1
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Ni F, Hu K, Li M, Yang M, Xiao Y, Fu M, Zhu Z, Liu Y, Hu Q. Tat-dependent conditionally replicating adenoviruses expressing diphtheria toxin A for specifically killing HIV-1-infected cells. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00317-4. [PMID: 38734901 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.015] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 infection remains a public health problem with no cure. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effective for suppressing HIV-1 replication, it requires lifelong drug administration due to a stable reservoir of latent proviruses and may cause serious side effects and drive the emergence of drug-resistant HIV-1 variants. Gene therapy represents an alternative approach to overcome the limitations of conventional treatments against HIV-1 infection. In this study, we constructed and investigated the antiviral effects of an HIV-1 Tat-dependent conditionally replicating adenovirus, which selectively replicates and expresses the diphtheria toxin A chain (Tat-CRAds-DTA) in HIV-1-infected cells both in vitro and in vivo. We found that Tat-CRAds-DTA could specifically induce cell death and inhibit virus replication in HIV-1-infected cells mediated by adenovirus proliferation and DTA expression. A low titer of progeny Tat-CRAds-DTA was also detected in HIV-1-infected cells. In addition, Tat-CRAds-DTA showed no apparent cytotoxicity to HIV-1-negative cells and demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy against HIV-1 infection in a humanized mouse model. The findings in this study highlight the potential of Tat-CRAds-DTA as a new gene therapy for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengfeng Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Kai Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Miaomiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Mengshi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Yingying Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Ming Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Yalan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China; Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan 430200, P.R. China.
| | - Qinxue Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China.
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2
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Pioli KT, Ritchie M, Haq H, Pioli PD. Jchain- DTR Mice Allow for Diphtheria Toxin-Mediated Depletion of Antibody-Secreting Cells and Evaluation of Their Differentiation Kinetics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.06.592703. [PMID: 38766257 PMCID: PMC11100621 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.06.592703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) are generated following B cell activation and constitutively secrete antibodies. As such, ASCs are key mediators of humoral immunity whether it be in the context of pathogen exposure, vaccination or even homeostatic clearance of cellular debris. Therefore, understanding basic tenants of ASC biology such as their differentiation kinetics following B cell stimulation is of importance. Towards that aim, we developed a mouse model which expresses simian HBEGF (a.k.a., diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR)) under the control of the endogenous Jchain locus (or J-DTR). ASCs from these mice expressed high levels of cell surface DTR and were acutely depleted following diphtheria toxin treatment. Furthermore, proof-of-principle experiments demonstrated the ability to use these mice to track ASC reconstitution following depletion in 3 distinct organs. Overall, J-DTR mice provide a new and highly effective genetic tool allowing for the study of ASC biology in a wide range of potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- KimAnh T. Pioli
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E5 Canada
| | - Matthew Ritchie
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E5 Canada
| | - Hira Haq
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E5 Canada
| | - Peter D. Pioli
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E5 Canada
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3
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Shanmugasundaram S, Nayak N, Puzhankara L, Kedlaya MN, Rajagopal A, Karmakar S. Bacteriophages: the dawn of a new era in periodontal microbiology? Crit Rev Microbiol 2024; 50:212-223. [PMID: 36883683 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2023.2182667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
The oral microbiome, populated by a diverse range of species, plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. The most dominant yet little-discussed players in the microbiome, the bacteriophages, influence the health and disease of the host in various ways. They, not only contribute to periodontal health by preventing the colonization of pathogens and disrupting biofilms but also play a role in periodontal disease by upregulating the virulence of periodontal pathogens through the transfer of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. Since bacteriophages selectively infect only bacterial cells, they have an enormous scope to be used as a therapeutic strategy; recently, phage therapy has been successfully used to treat antibiotic-resistant systemic infections. Their ability to disrupt biofilms widens the scope against periodontal pathogens and dental plaque biofilms in periodontitis. Future research focussing on the oral phageome and phage therapy's effectiveness and safety could pave way for new avenues in periodontal therapy. This review explores our current understanding of bacteriophages, their interactions in the oral microbiome, and their therapeutic potential in periodontal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashikiran Shanmugasundaram
- Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Namratha Nayak
- Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Lakshmi Puzhankara
- Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Madhurya N Kedlaya
- Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Anjale Rajagopal
- Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Shaswata Karmakar
- Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
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4
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di Leandro L, Colasante M, Pitari G, Ippoliti R. Hosts and Heterologous Expression Strategies of Recombinant Toxins for Therapeutic Purposes. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:699. [PMID: 38133203 PMCID: PMC10748335 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15120699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of therapeutic recombinant toxins requires careful host cell selection. Bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells are common choices, but no universal solution exists. Achieving the delicate balance in toxin production is crucial due to potential self-intoxication. Recombinant toxins from various sources find applications in antimicrobials, biotechnology, cancer drugs, and vaccines. "Toxin-based therapy" targets diseased cells using three strategies. Targeted cancer therapy, like antibody-toxin conjugates, fusion toxins, or "suicide gene therapy", can selectively eliminate cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. Notable toxins from various biological sources may be used as full-length toxins, as plant (saporin) or animal (melittin) toxins, or as isolated domains that are typical of bacterial toxins, including Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) and diphtheria toxin (DT). This paper outlines toxin expression methods and system advantages and disadvantages, emphasizing host cell selection's critical role.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rodolfo Ippoliti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.d.L.); (M.C.); (G.P.)
