysis (FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and GC–MS). The inhibitory efficacy of this β-sitosterolCCL against L. donovani promastigotes was measured (IC50 = 17.7 ± 0.43 µg/ml). β-SitosterolCCL significantly disrupts the redox balance via intracellular ROS production, which triggers various apoptotic events, such as structural alteration, increased storage of lipid bodies, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, externalization of phosphatidylserine and non-protein thiol depletion, in promastigotes. Additionally, the antileishmanial activity of β-sitosterolCCL was validated by enzyme inhibition and an in silico study in which β-sitosterolCCL was found to inhibit Leishmania donovani trypanothione reductase (LdTryR). Overall, β-sitosterolCCL appears to be a novel inhibitor of LdTryR and might represent a successful approach for treatment of VL in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pijush Kanti Pramanik
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, 741235, West Bengal, India
| | - Sajal Chakraborti
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, 741235, West Bengal, India
| | - Angshuman Bagchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, 741235, West Bengal, India
| | - Tapati Chakraborti
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, 741235, West Bengal, India.
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17
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Subramanian K, Iovino F, Tsikourkitoudi V, Merkl P, Ahmed S, Berry SB, Aschtgen MS, Svensson M, Bergman P, Sotiriou GA, Henriques-Normark B. Mannose receptor-derived peptides neutralize pore-forming toxins and reduce inflammation and development of pneumococcal disease. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e12695. [PMID: 32985105 PMCID: PMC7645366 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol‐dependent cytolysins (CDCs) are essential virulence factors for many human pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumolysin, PLY), Streptococcus pyogenes (streptolysin O, SLO), and Listeria monocytogenes (Listeriolysin, LLO) and induce cytolysis and inflammation. Recently, we identified that pneumococcal PLY interacts with the mannose receptor (MRC‐1) on specific immune cells thereby evoking an anti‐inflammatory response at sublytic doses. Here, we identified the interaction sites between MRC‐1 and CDCs using computational docking. We designed peptides from the CTLD4 domain of MRC‐1 that binds to PLY, SLO, and LLO, respectively. In vitro, the peptides blocked CDC‐induced cytolysis and inflammatory cytokine production by human macrophages. Also, they reduced PLY‐induced damage of the epithelial barrier integrity as well as blocked bacterial invasion into the epithelium in a 3D lung tissue model. Pre‐treatment of human DCs with peptides blocked bacterial uptake via MRC‐1 and reduced intracellular bacterial survival by targeting bacteria to autophagosomes. In order to use the peptides for treatment in vivo, we developed calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP NPs) as peptide nanocarriers for intranasal delivery of peptides and enhanced bioactivity. Co‐administration of peptide‐loaded CaP NPs during infection improved survival and bacterial clearance in both zebrafish and mice models of pneumococcal infection. We suggest that MRC‐1 peptides can be employed as adjunctive therapeutics with antibiotics to treat bacterial infections by countering the action of CDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Subramanian
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Federico Iovino
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vasiliki Tsikourkitoudi
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Padryk Merkl
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sultan Ahmed
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Samuel B Berry
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | - Mattias Svensson
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Peter Bergman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,The Immunodeficiency Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Georgios A Sotiriou
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Henriques-Normark
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKC) and Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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18
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Cools F, Triki D, Geerts N, Delputte P, Fourches D, Cos P. In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of in silico Predicted Pneumococcal UDPG:PP Inhibitors. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1596. [PMID: 32760374 PMCID: PMC7373766 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumonia, of which Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common causative agent, is considered one of the three top leading causes of death worldwide. As seen in other bacterial species, antimicrobial resistance is on the rise for this pathogen. Therefore, there is a pressing need for novel antimicrobial strategies to combat these infections. Recently, uridine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (UDPG:PP) has been put forward as a potential drug target worth investigating. Moreover, earlier research demonstrated that streptococci lacking a functional galU gene (encoding for UDPG:PP) were characterized by significantly reduced in vitro and in vivo virulence. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the anti-virulence activity of potential UDPG:PP inhibitors. They were selected in silico using a tailor-made streptococcal homology model, based on earlier listerial research. While the compounds didn’t affect bacterial growth, nor affected in vitro adhesion to and phagocytosis in macrophages, the amount of polysaccharide capsule was significantly reduced after co-incubation with these inhibitors. Moreover, co-incubation proved to have a positive effect on survival in an in vivo Galleria mellonella larval infection model. Therefore, rather than targeting bacterial survival directly, these compounds proved to have an effect on streptococcal virulence by lowering the amount of polysaccharide and thereby probably boosting recognition of this pathogen by the innate immune system. While the compounds need adaptation to broaden their activity to more streptococcal strains rather than being strain-specific, this study consolidates UDPG:PP as a potential novel drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya Cools
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dhoha Triki
- Department of Chemistry, Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Nele Geerts
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter Delputte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Denis Fourches
- Department of Chemistry, Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Paul Cos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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19
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Cortex Cercis chinensis Granules Attenuate Streptococcus pneumoniae Virulence by Targeting Pneumolysin. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:8537026. [PMID: 32617112 PMCID: PMC7315261 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8537026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pore-forming toxins produced by bacteria are some of the most important molecular weapons for bacterial virulence. Pneumolysin (PLY) is a pore-forming toxin secreted by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) and plays a vital role in the spread, colonization, and invasion of this bacterium in the host, indicating that PLY is a promising target for developing treatments against S. pneumoniae infection. In this study, Cortex Cercis chinensis granules (CCCGs), a prescription drug on the market, were shown to inhibit the pore-forming activity of PLY and protect against PLY-mediated cell hemolysis and A549 cell death without antibacterial activity or inhibition of PLY production. In addition, CCCG treatment inhibited the oligomerization of PLY. Animal experiments showed that CCCGs can reduce the death of mice infected with S. pneumoniae, the degree of pathological damage to the lungs, and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the lungs. In summary, our results demonstrated that CCCGs, a marketed Chinese medicine, inhibit PLY activity and subsequently attenuate S. pneumoniae virulence, which would offer a novel strategy for fighting S. pneumoniae infection and a new use for CCCGs.
