1
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Fletcher JR, Hansen LA, Martinez R, Freeman CD, Thorns N, Villareal AR, Penningroth MR, Vogt GA, Tyler M, Hines KM, Hunter RC. Commensal-derived short-chain fatty acids disrupt lipid membrane homeostasis in Staphylococcus aureus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.12.607382. [PMID: 39185181 PMCID: PMC11343118 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.12.607382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
The role of commensal anaerobic bacteria in chronic respiratory infections is unclear, yet they can exist in abundances comparable to canonical pathogens in vivo. Their contributions to the metabolic landscape of the host environment may influence pathogen behavior by competing for nutrients and creating inhospitable conditions via toxic metabolites. Here, we reveal a mechanism by which the anaerobe-derived short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) propionate and butyrate negatively affect Staphylococcus aureus physiology by disrupting branched chain fatty acid (BCFA) metabolism. In turn, BCFA impairment results in impaired growth, diminished expression of the agr quorum sensing system, as well as increased sensitivity to membrane-targeting antimicrobials. Altered BCFA metabolism also reduces S. aureus fitness in competition with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, suggesting that airway microbiome composition and the metabolites they produce and exchange directly impact pathogen succession over time. The pleiotropic effects of these SCFAs on S. aureus fitness and their ubiquity as metabolites in animals also suggests that they may be effective as sensitizers to traditional antimicrobial agents when used in combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R. Fletcher
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Lisa A. Hansen
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14203
| | - Richard Martinez
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | | | - Niall Thorns
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14203
| | - Alex R. Villareal
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | | | - Grace A. Vogt
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Matthew Tyler
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
| | - Kelly M. Hines
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602
| | - Ryan C. Hunter
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14203
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2
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Liu C, Henning-Knechtel A, Österlund N, Wu J, Wang G, Gräslund RAO, Kirmizialtin S, Luo J. Oligomer Dynamics of LL-37 Truncated Fragments Probed by α-Hemolysin Pore and Molecular Simulations. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206232. [PMID: 37170734 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Oligomerization of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is critical in their effects on pathogens. LL-37 and its truncated fragments are widely investigated regarding their structures, antimicrobial activities, and application, such as developing new antibiotics. Due to the small size and weak intermolecular interactions of LL-37 fragments, it is still elusive to establish the relationship between oligomeric states and antimicrobial activities. Here, an α-hemolysin nanopore, mass spectrometry (MS), and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations are used to characterize the oligomeric states of two LL-37 fragments. Nanopore studies provide evidence of trapping events related to the oligomer formation and provide further details on their stabilities, which are confirmed by MS and MD simulations. Furthermore, simulation results reveal the molecular basis of oligomer dynamics and states of LL-37 fragments. This work provides unique insights into the relationship between the oligomer dynamics of AMPs and their antimicrobial activities at the single-molecule level. The study demonstrates how integrating methods allows deciphering single molecule level understanding from nanopore sensing approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Anja Henning-Knechtel
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 129188, UAE
| | - Nicklas Österlund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Jinming Wu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA
| | | | - Serdal Kirmizialtin
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 129188, UAE
| | - Jinghui Luo
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
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3
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Zhang C, Kang Y, Zhang Z, Liu H, Xu H, Cai W, Gao X, Yang J. Long-Term Administration of LL-37 Can Induce Irreversible Rosacea-like Lesion. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:2703-2716. [PMID: 37185701 PMCID: PMC10136735 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45040177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease whose late manifestations have not yet been clearly reported in animal models. The objective of this study is to describe the skin lesions and major histopathological changes in a rosacea-like phenotype in mice induced by prolonged LL-37 administration and furthermore, to assess the potential of long-term LL-37 administration in inducing irreversible rosacea-like skin lesion models. Balb/c mice were continuously injected intradermally with LL-37 every 12 h to induce a rosacea-like phenotype. After LL-37 injections were administered for 20 consecutive days, the area of rosacea-like lesions gradually expanded in the first 13 days, then entered a stable phase. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Van Gieson's staining showed a high degree of inflammatory cell aggregation, thickening of the epidermis and dermis, and collagen deposition in large quantities. The results of immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting showed that the expression of α-SMA, TNF-α, vimentin, and COL1 in the skin of mice was significantly upregulated. Short-term LL-37 administration induced rosacea-like lesions that only featured the aggregation of inflammatory factors and thickening of the epidermis, whereas no collagen hyperplasia was observed, and a full recovery was noticed. However, rosacea-like skin lesions induced by long-term LL-37 administration did not completely recover. Our study compares rosacea-like lesions induced by short-term versus long-term LL-37 administration, and the results suggest that irreversible rosacea-like lesions can be induced by long-term LL-37 administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanxi Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Yumeng Kang
- Clinical Medical College, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Ziyan Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Heliang Liu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Hong Xu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Wenchen Cai
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Xuemin Gao
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Clinical Medical College, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
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4
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Pyrazole-Enriched Cationic Nanoparticles Induced Early- and Late-Stage Apoptosis in Neuroblastoma Cells at Sub-Micromolar Concentrations. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030393. [PMID: 36986492 PMCID: PMC10056113 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a severe form of tumor occurring mainly in young children and originating from nerve cells found in the abdomen or next to the spine. NB needs more effective and safer treatments, as the chance of survival against the aggressive form of this disease are very small. Moreover, when current treatments are successful, they are often responsible for unpleasant health problems which compromise the future and life of surviving children. As reported, cationic macromolecules have previously been found to be active against bacteria as membrane disruptors by interacting with the negative constituents of the surface of cancer cells, analogously inducing depolarization and permeabilization, provoking lethal damage to the cytoplasmic membrane, and cause loss of cytoplasmic content and consequently, cell death. Here, aiming to develop new curative options for counteracting NB cells, pyrazole-loaded cationic nanoparticles (NPs) (BBB4-G4K and CB1H-P7 NPs), recently reported as antibacterial agents, were assayed against IMR 32 and SHSY 5Y NB cell lines. Particularly, while BBB4-G4K NPs demonstrated low cytotoxicity against both NB cell lines, CB1H-P7 NPs were remarkably cytotoxic against both IMR 32 and SHSY 5Y cells (IC50 = 0.43–0.54 µM), causing both early-stage (66–85%) and late-stage apoptosis (52–65%). Interestingly, in the nano-formulation of CB1H using P7 NPs, the anticancer effects of CB1H and P7 were increased by 54–57 and 2.5–4-times, respectively against IMR 32 cells, and by 53–61 and 1.3–2 times against SHSY 5Y cells. Additionally, based on the IC50 values, CB1H-P7 was also 1-12-fold more potent than fenretinide, an experimental retinoid derivative in a phase III clinical trial, with remarkable antineoplastic and chemopreventive properties. Collectively, due to these results and their good selectivity for cancer cells (selectivity indices = 2.8–3.3), CB1H-P7 NPs represent an excellent template material for developing new treatment options against NB.