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5
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Sasso J, Tenchov R, Bird R, Iyer KA, Ralhan K, Rodriguez Y, Zhou QA. The Evolving Landscape of Antibody-Drug Conjugates: In Depth Analysis of Recent Research Progress. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:1951-2000. [PMID: 37821099 PMCID: PMC10655051 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are targeted immunoconjugate constructs that integrate the potency of cytotoxic drugs with the selectivity of monoclonal antibodies, minimizing damage to healthy cells and reducing systemic toxicity. Their design allows for higher doses of the cytotoxic drug to be administered, potentially increasing efficacy. They are currently among the most promising drug classes in oncology, with efforts to expand their application for nononcological indications and in combination therapies. Here we provide a detailed overview of the recent advances in ADC research and consider future directions and challenges in promoting this promising platform to widespread therapeutic use. We examine data from the CAS Content Collection, the largest human-curated collection of published scientific information, and analyze the publication landscape of recent research to reveal the exploration trends in published documents and to provide insights into the scientific advances in the area. We also discuss the evolution of the key concepts in the field, the major technologies, and their development pipelines with company research focuses, disease targets, development stages, and publication and investment trends. A comprehensive concept map has been created based on the documents in the CAS Content Collection. We hope that this report can serve as a useful resource for understanding the current state of knowledge in the field of ADCs and the remaining challenges to fulfill their potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet
M. Sasso
- CAS,
A Division of the American Chemical Society, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Rumiana Tenchov
- CAS,
A Division of the American Chemical Society, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Robert Bird
- CAS,
A Division of the American Chemical Society, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | | | | | - Yacidzohara Rodriguez
- CAS,
A Division of the American Chemical Society, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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6
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Robinson KS, Toh GA, Firdaus MJ, Tham KC, Rozario P, Lim CK, Toh YX, Lau ZH, Binder SC, Mayer J, Bonnard C, Schmidt FI, Common JE, Zhong FL. Diphtheria toxin activates ribotoxic stress and NLRP1 inflammasome-driven pyroptosis. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20230105. [PMID: 37642997 PMCID: PMC10465786 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20230105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The ZAKα-driven ribotoxic stress response (RSR) is activated by ribosome stalling and/or collisions. Recent work demonstrates that RSR also plays a role in innate immunity by activating the human NLRP1 inflammasome. Here, we report that ZAKα and NLRP1 sense bacterial exotoxins that target ribosome elongation factors. One such toxin, diphtheria toxin (DT), the causative agent for human diphtheria, triggers RSR-dependent inflammasome activation in primary human keratinocytes. This process requires iron-mediated DT production in the bacteria, as well as diphthamide synthesis and ZAKα/p38-driven NLRP1 phosphorylation in host cells. NLRP1 deletion abrogates IL-1β and IL-18 secretion by DT-intoxicated keratinocytes, while ZAKα deletion or inhibition additionally limits both pyroptotic and inflammasome-independent non-pyroptotic cell death. Consequently, pharmacologic inhibition of ZAKα is more effective than caspase-1 inhibition at protecting the epidermal barrier in a 3D skin model of cutaneous diphtheria. In summary, these findings implicate ZAKα-driven RSR and the NLRP1 inflammasome in antibacterial immunity and might explain certain aspects of diphtheria pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Samirah Robinson
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- The A*STAR Skin Research Labs, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gee Ann Toh
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Pritisha Rozario
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chrissie K. Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ying Xiu Toh
- The A*STAR Skin Research Labs, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhi Heng Lau
- The A*STAR Skin Research Labs, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Jacob Mayer
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Florian I. Schmidt
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Franklin L. Zhong
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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7
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Raza A. Vaccination gaps and resurgence of diphtheria in Nigeria: An outbreak simmering for a catastrophe. New Microbes New Infect 2023; 55:101187. [PMID: 37876978 PMCID: PMC10590836 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2023.101187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Afsheen Raza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, 59911, United Arab Emirates
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8
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Yin L, Thaker H. Cancer Drug Delivery Systems Using Bacterial Toxin Translocation Mechanisms. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:813. [PMID: 37508840 PMCID: PMC10376142 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10070813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in targeted cancer therapy hold great promise for both research and clinical applications and push the boundaries in finding new treatments for various currently incurable cancers. However, these therapies require specific cell-targeting mechanisms for the efficient delivery of drug cargo across the cell membrane to reach intracellular targets and avoid diffusion to unwanted tissues. Traditional drug delivery systems suffer from a limited ability to travel across the barriers posed by cell membranes and, therefore, there is a need for high doses, which are associated with adverse reactions and safety concerns. Bacterial toxins have evolved naturally to specifically target cell subtypes via their receptor binding module, penetrating the cell membrane efficiently through the membrane translocation process and then successfully delivering the toxic cargo into the host cytosol. They have, thus, been harnessed for the delivery of various drugs. In this review, we focus on bacterial toxin translocation mechanisms and recent progress in the targeted delivery systems of cancer therapy drugs that have been inspired by the receptor binding and membrane translocation processes of the anthrax toxin protective antigen, diphtheria toxin, and Pseudomonas exotoxin A. We also discuss the challenges and limitations of these studies that should be addressed before bacterial toxin-based drug delivery systems can become a viable new generation of drug delivery approaches in clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxiang Yin
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hatim Thaker
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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9
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Roshan R, Naderi S, Behdani M, Ahangari Cohan R, Kazemi-Lomedasht F. A Novel Immunotoxin Targeting Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule Using Single Domain Antibody Fused to Diphtheria Toxin. Mol Biotechnol 2023; 65:637-644. [PMID: 36129635 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-022-00565-2] [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: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) is overexpressed in a variety of cancers such as colon, stomach, pancreas, and prostate adenocarcinomas. Inhibition of EpCAM is considered as a potential target for cancer therapy. In current study, anti-EpCAM immunotoxin (α-EpCAM IT) was developed using genetic fusion of α-EpCAM single domain antibody (nanobody) (α-EpCAM Nb) to truncated form of diphtheria toxin. The expression of recombinant α-EpCAM IT was induced by Isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blot. Recombinant α-EpCAM IT was purified from the inclusion bodies and refolded using urea gradient procedure. The cytotoxicity and apoptosis activity of α-EpCAM IT on EpCAM over-expressing (MCF7), low-expressing (HEK293), and no-expressing (HUVEC) cells were evaluated by 3-4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl (MTT) assay and annexin V-FITC-PI assay as well. In addition, anti-tumor activity of α-EpCAM IT was evaluated on nude mice bearing MCF7 tumor cells. Results showed success expression and purification of α-EpCAM IT. The α-EpCAM IT showed time and dose-dependent anti-proliferative activity on MCF-7 cells. However, α-EpCAM IT did not show any anti-proliferative activity on HEK293 and HUVEC cells as well. In addition, the annexin V-FITC-PI assay results showed that α-EpCAM IT significantly increased apoptotic rate in MCF-7 cells with no effect on HEK293 and HUVEC as well. Moreover, α-EpCAM IT significantly reduced tumor size in vivo study. The achieved results indicate the potential of designing α-EpCAM IT as a novel therapeutic for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyhaneh Roshan
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shamsi Naderi
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Ahangari Cohan
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, New Technologies Research Group, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fatemeh Kazemi-Lomedasht
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Targeting the Inside of Cells with Biologicals: Toxin Routes in a Therapeutic Context. BioDrugs 2023; 37:181-203. [PMID: 36729328 PMCID: PMC9893211 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00580-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Numerous toxins translocate to the cytosol in order to fulfil their function. This demonstrates the existence of routes for proteins from the extracellular space to the cytosol. Understanding these routes is relevant to multiple aspects related to therapeutic applications. These include the development of anti-toxin treatments, the potential use of toxins as shuttles for delivering macromolecular cargo to the cytosol or the use of drugs based on toxins. Compared with other strategies for delivery, such as chemicals as carriers for macromolecular delivery or physical methods like electroporation, toxin routes present paths into the cell that potentially cause less damage and can be specifically targeted. The efficiency of delivery via toxin routes is limited. However, low-delivery efficiencies can be entirely sufficient, if delivered cargoes possess an amplification effect or if very few molecules are sufficient for inducing the desired effects. This is known for example from RNA-based vaccines that have been developed during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as well as for other approved RNA-based drugs, which elicited the desired effect despite their typically low delivery efficiencies. The different mechanisms by which toxins enter cells may have implications for their technological utility. We review the mechanistic principles of the translocation pathway of toxins from the extracellular space to the cytosol, the delivery efficiencies, and therapeutic strategies or applications that exploit toxin routes for intracellular delivery.
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11
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Felice AG, Santos LNQ, Kolossowski I, Zen FL, Alves LG, Rodrigues TCV, Prado LCS, Jaiswal AK, Tiwari S, Miranda FM, Ramos RTJ, Azevedo V, Oliveira CJF, Benevides LJ, Soares SC. Comparative genomics of Bordetella pertussis and prediction of new vaccines and drug targets. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:10136-10152. [PMID: 34155952 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1940279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis, a Gram-negative bacterium described over a century ago. Despite broad vaccine coverage and treatment options, the disease is remerging as a public health problem especially in infants and older children. Recent data indicate re-emergence of the disease is related to bacterial resistance to immune defences and decreased vaccine effectiveness, which obviously suggests the need of new effective vaccines and drugs. In an attempt to contribute with solutions to this great challenge, bioinformatics tools were used to genetically comprehend the species of these bacteria and predict new vaccines and drug targets. In fact, approaches were used to analysis genomic plasticity, gene synteny and species similarities between the 20 genomes of Bordetella pertussis already available. Furthermore, it was conducted reverse vaccinology and docking analysis to identify proteins with potential to become vaccine and drug targets, respectively. The analyses showed the 20 genomes belongs to a homogeneous group that has preserved most of the genes over time. Besides that, were found genomics islands and good proteins to be candidates for vaccine and drugs. Taken together, these results suggests new possibilities that may be useful to develop new vaccines and drugs that will help the prevention and treatment strategies of pertussis disease caused by these Bordetella strains. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei G Felice
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Leonardo N Q Santos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Ian Kolossowski
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Felipe L Zen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Leandro G Alves
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Thaís C V Rodrigues
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ligia C S Prado
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Arun K Jaiswal
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Fábio M Miranda
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rommel T J Ramos
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Carlo J F Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Leandro J Benevides
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Siomar C Soares
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
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12
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Apprehending the NAD+–ADPr-Dependent Systems in the Virus World. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091977. [PMID: 36146784 PMCID: PMC9503650 DOI: 10.3390/v14091977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
NAD+ and ADP-ribose (ADPr)-containing molecules are at the interface of virus–host conflicts across life encompassing RNA processing, restriction, lysogeny/dormancy and functional hijacking. We objectively defined the central components of the NAD+–ADPr networks involved in these conflicts and systematically surveyed 21,191 completely sequenced viral proteomes representative of all publicly available branches of the viral world to reconstruct a comprehensive picture of the viral NAD+–ADPr systems. These systems have been widely and repeatedly exploited by positive-strand RNA and DNA viruses, especially those with larger genomes and more intricate life-history strategies. We present evidence that ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs), ADPr-targeting Macro, NADAR and Nudix proteins are frequently packaged into virions, particularly in phages with contractile tails (Myoviruses), and deployed during infection to modify host macromolecules and counter NAD+-derived signals involved in viral restriction. Genes encoding NAD+–ADPr-utilizing domains were repeatedly exchanged between distantly related viruses, hosts and endo-parasites/symbionts, suggesting selection for them across the virus world. Contextual analysis indicates that the bacteriophage versions of ADPr-targeting domains are more likely to counter soluble ADPr derivatives, while the eukaryotic RNA viral versions might prefer macromolecular ADPr adducts. Finally, we also use comparative genomics to predict host systems involved in countering viral ADP ribosylation of host molecules.
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13
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Dicks LMT, Vermeulen W. Do Bacteria Provide an Alternative to Cancer Treatment and What Role Does Lactic Acid Bacteria Play? Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091733. [PMID: 36144335 PMCID: PMC9501580 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. According to 2022 statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), close to 10 million deaths have been reported in 2020 and it is estimated that the number of cancer cases world-wide could increase to 21.6 million by 2030. Breast, lung, thyroid, pancreatic, liver, prostate, bladder, kidney, pelvis, colon, and rectum cancers are the most prevalent. Each year, approximately 400,000 children develop cancer. Treatment between countries vary, but usually includes either surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Modern treatments such as hormone-, immuno- and antibody-based therapies are becoming increasingly popular. Several recent reports have been published on toxins, antibiotics, bacteriocins, non-ribosomal peptides, polyketides, phenylpropanoids, phenylflavonoids, purine nucleosides, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and enzymes with anticancer properties. Most of these molecules target cancer cells in a selective manner, either directly or indirectly through specific pathways. This review discusses the role of bacteria, including lactic acid bacteria, and their metabolites in the treatment of cancer.
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14
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Whole-genome sequencing data of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolated from diphtheria outbreaks in Indonesia. Data Brief 2022; 43:108460. [PMID: 35873280 PMCID: PMC9301506 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.108460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae) is the causative agent of diphtheria. The main virulence factor of C. diphtheriae is diphtheria toxin, which is encoded by the tox gene and regulated by the dtxR gene. The tox and dtxR genes are used as genetic markers to identify bacteria causing diphtheria by PCR. Here, we present the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data of 18 C. diphtheriae isolates from diphtheria outbreaks in different regions in Indonesia. We used these data to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the tox and dtxR genes to verify the accuracy of the PCR assay and performed molecular typing with a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach. The data can be used for further analyses, such as antimicrobial resistance and bacterial virulence factors.
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15
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Venturini C, Petrovic Fabijan A, Fajardo Lubian A, Barbirz S, Iredell J. Biological foundations of successful bacteriophage therapy. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e12435. [PMID: 35620963 PMCID: PMC9260219 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are selective viral predators of bacteria. Abundant and ubiquitous in nature, phages can be used to treat bacterial infections (phage therapy), including refractory infections and those resistant to antibiotics. However, despite an abundance of anecdotal evidence of efficacy, significant hurdles remain before routine implementation of phage therapy into medical practice, including a dearth of robust clinical trial data. Phage-bacterium interactions are complex and diverse, characterized by co-evolution trajectories that are significantly influenced by the environments in which they occur (mammalian body sites, water, soil, etc.). An understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning these dynamics is essential for successful clinical translation. This review aims to cover key aspects of bacterium-phage interactions that affect bacterial killing by describing the most relevant published literature and detailing the current knowledge gaps most likely to influence therapeutic success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Venturini
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Science, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Aleksandra Petrovic Fabijan
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alicia Fajardo Lubian
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stefanie Barbirz
- Department of Medicine, Science Faculty, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonathan Iredell
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Westmead Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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16
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Ott L, Möller J, Burkovski A. Interactions between the Re-Emerging Pathogen Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Host Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063298. [PMID: 35328715 PMCID: PMC8952647 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the etiological agent of diphtheria, is a re-emerging pathogen, responsible for several thousand deaths per year. In addition to diphtheria, systemic infections, often by non-toxigenic strains, are increasingly observed. This indicates that besides the well-studied and highly potent diphtheria toxin, various other virulence factors may influence the progression of the infection. This review focuses on the known components of C. diphtheriae responsible for adhesion, invasion, inflammation, and cell death, as well as on the cellular signaling pathways activated upon infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Ott
- Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Jens Möller
- Microbiology Division, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Andreas Burkovski
- Microbiology Division, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-852-8086
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17
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Khirehgesh MR, Sharifi J, Safari F, Akbari B. Immunotoxins and nanobody-based immunotoxins: review and update. J Drug Target 2021; 29:848-862. [PMID: 33615933 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2021.1894435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunotoxins (ITs) are protein-based drugs that compose of targeting and cytotoxic moieties. After binding the IT to the specific cell-surface antigen, the IT internalises into the target cell and kills it. Targeting and cytotoxic moieties usually include monoclonal antibodies and protein toxins with bacterial or plant origin, respectively. ITs have been successful in haematologic malignancies treatment. However, ITs penetrate poorly into solid tumours because of their large size. Use of camelid antibody fragments known as nanobodies (Nbs) as a targeting moiety may overcome this problem. Nbs are the smallest fragment of antibodies with excellent tumour tissue penetration. The ability to recognise cryptic (immuno-evasive) target antigens, low immunogenicity, and high-affinity are other fundamental characteristics of Nbs that make them suitable candidates in targeted therapy. Here, we reviewed and discussed the structure and function of ITs, Nbs, and nanobody-based ITs. To gain sound insight into the issue at hand, we focussed on nanobody-based ITs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Khirehgesh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Jafar Sharifi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Safari
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahman Akbari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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18
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Ismail MH, Michie KA, Goh YF, Noorian P, Kjelleberg S, Duggin IG, McDougald D, Rice SA. The Repressor C Protein, Pf4r, Controls Superinfection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 by the Pf4 Filamentous Phage and Regulates Host Gene Expression. Viruses 2021; 13:1614. [PMID: 34452479 PMCID: PMC8402870 DOI: 10.3390/v13081614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been shown that the filamentous phage, Pf4, plays an important role in biofilm development, stress tolerance, genetic variant formation and virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. These behaviours are linked to the appearance of superinfective phage variants. Here, we have investigated the molecular mechanism of superinfection as well as how the Pf4 phage can control host gene expression to modulate host behaviours. Pf4 exists as a prophage in PAO1 and encodes a homologue of the P2 phage repressor C and was recently named Pf4r. Through a combination of molecular techniques, ChIPseq and transcriptomic analyses, we show a critical site in repressor C (Pf4r) where a mutation in the site, 788799A>G (Ser4Pro), causes Pf4r to lose its function as the immunity factor against reinfection by Pf4. X-ray crystal structure analysis shows that Pf4r forms symmetric homo-dimers homologous to the E.coli bacteriophage P2 RepC protein. A mutation, Pf4r*, associated with the superinfective Pf4r variant, found at the dimer interface, suggests dimer formation may be disrupted, which derepresses phage replication. This is supported by multi-angle light scattering (MALS) analysis, where the Pf4r* protein only forms monomers. The loss of dimerisation also explains the loss of Pf4r's immunity function. Phenotypic assays showed that Pf4r increased LasB activity and was also associated with a slight increase in the percentage of morphotypic variants. ChIPseq and transcriptomic analyses suggest that Pf4r also likely functions as a transcriptional regulator for other host genes. Collectively, these data suggest the mechanism by which filamentous phages play such an important role in P. aeruginosa biofilm development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Hafiz Ismail
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (M.H.I.); (Y.F.G.); (S.K.); (D.M.)
- The School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Katharine A. Michie
- Structural Biology Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia;
| | - Yu Fen Goh
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (M.H.I.); (Y.F.G.); (S.K.); (D.M.)
| | - Parisa Noorian
- The iThree Institute, The University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; (P.N.); (I.G.D.)
| | - Staffan Kjelleberg
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (M.H.I.); (Y.F.G.); (S.K.); (D.M.)
- The School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Iain G. Duggin
- The iThree Institute, The University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; (P.N.); (I.G.D.)
| | - Diane McDougald
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (M.H.I.); (Y.F.G.); (S.K.); (D.M.)
- The iThree Institute, The University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; (P.N.); (I.G.D.)
| | - Scott A. Rice
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (M.H.I.); (Y.F.G.); (S.K.); (D.M.)
- The School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- The iThree Institute, The University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; (P.N.); (I.G.D.)
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19
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The Corynebacterium diphtheriae HbpA hemoglobin-binding protein contains a domain that is critical for hemoprotein-binding, cellular localization and function. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:e0019621. [PMID: 34370560 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00196-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of hemin-iron from hemoglobin-haptoglobin (Hb-Hp) by Corynebacterium diphtheriae requires the iron-regulated surface proteins HtaA, ChtA, ChtC, and the recently identified Hb-Hp binding protein HbpA. We previously showed that a purified form of HbpA (HbpA-S), lacking the C-terminal region, was able to bind Hb-Hp. In this study, we show that the C-terminal region of HbpA significantly enhances binding to Hb-Hp. A purified form of HbpA that includes the C-terminal domain (HbpA-FL) exhibits much stronger binding to Hb-Hp than HbpA-S. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) showed that HbpA-FL as well as HtaA-FL, ChtA-FL, and ChtC-FL exist as high molecular weight complexes, while HbpA-S is present as a monomer, indicating that the C-terminal region is required for formation of large aggregates. Growth studies showed that expression of HbpA-FL in the ΔhbpA mutant restored wild-type levels of growth in low-iron medium that contained Hb-Hp as the sole iron source, while HbpA-S failed to complement the ΔhbpA mutant. Protein localization studies in C. diphtheriae showed that HbpA-FL is present in both in the supernatant and in the membrane fractions, and that the C-terminal region is required for membrane anchoring. Purified HbpA-FL was able to enhance growth of the ΔhbpA mutant when added to culture medium that contained Hb-Hp as a sole iron source, suggesting that secreted HbpA is involved in the use of hemin-iron from Hb-Hp. These studies extend our understanding of this novel Hb-Hp binding protein in this important human pathogen. IMPORTANCE Hemoproteins, such as Hb, are an abundant source of iron in humans and are proposed to be required by numerous pathogens to cause disease. In this report, we expand on our previous studies in further defining the role of HbpA in hemin-iron acquisition in C. diphtheriae. HbpA is unique to C. diphtheriae, and appears to function unlike any previously described bacterial iron-regulated Hb- or Hb-Hp-binding protein. HbpA is both secreted and present in the membrane, and exists as a large aggregate that enhances its ability to bind Hb-Hp and promote hemin-iron uptake. Current studies with HbpA will increase our understanding of iron transport systems in C. diphtheriae.
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20
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Dashtiahangar M, Rahbarnia L, Farajnia S, Salmaninejad A, Shabgah AG, Ghasemali S. Anti-cancer Immunotoxins, Challenges, and Approaches. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:932-941. [PMID: 33023437 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201006155346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The development of recombinant immunotoxins (RITs) as a novel therapeutic strategy has made a revolution in the treatment of cancer. RITs result from the fusion of antibodies to toxin proteins for targeting and eliminating cancerous cells by inhibiting protein synthesis. Despite indisputable outcomes of RITs regarding inhibition of multiple cancer types, high immunogenicity has been known as the main obstacle in the clinical use of RITs. Various strategies have been proposed to overcome these limitations, including immunosuppressive therapy, humanization of the antibody fragment moiety, generation of immunotoxins originated from endogenous human cytotoxic enzymes, and modification of the toxin moiety to escape the immune system. This paper is devoted to review recent advances in the design of immunotoxins with lower immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Dashtiahangar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Leila Rahbarnia
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Safar Farajnia
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Samaneh Ghasemali
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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21
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Assessing the Genetic Diversity of Austrian Corynebacterium diphtheriae Clinical Isolates, 2011 to 2019. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:JCM.02529-20. [PMID: 33268541 PMCID: PMC8106727 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02529-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease with a high potential for reemergence. One of its causative agents is Corynebacterium diphtheriae, with some strains producing diphtheria toxin. From 2011 to 2019, 57 clinical C. diphtheriae strains were isolated in Austria, either from the respiratory tract or from skin infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of these C. diphtheriae isolates using whole-genome sequencing. Isolates were characterized by genome-wide comparisons using single nucleotide polymorphism analysis or core genome multilocus sequence typing and by searching sequence data for antimicrobial resistance genes and genes involved in diphtheria toxin production. The genetic diversity among the isolates was high, with no clear distribution over time or place. Corynebacterium belfantii isolates were separated from other strains and were strongly associated with respiratory infections (odds ratio [OR] = 57). Two clusters, limited in time and space, were identified. Almost 40% of strains carried resistance genes against tetracycline or sulfonamides, mostly from skin infections. Microbiological tests showed that 55% of isolates were resistant to penicillin but did not carry genes conferring β-lactam resistance. A diphtheria toxin gene with no nonsynonymous mutation was found in three isolates only. This study showed that sequencing can provide valuable information complementing routine microbiological and epidemiological investigations. It allowed us to identify unknown clusters, evaluate antimicrobial resistance more broadly, and support toxigenicity results obtained by PCR. For these reasons, C. diphtheriae surveillance could strongly benefit from the routine implementation of whole-genome sequencing.
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22
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Ribonuclease J-Mediated mRNA Turnover Modulates Cell Shape, Metabolism and Virulence in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020389. [PMID: 33672886 PMCID: PMC7917786 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Controlled RNA degradation is a crucial process in bacterial cell biology for maintaining proper transcriptome homeostasis and adaptation to changing environments. mRNA turnover in many Gram-positive bacteria involves a specialized ribonuclease called RNase J (RnJ). To date, however, nothing is known about this process in the diphtheria-causative pathogen Corynebacterium diphtheriae, nor is known the identity of this ribonuclease in this organism. Here, we report that C. diphtheriae DIP1463 encodes a predicted RnJ homolog, comprised of a conserved N-terminal β-lactamase domain, followed by β-CASP and C-terminal domains. A recombinant protein encompassing the β-lactamase domain alone displays 5'-exoribonuclease activity, which is abolished by alanine-substitution of the conserved catalytic residues His186 and His188. Intriguingly, deletion of DIP1463/rnj in C. diphtheriae reduces bacterial growth and generates cell shape abnormality with markedly augmented cell width. Comparative RNA-seq analysis revealed that RnJ controls a large regulon encoding many factors predicted to be involved in biosynthesis, regulation, transport, and iron acquisition. One upregulated gene in the ∆rnj mutant is ftsH, coding for a membrane protease (FtsH) involved in cell division, whose overexpression in the wild-type strain also caused cell-width augmentation. Critically, the ∆rnj mutant is severely attenuated in virulence in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of infection, while the FtsH-overexpressing and toxin-less strains exhibit full virulence as the wild-type strain. Evidently, RNase J is a key ribonuclease in C. diphtheriae that post-transcriptionally influences the expression of numerous factors vital to corynebacterial cell physiology and virulence. Our findings have significant implications for basic biological processes and mechanisms of corynebacterial pathogenesis.
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Detection and Characterization of Diphtheria Toxin Gene-Bearing Corynebacterium Species through a New Real-Time PCR Assay. J Clin Microbiol 2020; 58:JCM.00639-20. [PMID: 32727830 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00639-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory diphtheria, characterized by a firmly adherent pseudomembrane, is caused by toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, with similar illness produced occasionally by toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans or, rarely, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis While diphtheria laboratory confirmation requires culture methods to determine toxigenicity, real-time PCR (RT-PCR) provides a faster method to detect the toxin gene (tox). Nontoxigenic tox-bearing (NTTB) Corynebacterium isolates have been described, but impact of these isolates on the accuracy of molecular diagnostics is not well characterized. Here, we describe a new triplex RT-PCR assay to detect tox and distinguish C. diphtheriae from the closely related species C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis Analytical sensitivity and specificity of the assay were assessed in comparison to culture using 690 previously characterized microbial isolates. The new triplex assay characterized Corynebacterium isolates accurately, with 100% analytical sensitivity for all targets. Analytical specificity with isolates was 94.1%, 100%, and 99.5% for tox, Diph_rpoB, and CUP_rpoB targets, respectively. Twenty-nine NTTB Corynebacterium isolates, representing 5.9% of 494 nontoxigenic isolates tested, were detected by RT-PCR. Whole-genome sequencing of NTTB isolates revealed varied mutations putatively underlying their lack of toxin production, as well as eight isolates with no mutation in tox or the promoter region. This new Corynebacterium RT-PCR method provides a rapid tool to screen isolates and identify probable diphtheria cases directly from specimens. However, the sporadic occurrence of NTTB isolates reinforces the viewpoint that diphtheria culture diagnostics continue to provide the most accurate case confirmation.
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Yaghoubi A, Khazaei M, Jalili S, Hasanian SM, Avan A, Soleimanpour S, Cho WC. Bacteria as a double-action sword in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188388. [PMID: 32589907 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria have long been known as one of the primary causative agents of cancer, however, recent studies suggest that they can be used as a promising agent in cancer therapy. Because of the limitations that conventional treatment faces due to the specific pathophysiology and the tumor environment, there is a great need for the new anticancer therapeutic agents. Bacteriotherapy utilizes live, attenuated strains or toxins, peptides, bacteriocins of the bacteria in the treatment of cancer. Moreover, they are widely used as a vector for delivering genes, peptides, or drugs to the tumor target. Interestingly, it was found that their combination with the conventional therapeutic approaches may enhance the treatment outcome. In the genome editing era, it is feasible to develop a novel generation of therapeutic bacteria with fewer side effects and more efficacy for cancer therapy. Here we review the current knowledge on the dual role of bacteria in the development of cancer as well as cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atieh Yaghoubi
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Saba Jalili
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hasanian
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Saman Soleimanpour
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - William C Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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25
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Soleimanpour S, Hasanian SM, Avan A, Yaghoubi A, Khazaei M. Bacteriotherapy in gastrointestinal cancer. Life Sci 2020; 254:117754. [PMID: 32389833 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The most prevalent gastrointestinal (GI) cancers include colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, and liver cancer, known as the most common causes of cancer-related death in both men and women populations in the world. Traditional therapeutic approaches, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have failed in the effective treatment of cancer. Therefore, there is an urgent need for finding new effective anticancer agents. The available evidence and also the promising results of using bacteria as the anticancer agents on numerous cancer cell lines have attracted the attention of scientists for the therapeutic role of bacteria in the field of cancer therapy. Moreover, several studies on the bacteriotherapy agents have used genetic engineering to overcome the challenges and enhance the efficacy with the least drawbacks. Numerous bacterial species that can specifically target and internalize into the tumor cells are used live, attenuated, or genetically as compared to selectively consider the hypoxic condition of tumor, which results in the tumor suppression. The present study is a comprehensive review of the current literature on the use of bacteria and their substances such as bacteriocins and toxins in the treatment of different types of gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saman Soleimanpour
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hasanian
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Atieh Yaghoubi
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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26
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Colon cancer is a great health concern worldwide, as it is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Conventional treatment of cancer such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are faced with limitations and side effects. Therefore, strategies for the treatment of cancer need to be modified or new strategies replacing the old one. AIMS The aim of this study is to review the role of bacteria or their products (such as peptides, bacteriocins, and toxins) as a therapeutic agent for colon cancer. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Recently, the therapeutic role of bacteria and their products in colon cancer treatment holds promise as emerging novel anti-cancer agents. Unlike the conventional treatments, targeted therapy based on the use of bacteria that are able to directly target tumor cells without affecting normal cells is evolving as an alternative strategy. Moreover, several bacterial species were used in live, attenuated or genetically modified that are able to multiply selectively in tumors and inhibiting their growth.
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Mutahhar A, Puspitasari D. SENSITIVITY OF ERYTHROMYCIN AGAINST CORYNEBACTERIUM DIPHTHERIAE. INDONESIAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE 2020. [DOI: 10.20473/ijtid.v8i1.11654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Diphtheria is an acute infection disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It remains a problem in Indonesia in a recent several years especially in East Java Province, which suffered from an outbreak of diphtheria in 2011. Erythromycin is the second line antibiotics therapy for diphteria if the patient is allergic to penicillin, also serving as a prophylactic and carrier therapy for contact diphtheria. Erythromycin has been used for diphtheria for a very long time, but there is little recent data on its sensitivity against C. diphtheriae. The purpose of this study is to identify whether Erythromycin still has a strong antibacterial activity against Corynebacterium diphtheriae by invitro test. This was a descriptive study which observed the sensitivity pattern of erythromycin against Corynebacterium diphtheriae using the Epsilometer test (etest) as a diffusion technique. Samples used in this study were 30 isolates of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain mitis and gravis at the Center for Health Laboratory (BBLK) Surabaya obtained during 2011 until 2014. We retrieved the data based on gender, age, and districts of patients for each of the samples then analyzed them descriptively. In this study, a sensitivity test of 30 toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates revealed that 27 (90%) were sensitive to Erythromycin (average Minimum Inhibitory Concentration/ MIC) <0.016 μg/mL and all were strain mitis, while 3 (10%) had intermediate sensitivity with MIC 1 μg/mL (all were strain gravis). No resistance result was found from the sensitivity test. According to the result, we conclude that Erythromycin still has a strong antibacterial activity against Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
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Effect of Diphtheria Toxin-Based Gene Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020472. [PMID: 32085552 PMCID: PMC7072394 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global malignancy, responsible for >90% of primary liver cancers. Currently available therapeutic options have poor performances due to the highly heterogeneous nature of the tumor cells; recurrence is highly probable, and some patients develop resistances to the therapies. Accordingly, the development of a novel therapy is essential. We assessed gene therapy for HCC using a diphtheria toxin fragment A (DTA) gene-expressing plasmid, utilizing a non-viral hydrodynamics-based procedure. The antitumor effect of DTA expression in HCC cell lines (and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter selectivity) is assessed in vitro by examining HCC cell growth. Moreover, the effect and safety of the AFP promoter-selective DTA expression was examined in vivo using an HCC mice model established by the hydrodynamic gene delivery of the yes-associated protein (YAP)-expressing plasmid. The protein synthesis in DTA transfected cells is inhibited by the disappearance of tdTomato and GFP expression co-transfected upon the delivery of the DTA plasmid; the HCC cell growth is inhibited by the expression of DTA in HCC cells in an AFP promoter-selective manner. A significant inhibition of HCC occurrence and the suppression of the tumor marker of AFP and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin can be seen in mice groups treated with hydrodynamic gene delivery of DTA, both 0 and 2 months after the YAP gene delivery. These results suggest that DTA gene therapy is effective for HCC.
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Bacteria and cancer: Different sides of the same coin. Life Sci 2020; 246:117398. [PMID: 32032647 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Conventional cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy due to the complexity of cancer have been unsuccessful in the complete eradication of tumor cells. Thus, there is a need for new therapeutic strategies toward cancer. Recently, the therapeutic role of bacteria in different fields of medicine and pharmaceutical research has attracted attention in recent decades. Although several bacteria are notorious as cancer-causing agents, recent research revealed intriguing results suggesting the bacterial potential in cancer therapy. Thus, bacterial cancer therapy is an alternative anticancer approach that has promising results on tumor cells in-vivo. Moreover, with the aid of genetic engineering, some natural or genetically modified bacterial strains can directly target hypoxic regions of tumors and secrete therapeutic molecules leading to cancer cell death. Additionally, stimulation of immune cells by bacteria, bacterial cancer DNA vaccine and antitumor bacterial metabolites are other therapeutic applications of bacteria in cancer therapy. The present study is a comprehensive review of different aspects of bacterial cancer therapy alone and in combination with conventional methods, for improving cancer therapy.
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Sharma NC, Efstratiou A, Mokrousov I, Mutreja A, Das B, Ramamurthy T. Diphtheria. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2019; 5:81. [PMID: 31804499 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-019-0131-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Diphtheria is a potentially fatal infection mostly caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains and occasionally by toxigenic C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis strains. Diphtheria is generally an acute respiratory infection, characterized by the formation of a pseudomembrane in the throat, but cutaneous infections are possible. Systemic effects, such as myocarditis and neuropathy, which are associated with increased fatality risk, are due to diphtheria toxin, an exotoxin produced by the pathogen that inhibits protein synthesis and causes cell death. Clinical diagnosis is confirmed by the isolation and identification of the causative Corynebacterium spp., usually by bacterial culture followed by enzymatic and toxin detection tests. Diphtheria can be treated with the timely administration of diphtheria antitoxin and antimicrobial therapy. Although effective vaccines are available, this disease has the potential to re-emerge in countries where the recommended vaccination programmes are not sustained, and increasing proportions of adults are becoming susceptible to diphtheria. Thousands of diphtheria cases are still reported annually from several countries in Asia and Africa, along with many outbreaks. Changes in the epidemiology of diphtheria have been reported worldwide. The prevalence of toxigenic Corynebacterium spp. highlights the need for proper clinical and epidemiological investigations to quickly identify and treat affected individuals, along with public health measures to prevent and contain the spread of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Chand Sharma
- Laboratory Department, Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Androulla Efstratiou
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Diphtheria and Streptococcal Infections, Reference Microbiology Division, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Igor Mokrousov
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Genetics, St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ankur Mutreja
- Global Health-Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bhabatosh Das
- Infection and Immunology Division, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India
| | - Thandavarayan Ramamurthy
- Infection and Immunology Division, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India.
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Yaghoubi A, Khazaei M, Hasanian SM, Avan A, C. Cho W, Soleimanpour S. Bacteriotherapy in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5880. [PMID: 31771178 PMCID: PMC6928964 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality among women around the world. Conventional treatments in the fight against breast cancer, such as chemotherapy, are being challenged regarding their effectiveness. Thus, strategies for the treatment of breast cancer need to be continuously refined to achieve a better patient outcome. We know that a number of bacteria are pathogenic and some are even associated with tumor development, however, recent studies have demonstrated interesting results suggesting some bacteria may have potential for cancer therapy. Therefore, the therapeutic role of bacteria has aroused attention in medical and pharmaceutical studies. Furthermore, genetic engineering has been used in bacterial therapy and may led to greater efficacy with few side effects. Some genetically modified non-pathogenic bacterial species are more successful due to their selectivity for cancer cells but with low toxicity for normal cells. Some live, attenuated, or genetically modified bacterias are capable to multiply in tumors and inhibit their growth. This article aims to review the role of bacteria and their products including bacterial peptides, bacteriocins, and toxins for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atieh Yaghoubi
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91387-35499, Iran;
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91387-35499, Iran
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9138735499, Iran;
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hasanian
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical, Sciences, Mashhad 91387-35499, