1
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Sun J, Chen M, Hu Z, Xu N, Wang W, Ping Z, Zhu J, Sun D, Zhu Z, Li H, Ge X, Luo L, Zhou W, Bai R, Xu Z, Sheng J. Ribonuclease 4 functions as an intestinal antimicrobial protein to maintain gut microbiota and metabolite homeostasis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5778. [PMID: 38987259 PMCID: PMC11237007 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50223-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial proteins contribute to host-microbiota interactions and are associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but our understanding on antimicrobial protein diversity and functions remains incomplete. Ribonuclease 4 (Rnase4) is a potential antimicrobial protein with no known function in the intestines. Here we find that RNASE4 is expressed in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) including Paneth and goblet cells, and is detectable in human and mouse stool. Results from Rnase4-deficient mice and recombinant protein suggest that Rnase4 kills Parasutterella to modulate intestinal microbiome, thereby enhancing indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) expression and subsequently kynurenic and xanthurenic acid production in IECs to reduce colitis susceptibility. Furthermore, deceased RNASE4 levels are observed in the intestinal tissues and stool from patients with IBD, correlating with increased stool Parasutterella. Our results thus implicate Rnase4 as an intestinal antimicrobial protein regulating gut microbiota and metabolite homeostasis, and as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Sun
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Muxiong Chen
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhen Hu
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ningqin Xu
- Division of Health Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Wenguang Wang
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zejun Ping
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jiayi Zhu
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Desen Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Zhehao Zhu
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hangyu Li
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiaolong Ge
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Liang Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Rongpan Bai
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Zhengping Xu
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Jinghao Sheng
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
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2
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Identification of Ribonuclease 6 as an immunoinflammatory key gene associated with the glomerular injury in diabetic nephropathy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19709. [PMID: 36385487 PMCID: PMC9668917 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24289-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major causes of end-stage renal disease, and the pathogenesis of the disease has not been elucidated. While the immunoinflammatory response plays an essential role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Glomerular expression dataset in diabetic nephropathy was obtained from the GEO database. Differentially expressed genes were identified and functional enrichment analysis was performed to find genes associated with immunity and inflammation from them. The hub genes of immunoinflammatory were identified using MCODE after establishing the PPI network and gene expression was verified with diabetic nephropathy model rats. Xcell was used to assign immune cells to diabetic nephropathy glomerular samples to detect significant changes in immune cells and to analyze correlations with the hub gene. We found 120 DEGs associated with immunity and inflammation, Ribonuclease 6 was the Hub gene with the highest MCODE score. Xcell analysis revealed significant changes of immune cells in DN glomeruli, including upregulated Activated DCs, Conventional DCs, CD4+ Tem, Epithelial cells, Macrophages, Macrophages M1, and Memory B-cells. RNase6 expression showed the highest positive correlation with Macrophages M1, Activated DCs, and Conventional DCs. We verified through the Nephroseq v5 database that RNase6 expression was elevated in DN glomeruli and negatively correlated with glomerular filtration rate. Animal studies revealed that the kidney of DN model rats showed increased RNase6 expression together with inflammatory factor TNF-alpha and chemokine MCP-1. Our study identified RNase6 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for diabetic nephropathy and found that it may play an essential role in the immunoinflammatory damage to the glomerulus.
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Fernández-Millán P, Vázquez-Monteagudo S, Boix E, Prats-Ejarque G. Exploring the RNase A scaffold to combine catalytic and antimicrobial activities. Structural characterization of RNase 3/1 chimeras. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:964717. [PMID: 36188223 PMCID: PMC9515509 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.964717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Design of novel antibiotics to fight antimicrobial resistance is one of the first global health priorities. Novel protein-based strategies come out as alternative therapies. Based on the structure-function knowledge of the RNase A superfamily we have engineered a chimera that combines RNase 1 highest catalytic activity with RNase 3 unique antipathogen properties. A first construct (RNase 3/1-v1) was successfully designed with a catalytic activity 40-fold higher than RNase 3, but alas in detriment of its anti-pathogenic activity. Next, two new versions of the original chimeric protein were created showing improvement in the antimicrobial activity. Both second generation versions (RNases 3/1-v2 and -v3) incorporated a loop characteristic of RNase 3 (L7), associated to antimicrobial activity. Last, removal of an RNase 1 flexible loop (L1) in the third version enhanced its antimicrobial properties and catalytic efficiency. Here we solved the 3D structures of the three chimeras at atomic resolution by X-ray crystallography. Structural analysis outlined the key functional regions. Prediction by molecular docking of the protein chimera in complex with dinucleotides highlighted the contribution of the C-terminal region to shape the substrate binding cavity and determine the base selectivity and catalytic efficiency. Nonetheless, the structures that incorporated the key features related to RNase 3 antimicrobial activity retained the overall RNase 1 active site conformation together with the essential structural elements for binding to the human ribonuclease inhibitor (RNHI), ensuring non-cytotoxicity. Results will guide us in the design of the best RNase pharmacophore for anti-infective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ester Boix
- *Correspondence: Ester Boix, ; Guillem Prats-Ejarque,
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4
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Sultana MF, Suzuki M, Yamasaki F, Kubota W, Takahashi K, Abo H, Kawashima H. Identification of Crucial Amino Acid Residues for Antimicrobial Activity of Angiogenin 4 and Its Modulation of Gut Microbiota in Mice. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:900948. [PMID: 35733962 PMCID: PMC9207454 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.900948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenin 4 bearing ribonuclease activity is an endogenous antimicrobial protein expressed in small and large intestine. However, the crucial amino acid residues responsible for the antibacterial activity of Ang4 and its impact on gut microbiota remain unknown. Here, we report the contribution of critical amino acid residues in the functional regions of Ang4 to its activity against Salmonella typhimurium LT2 and the effect of Ang4 on gut microbiota in mice. We found that Ang4 binds S. typhimurium LT2 through two consecutive basic amino acid residues, K58 and K59, in the cell-binding segment and disrupts the bacterial membrane integrity at the N-terminal α-helix containing residues K7 and K30, as evidenced by the specific mutations of cationic residues of Ang4. We also found that the RNase activity of Ang4 was not involved in its bactericidal activity, as shown by the H12 mutant, which lacks RNase activity. In vivo administration of Ang4 through the mouse rectum and subsequent bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyses demonstrated that administration of Ang4 not only increased beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, Dubosiella, Coriobacteriaceae UCG-002, and Adlercreutzia, but also decreased certain pathogenic bacteria, including Alistipes and Enterohabdus, indicating that Ang4 regulates the shape of gut microbiota composition. We conclude that Ang4 kills bacteria by disrupting bacterial membrane integrity through critical basic amino acid residues with different functionalities rather than overall electrostatic interactions and potentially maintains gut microflora in vivo under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mst. Farzana Sultana
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Pharmacy, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Maki Suzuki
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Fumiya Yamasaki
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Wataru Kubota
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kohta Takahashi
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hirohito Abo
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroto Kawashima
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Prats-Ejarque G, Lorente H, Villalba C, Anguita R, Lu L, Vázquez-Monteagudo S, Fernández-Millán P, Boix E. Structure-Based Design of an RNase Chimera for Antimicrobial Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:95. [PMID: 35008522 PMCID: PMC8745102 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics urges the development of alternative therapies. Based on the structure-function of antimicrobial members of the RNase A superfamily, we have developed a hybrid enzyme. Within this family, RNase 1 exhibits the highest catalytic activity and the lowest cytotoxicity; in contrast, RNase 3 shows the highest bactericidal action, alas with a reduced catalytic activity. Starting from both parental proteins, we designed a first RNase 3/1-v1 chimera. The construct had a catalytic activity much higher than RNase 3, unfortunately without reaching an equivalent antimicrobial activity. Thus, two new versions were created with improved antimicrobial properties. Both of these versions (RNase 3/1-v2 and -v3) incorporated an antimicrobial loop characteristic of RNase 3, while a flexible RNase 1-specific loop was removed in the latest construct. RNase 3/1-v3 acquired both higher antimicrobial and catalytic activities than previous versions, while retaining the structural determinants for interaction with the RNase inhibitor and displaying non-significant cytotoxicity. Following, we tested the constructs' ability to eradicate macrophage intracellular infection and observed an enhanced ability in both RNase 3/1-v2 and v3. Interestingly, the inhibition of intracellular infection correlates with the variants' capacity to induce autophagy. We propose RNase 3/1-v3 chimera as a promising lead for applied therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillem Prats-Ejarque
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (H.L.); (C.V.); (R.A.); (L.L.); (S.V.-M.); (P.F.-M.)
| | - Helena Lorente
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (H.L.); (C.V.); (R.A.); (L.L.); (S.V.-M.); (P.F.-M.)
| | - Clara Villalba
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (H.L.); (C.V.); (R.A.); (L.L.); (S.V.-M.); (P.F.-M.)
| | - Raúl Anguita
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (H.L.); (C.V.); (R.A.); (L.L.); (S.V.-M.); (P.F.-M.)
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (H.L.); (C.V.); (R.A.); (L.L.); (S.V.-M.); (P.F.-M.)
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 625014, China
| | - Sergi Vázquez-Monteagudo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (H.L.); (C.V.); (R.A.); (L.L.); (S.V.-M.); (P.F.-M.)
| | - Pablo Fernández-Millán
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (H.L.); (C.V.); (R.A.); (L.L.); (S.V.-M.); (P.F.-M.)
| | - Ester Boix
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (H.L.); (C.V.); (R.A.); (L.L.); (S.V.-M.); (P.F.-M.)
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6
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Sandín D, Valle J, Chaves-Arquero B, Prats-Ejarque G, Larrosa MN, González-López JJ, Jiménez MÁ, Boix E, Andreu D, Torrent M. Rationally Modified Antimicrobial Peptides from the N-Terminal Domain of Human RNase 3 Show Exceptional Serum Stability. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11472-11482. [PMID: 34342438 PMCID: PMC8483441 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Multidrug
resistance against conventional antibiotics poses an
important threat to human health. In this context, antimicrobial peptides
(AMPs) have been extensively studied for their antibacterial activity
and promising results have been shown so far. However, AMPs tend to
be rather vulnerable to protease degradation, which offsets their
therapeutic appeal. Here, we demonstrate how replacing functional
residues in the antimicrobial region of human RNase 3—also
named eosinophil cationic protein—by non-natural amino acids
increases stability in human serum. These changes were also shown
to reduce the hemolytic effect of the peptides in general terms, whereas
the antimicrobial activity was reasonably preserved. Digestion profiles enabled us to design new peptides
with superior stability and lower toxicity that could become relevant
candidates to reach clinical stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sandín
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
| | - Javier Valle
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Belén Chaves-Arquero
- Departamento de Química-Física Biológica, Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano (IQFR-CSIC), Serrano 119, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Guillem Prats-Ejarque
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
| | - María Nieves Larrosa
- Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona 08035, Spain.,Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
| | - Juan José González-López
- Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona 08035, Spain.,Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Jiménez
- Departamento de Química-Física Biológica, Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano (IQFR-CSIC), Serrano 119, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Ester Boix
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Marc Torrent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
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7
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Bender K, Schwartz LL, Cohen A, Vasquez CM, Murtha MJ, Eichler T, Thomas JP, Jackson A, Spencer JD. Expression and function of human ribonuclease 4 in the kidney and urinary tract. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2021; 320:F972-F983. [PMID: 33818125 PMCID: PMC8174806 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00592.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are essential host defense mechanisms that prevent urinary tract infections. Recent studies have demonstrated that peptides in the ribonuclease A superfamily have antimicrobial activity against uropathogens and protect the urinary tract from uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Little is known about the antibacterial function or expression of ribonuclease 4 (RNase 4) in the human urinary tract. Here, we show that full-length recombinant RNase 4 peptide and synthetic amino-terminal RNase 4 peptide fragment have antibacterial activity against UPEC and multidrug-resistant (MDR)-UPEC. RNASE4 transcript expression was detected in human kidney and bladder tissue using quantitative real-time PCR. Immunostaining or in situ hybridization localized RNase 4 expression to proximal tubules, principal and intercalated cells in the kidney's collecting duct, and the bladder urothelium. Urinary RNase 4 concentrations were quantified in healthy controls and females with a history of urinary tract infection. Compared with controls, urinary RNase 4 concentrations were significantly lower in females with a history of urinary tract infection. When RNase 4 was neutralized in human urine or silenced in vitro using siRNA, urinary UPEC replication or attachment to and invasion of urothelial and kidney medullary cells increased. These data show that RNase 4 has antibacterial activity against UPEC, is expressed in the human urinary tract, and can contribute to host defense against urinary tract infections.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ribonuclease 4 (RNase 4) is a newly identified host defense peptide in the human kidney and bladder. RNase 4 kills uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) and multidrug-resistant UPEC. RNase 4 prevents invasive UPEC infection and suppressed RNase 4 expression may be a risk factor for more severe or recurrent urinary tract infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Bender
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Laura L Schwartz
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ariel Cohen
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio
| | - Claudia Mosquera Vasquez
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Matthew J Murtha
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Tad Eichler
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jason P Thomas
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ashley Jackson
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbus, Ohio
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - John David Spencer
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbus, Ohio
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
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8
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Santa P, Garreau A, Serpas L, Ferriere A, Blanco P, Soni C, Sisirak V. The Role of Nucleases and Nucleic Acid Editing Enzymes in the Regulation of Self-Nucleic Acid Sensing. Front Immunol 2021; 12:629922. [PMID: 33717156 PMCID: PMC7952454 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.629922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of microbial nucleic acids by the innate immune system is mediated by numerous intracellular nucleic acids sensors. Upon the detection of nucleic acids these sensors induce the production of inflammatory cytokines, and thus play a crucial role in the activation of anti-microbial immunity. In addition to microbial genetic material, nucleic acid sensors can also recognize self-nucleic acids exposed extracellularly during turn-over of cells, inefficient efferocytosis, or intracellularly upon mislocalization. Safeguard mechanisms have evolved to dispose of such self-nucleic acids to impede the development of autoinflammatory and autoimmune responses. These safeguard mechanisms involve nucleases that are either specific to DNA (DNases) or RNA (RNases) as well as nucleic acid editing enzymes, whose biochemical properties, expression profiles, functions and mechanisms of action will be detailed in this review. Fully elucidating the role of these enzymes in degrading and/or processing of self-nucleic acids to thwart their immunostimulatory potential is of utmost importance to develop novel therapeutic strategies for patients affected by inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Santa
- CNRS-UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anne Garreau
- CNRS-UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
| | - Lee Serpas
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Patrick Blanco
- CNRS-UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
- Immunology and Immunogenetic Department, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Chetna Soni
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Vanja Sisirak
- CNRS-UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
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9
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Bosso A, Di Maro A, Cafaro V, Di Donato A, Notomista E, Pizzo E. Enzymes as a Reservoir of Host Defence Peptides. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:1310-1323. [PMID: 32223733 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200327173815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Host defence peptides (HDPs) are powerful modulators of cellular responses to various types of insults caused by pathogen agents. To date, a wide range of HDPs, from species of different kingdoms including bacteria, plant and animal with extreme diversity in structure and biological activity, have been described. Apart from a limited number of peptides ribosomally synthesized, a large number of promising and multifunctional HDPs have been identified within protein precursors, with properties not necessarily related to innate immunity, consolidating the fascinating hypothesis that proteins have a second or even multiple biological mission in the form of one or more bio-active peptides. Among these precursors, enzymes constitute certainly an interesting group, because most of them are mainly globular and characterized by a fine specific internal structure closely related to their catalytic properties and also because they are yet little considered as potential HDP releasing proteins. In this regard, the main aim of the present review is to describe a panel of HDPs, identified in all canonical classes of enzymes, and to provide a detailed description on hydrolases and their corresponding HDPs, as there seems to exist a striking link between these structurally sophisticated catalysts and their high content in cationic and amphipathic cryptic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bosso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Caserta, Italy
| | - Valeria Cafaro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Di Donato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Elio Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
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10
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Rangel-Muñoz N, Suarez-Arnedo A, Anguita R, Prats-Ejarque G, Osma JF, Muñoz-Camargo C, Boix E, Cruz JC, Salazar VA. Magnetite Nanoparticles Functionalized with RNases against Intracellular Infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E631. [PMID: 32640506 PMCID: PMC7408537 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12070631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Current treatments against bacterial infections have severe limitations, mainly due to the emergence of resistance to conventional antibiotics. In the specific case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, they have shown a number of resistance mechanisms to counter most antibiotics. Human secretory RNases from the RNase A superfamily are proteins involved in a wide variety of biological functions, including antimicrobial activity. The objective of this work was to explore the intracellular antimicrobial action of an RNase 3/1 hybrid protein that combines RNase 1 high catalytic and RNase 3 bactericidal activities. To achieve this, we immobilized the RNase 3/1 hybrid on Polyetheramine (PEA)-modified magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs). The obtained nanobioconjugates were tested in macrophage-derived THP-1 cells infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The obtained results show high antimicrobial activity of the functionalized hybrid protein (MNP-RNase 3/1) against the intracellular growth of P. aeruginosa of the functionalized hybrid protein. Moreover, the immobilization of RNase 3/1 enhances its antimicrobial and cell-penetrating activities without generating any significant cell damage. Considering the observed antibacterial activity, the immobilization of the RNase A superfamily and derived proteins represents an innovative approach for the development of new strategies using nanoparticles to deliver antimicrobials that counteract P. aeruginosa intracellular infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaly Rangel-Muñoz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (N.R.-M.); (A.S.-A.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Alejandra Suarez-Arnedo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (N.R.-M.); (A.S.-A.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Raúl Anguita
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (R.A.); (G.P.-E.)
| | - Guillem Prats-Ejarque
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (R.A.); (G.P.-E.)
| | - Johann F. Osma
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia;
| | - Carolina Muñoz-Camargo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (N.R.-M.); (A.S.-A.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Ester Boix
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (R.A.); (G.P.-E.)
| | - Juan C. Cruz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (N.R.-M.); (A.S.-A.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Vivian A. Salazar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; (R.A.); (G.P.-E.)
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá 111711, Colombia;
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11
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Li J, Fernández-Millán P, Boix E. Synergism between Host Defence Peptides and Antibiotics Against Bacterial Infections. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:1238-1263. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200303122626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background:Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to conventional antibiotics is becoming one of the main global health threats and novel alternative strategies are urging. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), once forgotten, are coming back into the scene as promising tools to overcome bacterial resistance. Recent findings have attracted attention to the potentiality of AMPs to work as antibiotic adjuvants.Methods:In this review, we have tried to collect the currently available information on the mechanism of action of AMPs in synergy with other antimicrobial agents. In particular, we have focused on the mechanisms of action that mediate the inhibition of the emergence of bacterial resistance by AMPs.Results and Conclusion:We find in the literature many examples where AMPs can significantly reduce the antibiotic effective concentration. Mainly, the peptides work at the bacterial cell wall and thereby facilitate the drug access to its intracellular target. Complementarily, AMPs can also contribute to permeate the exopolysaccharide layer of biofilm communities, or even prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm growth. Secondly, we find other peptides that can directly block the emergence of bacterial resistance mechanisms or interfere with the community quorum-sensing systems. Interestingly, the effective peptide concentrations for adjuvant activity and inhibition of bacterial resistance are much lower than the required for direct antimicrobial action. Finally, many AMPs expressed by innate immune cells are endowed with immunomodulatory properties and can participate in the host response against infection. Recent studies in animal models confirm that AMPs work as adjuvants at non-toxic concentrations and can be safely administrated for novel combined chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
| | - Pablo Fernández-Millán
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
| | - Ester Boix
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
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12
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Becknell B, Ching C, Spencer JD. The Responses of the Ribonuclease A Superfamily to Urinary Tract Infection. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2786. [PMID: 31849967 PMCID: PMC6901906 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The lower urinary tract is routinely exposed to microbes residing in the gastrointestinal tract, yet the urothelium resists invasive infections by gut microorganisms. This infection resistance is attributed to innate defenses in the bladder urothelium, kidney epithelium, and resident or circulating immune cells. In recent years, surmounting evidence suggests that these cell types produce and secrete soluble host defense peptides, including members of the Ribonuclease (RNase) A Superfamily, to combat invasive bacterial challenge. While some of these peptides, including RNase 4 and RNase 7, are abundantly produced by epithelial cells, the expression of others, like RNase 3 and RNase 6, increase at infection sites with immune cell recruitment. The objective of this mini-review is to highlight recent evidence showing the biological importance and responses of RNase A Superfamily members to infection in the kidney and bladder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Becknell
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States.,Center of Clinical and Translational Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States.,Division of Nephrology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Christina Ching
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States.,Center of Clinical and Translational Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States.,Division of Urology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - John David Spencer
- Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States.,Center of Clinical and Translational Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States.,Division of Nephrology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
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13
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Rademacher F, Dreyer S, Kopfnagel V, Gläser R, Werfel T, Harder J. The Antimicrobial and Immunomodulatory Function of RNase 7 in Skin. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2553. [PMID: 31749808 PMCID: PMC6848066 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The human ribonuclease RNase 7 has been originally isolated from human skin and is a member of the human RNase A superfamily. RNase 7 is constantly released by keratinocytes and accumulates on the skin surface. The expression of RNase 7 in keratinocytes can be induced by diverse stimuli such as cytokines, growth factors, and microbial factors. RNase 7 exhibits a potent broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms and contributes to control bacterial growth on the skin surface. The ribonuclease and antimicrobial activity of RNase 7 can be blocked by the endogenous ribonuclease inhibitor. There is also increasing evidence that RNase 7 exerts immunomodulatory activities and may participate in antiviral defense. In this review, we discuss how these characteristics of RNase 7 contribute to innate cutaneous defense and highlight its role in skin infection and inflammation. We also speculate how a potential dysregulation of RNase 7 promotes inflammatory skin diseases and if RNase 7 may have therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sylvia Dreyer
- Division of Immunodermatology and Allergy Research, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Verena Kopfnagel
- Division of Immunodermatology and Allergy Research, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Regine Gläser
- Department of Dermatology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Werfel
- Division of Immunodermatology and Allergy Research, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Jürgen Harder
- Department of Dermatology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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14
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Salazar VA, Arranz-Trullén J, Prats-Ejarque G, Torrent M, Andreu D, Pulido D, Boix E. Insight into the Antifungal Mechanism of Action of Human RNase N-terminus Derived Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184558. [PMID: 31540052 PMCID: PMC6770517 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a polymorphic fungus responsible for mucosal and skin infections. Candida cells establish themselves into biofilm communities resistant to most currently available antifungal agents. An increase of severe infections ensuing in fungal septic shock in elderly or immunosuppressed patients, along with the emergence of drug-resistant strains, urge the need for the development of alternative antifungal agents. In the search for novel antifungal drugs our laboratory demonstrated that two human ribonucleases from the vertebrate-specific RNaseA superfamily, hRNase3 and hRNase7, display a high anticandidal activity. In a previous work, we proved that the N-terminal region of the RNases was sufficient to reproduce most of the parental protein bactericidal activity. Next, we explored their potency against a fungal pathogen. Here, we have tested the N-terminal derived peptides that correspond to the eight human canonical RNases (RN1-8) against planktonic cells and biofilms of C. albicans. RN3 and RN7 peptides displayed the most potent inhibitory effect with a mechanism of action characterized by cell-wall binding, membrane permeabilization and biofilm eradication activities. Both peptides are able to eradicate planktonic and sessile cells, and to alter their gene expression, reinforcing its role as a lead candidate to develop novel antifungal and antibiofilm therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian A Salazar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Javier Arranz-Trullén
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Guillem Prats-Ejarque
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Marc Torrent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - David Pulido
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Ester Boix
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
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15
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Lu L, Arranz-Trullén J, Prats-Ejarque G, Pulido D, Bhakta S, Boix E. Human Antimicrobial RNases Inhibit Intracellular Bacterial Growth and Induce Autophagy in Mycobacteria-Infected Macrophages. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1500. [PMID: 31312205 PMCID: PMC6614385 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of novel treatment against tuberculosis is a priority global health challenge. Antimicrobial proteins and peptides offer a multifaceted mechanism suitable to fight bacterial resistance. Within the RNaseA superfamily there is a group of highly cationic proteins secreted by innate immune cells with anti-infective and immune-regulatory properties. In this work, we have tested the human canonical members of the RNase family using a spot-culture growth inhibition assay based mycobacteria-infected macrophage model for evaluating their anti-tubercular properties. Out of the seven tested recombinant human RNases, we have identified two members, RNase3 and RNase6, which were highly effective against Mycobacterium aurum extra- and intracellularly and induced an autophagy process. We observed the proteins internalization within macrophages and their capacity to eradicate the intracellular mycobacterial infection at a low micro-molar range. Contribution of the enzymatic activity was discarded by site-directed mutagenesis at the RNase catalytic site. The protein induction of autophagy was analyzed by RT-qPCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. Specific blockage of auto-phagosome formation and maturation reduced the protein's ability to eradicate the infection. In addition, we found that the M. aurum infection of human THP1 macrophages modulates the expression of endogenous RNase3 and RNase6, suggesting a function in vivo. Overall, our data anticipate a biological role for human antimicrobial RNases in host response to mycobacterial infections and set the basis for the design of novel anti-tubercular drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Javier Arranz-Trullén
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Mycobacteria Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Guillem Prats-Ejarque
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - David Pulido
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Sanjib Bhakta
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ester Boix
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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16
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Prats-Ejarque G, Li J, Ait-Ichou F, Lorente H, Boix E. Testing a Human Antimicrobial RNase Chimera Against Bacterial Resistance. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1357. [PMID: 31275278 PMCID: PMC6594349 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of bacterial resistance to the most commonly used antibiotics encourages the design of novel antimicrobial drugs. Antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs) are the key players in host innate immunity. They exert a rapid and multifaceted action that reduces the development of bacterial adaptation mechanisms. Human antimicrobial RNases belonging to the vertebrate specific RNase A superfamily participate in the maintenance of tissue and body fluid sterility. Among the eight human canonical RNases, RNase 3 stands out as the most cationic and effective bactericidal protein against Gram-negative species. Its enhanced ability to disrupt the bacterial cell wall has evolved in detriment of its catalytic activity. Based on structure-functional studies we have designed an RNase 3/1 hybrid construct that combines the high catalytic activity of RNase 1 with RNase 3 bactericidal properties. Next, we have explored the ability of this hybrid RNase to target the development of bacterial resistance on an Acinetobacter baumannii cell culture. Synergy assays were performed in combination with colistin, a standard antimicrobial peptide used as an antibiotic to treat severe infections. Positive synergism was observed between colistin and the RNase 3/1 hybrid protein. Subsequently, using an in vitro experimental evolution assay, by exposure of a bacterial culture to colistin at incremental doses, we demonstrated the ability of the RNase 3/1 construct to reduce the emergence of bacterial antimicrobial resistance. The results advance the potential applicability of RNase-based drugs as antibiotic adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ester Boix
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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17
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Pottanat ND, Brook AC, Bartosova M, Cortado H, Gupta S, Li B, Jackson AR, Vonau M, Cohen S, Ferrara M, Ching CB, Spencer JD, Brauner A, Fraser DJ, Schmitt CP, Eberl M, Ayoob R, Becknell B. Analysis of the Ribonuclease A Superfamily of Antimicrobial Peptides in Patients Undergoing Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7753. [PMID: 31123272 PMCID: PMC6533318 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44219-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious peritonitis is a common complication in patients undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD), limiting the duration of PD as a modality for renal replacement therapy and increasing patient morbidity and mortality. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) serve critical roles in mucosal defense, but their expression and activity during peritonitis are poorly understood. We hypothesized that AMPs belonging to the Ribonuclease (RNase) A Superfamily are present in peritoneal fluid and increase during peritonitis in patients undergoing chronic PD. In the absence of peritonitis, we detected RNase 3, RNase 6, and RNase 7 in cell-free supernatants and viable cells obtained from peritoneal fluid of chronic PD patients. The cellular sources of these RNases were eosinophils (RNase 3), macrophages (RNase 6), and mesothelial cells (RNase 7). During peritonitis, RNase 3 increased 55-fold and RNase 7 levels increased 3-fold on average, whereas RNase 6 levels were unchanged. The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for RNase 3 and RNase 7 were 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96-1.0) and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.64-0.93), respectively, indicating their potential as biomarkers of peritonitis. Discrete omental reservoirs of these RNases were evident in patients with end stage kidney disease prior to PD initiation, and omental RNase 3 reactive cells increased in patients undergoing PD with a history of peritonitis. We propose that constitutive and inducible pools of antimicrobial RNases form a network to shield the peritoneal cavity from microbial invasion in patients undergoing chronic PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Dhingra Pottanat
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Riley Children's Hospital and Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Amy C Brook
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Bartosova
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hanna Cortado
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sudipti Gupta
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Birong Li
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ashley R Jackson
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Martin Vonau
- Department of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Shira Cohen
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Maria Ferrara
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Christina B Ching
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Pediatric Urology, Department of Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - John David Spencer
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Annelie Brauner
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Donald J Fraser
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
- Wales Kidney Research Unit, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Claus Peter Schmitt
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Eberl
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine and Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Rose Ayoob
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Charleston, WV, USA.
| | - Brian Becknell
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
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18
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Xenobiotic Binding Domain of Glutathione S-Transferase Has Cryptic Antimicrobial Peptides. Int J Pept Res Ther 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-018-9793-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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19
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The Immunomodulatory and Antimicrobial Properties of the Vertebrate Ribonuclease A Superfamily. Vaccines (Basel) 2018; 6:vaccines6040076. [PMID: 30463297 PMCID: PMC6313885 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines6040076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The Ribonuclease A Superfamily is composed of cationic peptides that are secreted by immune cells and epithelial tissues. Although their physiological roles are unclear, several members of the vertebrate Ribonuclease A Superfamily demonstrate antimicrobial and immune modulation activities. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the published literature on the Ribonuclease A Superfamily with an emphasis on each peptide’s regulation, antimicrobial properties, and immunomodulatory functions. As additional insights emerge regarding the mechanisms in which these ribonucleases eradicate invading pathogens and modulate immune function, these ribonucleases may have the potential to be developed as a novel class of therapeutics for some human diseases.
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20
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Unveiling the Multifaceted Mechanisms of Antibacterial Activity of Buforin II and Frenatin 2.3S Peptides from Skin Micro-Organs of the Orinoco Lime Treefrog ( Sphaenorhynchus lacteus). Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19082170. [PMID: 30044391 PMCID: PMC6121439 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibian skin is a rich source of natural compounds with diverse antimicrobial and immune defense properties. Our previous studies showed that the frog skin secretions obtained by skin micro-organs from various species of Colombian anurans have antimicrobial activities against bacteria and viruses. We purified for the first time two antimicrobial peptides from the skin micro-organs of the Orinoco lime treefrog (Sphaenorhynchus lacteus) that correspond to Buforin II (BF2) and Frenatin 2.3S (F2.3S). Here, we have synthesized the two peptides and tested them against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, observing an effective bactericidal activity at micromolar concentrations. Evaluation of BF2 and F2.3S membrane destabilization activity on bacterial cell cultures and synthetic lipid bilayers reveals a distinct membrane interaction mechanism. BF2 agglutinates E. coli cells and synthetic vesicles, whereas F2.3S shows a high depolarization and membrane destabilization activities. Interestingly, we found that F2.3S is able to internalize within bacterial cells and can bind nucleic acids, as previously reported for BF2. Moreover, bacterial exposure to both peptides alters the expression profile of genes related to stress and resistance response. Overall, these results show the multifaceted mechanism of action of both antimicrobial peptides that can provide alternative tools in the fight against bacterial resistance.
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21
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Pulido D, Prats-Ejarque G, Villalba C, Albacar M, Moussaoui M, Andreu D, Volkmer R, Torrent M, Boix E. Positional scanning library applied to the human eosinophil cationic protein/RNase3 N-terminus reveals novel and potent anti-biofilm peptides. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 152:590-599. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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22
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Novel bioactive peptides from PD-L1/2, a type 1 ribosome inactivating protein from Phytolacca dioica L. Evaluation of their antimicrobial properties and anti-biofilm activities. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2018; 1860:1425-1435. [PMID: 29684330 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides, also called Host Defence Peptides (HDPs), are effectors of innate immune response found in all living organisms. In a previous report, we have identified by chemical fragmentation, and characterized the first cryptic antimicrobial peptide in PD-L4, a type 1 ribosome inactivating protein (RIP) from leaves of Phytolacca dioica L. We applied a recently developed bioinformatic approach to a further member of the differently expressed pool of type 1 RIPs from P. dioica (PD-L1/2), and identified two novel putative cryptic HDPs in its N-terminal domain. These two peptides, here named IKY31 and IKY23, exhibit antibacterial activities against planktonic bacterial cells and, interestingly, significant anti-biofilm properties against two Gram-negative strains. Here, we describe that PD-L1/2 derived peptides are able to induce a strong dose-dependent reduction in biofilm biomass, affect biofilm thickness and, in the case of IKY31, interfere with cell-to-cell adhesion, likely by affecting biofilm structural components. In addition to these findings, we found that both PD-L1/2 derived peptides are able to assume stable helical conformations in the presence of membrane mimicking agents (SDS and TFE) and intriguingly beta structures when incubated with extracellular bacterial wall components (LPS and alginate). Overall, the data collected in this work provide further evidence of the importance of cryptic peptides derived from type 1 RIPs in host/pathogen interactions, especially under pathophysiological conditions induced by biofilm forming bacteria. This suggests a new possible role of RIPs as precursors of antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents, likely released upon defensive proteolytic processes, which may be involved in plant homeostasis.
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Arranz-Trullén J, Lu L, Pulido D, Bhakta S, Boix E. Host Antimicrobial Peptides: The Promise of New Treatment Strategies against Tuberculosis. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1499. [PMID: 29163551 PMCID: PMC5681943 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a devastating infectious disease and remerges as a global health emergency due to an alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance to its treatment. Despite of the serious effort that has been applied to develop effective antitubercular chemotherapies, the potential of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) remains underexploited. A large amount of literature is now accessible on the AMP mechanisms of action against a diversity of pathogens; nevertheless, research on their activity on mycobacteria is still scarce. In particular, there is an urgent need to integrate all available interdisciplinary strategies to eradicate extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. In this context, we should not underestimate our endogenous antimicrobial proteins and peptides as ancient players of the human host defense system. We are confident that novel antibiotics based on human AMPs displaying a rapid and multifaceted mechanism, with reduced toxicity, should significantly contribute to reverse the tide of antimycobacterial drug resistance. In this review, we have provided an up to date perspective of the current research on AMPs to be applied in the fight against TB. A better understanding on the mechanisms of action of human endogenous peptides should ensure the basis for the best guided design of novel antitubercular chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Arranz-Trullén
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Mycobacteria Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lu Lu
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - David Pulido
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Sanjib Bhakta
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ester Boix
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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Pane K, Durante L, Crescenzi O, Cafaro V, Pizzo E, Varcamonti M, Zanfardino A, Izzo V, Di Donato A, Notomista E. Antimicrobial potency of cationic antimicrobial peptides can be predicted from their amino acid composition: Application to the detection of “cryptic” antimicrobial peptides. J Theor Biol 2017; 419:254-265. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Pulido D, Garcia-Mayoral MF, Moussaoui M, Velázquez D, Torrent M, Bruix M, Boix E. Structural basis for endotoxin neutralization by the eosinophil cationic protein. FEBS J 2016; 283:4176-4191. [PMID: 27696685 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Acute infection by Gram-negative pathogens can induce an exacerbated immune response that leads to lethal septic shock syndrome. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major pathogen-associated molecular pattern molecule that can initiate massive and lethal immune system stimulation. Therefore, the development of new and effective LPS-neutralizing agents is a top priority. The eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is an antimicrobial protein secreted in response to infection, with a remarkable affinity for LPS. In the present study, we demonstrate that ECP is able to neutralize bacterial LPS and inhibit tumor necrosis factor-α production in human macrophages. We also characterized ECP neutralizing activity using progressively truncated LPS mutants, and conclude that the polysaccharide moiety and lipid A portions are required for LPS-mediated neutralization. In addition, we mapped the structural determinants required for the ECP-LPS interaction by nuclear magnetic resonance. Our results show that ECP is able to neutralize LPS and therefore opens a new route for developing novel therapeutic agents based on the ECP structural scaffolding.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Pulido
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biosciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | | | - Mohammed Moussaoui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biosciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Diego Velázquez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biosciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Marc Torrent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biosciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Marta Bruix
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ester Boix
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biosciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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A Novel RNase 3/ECP Peptide for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Eradication That Combines Antimicrobial, Lipopolysaccharide Binding, and Cell-Agglutinating Activities. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:6313-25. [PMID: 27527084 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00830-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Eradication of established biofilm communities of pathogenic Gram-negative species is one of the pending challenges for the development of new antimicrobial agents. In particular, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the main dreaded nosocomial species, with a tendency to form organized microbial communities that offer an enhanced resistance to conventional antibiotics. We describe here an engineered antimicrobial peptide (AMP) which combines bactericidal activity with a high bacterial cell agglutination and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) affinity. The RN3(5-17P22-36) peptide is a 30-mer derived from the eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), a host defense RNase secreted by eosinophils upon infection, with a wide spectrum of antipathogen activity. The protein displays high biofilm eradication activity that is not dependent on its RNase catalytic activity, as evaluated by using an active site-defective mutant. On the other hand, the peptide encompasses both the LPS-binding and aggregation-prone regions from the parental protein, which provide the appropriate structural features for the peptide's attachment to the bacterial exopolysaccharide layer and further improved removal of established biofilms. Moreover, the peptide's high cationicity and amphipathicity promote the cell membrane destabilization action. The results are also compared side by side with other reported AMPs effective against either planktonic and/or biofilm forms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1. The ECP and its derived peptide are unique in combining high bactericidal potency and cell agglutination activity, achieving effective biofilm eradication at a low micromolar range. We conclude that the designed RN3(5-17P22-36) peptide is a promising lead candidate against Gram-negative biofilms.
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Gupta SK, Haigh BJ, Wheeler TT. Abundance of RNase4 and RNase5 mRNA and protein in host defence related tissues and secretions in cattle. Biochem Biophys Rep 2016; 8:261-267. [PMID: 28955965 PMCID: PMC5613968 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the RNaseA family are present in various tissues and secretions but their function is not well understood. Some of the RNases are proposed to participate in host defence. RNase4 and RNase5 are present in cows' milk and have antimicrobial activity. However, their presence in many tissues and secretions has not been characterised. We hypothesised that these two RNases are present in a range of tissues and secretions where they could contribute to host defence. We therefore, determined the relative abundance of RNase4 and RNase5 mRNA as well as protein levels in a range of host defence related and other tissues as well as a range of secretions in cattle, using real time PCR and western blotting. The two RNases were found to be expressed in liver, lung, pancreas, mammary gland, placenta, endometrium, small intestine, seminal vesicle, salivary gland, kidney, spleen, lymph node, skin as well as testes. Corresponding proteins were also detected in many of the above tissues, as well as in seminal fluid, mammary secretions and saliva. This study provides evidence for the presence of RNase4 and RNase5 in a range of tissues and secretions, as well as some major organs in cattle. The data are consistent with the idea that these proteins could contribute to host defence in these locations. This work contributes to growing body of data suggesting that these proteins contribute to the physiology of the organism in a more complex way than acting merely as digestive enzymes. RNase4 and RNase5 are present in several tissues and secretions in cattle. mRNA and protein levels of the RNases correlate in various tissues analysed. The RNases could contribute to host defence in these tissues and secretions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep K Gupta
- Dairy Foods, AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Brendan J Haigh
- Dairy Foods, AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Thomas T Wheeler
- Dairy Foods, AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
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Koczera P, Martin L, Marx G, Schuerholz T. The Ribonuclease A Superfamily in Humans: Canonical RNases as the Buttress of Innate Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17081278. [PMID: 27527162 PMCID: PMC5000675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17081278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, the ribonuclease A (RNase A) superfamily contains eight different members that have RNase activities, and all of these members are encoded on chromosome 14. The proteins are secreted by a large variety of different tissues and cells; however, a comprehensive understanding of these proteins’ physiological roles is lacking. Different biological effects can be attributed to each protein, including antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal activities as well as cytotoxic effects against host cells and parasites. Different immunomodulatory effects have also been demonstrated. This review summarizes the available data on the human RNase A superfamily and illustrates the significant role of the eight canonical RNases in inflammation and the host defence system against infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Koczera
- Department of Intensive Care and Intermediate Care, University Hospital Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany.
| | - Lukas Martin
- Department of Intensive Care and Intermediate Care, University Hospital Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.
| | - Gernot Marx
- Department of Intensive Care and Intermediate Care, University Hospital Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.
| | - Tobias Schuerholz
- Department of Intensive Care and Intermediate Care, University Hospital Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.
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Rademacher F, Simanski M, Harder J. RNase 7 in Cutaneous Defense. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:560. [PMID: 27089327 PMCID: PMC4849016 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17040560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RNase 7 belongs to the RNase A superfamily and exhibits a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms. RNase 7 is expressed in human skin, and expression in keratinocytes can be induced by cytokines and microbes. These properties suggest that RNase 7 participates in innate cutaneous defense. In this review, we provide an overview about the role of RNase 7 in cutaneous defense with focus on the molecular mechanism of the antimicrobial activity of RNase 7, the regulation of RNase 7 expression, and the role of RNase 7 in skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maren Simanski
- Department of Dermatology, University of Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Harder
- Department of Dermatology, University of Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
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Insights into the Antimicrobial Mechanism of Action of Human RNase6: Structural Determinants for Bacterial Cell Agglutination and Membrane Permeation. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:552. [PMID: 27089320 PMCID: PMC4849008 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17040552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Ribonuclease 6 is a secreted protein belonging to the ribonuclease A (RNaseA) superfamily, a vertebrate specific family suggested to arise with an ancestral host defense role. Tissue distribution analysis revealed its expression in innate cell types, showing abundance in monocytes and neutrophils. Recent evidence of induction of the protein expression by bacterial infection suggested an antipathogen function in vivo. In our laboratory, the antimicrobial properties of the protein have been evaluated against Gram-negative and Gram-positive species and its mechanism of action was characterized using a membrane model. Interestingly, our results indicate that RNase6, as previously reported for RNase3, is able to specifically agglutinate Gram-negative bacteria as a main trait of its antimicrobial activity. Moreover, a side by side comparative analysis with the RN6(1-45) derived peptide highlights that the antimicrobial activity is mostly retained at the protein N-terminus. Further work by site directed mutagenesis and structural analysis has identified two residues involved in the protein antimicrobial action (Trp1 and Ile13) that are essential for the cell agglutination properties. This is the first structure-functional characterization of RNase6 antimicrobial properties, supporting its contribution to the infection focus clearance.
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Becknell B, Spencer JD. A Review of Ribonuclease 7's Structure, Regulation, and Contributions to Host Defense. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:423. [PMID: 27011175 PMCID: PMC4813274 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17030423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The Ribonuclease A Superfamily is composed of a group of structurally similar peptides that are secreted by immune cells and epithelial tissues. Several members of the Ribonuclease A Superfamily demonstrate antimicrobial activity, and it has been suggested that some of these ribonucleases play an essential role in host defense. Ribonuclease 7 (RNase 7) is an epithelial-derived secreted peptide with potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. This review summarizes the published literature on RNase 7’s antimicrobial properties, structure, regulation, and contributions to host defense. In doing so, we conclude by highlighting key knowledge gaps that must be investigated to completely understand the potential of developing RNase 7 as a novel therapeutic for human infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Becknell
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Nationwide Children's, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
| | - John David Spencer
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Nationwide Children's, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
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Pizzo E, Zanfardino A, Di Giuseppe AM, Bosso A, Landi N, Ragucci S, Varcamonti M, Notomista E, Di Maro A. A new active antimicrobial peptide from PD-L4, a type 1 ribosome inactivating protein ofPhytolacca dioicaL.: A new function of RIPs for plant defence? FEBS Lett 2015; 589:2812-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Vipericidins: a novel family of cathelicidin-related peptides from the venom gland of South American pit vipers. Amino Acids 2014; 46:2561-71. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-014-1801-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Ribonucleases 6 and 7 have antimicrobial function in the human and murine urinary tract. Kidney Int 2014; 87:151-61. [PMID: 25075772 PMCID: PMC4281292 DOI: 10.1038/ki.2014.268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests antimicrobial peptides protect the urinary tract from infection. Ribonuclease 7 (RNase 7), a member of the RNase A superfamily, is a potent epithelial-derived protein that maintains human urinary tract sterility. RNase 7 expression is restricted to primates, limiting evaluation of its antimicrobial activity in vivo. Here we identified Ribonuclease 6 (RNase 6) as the RNase A Superfamily member present in humans and mice that is most conserved at the amino acid level relative to RNase 7. Like RNase 7, recombinant human and murine RNase 6 has potent antimicrobial activity against uropathogens. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblot analysis indicate that RNase 6 mRNA and protein are up-regulated in the human and murine urinary tract during infection. Immunostaining located RNase 6 to resident and infiltrating monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. Uropathogenic E. coli induces RNase 6 peptide expression in human CD14+ monocytes and murine bone marrow derived macrophages. Thus, RNase 6 is an inducible, myeloid-derived protein with markedly different expression from the epithelial-derived RNase 7 but with equally potent antimicrobial activity. Our studies suggest RNase 6 serves as an evolutionarily conserved antimicrobial peptide that participates in the maintenance of urinary tract sterility.
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Wang G. Human antimicrobial peptides and proteins. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2014; 7:545-94. [PMID: 24828484 PMCID: PMC4035769 DOI: 10.3390/ph7050545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 337] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
As the key components of innate immunity, human host defense antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs) play a critical role in warding off invading microbial pathogens. In addition, AMPs can possess other biological functions such as apoptosis, wound healing, and immune modulation. This article provides an overview on the identification, activity, 3D structure, and mechanism of action of human AMPs selected from the antimicrobial peptide database. Over 100 such peptides have been identified from a variety of tissues and epithelial surfaces, including skin, eyes, ears, mouths, gut, immune, nervous and urinary systems. These peptides vary from 10 to 150 amino acids with a net charge between -3 and +20 and a hydrophobic content below 60%. The sequence diversity enables human AMPs to adopt various 3D structures and to attack pathogens by different mechanisms. While α-defensin HD-6 can self-assemble on the bacterial surface into nanonets to entangle bacteria, both HNP-1 and β-defensin hBD-3 are able to block cell wall biosynthesis by binding to lipid II. Lysozyme is well-characterized to cleave bacterial cell wall polysaccharides but can also kill bacteria by a non-catalytic mechanism. The two hydrophobic domains in the long amphipathic α-helix of human cathelicidin LL-37 lays the basis for binding and disrupting the curved anionic bacterial membrane surfaces by forming pores or via the carpet model. Furthermore, dermcidin may serve as ion channel by forming a long helix-bundle structure. In addition, the C-type lectin RegIIIα can initially recognize bacterial peptidoglycans followed by pore formation in the membrane. Finally, histatin 5 and GAPDH(2-32) can enter microbial cells to exert their effects. It appears that granulysin enters cells and kills intracellular pathogens with the aid of pore-forming perforin. This arsenal of human defense proteins not only keeps us healthy but also inspires the development of a new generation of personalized medicine to combat drug-resistant superbugs, fungi, viruses, parasites, or cancer. Alternatively, multiple factors (e.g., albumin, arginine, butyrate, calcium, cyclic AMP, isoleucine, short-chain fatty acids, UV B light, vitamin D, and zinc) are able to induce the expression of antimicrobial peptides, opening new avenues to the development of anti-infectious drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA.
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