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5
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Vakili B, Jahanian-Najafabadi A. Application of Antimicrobial Peptides in the Design and Production of Anticancer Agents. Int J Pept Res Ther 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-023-10501-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
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6
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de Tapia L, García-Fojeda B, Kronqvist N, Johansson J, Casals C. The collectin SP-A and its trimeric recombinant fragment protect alveolar epithelial cells from the cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects of human cathelicidin in vitro. Front Immunol 2022; 13:994328. [PMID: 36105805 PMCID: PMC9464622 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.994328] [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: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cathelicidin (LL-37) is a defense peptide with antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. However, LL-37 can also trigger tissue injury by binding to host cell membranes. The cytotoxic effects of LL-37 may be especially relevant in chronic respiratory diseases characterized by increased LL-37. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the human collectin SP-A and a trimeric recombinant fragment thereof (rfhSP-A) can regulate the activities of LL-37. To this end, we studied the interaction of LL-37 with SP-A and rfhSP-A by intrinsic fluorescence, dynamic light scattering, and circular dichroism, as well as the effects of these proteins on the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of LL-37. Both SP-A and rfhSP-A bound LL-37 with high affinity at physiological ionic strength (KD = 0.45 ± 0.01 nM for SP-A and 1.22 ± 0.7 nM for rfhSP-A). Such interactions result in the reduction of LL-37-induced cell permeability and IL-8 release in human pneumocytes, mediated by P2X7 channels. Binding of LL-37 to SP-A did not modify the properties of SP-A or the antibacterial activity of LL-37 against respiratory pathogens (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae). SP-A/LL-37 complexes showed a greater ability to aggregate LPS vesicles than LL-37, which reduces endotoxin bioactivity. These results reveal the protective role of native SP-A in controlling LL-37 activities and suggest a potential therapeutic effect of rfhSP-A in reducing the cytotoxic and inflammatory actions of LL-37, without affecting its microbicidal activity against Gram-negative pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia de Tapia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén García-Fojeda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nina Kronqvist
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Cristina Casals
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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7
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Lu F, Zhu Y, Zhang G, Liu Z. Renovation as innovation: Repurposing human antibacterial peptide LL-37 for cancer therapy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:944147. [PMID: 36081952 PMCID: PMC9445486 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.944147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In many organisms, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) display wide activities in innate host defense against microbial pathogens. Mammalian AMPs include the cathelicidin and defensin families. LL37 is the only one member of the cathelicidin family of host defense peptides expressed in humans. Since its discovery, it has become clear that they have pleiotropic effects. In addition to its antibacterial properties, many studies have shown that LL37 is also involved in a wide variety of biological activities, including tissue repair, inflammatory responses, hemotaxis, and chemokine induction. Moreover, recent studies suggest that LL37 exhibits the intricate and contradictory effects in promoting or inhibiting tumor growth. Indeed, an increasing amount of evidence suggests that human LL37 including its fragments and analogs shows anticancer effects on many kinds of cancer cell lines, although LL37 is also involved in cancer progression. Focusing on recent information, in this review, we explore and summarize how LL37 contributes to anticancer effect as well as discuss the strategies to enhance delivery of this peptide and selectivity for cancer cells.
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8
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Freire RV, Pillco-Valencia Y, da Hora GC, Ramstedt M, Sandblad L, Soares TA, Salentinig S. Antimicrobial peptide induced colloidal transformations in bacteria-mimetic vesicles: Combining in silico tools and experimental methods. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 596:352-363. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.03.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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9
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Beneficial impact of cathelicidin on hypersensitivity pneumonitis treatment-In vivo studies. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251237. [PMID: 33999928 PMCID: PMC8128276 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cathelicidin (CRAMP) is a defence peptide with a wide range of biological responses including antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and wound healing. Due to its original properties the usefulness of CRAMP in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis was assessed in a murine model of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). The studies were conducted on mouse strain C57BL/6J exposed to a saline extract of Pantoea agglomerans cells (HP inducer). Cathelicidin was administered in the form of an aerosol during and after HP development. Changes in the composition of immune cell populations (NK cells, macrophages, lymphocytes: Tc, Th, Treg, B), were monitored in lung tissue by flow cytometry. Extracellular matrix deposition (collagens, hydroxyproline), the concentration of cytokines involved in inflammatory and the fibrosis process (IFNγ, TNFα, TGFβ1, IL1β, IL4, IL5, IL10, IL12α, IL13) were examined in lung homogenates by the ELISA method. Alterations in lung tissue morphology were examined in mouse lung sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin as well as Masson trichrome dyes. The performed studies revealed that cathelicidin did not cause any negative changes in lung morphology/structure, immune cell composition or cytokines production. At the same time, CRAMP attenuated the immune reaction induced by mice chronic exposure to P. agglomerans and inhibited hydroxyproline and collagen deposition in the lung tissue of mice treated with bacteria extract. The beneficial effect of CRAMP on HP treatment was associated with restoring the balance in quantity of immune cells, cytokines production and synthesis of extracellular matrix components. The presented study suggests the usefulness of cathelicidin in preventing lung fibrosis; however, cathelicidin was not able to reverse pathological changes completely.
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10
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Urbanc B. Cross-Linked Amyloid β-Protein Oligomers: A Missing Link in Alzheimer's Disease Pathology? J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:1307-1316. [PMID: 33440940 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c07716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) oligomers are broadly viewed as the proximate mediators of toxicity in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies, however, provide substantial evidence that Aβ is involved in protection and repair of the central nervous system whereby Aβ oligomer and subsequent fibril formation are integral to its normal antimicrobial and antiviral function. These developments raise a question of what exactly makes Aβ oligomers toxic in the context of AD. This Perspective describes a paradigm shift in the search for toxic Aβ oligomer species that involves oxidative-stress-induced stabilization of Aβ oligomers via cross-linking and reviews most recent research elucidating structural aspects of cross-linked Aβ oligomers and potential inhibition of their toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigita Urbanc
- Department of Physics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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11
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Johnson TS, Deber CM. Protection or Destruction: The LL-37/HNP1 Cooperativity Switch. Biophys J 2020; 119:2370-2371. [PMID: 33271082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S Johnson
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles M Deber
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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12
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Varnava KG, Edwards PJB, Cameron AJ, Harjes E, Sarojini V. Cyclic peptides bearing the d-Phe-2-Abz turn motif: Structural characterization and antimicrobial potential. J Pept Sci 2020; 27:e3291. [PMID: 33283398 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The effect on secondary structure and antimicrobial activity of introducing different cyclic constraints in linear β-hairpin antimicrobial peptides has been investigated with the intention of generating cyclic β sheets as promising antimicrobials with improved therapeutic potential. The linear peptides were cyclized head to tail either directly or after the addition of either a second turn motif or a disulfide bridge. The propensity of these peptides to adopt a cyclic β-sheet structure has been correlated to their antibacterial activity. All cyclic peptides showed enhanced activity, compared with their linear counterparts against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies showed that this family kills bacteria through membrane lysis. The peptide that showed the best efficacy against all strains (exhibiting nanomolar activity), while retaining low haemolysis, bears two symmetrical, homochiral d-phe-2-Abz-d-ala turns and adopted a flexible structure. Its twin peptide that bears heterochiral turns (one with d-ala and one with L-Ala) showed reduced antibacterial activity and higher percentage of haemolysis. Circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicate that heterochirality in the two turns leads to oligomerization of the peptide at higher concentrations, stabilizing the β-sheet secondary structure. More rigid secondary structure is associated with lower activity against bacteria and loss of selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriakos G Varnava
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Patrick J B Edwards
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BioDiscovery, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Alan J Cameron
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BioDiscovery, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Elena Harjes
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BioDiscovery, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Vijayalekshmi Sarojini
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.,The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
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13
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Concentration- and pH-Dependent Oligomerization of the Thrombin-Derived C-Terminal Peptide TCP-25. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111572. [PMID: 33228042 PMCID: PMC7699335 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide oligomerization dynamics affects peptide structure, activity, and pharmacodynamic properties. The thrombin C-terminal peptide, TCP-25 (GKYGFYTHVFRLKKWIQKVIDQFGE), is currently in preclinical development for improved wound healing and infection prevention. It exhibits turbidity when formulated at pH 7.4, particularly at concentrations of 0.3 mM or more. We used biochemical and biophysical approaches to explore whether the peptide self-associates and forms oligomers. The peptide showed a dose-dependent increase in turbidity as well as α-helical structure at pH 7.4, a phenomenon not observed at pH 5.0. By analyzing the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, we demonstrate that TCP-25 is more stable at high concentrations (0.3 mM) when exposed to high temperatures or a high concentration of denaturant agents, which is compatible with oligomer formation. The denaturation process was reversible above 100 µM of peptide. Dynamic light scattering demonstrated that TCP-25 oligomerization is sensitive to changes in pH, time, and temperature. Computational modeling with an active 18-mer region of TCP-25 showed that the peptide can form pH-dependent higher-order end-to-end oligomers and micelle-like structures, which is in agreement with the experimental data. Thus, TCP-25 exhibits pH- and temperature-dependent dynamic changes involving helical induction and reversible oligomerization, which explains the observed turbidity of the pharmacologically developed formulation.
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14
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Drab E, Sugihara K. Cooperative Function of LL-37 and HNP1 Protects Mammalian Cell Membranes from Lysis. Biophys J 2020; 119:2440-2450. [PMID: 33157121 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
LL-37, cleaved from human cathelicidin, and human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP1) from the defensin family are antimicrobial peptides that are occasionally co-released from neutrophils, which synergistically kill bacteria. We report that this couple presents another type of cooperativity against host eukaryotic cells, in which they antagonistically minimize cytotoxicity by protecting membranes from lysis. Our results describe the potential of the LL-37/HNP1 cooperativity that switches from membrane-destructive to membrane-protective functions, depending on whether the target is an enemy or a host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Drab
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kaori Sugihara
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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15
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Roy ER, Cao W. Antiviral Immune Response in Alzheimer's Disease: Connecting the Dots. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:577744. [PMID: 33132831 PMCID: PMC7561672 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.577744] [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: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents an enormous public health challenge currently and with increasing urgency in the coming decades. Our understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of AD is rather incomplete, which is manifested in stagnated therapeutic developments. Apart from the well-established Amyloid Hypothesis of AD, gaining traction in recent years is the Pathogen Hypothesis, which postulates a causal role of infectious agents in the development of AD. Particularly, infection by viruses, among a diverse range of microorganisms, has been implicated. Recently, we described a prominent antiviral immune response in human AD brains as well as murine amyloid beta models, which has consequential effects on neuropathology. Such findings expectedly allude to the question about viral infections and AD. In this Perspective, we would like to discuss the molecular mechanism underlying the antiviral immune response, highlight how such pathway directly promotes AD pathogenesis, and depict a multilayered connection between antiviral immune response and other agents and factors relevant to AD. By tying together these threads of evidence, we provide a cohesive perspective on the uprising of antiviral immune response in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan R Roy
- Huffington Center on Aging and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Wei Cao
- Huffington Center on Aging and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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16
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Pinheiro da Silva F, Vinicius Macarini Bruzaferro E, Olsen Saraiva Câmara N. Antimicrobial peptides in the gut-brain axis: A straightforward review to unravel some missing links. J Neurosci Res 2020; 98:2384-2389. [PMID: 32945561 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24729] [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: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are intriguing molecules, able to directly kill several microorganisms and to regulate multiple aspects of the immune response. Despite the extensive studies on the role of AMPs in the epithelial barrier, placing them as a pivotal line of defense against pathogen invasion, little attention has been directed to their role in the maintenance and modulation of the gut microbiota and, by consequence, of the homeostasis of extra intestinal tissues. Here, we review the recent literature about the microbiome-gut-brain axis, focusing on the role of AMPs in this scenario. We provide a straightforward revision of current data in order to provide an overview of the subject, discussing more in depth some points that, in our opinion, are crucial and have received little attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiano Pinheiro da Silva
- Laboratório de Emergências Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Niels Olsen Saraiva Câmara
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia de Transplantes, Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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17
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Norris HL, Kumar R, Ong CY, Xu D, Edgerton M. Zinc Binding by Histatin 5 Promotes Fungicidal Membrane Disruption in C. albicans and C. glabrata. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E124. [PMID: 32751915 PMCID: PMC7559477 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Histatin 5 (Hst 5) is an antimicrobial peptide produced in human saliva with antifungal activity for opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. Hst 5 binds to multiple cations including dimerization-inducing zinc (Zn2+), although the function of this capability is incompletely understood. Hst 5 is taken up by C. albicans and acts on intracellular targets under metal-free conditions; however, Zn2+ is abundant in saliva and may functionally affect Hst 5. We hypothesized that Zn2+ binding would induce membrane-disrupting pores through dimerization. Through the use of Hst 5 and two derivatives, P113 (AA 4-15 of Hst 5) and Hst 5ΔMB (AA 1-3 and 15-19 mutated to Glu), we determined that Zn2+ significantly increases killing activity of Hst 5 and P113 for both C. albicans and Candida glabrata. Cell association assays determined that Zn2+ did not impact initial surface binding by the peptides, but Zn2+ did decrease cell association due to active peptide uptake. ATP efflux assays with Zn2+ suggested rapid membrane permeabilization by Hst 5 and P113 and that Zn2+ affinity correlates to higher membrane disruption ability. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the higher relative Zn2+ affinity of Hst 5 likely promotes dimerization. Together, these results suggest peptide assembly into fungicidal pore structures in the presence of Zn2+, representing a novel mechanism of action that has exciting potential to expand the list of Hst 5-susceptible pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mira Edgerton
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, Foster Hall Buffalo, NY 14214, USA; (H.L.N.); (R.K.); (C.Y.O.); (D.X.)
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18
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Tornesello AL, Borrelli A, Buonaguro L, Buonaguro FM, Tornesello ML. Antimicrobial Peptides as Anticancer Agents: Functional Properties and Biological Activities. Molecules 2020; 25:E2850. [PMID: 32575664 PMCID: PMC7356147 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), or host defense peptides, are small cationic or amphipathic molecules produced by prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms that play a key role in the innate immune defense against viruses, bacteria and fungi. AMPs have either antimicrobial or anticancer activities. Indeed, cationic AMPs are able to disrupt microbial cell membranes by interacting with negatively charged phospholipids. Moreover, several peptides are capable to trigger cytotoxicity of human cancer cells by binding to negatively charged phosphatidylserine moieties which are selectively exposed on the outer surface of cancer cell plasma membranes. In addition, some AMPs, such as LTX-315, have shown to induce release of tumor antigens and potent damage associated molecular patterns by causing alterations in the intracellular organelles of cancer cells. Given the recognized medical need of novel anticancer drugs, AMPs could represent a potential source of effective therapeutic agents, either alone or in combination with other small molecules, in oncology. In this review we summarize and describe the properties and the mode of action of AMPs as well as the strategies to increase their selectivity toward specific cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lucia Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.M.B.); (M.L.T.)
| | - Antonella Borrelli
- Innovative Immunological Models, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Innovative Immunological Models, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Franco Maria Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.M.B.); (M.L.T.)
| | - Maria Lina Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.M.B.); (M.L.T.)
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19
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Yang B, Good D, Mosaiab T, Liu W, Ni G, Kaur J, Liu X, Jessop C, Yang L, Fadhil R, Yi Z, Wei MQ. Significance of LL-37 on Immunomodulation and Disease Outcome. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:8349712. [PMID: 32509872 PMCID: PMC7246396 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8349712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
LL-37, also called cathelicidin, is an important part of the human immune system, which can resist various pathogens. A plethora of experiments have demonstrated that it has the multifunctional effects of immune regulation, in addition to antimicrobial activity. Recently, there have been increasing interest in its immune function. It was found that LL-37 can have two distinct functions in different tissues and different microenvironments. Thus, it is necessary to investigate LL-37 immune functions from the two sides of the same coin. On the one side, LL-37 promotes inflammation and immune response and exerts its anti-infective and antitumor effects; on the other side, it has the ability to inhibit inflammation and promote carcinogenesis. This review presents a brief summary of its expression, structure, and immunomodulatory effects as well as brief discussions on the role of this small peptide as a key factor in the development and treatment of various inflammation-related diseases and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Yang
- School of Medical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics in Universities of Shandong, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
- School of Medical Science & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
| | - David Good
- School of Medical Science & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Qld 4014, Australia
| | - Tamim Mosaiab
- School of Medical Science & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Medical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics in Universities of Shandong, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
- School of Medical Science & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
| | - Guoying Ni
- School of Medical Science & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
- The First Affiliated Hospital/School of Clinical Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Qld 4558, Australia
| | - Jasmine Kaur
- School of Medical Science & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
| | - Xiaosong Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital/School of Clinical Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Qld 4558, Australia
- Cancer Research Institute, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Calvin Jessop
- School of Medical Science & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
| | - Lu Yang
- School of Medical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics in Universities of Shandong, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
- School of Medical Science & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
| | - Rushdi Fadhil
- School of Medical Science & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
| | - Zhengjun Yi
- School of Medical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics in Universities of Shandong, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Ming Q. Wei
- School of Medical Science & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4215, Australia
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20
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Gunasekera S, Muhammad T, Strömstedt AA, Rosengren KJ, Göransson U. Backbone Cyclization and Dimerization of LL-37-Derived Peptides Enhance Antimicrobial Activity and Proteolytic Stability. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:168. [PMID: 32153522 PMCID: PMC7046553 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Can antimicrobial activity and peptide stability of alpha-helical peptides be increased by making them into dimers and macrocycles? Here, we explore that concept by using KR-12 as the starting point for peptide engineering. KR-12 has previously been determined as the minimalized antimicrobial fragment of the human host defense peptide LL-37. Backbone-cyclized KR-12 dimers, tethered by linkers of two to four amino acid residues, were synthesized and their antimicrobial activity, proteolytic stability and structures characterized. A modified KR-12 sequence, with substitutions at previously identified key residues, were also included in the screening panel. The backbone cyclized KR-12 dimers showed improved antimicrobial activity and increased stability compared to monomeric KR-12. The most active cyclic dimer displayed 16-fold higher antibacterial activity compared to KR-12 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, and 8-fold increased fungicidal activity against Candida albicans. It also showed increased hemolytic and cytotoxic activity. Enhanced antimicrobial activity coincided with increased membrane permeabilization of liposomes with one distinct discrepancy: monomeric KR-12 was much less disruptive of liposomes with bacterial lipid composition compared to liposomes from fungal lipid extract. Circular dichroism showed that the four-residue linked most active cyclic dimer had 65% helical content when bound to lyso-phosphatidylglycerol micelles, indicating that the helical propensity of the parent peptide is maintained in the new macrocyclic form. In conclusion, the current work on KR-12 suggests that dimerization together with backbone cyclization is an effective strategy for improving both potency and stability of linear antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunithi Gunasekera
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Taj Muhammad
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adam A Strömstedt
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - K Johan Rosengren
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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21
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Al-Adwani S, Wallin C, Balhuizen MD, Veldhuizen EJA, Coorens M, Landreh M, Végvári Á, Smith ME, Qvarfordt I, Lindén A, Gräslund A, Agerberth B, Bergman P. Studies on citrullinated LL-37: detection in human airways, antibacterial effects and biophysical properties. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2376. [PMID: 32047184 PMCID: PMC7012854 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59071-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginine residues of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 can be citrullinated by peptidyl arginine deiminases, which reduce the positive charge of the peptide. Notably, citrullinated LL-37 has not yet been detected in human samples. In addition, functional and biophysical properties of citrullinated LL-37 are not fully explored. The aim of this study was to detect citrullinated LL-37 in human bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and to determine antibacterial and biophysical properties of citrullinated LL-37. BAL fluid was obtained from healthy human volunteers after intra-bronchial exposure to lipopolysaccharide. Synthetic peptides were used for bacterial killing assays, transmission electron microscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, mass-spectrometry and circular dichroism. Using targeted proteomics, we were able to detect both native and citrullinated LL-37 in BAL fluid. The citrullinated peptide did not kill Escherichia coli nor lysed human red blood cells. Both peptides had similar α-helical secondary structures but citrullinated LL-37 was more stable at higher temperatures, as shown by circular dichroism. In conclusion, citrullinated LL-37 is present in the human airways and citrullination impaired bacterial killing, indicating that a net positive charge is important for antibacterial and membrane lysing effects. It is possible that citrullination serves as a homeostatic regulator of AMP-function by alteration of key functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma Al-Adwani
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Cecilia Wallin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Melanie D Balhuizen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Division of Molecular Host Defence, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin J A Veldhuizen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Division of Molecular Host Defence, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Coorens
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Landreh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ákos Végvári
- Division of Physiological Chemistry I, Department of Medical Biochemistry & Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Margaretha E Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ingemar Qvarfordt
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders Lindén
- Unit for Lung and Airway Research, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Agerberth
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Bergman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Infectious Disease Clinic, Immunodeficiency Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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22
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Rončević T, Puizina J, Tossi A. Antimicrobial Peptides as Anti-Infective Agents in Pre-Post-Antibiotic Era? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5713. [PMID: 31739573 PMCID: PMC6887943 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to antibiotics is one of the main current threats to human health and every year multi-drug resistant bacteria are infecting millions of people worldwide, with many dying as a result. Ever since their discovery, some 40 years ago, the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of innate defense have been hailed as a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics due to their relatively low potential to elicit resistance. Despite continued effort by both academia and start-ups, currently there are still no antibiotics based on AMPs in use. In this study, we discuss what we know and what we do not know about these agents, and what we need to know to successfully translate discovery to application. Understanding the complex mechanics of action of these peptides is the main prerequisite for identifying and/or designing or redesigning novel molecules with potent biological activity. However, other aspects also need to be well elucidated, i.e., the (bio)synthetic processes, physiological and pathological contexts of their activity, and a quantitative understanding of how physico-chemical properties affect activity. Research groups worldwide are using biological, biophysical, and algorithmic techniques to develop models aimed at designing molecules with the necessary blend of antimicrobial potency and low toxicity. Shedding light on some open questions may contribute toward improving this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Rončević
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
- Laboratory for Aquaculture, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Jasna Puizina
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Alessandro Tossi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
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23
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Non-Lytic Antibacterial Peptides That Translocate Through Bacterial Membranes to Act on Intracellular Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20194877. [PMID: 31581426 PMCID: PMC6801614 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of multidrug resistance among pathogenic bacteria has attracted great attention worldwide. As a response to this growing challenge, diverse studies have focused on the development of novel anti-infective therapies, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The biological properties of this class of antimicrobials have been thoroughly investigated, and membranolytic activities are the most reported mechanisms by which AMPs kill bacteria. Nevertheless, an increasing number of works have pointed to a different direction, in which AMPs are seen to be capable of displaying non-lytic modes of action by internalizing bacterial cells. In this context, this review focused on the description of the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of non-lytic AMPs, including indolicidin, buforin II PR-39, bactenecins, apidaecin, and drosocin, also shedding light on how AMPs interact with and further translocate through bacterial membranes to act on intracellular targets, including DNA, RNA, cell wall and protein synthesis.
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24
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Disorder-to-helix conformational conversion of the human immunomodulatory peptide LL-37 induced by antiinflammatory drugs, food dyes and some metabolites. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 129:50-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.01.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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25
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de Miguel Catalina A, Forbrig E, Kozuch J, Nehls C, Paulowski L, Gutsmann T, Hildebrandt P, Mroginski MA. The C-Terminal VPRTES Tail of LL-37 Influences the Mode of Attachment to a Lipid Bilayer and Antimicrobial Activity. Biochemistry 2019; 58:2447-2462. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b01297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Enrico Forbrig
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin 10623, Germany
| | - Jacek Kozuch
- Division of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, Californa 94305, United States
| | - Christian Nehls
- Biophysics Department, Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum, Borstel 23845, Germany
| | - Laura Paulowski
- Biophysics Department, Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum, Borstel 23845, Germany
| | - Thomas Gutsmann
- Biophysics Department, Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum, Borstel 23845, Germany
| | - Peter Hildebrandt
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin 10623, Germany
| | - Maria Andrea Mroginski
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin 10623, Germany
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26
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Pacor S, Guida F, Xhindoli D, Benincasa M, Gennaro R, Tossi A. Effect of targeted minimal sequence variations on the structure and biological activities of the human cathelicidin LL‐37. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Pacor
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of Trieste, Building Q, Via Giorgieri 5 Trieste 34127 Italy
| | - Filomena Guida
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of Trieste, Building Q, Via Giorgieri 5 Trieste 34127 Italy
| | - Daniela Xhindoli
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of Trieste, Building Q, Via Giorgieri 5 Trieste 34127 Italy
| | - Monica Benincasa
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of Trieste, Building Q, Via Giorgieri 5 Trieste 34127 Italy
| | - Renato Gennaro
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of Trieste, Building Q, Via Giorgieri 5 Trieste 34127 Italy
| | - Alessandro Tossi
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of Trieste, Building Q, Via Giorgieri 5 Trieste 34127 Italy
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27
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Moir RD, Lathe R, Tanzi RE. The antimicrobial protection hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2018; 14:1602-1614. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.3040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert D. Moir
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit; MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease; Department of Neurology; Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Charlestown MA USA
| | - Richard Lathe
- Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine; University of Edinburgh; Little France Edinburgh UK
| | - Rudolph E. Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit; MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease; Department of Neurology; Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Charlestown MA USA
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28
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Eimer WA, Vijaya Kumar DK, Navalpur Shanmugam NK, Rodriguez AS, Mitchell T, Washicosky KJ, György B, Breakefield XO, Tanzi RE, Moir RD. Alzheimer's Disease-Associated β-Amyloid Is Rapidly Seeded by Herpesviridae to Protect against Brain Infection. Neuron 2018; 99:56-63.e3. [PMID: 30001512 PMCID: PMC6075814 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 388] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) fibrilization and deposition as β-amyloid are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. We recently reported Aβ is an innate immune protein that protects against fungal and bacterial infections. Fibrilization pathways mediate Aβ antimicrobial activities. Thus, infection can seed and dramatically accelerate β-amyloid deposition. Here, we show Aβ oligomers bind herpesvirus surface glycoproteins, accelerating β-amyloid deposition and leading to protective viral entrapment activity in 5XFAD mouse and 3D human neural cell culture infection models against neurotropic herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) and human herpesvirus 6A and B. Herpesviridae are linked to AD, but it has been unclear how viruses may induce β-amyloidosis in brain. These data support the notion that Aβ might play a protective role in CNS innate immunity, and suggest an AD etiological mechanism in which herpesviridae infection may directly promote Aβ amyloidosis.
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MESH Headings
- Alzheimer Disease/metabolism
- Alzheimer Disease/virology
- Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism
- Amyloidosis/metabolism
- Amyloidosis/virology
- Animals
- Brain/metabolism
- Brain/virology
- Cells, Cultured
- Disease Models, Animal
- Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex/metabolism
- Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex/virology
- Encephalitis, Viral/metabolism
- Encephalitis, Viral/virology
- Herpesviridae
- Herpesvirus 1, Human
- Herpesvirus 6, Human
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neurofibrillary Tangles/metabolism
- Neurons
- Plaque, Amyloid/metabolism
- Roseolovirus Infections/metabolism
- Roseolovirus Infections/virology
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Eimer
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Deepak Kumar Vijaya Kumar
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Nanda Kumar Navalpur Shanmugam
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Alex S Rodriguez
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Teryn Mitchell
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Kevin J Washicosky
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Bence György
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Xandra O Breakefield
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Rudolph E Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
| | - Robert D Moir
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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29
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Bioinspired Designs, Molecular Premise and Tools for Evaluating the Ecological Importance of Antimicrobial Peptides. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:ph11030068. [PMID: 29996512 PMCID: PMC6161137 DOI: 10.3390/ph11030068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review article provides an overview of recent developments in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), summarizing structural diversity, potential new applications, activity targets and microbial killing responses in general. The use of artificial and natural AMPs as templates for rational design of peptidomimetics are also discussed and some strategies are put forward to curtail cytotoxic effects against eukaryotic cells. Considering the heat-resistant nature, chemical and proteolytic stability of AMPs, we attempt to summarize their molecular targets, examine how these macromolecules may contribute to potential environmental risks vis-à-vis the activities of the peptides. We further point out the evolutional characteristics of the macromolecules and indicate how they can be useful in designing target-specific peptides. Methods are suggested that may help to assess toxic mechanisms of AMPs and possible solutions are discussed to promote the development and application of AMPs in medicine. Even if there is wide exposure to the environment like in the hospital settings, AMPs may instead contribute to prevent healthcare-associated infections so long as ecotoxicological aspects are considered.
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Lozeau LD, Rolle MW, Camesano TA. A QCM-D study of the concentration- and time-dependent interactions of human LL37 with model mammalian lipid bilayers. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2018; 167:229-238. [PMID: 29660601 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The human antimicrobial peptide LL37 is promising as an alternative to antibiotics due to its biophysical interactions with charged bacterial lipids. However, its clinical potential is limited due to its interactions with zwitterionic mammalian lipids leading to cytotoxicity. Mechanistic insight into the LL37 interactions with mammalian lipids may enable rational design of less toxic LL37-based therapeutics. To this end, we studied concentration- and time-dependent interactions of LL37 with zwitterionic model phosphatidylcholine (PC) bilayers with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). LL37 mass adsorption and PC bilayer viscoelasticity changes were monitored by measuring changes in frequency (Δf) and dissipation (ΔD), respectively. The Voigt-Kelvin viscoelastic model was applied to Δf and ΔD to study changes in bilayer thickness and density with LL37 concentration. At low concentrations (0.10-1.00 μM), LL37 adsorbed onto bilayers in a concentration-dependent manner. Further analyses of Δf, ΔD and thickness revealed that peptide saturation on the bilayers was a threshold for interactions observed above 2.00 μM, interactions that were rapid, multi-step, and reached equilibrium in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Based on these data, we proposed a model of stable transmembrane pore formation at 2.00-10.0 μM, or transition from a primarily lipid to a primarily protein film with a transmembrane pore formation intermediate state at concentrations of LL37 > 10 μM. The concentration-dependent interactions between LL37 and PC bilayers correlated with the observed concentration-dependent biological activities of LL37 (antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and non-cytotoxic at 0.1-1.0 μM, hemolytic and some cytotoxicity at 2.0-13 μM and cytotoxic at >13 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay D Lozeau
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA
| | - Marsha W Rolle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA
| | - Terri A Camesano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, USA.
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Gunasekera S, Muhammad T, Strömstedt AA, Rosengren KJ, Göransson U. Alanine and Lysine Scans of the LL-37-Derived Peptide Fragment KR-12 Reveal Key Residues for Antimicrobial Activity. Chembiochem 2018; 19:931-939. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201700599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sunithi Gunasekera
- Pharmacognosy; Department of Medicinal Chemistry; Uppsala University; Biomedical Centre; Box 574 75123 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Taj Muhammad
- Pharmacognosy; Department of Medicinal Chemistry; Uppsala University; Biomedical Centre; Box 574 75123 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Adam A. Strömstedt
- Pharmacognosy; Department of Medicinal Chemistry; Uppsala University; Biomedical Centre; Box 574 75123 Uppsala Sweden
| | - K. Johan Rosengren
- The University of Queensland; School of Biomedical Sciences; Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Pharmacognosy; Department of Medicinal Chemistry; Uppsala University; Biomedical Centre; Box 574 75123 Uppsala Sweden
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Apolipoprotein A-I attenuates LL-37-induced endothelial cell cytotoxicity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 493:71-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.09.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Baxter AA, Lay FT, Poon IKH, Kvansakul M, Hulett MD. Tumor cell membrane-targeting cationic antimicrobial peptides: novel insights into mechanisms of action and therapeutic prospects. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:3809-3825. [PMID: 28770291 PMCID: PMC11107634 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2604-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
There is an ongoing need for effective and targeted cancer treatments that can overcome the detrimental side effects presented by current treatment options. One class of novel anticancer molecules with therapeutic potential currently under investigation are cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs). CAPs are small innate immunity peptides found ubiquitously throughout nature that are typically membrane-active against a wide range of pathogenic microbes. A number of CAPs can also target mammalian cells and often display selective activity towards tumor cells, making them attractive candidates as novel anticancer agents warranting further investigation. This current and comprehensive review describes key examples of naturally occurring membrane-targeting CAPs and their modified derivatives that have demonstrated anticancer activity, across multiple species of origin and structural subfamilies. In addition, we address recent advances made in the field and the ongoing challenges faced in translating experimental findings into clinically relevant treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy A Baxter
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia.
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Ivan K H Poon
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
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Rončević T, Gajski G, Ilić N, Goić-Barišić I, Tonkić M, Zoranić L, Simunić J, Benincasa M, Mijaković M, Tossi A, Juretić D. PGLa-H tandem-repeat peptides active against multidrug resistant clinical bacterial isolates. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:228-237. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 11/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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The plant defensin NaD1 induces tumor cell death via a non-apoptotic, membranolytic process. Cell Death Discov 2017; 3:16102. [PMID: 28179997 PMCID: PMC5253418 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2016.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic anti-microbial peptides (CAPs) have an important role in host innate defense against pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. Many CAPs including defensins also exhibit selective cytotoxic activity towards mammalian cells via both apoptotic and non-apoptotic processes, and are being investigated as potential anticancer agents. The anti-fungal plant defensin from ornamental tobacco, Nicotiana alata Defensin 1 (NaD1), was recently shown to induce necrotic-like cell death in a number of tumor cell types within 30 min of treatment, at a concentration of 10 μM. NaD1-mediated cell killing within these experimental parameters has been shown to occur via binding to the plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in target cells to facilitate membrane destabilization and subsequent lysis. Whether NaD1 is also capable of inducing apoptosis in tumor cells has not been reported previously. In this study, treatment of MM170 (melanoma) and Jurkat T (leukemia) cells with subacute (<10 μM) concentrations of NaD1 over 6-24 h was investigated to determine whether NaD1 could induce cell death via apoptosis. At subacute concentrations, NaD1 did not efficiently induce membrane permeabilization within 30 min, but markedly reduced cell viability over 24 h. In contrast to other CAPs that have been shown to induce apoptosis through caspase activation, dying cells were not sensitive to a pancaspase inhibitor nor did they display caspase activity or DNA fragmentation over the 24 h treatment time. Furthermore, over the 24 h period, cells exhibited necrotic phenotypes and succumbed to membrane permeabilization. These results indicate that the cytotoxic mechanism of NaD1 at subacute concentrations is membranolytic rather than apoptotic and is also likely to be mediated through a PIP2-targeting cell lytic pathway.
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Pinheiro da Silva F, Machado MCC. The dual role of cathelicidins in systemic inflammation. Immunol Lett 2017; 182:57-60. [PMID: 28082134 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2017.01.004] [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: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are key components of the innate immune system. They act as broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, viruses, and fungi. More recently, antimicrobial peptides have been ascribed immunomodulatory functions, including roles in wound healing, induction of cytokines, and altering host gene expression. Cathelicidins are a class of antimicrobial peptide found in humans, mice, and rats, among others. Known as LL-37 in humans and cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) in rodents, cathelicidins are produced by many different cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, and epithelial cells. The role of cathelicidins is somewhat confounding, as they exhibit both pro-and anti-inflammatory activity. A major obstacle in the study of cathelicidins is the inability of exogenous LL-37 or CRAMP to mimic the activity of their endogenous counterparts. Nevertheless, studies have shown that LL-37 is recognized by multiple receptors, and may stabilize or modulate Toll-like receptor signaling. In addition, cathelicidins play a role in apoptosis, inflammasome activation, and phagocytosis. However, many studies are revealing the dual effects of cathelicidins. For example, CRAMP appears to be protective in models of group A Streptococcus skin infection, pneumonia, and meningitis, but detrimental in cases of severe bacterial infection, such as septic shock. It is becoming increasingly clear that the activity of cathelicidins is modulated by complex interactions with the microenvironment, as well as the disease background. This article reviews what is currently known about the activity of cathelicidins in an attempt to understand their complex roles in systemic diseases.
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Christiansen SH, Zhang X, Juul-Madsen K, Hvam ML, Vad BS, Behrens MA, Thygesen IL, Jalilian B, Pedersen JS, Howard KA, Otzen DE, Vorup-Jensen T. The random co-polymer glatiramer acetate rapidly kills primary human leukocytes through sialic-acid-dependent cell membrane damage. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:425-437. [PMID: 28064019 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The formulation glatiramer acetate (GA) is widely used in therapy of multiple sclerosis. GA consists of random copolymers of four amino acids, in ratios that produce a predominantly positive charge and an amphipathic character. With the extraordinary complexity of the drug, several pharmacological modes-of-action were suggested, but so far none, which rationalizes the cationicity and amphipathicity as part of the mode-of-action. Here, we report that GA rapidly kills primary human T lymphocytes and, less actively, monocytes. LL-37 is a cleavage product of human cathelicidin with important roles in innate immunity. It shares the positive charge and amphipathic character of GA, and, as shown here, also the ability to kill human leukocyte. The cytotoxicity of both compounds depends on sialic acid in the cell membrane. The killing was associated with the generation of CD45+ debris, derived from cell membrane deformation. Nanoparticle tracking analysis confirmed the formation of such debris, even at low GA concentrations. Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing measurements also recorded stable alterations in T lymphocytes following such treatment. LL-37 forms oligomers through weak hydrophobic contacts, which is critical for the lytic properties. In our study, SAXS showed that GA also forms this type of contacts. Taken together, our study offers new insight on the immunomodulatory mode-of-action of positively charged co-polymers. The comparison of LL-37 and GA highlights a consistent requirement of certain oligomeric and chemical properties to support cytotoxic effects of cationic polymers targeting human leukocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stig Hill Christiansen
- Dept. of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, The Bartholin Building (1240), Bartholins Allé 6, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Xianwei Zhang
- Dept. of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, The Bartholin Building (1240), Bartholins Allé 6, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Kristian Juul-Madsen
- Dept. of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, The Bartholin Building (1240), Bartholins Allé 6, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Michael Lykke Hvam
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Brian Stougaard Vad
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Manja Annette Behrens
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Ida Lysgaard Thygesen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Dept. of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Babak Jalilian
- Dept. of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, The Bartholin Building (1240), Bartholins Allé 6, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Kenneth A Howard
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Nanomedicine Center for Individualized Management of Tissue Damage and Regeneration (LUNA), Aarhus University, Denmark.
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Thomas Vorup-Jensen
- Dept. of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, The Bartholin Building (1240), Bartholins Allé 6, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Nanomedicine Center for Individualized Management of Tissue Damage and Regeneration (LUNA), Aarhus University, Denmark; MEMBRANES Research Center, Aarhus University, Denmark; Center for Neurodegenerative Inflammation Prevention (NEURODIN), Aarhus University, Denmark.
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Dormán G, Nakamura H, Pulsipher A, Prestwich GD. The Life of Pi Star: Exploring the Exciting and Forbidden Worlds of the Benzophenone Photophore. Chem Rev 2016; 116:15284-15398. [PMID: 27983805 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The widespread applications of benzophenone (BP) photochemistry in biological chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, and material science have been prominent in both academic and industrial research. BP photophores have unique photochemical properties: upon n-π* excitation at 365 nm, a biradicaloid triplet state is formed reversibly, which can abstract a hydrogen atom from accessible C-H bonds; the radicals subsequently recombine, creating a stable covalent C-C bond. This light-directed covalent attachment process is exploited in many different ways: (i) binding/contact site mapping of ligand (or protein)-protein interactions; (ii) identification of molecular targets and interactome mapping; (iii) proteome profiling; (iv) bioconjugation and site-directed modification of biopolymers; (v) surface grafting and immobilization. BP photochemistry also has many practical advantages, including low reactivity toward water, stability in ambient light, and the convenient excitation at 365 nm. In addition, several BP-containing building blocks and reagents are commercially available. In this review, we explore the "forbidden" (transitions) and excitation-activated world of photoinduced covalent attachment of BP photophores by touring a colorful palette of recent examples. In this exploration, we will see the pros and cons of using BP photophores, and we hope that both novice and expert photolabelers will enjoy and be inspired by the breadth and depth of possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- György Dormán
- Targetex llc , Dunakeszi H-2120, Hungary.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged , Szeged H-6720, Hungary
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology , Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Abigail Pulsipher
- GlycoMira Therapeutics, Inc. , Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, United States.,Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Rhinology - Sinus and Skull Base Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine , Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, United States
| | - Glenn D Prestwich
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Rhinology - Sinus and Skull Base Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine , Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, United States
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Positive selection in cathelicidin host defense peptides: adaptation to exogenous pathogens or endogenous receptors? Heredity (Edinb) 2016; 118:453-465. [PMID: 27925615 PMCID: PMC5564380 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2016.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The cause of adaptive protein evolution includes internal (for example, co-evolution of ligand-receptor pairs) and external (for example, adaptation to different ecological niches) mechanisms. Host defense peptides (HDPs) are a class of vertebrate-specific cationic antimicrobial peptides evolving under positive selection. Besides their antibiotic activity, HDPs also exert an effect on multiple host immune cells, thus providing an ideal model to study selective agents driving their evolution. On the basis of a combination of computational and experimental approaches, we studied the evolution of LL-37-type HDPs in mammals, the mature peptide of cathelicidin CAP18 (herein termed CAP18-MP) and investigated the driving force behind the evolution. Using codon-substitution maximum likelihood models, we analyzed CAP18-MPs in 40 species belonging to nine mammalian Orders and identified four positively selected sites (PSSs) that all are located on two terminal unordered regions of CAP18-MPs. Grafting the two positively selected regions of human or whale CAP18-MP to the α-helical scaffold of a rabbit homolog (substituting its corresponding parts) led to no alterations in antibacterial activity, spectrum and action mode. Likewise, further deletion of the two terminal regions did not alter its functional features. Evolutionary conservation analysis of mammalian FPR2, a receptor known to interact with the C-terminal positively selected region of LL-37, revealed high evolutionary variability in its ligand-binding extracellular loop domains, matching sequence diversity of the unordered regions in CAP18-MPs. This is the first report describing that the signature of positive selection of cathelicidins is not associated with their direct bactericidal activity, but rather with the evolutionary variability of their endogenous receptors.
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Verjans ET, Zels S, Luyten W, Landuyt B, Schoofs L. Molecular mechanisms of LL-37-induced receptor activation: An overview. Peptides 2016; 85:16-26. [PMID: 27609777 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The human cathelicidin peptide LL-37 plays a crucial role in the immune system on many levels, from the first line of defense in epithelial cells to restoring the tissue after infection. On host cells, the majority of the LL-37-induced effects are mediated via the direct or indirect activation of several structurally unrelated cell surface receptors or intracellular targets. How LL-37 is able to affect multiple receptors is currently not well understood. So far, the mechanistic details underlying receptor activation are poorly investigated and evidence for a conventional ligand/receptor interaction is scarce. Over the past few decades, a large number of studies have reported on the activation of a receptor and/or components of the downstream signal transduction pathway induced by LL-37. This review summarizes the current knowledge on molecular mechanisms underlying LL-37-induced receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eddy-Tim Verjans
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Division of Neurobiology and Animal Physiology, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sven Zels
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Division of Neurobiology and Animal Physiology, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Walter Luyten
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Division of Neurobiology and Animal Physiology, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Landuyt
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Division of Neurobiology and Animal Physiology, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Division of Neurobiology and Animal Physiology, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Li Y, Qian Z, Ma L, Hu S, Nong D, Xu C, Ye F, Lu Y, Wei G, Li M. Single-molecule visualization of dynamic transitions of pore-forming peptides among multiple transmembrane positions. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12906. [PMID: 27686409 PMCID: PMC5056435 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on the dynamics of single-membrane proteins remains underdeveloped due to the lack of proper approaches that can probe in real time the protein's insertion depth in lipid bilayers. Here we report a single-molecule visualization method to track both vertical insertion and lateral diffusion of membrane proteins in supported lipid bilayers by exploiting the surface-induced fluorescence attenuation (SIFA) of fluorophores. The attenuation follows a d−4 dependency, where d is the fluorophore-to-surface distance. The method is validated by observing the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 to transfer among five transmembrane positions: the surface, the upper leaflet, the centre, the lower leaflet and the bottom of the lipid bilayer. These results demonstrate the power of SIFA to study protein-membrane interactions and provide unprecedented in-depth understanding of molecular mechanisms of the insertion and translocation of membrane proteins. Assessing protein localization within lipid membranes is problematic. Here, the authors describe a single molecule visualization method based on surface-induced fluorescence attenuation (SIFA) to determine the insertion depth and lateral diffusion of a peptide in a lipid bilayer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Zhenyu Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Li Ma
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Shuxin Hu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Daguan Nong
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Chunhua Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Fangfu Ye
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Guanghong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ming Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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42
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Benincasa M, Lagatolla C, Dolzani L, Milan A, Pacor S, Liut G, Tossi A, Cescutti P, Rizzo R. Biofilms from Klebsiella pneumoniae: Matrix Polysaccharide Structure and Interactions with Antimicrobial Peptides. Microorganisms 2016; 4:microorganisms4030026. [PMID: 27681920 PMCID: PMC5039586 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms4030026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilm matrices of two Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates, KpTs101 and KpTs113, were investigated for their polysaccharide composition and protective effects against antimicrobial peptides. Both strains were good biofilm producers, with KpTs113 forming flocs with very low adhesive properties to supports. Matrix exopolysaccharides were isolated and their monosaccharide composition and glycosidic linkage types were defined. KpTs101 polysaccharide is neutral and composed only of galactose, in both pyranose and furanose ring configurations. Conversely, KpTs113 polysaccharide is anionic due to glucuronic acid units, and also contains glucose and mannose residues. The susceptibility of the two strains to two bovine cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides, BMAP-27 and Bac7(1–35), was assessed using both planktonic cultures and biofilms. Biofilm matrices exerted a relevant protection against both antimicrobials, which act with quite different mechanisms. Similar protection was also detected when antimicrobial peptides were tested against planktonic bacteria in the presence of the polysaccharides extracted from KpTs101 and KpTs113 biofilms, suggesting sequestering adduct formation with antimicrobials. Circular dichroism experiments on BMAP-27 in the presence of increasing amounts of either polysaccharide confirmed their ability to interact with the peptide and induce an α-helical conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Benincasa
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste I-34127, Italy.
| | - Cristina Lagatolla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste I-34127, Italy.
| | - Lucilla Dolzani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste I-34127, Italy.
| | - Annalisa Milan
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste I-34127, Italy.
| | - Sabrina Pacor
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste I-34127, Italy.
| | - Gianfranco Liut
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste I-34127, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Tossi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste I-34127, Italy.
| | - Paola Cescutti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste I-34127, Italy.
| | - Roberto Rizzo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, Trieste I-34127, Italy.
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Liu D, Liu J, Wang W, Xia L, Yang J, Sun S, Zhang F. Computational and Experimental Investigation of the Antimicrobial Peptide Cecropin XJ and its Ligands as the Impact Factors of Antibacterial Activity. FOOD BIOPHYS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11483-016-9445-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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44
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LL-37: Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide with pleiotropic activity. Pharmacol Rep 2016; 68:802-8. [PMID: 27117377 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2016.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is a large family of compounds serving as natural antibiotics, widely distributed across the organism, mainly in mucus layers. They are designed to prevent pathogens from colonization. Among them, defensins and cathelicidins could be found. LL-37, the sole human cathelicidin draws particular attention because of its outstanding abilities. In addition to being a broad spectrum antibiotic, LL-37 has potent chemotactic and immunomodulatory properties. In this review, we discussed the potency of LL-37 as a therapeutic agent in four systems: immunological, respiratory, gastrointestinal and in the skin. We analyzed the main molecular pathways dependent on human cathelicidin and related them to specific diseases. We conclude that LL-37 shows a great potential to be further investigated and developed as a drug with clinical use.
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Koro C, Hellvard A, Delaleu N, Binder V, Scavenius C, Bergum B, Główczyk I, Roberts HM, Chapple ILC, Grant MM, Rapala-Kozik M, Klaga K, Enghild JJ, Potempa J, Mydel P. Carbamylated LL-37 as a modulator of the immune response. Innate Immun 2016; 22:218-29. [PMID: 26878866 PMCID: PMC5143673 DOI: 10.1177/1753425916631404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbamylation of lysine residues and protein N-termini is an ubiquitous, non-enzymatic post-translational modification. Carbamylation at sites of inflammation is due to cyanate formation during the neutrophil oxidative burst and may target lysine residues within the antimicrobial peptide LL-37. The bactericidal and immunomodulatory properties of LL-37 depend on its secondary structure and cationic nature, which are conferred by arginine and lysine residues. Therefore, carbamylation may affect the biological functions of LL-37. The present study examined the kinetics and pattern of LL-37 carbamylation to investigate how this modification affects the bactericidal, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory function of the peptide. The results indicated that LL-37 undergoes rapid modification in the presence of physiological concentrations of cyanate, yielding a spectrum of diverse carbamylated peptides. Mass spectrometry analyses revealed that theN-terminal amino group of Leu-1 was highly reactive and was modified almost instantly by cyanate to generate the predominant form of the modified peptide, named LL-37(C1) This was followed by the sequential carbamylation of Lys-8, Lys-12, and Lys-15 to yield LL-37(C8), and Lys-15 to yield LL-37(C12,15) Carbamylation had profound and diverse effects on the structure and biological properties of LL-37. In some cases, anti-inflammatory LL-37 was rapidly converted to pro-inflammatory LL-37.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalin Koro
- Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Annelie Hellvard
- Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Nicolas Delaleu
- Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Veronika Binder
- Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Carsten Scavenius
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Brith Bergum
- Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Izabela Główczyk
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Helen M Roberts
- Periodontal Research Group MRC Centre for Immune Regulation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Iain L C Chapple
- Periodontal Research Group MRC Centre for Immune Regulation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Melissa M Grant
- Periodontal Research Group MRC Centre for Immune Regulation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Kinga Klaga
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jan J Enghild
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan Potempa
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Piotr Mydel
- Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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The human cathelicidin LL-37 — A pore-forming antibacterial peptide and host-cell modulator. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:546-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Bonucci A, Caldaroni E, Balducci E, Pogni R. A Spectroscopic Study of the Aggregation State of the Human Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 in Bacterial versus Host Cell Model Membranes. Biochemistry 2015; 54:6760-8. [PMID: 26502164 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The LL-37 antimicrobial peptide is the only cathelicidin peptide found in humans that has antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. Because it exerts also chemotactic and angiogenetic activity, LL-37 is involved in promoting wound healing, reducing inflammation, and strengthening the host immune response. The key to the effectiveness of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) lies in the different compositions of bacterial versus host cell membranes. In this context, antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and two variants were studied in the presence of model membranes with different lipid compositions and charges. The investigation was performed using an experimental strategy that combines the site-directed spin labeling-electron paramagnetic resonance technique with circular dichroism and fluorescence emission spectroscopies. LL-37 interacts with negatively charged membranes forming a stable aggregate, which can likely produce toroidal pores until the amount of bound peptide exceeds a critical concentration. At the same time, we have clearly detected an aggregate with a higher oligomeric degree for interaction of LL-37 with neutral membranes. These data confirm the absence of cell selectivity of the peptide and a more complex role in stimulating host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Bonucci
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Caldaroni
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Enrico Balducci
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino , 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Rebecca Pogni
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , 53100 Siena, Italy
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Bociek K, Ferluga S, Mardirossian M, Benincasa M, Tossi A, Gennaro R, Scocchi M. Lipopolysaccharide Phosphorylation by the WaaY Kinase Affects the Susceptibility of Escherichia coli to the Human Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:19933-41. [PMID: 26100635 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.634758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The human cathelicidin LL-37 is a multifunctional host defense peptide with immunomodulatory and antimicrobial roles. It kills bacteria primarily by altering membrane barrier properties, although the exact sequence of events leading to cell lysis has not yet been completely elucidated. Random insertion mutagenesis allowed isolation of Escherichia coli mutants with altered susceptibility to LL-37, pointing to factors potentially relevant to its activity. Among these, inactivation of the waaY gene, encoding a kinase responsible for heptose II phosphorylation in the LPS inner core, leads to a phenotype with decreased susceptibility to LL-37, stemming from a reduced amount of peptide binding to the surface of the cells, and a diminished capacity to lyse membranes. This points to a specific role of the LPS inner core in guiding LL-37 to the surface of Gram-negative bacteria. Although electrostatic interactions are clearly relevant, the susceptibility of the waaY mutant to other cationic helical cathelicidins was unaffected, indicating that particular structural features or LL-37 play a role in this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Bociek
- From the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Ferluga
- From the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mario Mardirossian
- From the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Monica Benincasa
- From the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Tossi
- From the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Renato Gennaro
- From the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Scocchi
- From the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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49
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New aspects of the structure and mode of action of the human cathelicidin LL-37 revealed by the intrinsic probe p-cyanophenylalanine. Biochem J 2015; 465:443-57. [PMID: 25378136 DOI: 10.1042/bj20141016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The human cathelicidin peptide LL-37 is an important effector of our innate immune system and contributes to host defence with direct antimicrobial activity and immunomodulatory properties, and by stimulating wound healing. Its sequence has evolved to confer specific structural characteristics that strongly affect these biological activities, and differentiate it from orthologues of other primate species. In the present paper we report a detailed study of the folding and self-assembly of this peptide in comparison with rhesus monkey peptide RL-37, taking into account the different stages of its trajectory from bulk solution to contact with, and insertion into, biological membranes. Phenylalanine residues in different positions throughout the native sequences of LL-37 and RL-37 were systematically replaced with the non-invasive fluorescent and IR probe p-cyanophenylalanine. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence studies showed that LL-37, in contrast to RL-37, forms oligomers with a loose hydrophobic core in physiological solutions, which persist in the presence of biological membranes. Fourier transform IR and surface plasmon resonance studies also indicated different modes of interaction for LL-37 and RL-37 with anionic and neutral membranes. This correlated with a distinctly different mode of bacterial membrane permeabilization, as determined using a flow cytometric method involving impermeant fluorescent dyes linked to polymers of defined sizes.
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50
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Wang G, Mishra B, Lau K, Lushnikova T, Golla R, Wang X. Antimicrobial peptides in 2014. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2015; 8:123-50. [PMID: 25806720 PMCID: PMC4381204 DOI: 10.3390/ph8010123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This article highlights new members, novel mechanisms of action, new functions, and interesting applications of antimicrobial peptides reported in 2014. As of December 2014, over 100 new peptides were registered into the Antimicrobial Peptide Database, increasing the total number of entries to 2493. Unique antimicrobial peptides have been identified from marine bacteria, fungi, and plants. Environmental conditions clearly influence peptide activity or function. Human α-defensin HD-6 is only antimicrobial under reduced conditions. The pH-dependent oligomerization of human cathelicidin LL-37 is linked to double-stranded RNA delivery to endosomes, where the acidic pH triggers the dissociation of the peptide aggregate to release its cargo. Proline-rich peptides, previously known to bind to heat shock proteins, are shown to inhibit protein synthesis. A model antimicrobial peptide is demonstrated to have multiple hits on bacteria, including surface protein delocalization. While cell surface modification to decrease cationic peptide binding is a recognized resistance mechanism for pathogenic bacteria, it is also used as a survival strategy for commensal bacteria. The year 2014 also witnessed continued efforts in exploiting potential applications of antimicrobial peptides. We highlight 3D structure-based design of peptide antimicrobials and vaccines, surface coating, delivery systems, and microbial detection devices involving antimicrobial peptides. The 2014 results also support that combination therapy is preferred over monotherapy in treating biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA.
| | - Biswajit Mishra
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA
| | - Kyle Lau
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA
| | - Tamara Lushnikova
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA
| | - Radha Golla
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA
| | - Xiuqing Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986495 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6495, USA
- Institute of Clinical Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
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