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20
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Nishimoto AT, Rosch JW, Tuomanen EI. Pneumolysin: Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Target. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1543. [PMID: 32714314 PMCID: PMC7343714 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for widespread illness and is a major global health issue for children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised population. Pneumolysin (PLY) is a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) and key pneumococcal virulence factor involved in all phases of pneumococcal disease, including transmission, colonization, and infection. In this review we cover the biology and cytolytic function of PLY, its contribution to S. pneumoniae pathogenesis, and its known interactions and effects on the host with regard to tissue damage and immune response. Additionally, we review statins as a therapeutic option for CDC toxicity and PLY toxoid as a vaccine candidate in protein-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Nishimoto
- Department of Infectious Disease, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Jason W Rosch
- Department of Infectious Disease, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Elaine I Tuomanen
- Department of Infectious Disease, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
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21
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Zhou Y, Guo Y, Sun X, Ding R, Wang Y, Niu X, Wang J, Deng X. Application of Oleanolic Acid and Its Analogues in Combating Pathogenic Bacteria In Vitro/ Vivo by a Two-Pronged Strategy of β-Lactamases and Hemolysins. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:11424-11438. [PMID: 32478231 PMCID: PMC7254530 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c00460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The rapid spread of β-lactamase-producing bacteria in clinical practice has increasingly deteriorated the performance of β-lactam antibiotics against such resistant strains. Thus, novel agents or strategies for the war against β-lactamase-producing bacteria, especially hypervirulent resistant bacteria (such as toxin-secreting Staphylococcus aureus) carrying complex β-lactamases, are urgently needed. In this study, we found that the natural compound oleanolic acid (OA) and its analogues (especially corosolic acid (CA)) significantly inhibited the activity of important β-lactamases (NDM-1, KPC-2, and VIM-1) in Enterobacteriaceae and β-lactamases (β-lactamase N1) in S. aureus. The results showed significant synergy with β-lactams against β-lactamase-positive bacteria (fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index <0.5). Additionally, OA treatment significantly inhibited the activity of hemolysin from various bacteria. In the mouse infection models, the combined therapy with OA and β-lactams exhibited a significant synergistic effect in the treatment of β-lactamase-producing bacteria, as evidenced by the survival rate of S. aureus- or Escherichia coli-infected mice, which increased from 25.0 to 75.0% or from 44.4 to 61.1% (CA increased to 77.8%), respectively, compared to treatment with individual β-lactams. Although OA treatment alone led to systemic protection against S. aureus-infected mice by directly targeting α-hemolysin (Hla), a relatively better therapeutic effect was observed for the combined therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to find effective inhibitors against resistant bacterial infections with a two-pronged strategy by simultaneously targeting resistance enzymes and toxins, which may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for drug-resistant bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglin Zhou
- Key
Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute
of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- Department
of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital
of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Key
Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute
of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- Department
of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital
of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaodi Sun
- Key
Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute
of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Rui Ding
- Key
Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute
of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yanling Wang
- Key
Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute
of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- Qingdao
Vland Biological Limited Co., LTD, Qingdao 266102, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaodi Niu
- Department
of Food Quality and Safety, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Key
Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute
of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- Department
of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital
of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Xuming Deng
- Key
Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute
of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- Department
of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital
of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
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22
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Li S, Lv Q, Sun X, Tang T, Deng X, Yin Y, Li L. Acacetin inhibits Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence by targeting pneumolysin. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 72:1092-1100. [PMID: 32390150 DOI: 10.1111/jphp.13279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is an important commensal and pathogenic bacterium responsible for pneumonia, meningitis and other invasive diseases. Pneumolysin (PLY) is the major virulence factor that contributes significantly to the interaction between S. pneumoniae and the host. KEY FINDINGS In this study, the results of antibacterial analysis, the haemolysis test and the Western blotting assay showed that acacetin inhibited PLY-mediated pore-forming activity caused by S. pneumoniae culture precipitates and purified PLY without anti-S. pneumoniae activity. In addition, acacetin treatment inhibited PLY oligomerization without affecting the expression of PLY in S. pneumoniae culture supernatants. Live/dead cells and cytotoxicity assays suggested that acacetin significantly enhanced the survival rate of injured cells by inhibiting the biological toxicity of PLY without cytotoxicity in the coculture system. The in vivo mouse model of S. pneumoniae infection further demonstrated that acacetin treatment could significantly reduce the levels of inflammatory factors (INF-γ and IL-β) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and alleviate the pathological damage of lung injury. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the results presented in this study indicated that acacetin inhibited the pore-forming activity of PLY and reduced the virulence of S. pneumoniae in vivo and in vitro, which may provide a leading compound for the treatment of S. pneumoniae infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufang Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qianghua Lv
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaodi Sun
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tianzhong Tang
- Hubei Wudang Animal Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Xuming Deng
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yunhou Yin
- School of Communication, GuizhouMinzu University, Guiyang, China
| | - Li Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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23
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Reyes AWB, Arayan LT, Huy TXN, Vu SH, Min W, Hur J, Kim S. β-Sitosterol Contributes in the Resistance to Invasion and Survival of Brucella abortus 544 within RAW264.7 Cells, and Cytokine Production with Reduced Susceptibility to Infection in BALB/c Mice. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 30:482-489. [PMID: 31893609 PMCID: PMC9728205 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.1909.09052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We previously identified β-sitosterol (BS) as one of the most abundant compounds found in Korean red ginseng oil. BS is a widely prevalent vegetable-derived phytosterol with many known health benefits. Here, we investigated the efficacy of BS against Brucella (B.) abortus infection. BS showed no effect on bacterial growth but attenuated internalization, intracellular survival and MAPKs-linked intracellular signaling in RAW264.7 cells. BS treatment in cells is also associated with increased nitrite concentration during infection at 24 h. Slightly enhanced resistance to B. abortus infection was observed in mice orally given BS, which could be mediated by induced production of proinflammatory cytokines. Taken together, our study demonstrates the contribution of BS treatment against B. abortus infection although further investigation is encouraged to maximize its beneficial effects against intracellular infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lauren Togonon Arayan
- Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Tran Xuan Ngoc Huy
- Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Son Hai Vu
- Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Wongi Min
- Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hur
- Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk Kim
- Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author Phone: +82-55-772-2359 Fax: +82-55-772-2349 E-mail:
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24
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Guo Y, Lv X, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Lu N, Deng X, Wang J. Honokiol Restores Polymyxin Susceptibility to MCR-1-Positive Pathogens both In Vitro and In Vivo. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:e02346-19. [PMID: 31862719 PMCID: PMC7028959 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02346-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene mcr-1 has led to serious multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacteriaceae infections, which are a great threat to the clinic. This study aims to find an inhibitor of MCR-1 to reestablish the use of polymyxins against MDR Enterobacteriaceae infections. Here, we determined that the natural compound honokiol could enhance the efficacy of polymyxins against MDR Enterobacteriaceae infections by a checkerboard MIC assay, a time-kill assay, a combined disk test, Western blotting, molecular simulation dynamics, and mouse infection models. The MIC results indicated that honokiol can recover the sensitivity of polymyxins against MCR-1-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli (with a fractional inhibitory concentration index ranging from 0.09 ± 0.00 to 0.27 ± 0.06). Based on time-kill curve analysis, all of the tested bacteria were killed within 1 h following the combined therapy with honokiol and polymyxins. Molecular simulation dynamics results suggested that honokiol directly binds to the MCR-1 active region, reducing the biological activity of MCR-1. The combination of honokiol and polymyxins could increase the 40% protection rate and reduce the bacterial load on the thigh muscles of mice. Our study indicates that honokiol is a predominant natural compound whose combination therapy with polymyxins is very promising in future treatment options for MCR-1-positive Enterobacteriaceae infections.IMPORTANCE In the present study, honokiol could effectively inhibit the activity of MCR-1 and showed almost no cytotoxicity to MH-S cells. According to our results, the combination of honokiol and polymyxin had a clear synergistic effect against MCR-1-positive Enterobacteriaceae in vitro Combination therapy also showed a powerful therapeutic effect in vivo, which can significantly improve mouse livability, reduced the load of bacteria, and reduced pathological change. This combined therapy of small molecule compounds and antibiotics may not continue to induce new bacterial resistance, due to the fact that MCR-1 targeted by honokiol is not indispensable for the bacterial viability; on the other hand, it can reduce the dosage of combined antibiotics, and it is also a promising alternative therapy for the treatment of drug-resistant infections in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Guo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaohong Lv
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanling Wang
- Qingdao Vland Biological Limited Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China
| | - Yonglin Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Na Lu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xuming Deng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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25
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β-Sitosterol Attenuates High Grain Diet-Induced Inflammatory Stress and Modifies Rumen Fermentation and Microbiota in Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10010171. [PMID: 31963945 PMCID: PMC7022687 DOI: 10.3390/ani10010171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
β-sitosterol (BSS) is a plant-derived natural bioactive compound, its cellular mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity has been proven recently. Little information is available regarding the application of BSS on ruminants under high grain diet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary BSS supplementation on inflammatory response, ruminal fermentation characteristics and the composition of the ruminal bacterial community under high grain diet. Eight rumen-cannulated Hu sheep (59.7 ± 4.8 kg of initial body weight) were randomly assigned into a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design trial. Sheep were fed a high grain diet (non-fiber carbohydrate: neutral detergent fiber = 2.03) supplemented either with 0.25 (LBS), 0.5 (MBS), 1.0 (HBS) or without (CON) g BSS /kg dry matter diet. On day 21 of each period, rumen content samples were obtained at 6 h postfeeding, and blood samples were obtained before morning feeding. The data showed that compared with control group, Dietary BSS supplementation decreased serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. The ruminal pH and acetate concentration for BSS treatment were improved, while concentration of propionate, butyrate and lactate was decreased. The result of Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene revealed that BSS addition can increase the proportion of Prevotella_1, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Prevotella_7, and Selenomonas_1, and decrease the proportion of Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group. These results indicated that BSS attenuates high grain diet-induced inflammatory response and modifies ruminal fermentation. In addition, the BSS dietary supplementation at the level of 0.5 g/kg is recommended in sheep.
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26
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Lv Q, Zhang P, Quan P, Cui M, Liu T, Yin Y, Chi G. Quercetin, a pneumolysin inhibitor, protects mice against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Microb Pathog 2019; 140:103934. [PMID: 31862394 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pneumolysin (PLY), a pore-forming cytotoxin and a major virulence determinant, is a member of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) family and essential for promoting Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pneumoniae) infection. Due to the action characteristics of hemolysin itself, the pneumolysin released after killing bacteria with conventional antibiotics still has the ability to damage host cells; therefore, drug treatments directly inhibiting hemolysin activity are the most effective. Hemolysis assays were used to confirm that quercetin can inhibit the activity of PLY, protecting cells in vitro, and an oligomerization assay was used to determine the mechanism of quercetin to suppress PLY activity. Live/Dead testing, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release analysis and a murine model of endonasal pulmonary infection were used to explore the capability of quercetin to protect cells and mice from S. pneumoniae-mediated damage in vivo and in vitro. The results indicated that quercetin significantly reduced PLY-induced hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity via repressing the formation of oligomers. In addition, treatment with quercetin can reduce PLY-mediated cell injury, improve the survival rate of mice infected with a lethal dose of S. pneumoniae, alleviate the pathological damage of lung tissue and inhibit the release of cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Considering the importance of these events in antimicrobial resistant S. pneumoniae pathogenesis, our results indicated that quercetin may be a novel potential drug candidate for the treatment of clinical pneumococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianghua Lv
- The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Pusheng Quan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, China
| | - Mengyao Cui
- The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Tianjiao Liu
- Department of Cardiology and Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yunhou Yin
- School of Communication, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, China
| | - Gefu Chi
- The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
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27
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Blanco-Salas J, Vazquez FM, Hortigón-Vinagre MP, Ruiz-Tellez T. Bioactive Phytochemicals from Mercurialis spp. Used in Traditional Spanish Medicine. PLANTS 2019; 8:plants8070193. [PMID: 31261793 PMCID: PMC6681364 DOI: 10.3390/plants8070193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Plants from the genus Mercurialis have a long history of use as herbal remedies in traditional Spanish medicine. The growing interest in the conservation of knowledge related to biodiversity has encouraged us to review the bioactive phytochemicals from the four most widespread Mercurialis species in the Iberian Peninsula (M. annua L., M. ambigua L., M. perennis L., and M. tomentosa L.). First, the medicinal uses of these four species throughout Spain were compiled, and then a bibliographical search on their chemical composition was conducted in an attempt to justify their reported traditional uses. We found that most of the medicinal uses of Mercurialis spp. are supported by scientific evidence. This includes its antidiabetic and antihypertensive properties attributable to the flavonoid rutin and narcissin, respectively; its benefits in the treatment of skin dark spots, attributable to mequinol; and its anti-inflammatory activity, attributable to scopoletin, kaempferol, squalene, and cycloartenol. This review contributes to the validation of the medicinal uses of Mercurialis spp. in Spain and provides some new avenues for further investigations on the biological activity of this interesting medicinal plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Blanco-Salas
- Department of Vegetal Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain.
| | - Francisco M Vazquez
- Department of Forest Production and Biodiversity, Institute of Research Agrarian Center La Orden - Valdesequera, Scientific and Technological Research Center of Extremadura (CICYTEX) A5 Km 372, 06187 Guadajira, Badajoz, Spain
| | - María P Hortigón-Vinagre
- Department of Vegetal Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain.
| | - Trinidad Ruiz-Tellez
- Department of Vegetal Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain.
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28
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Tang F, Li L, Meng XM, Li B, Wang CQ, Wang SQ, Wang TL, Tian YM. Inhibition of alpha-hemolysin expression by resveratrol attenuates Staphylococcus aureus virulence. Microb Pathog 2019; 127:85-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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29
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Pharmacological Targeting of Pore-Forming Toxins as Adjunctive Therapy for Invasive Bacterial Infection. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10120542. [PMID: 30562923 PMCID: PMC6316385 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10120542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
For many of the most important human bacterial infections, invasive disease severity is fueled by the cell damaging and pro-inflammatory effects of secreted pore-forming toxins (PFTs). Isogenic PFT-knockout mutants, e.g., Staphylococcus aureus lacking α-toxin or Streptococcus pneumoniae deficient in pneumolysin, show attenuation in animal infection models. This knowledge has inspired multi-model investigations of strategies to neutralize PFTs or counteract their toxicity as a novel pharmacological approach to ameliorate disease pathogenesis in clinical disease. Promising examples of small molecule, antibody or nanotherapeutic drug candidates that directly bind and neutralize PFTs, block their oligomerization or membrane receptor interactions, plug establishment membrane pores, or boost host cell resiliency to withstand PFT action have emerged. The present review highlights these new concepts, with a special focus on β-PFTs produced by leading invasive human Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. Such anti-virulence therapies could be applied as an adjunctive therapy to antibiotic-sensitive and -resistant strains alike, and further could be free of deleterious effects that deplete the normal microflora.
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30
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Dong J, Liu Y, Xu N, Yang Q, Ai X. Morin Protects Channel Catfish From Aeromonas hydrophila Infection by Blocking Aerolysin Activity. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2828. [PMID: 30519232 PMCID: PMC6258893 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen widely distributed in the environments, particular aquatic environment. The pathogen can cause a range of infections in both human and animals including fishes. However, the application of antibiotics in treatment of A. hydrophila infections leads to the emergence of resistant strains. Consequently, new approaches need to be developed in fighting this pathogen. Aerolysin, the chief virulence factor produced by pathogenic A. hydrophila strains has been employed as target identifying new drugs. In our present study, we found that morin, a flavonoid without anti-bacterial activity isolated from traditional Chinese medicine, could directly inhibit the hemolytic activity of aerolysin. To determine the binding sites and the action of mechanism of morin against AerA, several assays were performed. Ser36, Pro347, and Arg356 were identified as the main binding sites affecting the conformation of AerA and resulted in block of the heptameric formation. Moreover, morin could protect Vero cells from cell injury mediated by aerolysin. In vivo study showed that morin could provide a protection to channel catfish against A. hydrophila infection. These results demonstrated that morin could be developed as a promising candidate for the treatment of A. hydrophila infections by decreasing the pathogenesis of A. hydrophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Dong
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Control of Quality and Safety for Aquatic Products, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Yongtao Liu
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Control of Quality and Safety for Aquatic Products, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Xu
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Control of Quality and Safety for Aquatic Products, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Qiuhong Yang
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Control of Quality and Safety for Aquatic Products, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohui Ai
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Control of Quality and Safety for Aquatic Products, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China
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31
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Liao PC, Lai MH, Hsu KP, Kuo YH, Chen J, Tsai MC, Li CX, Yin XJ, Jeyashoke N, Chao LKP. Identification of β-Sitosterol as in Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Constituent in Moringa oleifera. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2018; 66:10748-10759. [PMID: 30280897 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b04555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
β-Sitosterol is a well known phytosterol in plants, but owing to its poor solubility in typical media, determining its cellular mechanisms has been proven to be difficult. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of β-sitosterol (BSS) isolated from Moringa oleifera in two cell lines. Over a dose range of 7.5 to 30 μM, BSS dispersed well in the medium as nanoparticles with diameters of 50 ± 5 nm and suppressed the secretion of inflammatory factors from keratinocytes and macrophages induced by PGN, TNF-α, or LPS, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and ROS, separately. In addition, BSS significantly reduced the expression of NLRP3, a key component of NLRP3 inflammasomes, and inhibited the activation of caspase-1. There was partial inhibition of NF-κB in macrophages. This is the first study to report an increase in the solubility of nearly water-insoluble phytosterols via the formation of nanoparticles and to delineate the formulation's capacity to inhibit the signal transduction pathways of inflammation in macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chun Liao
- Department of Cosmeceutics , China Medical University , Taichung 404 , Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hoang Lai
- Department of Nursing , Cardinal Tien Junior College of Healthcare and Management , Sindian District, New Taipei City 23143 , Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Ping Hsu
- Division of Wood Cellulose , Taiwan Forestry Research Institute , Taipei 100 , Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Hsiung Kuo
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources , China Medical University , Taichung 404 , Taiwan
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Cosmeceutics , China Medical University , Taichung 404 , Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chih Tsai
- Advanced Packaging Technology Department , Winbond Electronics , Taichung 42881 , Taiwan
| | - Chun-Xiang Li
- Advanced Materials Technology Centre , Singapore Polytechnic , 500 Dover Road , 139651 , Singapore
| | - Xi-Jiang Yin
- Advanced Materials Technology Centre , Singapore Polytechnic , 500 Dover Road , 139651 , Singapore
| | - Narumon Jeyashoke
- School of Bioresources and Technology , King Mongkut'sUniversity of Technology Thonburi , Bangkok 10150 , Thailand
| | - Louis Kuo-Ping Chao
- Department of Cosmeceutics , China Medical University , Taichung 404 , Taiwan
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32
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Ping O, Ruixue Y, Jiaqiang D, Kaiyu W, Jing F, Yi G, Xiaoli H, Defang C, Weimin L, Li T, Lizi Y. Subinhibitory Concentrations of Prim-O-Glucosylcimifugin Decrease the Expression of Alpha-Hemolysin in Staphylococcus aureus (USA300). EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2018; 2018:7579808. [PMID: 30105064 PMCID: PMC6076931 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7579808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), an important opportunistic pathogen in human and animal, causes a series of diseases in the impairing of immunity of host and even then death. Alpha-hemolysin (Hla), a primary virulence factor, plays a major role in the pathogenic progress of S. aureus, especially in pneumonia. Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin (POG), a nature chromone compound, is an active ingredient in many Chinese Medicines. In this study, POG investigated the inhibitory effect of the secretion of Hla in S. aureus strain USA300 at the subinhibitory concentrations. The hemolysis assays and western blotting assays showed that POG can decrease the production of Hla in the USA300 growth cell cultures in a dose-dependent manner. The results of RT-PCR revealed that reduction of Hla was related to inhibit the transcription of hla and RNAIII. In the cells experiment, POG was proved to protect A549 cells from Hla-medicated injury. In conclusion, POG was shown the capacity of decreased the production of S. aureus Hla. POG can be developed as a candidate agent to treat S. aureus infections against Hla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouyang Ping
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Ruixue
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu, China
| | - Deng Jiaqiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wang Kaiyu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fang Jing
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu, China
| | - Geng Yi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huang Xiaoli
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chen Defang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lai Weimin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yin Lizi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu, China
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Eriodictyol protects against Staphylococcus aureus-induced lung cell injury by inhibiting alpha-hemolysin expression. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 34:64. [PMID: 29671126 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-018-2446-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common pathogenic bacterium that causes various diseases in both humans and animals. With the increased prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus, the therapeutic effects of commonly used antibiotics are limited against S. aureus infection. Novel treatment strategies and new antibiotics are needed urgently to address this concern. Many studies have shown that virulence factors secreted from S. aureus play vital roles in their pathogenic processes. Alpha-hemolysin (Hla), an important exotoxin in S. aureus, is one such virulence factor that increases sensitivity of multiple host cells to S. aureus resulting in various diseases. Eriodictyol is a flavonoid compound that exists in many fruits and vegetables. In this study, eriodictyol was demonstrated to inhibit the expression of Hla by hemolysis assays, western blotting, and RT-qPCR at the sub-minimal inhibitory concentration. In live/dead and cytotoxicity assays, the results showed that eriodictyol protected A549 cells against Hla-induced injury in a dose-dependent manner. The minimal inhibitory concentration of eriodictyol against S. aureus was 512 µg/mL. Eriodictyol can downregulate S. aureus Hla at both the expressional and transcriptional levels without affecting S. aureus growth. In addition, cell assays had proved that eriodictyol could protect A549 cells against Hla damage. Eriodictyol could therefore have the potential to treat S. aureus infection targeting Hla.
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Anderson R, Nel JG, Feldman C. Multifaceted Role of Pneumolysin in the Pathogenesis of Myocardial Injury in Community-Acquired Pneumonia. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1147. [PMID: 29641429 PMCID: PMC5979279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumolysin (PLY), a member of the family of Gram-positive bacterial, cholesterol-dependent, β-barrel pore-forming cytolysins, is the major protein virulence factor of the dangerous respiratory pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). PLY plays a major role in the pathogenesis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), promoting colonization and invasion of the upper and lower respiratory tracts respectively, as well as extra-pulmonary dissemination of the pneumococcus. Notwithstanding its role in causing acute lung injury in severe CAP, PLY has also been implicated in the development of potentially fatal acute and delayed-onset cardiovascular events, which are now recognized as being fairly common complications of this condition. This review is focused firstly on updating mechanisms involved in the immunopathogenesis of PLY-mediated myocardial damage, specifically the direct cardiotoxic and immunosuppressive activities, as well as the indirect pro-inflammatory/pro-thrombotic activities of the toxin. Secondly, on PLY-targeted therapeutic strategies including, among others, macrolide antibiotics, natural product antagonists, cholesterol-containing liposomes, and fully humanized monoclonal antibodies, as well as on vaccine-based preventive strategies. These sections are preceded by overviews of CAP in general, the role of the pneumococcus as the causative pathogen, the occurrence and types of CAP-associated cardiac complication, and the structure and biological activities of PLY.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Anderson
- Department of Immunology and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
| | - Jan G Nel
- Department of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria and Tshwane Academic Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
| | - Charles Feldman
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 0002, South Africa.
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35
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Insight into the novel inhibition mechanism of apigenin to Pneumolysin by molecular modeling. Chem Phys Lett 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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36
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Magnolol protects channel catfish from Aeromonas hydrophila infection via inhibiting the expression of aerolysin. Vet Microbiol 2017; 211:119-123. [PMID: 29102106 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Aeromonas hydrophila is a common zoonotic pathogen which can cause several infections both in human and animals, particular aquatic animals. Antibiotics have been widely used in the treatment of A. hydrophila infections, however, the development of resistance has limited the treatment for these infections. There is an urgent need for novel agents and strategies against these infections. Aerolysin, a pore-forming toxin secreted by most pathogenic A. hydrophila, is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of A. hydrophila infections. Therefore, aerolysin has been identified as a potential target for drug discovery. In this paper, we found that magnolol, a natural compound without anti -A. hydrophila activity, could significantly inhibit the hemolytic activity of A. hydrophila culture supernatants by inhibiting the transcription of the aerolysin encoding gene aerA at low concentrations. Furthermore, the survival assay showed that magnolol could significantly reduce the mortality induced by A. hydrophila infection in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Taken together, these findings provide a potent agent against A. hydrophila infections.
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Zhao X, Zhou Y, Wang G, Shi D, Zha Y, Yi P, Wang J. Morin Moderates the Biotoxicity of Pneumococcal Pneumolysin by Weakening the Oligomers' Formation. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2017; 65:538-544. [PMID: 28566646 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c16-00999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is an important causative agent of acute invasive and non-invasive infections. Pneumolysin is one of a considerable number of virulence traits produced by pneumococcus that exhibits a variety of biological activities, thus making it a target of small molecule drug development. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of morin, a natural compound that has no antimicrobial activity against S. pneumonia, is a potent neutralizer of pneumolysin-mediated cytotoxicity and genotoxicity by impairing oligomer formation, and possesses the capability of mitigating tissue damage caused by pneumococcus. These findings indicate that morin could be a potent candidate for a novel therapeutic or auxiliary substance to treat infections for which there are inadequate vaccines and that are resistant to traditional antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoran Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University
| | - Yonglin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University
| | - Guizhen Wang
- Department of Food Quality and Safety, Jilin University
| | - Dongxue Shi
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University
| | - Yonghong Zha
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University
| | - Pengfei Yi
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University
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Shikonin alleviates the biotoxicity produced by pneumococcal pneumolysin. Life Sci 2017; 177:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Song M, Lu G, Li M, Deng X, Wang J. Juglone alleviates pneumolysin-induced human alveolar epithelial cell injury via inhibiting the hemolytic activity of pneumolysin. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2017; 110:1069-1075. [PMID: 28451868 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-017-0880-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for several human diseases, including acute otitis media, pneumonia, sepsis and bacterial meningitis, and possesses numerous virulence factors associated with pneumococcal infection and pathogenesis. With the capacity to form pores in cholesterol-rich membranes, pneumolysin (PLY) is a key virulence factor of S. pneumoniae and causes severe tissue damage during pneumococcal infection. Juglone (JG), a natural 1,4-naphthoquinone widely found in the roots, leaves, woods and fruits of Juglandaceae walnut trees, inhibits PLY-induced hemolysis via inhibition of the oligomerization of PLY and exhibits minimal anti-S. pneumoniae activity. In addition, when human alveolar epithelial (A549) cells were co-cultured with PLY and JG, PLY-mediated cell injury was significantly alleviated. These results indicate that JG directly interacts with PLY to reduce the cytotoxicity of the toxin in human alveolar epithelial cells. Hence, JG is an effective inhibitor of PLY and protects lung cells from PLY-mediated cell injury. This study also provides the basis for the development of anti-virulence drugs for the treatment of S. pneumoniae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Rd 5333, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Gejin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Rd 5333, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Meng Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Rd 5333, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Xuming Deng
- Center of Infection and Immunity, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi'an Rd 5333, Changchun, 130062, China. .,Center of Infection and Immunity, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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40
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Song M, Teng Z, Li M, Niu X, Wang J, Deng X. Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence by simultaneously targeting pneumolysin and sortase A. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 21:2586-2598. [PMID: 28402019 PMCID: PMC5618700 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), the causative agent of several human diseases, possesses numerous virulence factors associated with pneumococcal infection and pathogenesis. Pneumolysin (PLY), an important virulence factor, is a member of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin family and has cytolytic activity. Sortase A (SrtA), another crucial pneumococcal virulence determinate, contributes greatly to the anchoring of many virulence-associated surface proteins to the cell wall. In this study, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural compound with little known antipneumococcal activity, was shown to directly inhibit PLY-mediated haemolysis and cytolysis by blocking the oligomerization of PLY and simultaneously reduce the peptidase activity of SrtA. The biofilm formation, production of neuraminidase A (NanA, the pneumococcal surface protein anchored by SrtA), and bacterial adhesion to human epithelial cells (Hep2) were inhibited effectively when S. pneumoniae D39 was cocultured with EGCG. The results from molecular dynamics simulations and mutational analysis confirmed the interaction of EGCG with PLY and SrtA, and EGCG binds to Glu277, Tyr358, and Arg359 in PLY and Thr169, Lys171, and Phe239 in SrtA. In vivo studies further demonstrated that EGCG protected mice against S. pneumoniae pneumonia. Our results imply that EGCG is an effective inhibitor of both PLY and SrtA and that an antivirulence strategy that directly targets PLY and SrtA using EGCG is a promising therapeutic option for S. pneumoniae pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Song
- The First Hospital and Institute of Infection and Immunity, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zihao Teng
- The First Hospital and Institute of Infection and Immunity, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Meng Li
- The First Hospital and Institute of Infection and Immunity, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaodi Niu
- The First Hospital and Institute of Infection and Immunity, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- The First Hospital and Institute of Infection and Immunity, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xuming Deng
- The First Hospital and Institute of Infection and Immunity, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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41
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Anderson R, Feldman C. Pneumolysin as a potential therapeutic target in severe pneumococcal disease. J Infect 2017; 74:527-544. [PMID: 28322888 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Acute pulmonary and cardiac injury remain significant causes of morbidity and mortality in those afflicted with severe pneumococcal disease, with the risk for early mortality often persisting several years beyond clinical recovery. Although remaining to be firmly established in the clinical setting, a considerable body of evidence, mostly derived from murine models of experimental infection, has implicated the pneumococcal, cholesterol-binding, pore-forming toxin, pneumolysin (Ply), in the pathogenesis of lung and myocardial dysfunction. Topics covered in this review include the burden of pneumococcal disease, risk factors, virulence determinants of the pneumococcus, complications of severe disease, antibiotic and adjuvant therapies, as well as the structure of Ply and the role of the toxin in disease pathogenesis. Given the increasing recognition of the clinical potential of Ply-neutralisation strategies, the remaining sections of the review are focused on updates of the types, benefits and limitations of currently available therapies which may attenuate, directly and/or indirectly, the injurious actions of Ply. These include recently described experimental therapies such as various phytochemicals and lipids, and a second group of more conventional agents the members of which remain the subject of ongoing clinical evaluation. This latter group, which is covered more extensively, encompasses macrolides, statins, corticosteroids, and platelet-targeted therapies, particularly aspirin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Anderson
- Department of Immunology and Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Charles Feldman
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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42
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Li H, Zhao X, Deng X, Wang J, Song M, Niu X, Peng L. Insights into structure and activity of natural compound inhibitors of pneumolysin. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42015. [PMID: 28165051 PMCID: PMC5292752 DOI: 10.1038/srep42015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumolysin is the one of the major virulence factor of the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. In previous report, it is shown that β-sitosterol, a natural compound without antimicrobial activity, is a potent antagonist of pneumolysin. Here, two new pneumolysin natural compound inhibitors, with differential activity, were discovered via haemolysis assay. To explore the key factor of the conformation for the inhibition activity, the interactions between five natural compound inhibitors with differential activity and pneumolysin were reported using molecular modelling, the potential of mean force profiles. Interestingly, it is found that incorporation of the single bond (C22-C23-C24-C25) to replace the double bond (hydrocarbon sidechain) improved the anti-haemolytic activity. In view of the molecular modelling, binding of the five inhibitors to the conserved loop region (Val372, Leu460, and Tyr461) of the cholesterol binding sites led to stable complex systems, which was consistent with the result of β-sitosterol. Owing to the single bond (C22-C23-C24-C25), campesterol and brassicasterol could form strong interactions with Val372 and show higher anti-haemolytic activity, which indicated that the single bond (C22-C23-C24-C25) in inhibitors was required for the anti-haemolytic activity. Overall, the current molecular modelling work provides a starting point for the development of rational design and higher activity pneumolysin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongen Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Department of Food Quality and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaoran Zhao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Department of Food Quality and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xuming Deng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Department of Food Quality and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Department of Food Quality and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Meng Song
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Department of Food Quality and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaodi Niu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Department of Food Quality and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Liping Peng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Department of Food Quality and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Jia M, Zhao R, Xu B, Yan W, Chu F, Gu H, Xie T, Xiang H, Ren J, Chen D, Wang P, Lei H. Synthesis and biological activity evaluation of novel peroxo-bridged derivatives as potential anti-hepatitis B virus agents. MEDCHEMCOMM 2017; 8:148-151. [PMID: 30108700 DOI: 10.1039/c6md00344c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that natural steroid compounds containing a peroxide bridge exhibited potential anti-hepatitis B virus activity. To continue our research, a simple and regioselective methodology, using Eosin Y as a clean photosensitized oxidation catalyst, was developed for the synthesis of a peroxide bridge in steroids. The method that using Eosin Y as the catalyst was exposed to visible light and furbished in high yields, did not involve tedious work-up or purification, and avoided using environmentally hazardous solvents. It can be regarded as a green protocol. Moreover, a series of cholesterol and β-sitosterol derivatives containing a peroxide bridge were synthesized using this method and screened for their anti-HBV activity. Among the compounds synthesized in this research, 5α,8α-cyclicobioxygen-6-vinyl-3-oxo-cholesterone (1f, 3.13 μg ml-1) had the most potent activity with inhibition rates of 77.45% ± 6.01% and 58.73% ± 8.64% on the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg antigens, respectively, after 8 days. Further acute toxicity test showed that the LD50 value of compound 1f was 362.46 mg kg-1 after an intraperitoneal injection in mice. Moreover, structure-activity relationships of cholesterol and β-sitosterol derivatives were briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglu Jia
- School of Chinese Pharmacy , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102 , China . ;
| | - Rui Zhao
- School of Chinese Pharmacy , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102 , China . ;
| | - Bing Xu
- School of Chinese Pharmacy , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102 , China . ;
| | - Wenqiang Yan
- School of Chinese Pharmacy , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102 , China . ;
| | - Fuhao Chu
- School of Chinese Pharmacy , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102 , China . ;
| | - Hongshun Gu
- Department of Pharmacology , Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University , Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ministry of Education , Beijing 100053 , China
| | - Tianxin Xie
- School of Chinese Pharmacy , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102 , China . ;
| | - Hongjun Xiang
- School of Chinese Pharmacy , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102 , China . ;
| | - Jian Ren
- School of Chinese Pharmacy , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102 , China . ;
| | - Dagang Chen
- Beijing lam ze biological technology co, LTD , 102500 , China
| | - Penglong Wang
- School of Chinese Pharmacy , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102 , China . ;
| | - Haimin Lei
- School of Chinese Pharmacy , Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102 , China . ;
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Structure and Function of the Two-Component Cytotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus - Learnings for Designing Novel Therapeutics. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 966:15-35. [PMID: 28455832 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2016_200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus can produce up to five different bi-component cytotoxins: two gamma-hemolysins HlgAB and HlgCB, and leukocidins SF-PV (Panton Valentine leukocidin), ED (LukED) and GH (LukGH, also called LukAB). Their major function in S. aureus pathogenesis is to evade innate immunity by attacking phagocytic cells and to support bacterial growth by lysing red blood cells. The five cytotoxins display different levels of amino acid sequence conservation (30-82%), but all form a remarkably similar beta-barrel type pore structure (greatly resembling the mono-component toxin alpha-hemolysin) that inserts into the target cell membrane leading to necrotic cell death. This review provides an overview of the culmination of decades of research on the structure of these toxins, their unique sequence and structural features that helps to explain the observed functional differences, such as toxin potency towards different cell types and species, receptor specificity and formation of functional non-cognate toxin pairs. The vast knowledge accumulated in this field supports novel approaches and the design of therapeutics targeting these cytotoxins to tame virulence and fight S. aureus infections.
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Song M, Li L, Li M, Cha Y, Deng X, Wang J. Apigenin protects mice from pneumococcal pneumonia by inhibiting the cytolytic activity of pneumolysin. Fitoterapia 2016; 115:31-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2016.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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46
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Tillotson GS. Trojan Horse Antibiotics-A Novel Way to Circumvent Gram-Negative Bacterial Resistance? Infect Dis (Lond) 2016; 9:45-52. [PMID: 27773991 PMCID: PMC5063921 DOI: 10.4137/idrt.s31567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance has been emerged as a major global health problem. In particular, gram-negative species pose a significant clinical challenge as bacteria develop or acquire more resistance mechanisms. Often, these bacteria possess multiple resistance mechanisms, thus nullifying most of the major classes of drugs. Novel approaches to this issue are urgently required. However, the challenges of developing new agents are immense. Introducing novel agents is fraught with hurdles, thus adapting known antibiotic classes by altering their chemical structure could be a way forward. A chemical addition to existing antibiotics known as a siderophore could be a solution to the gram-negative resistance issue. Siderophore molecules rely on the bacterial innate need for iron ions and thus can utilize a Trojan Horse approach to gain access to the bacterial cell. The current approaches to using this potential method are reviewed.
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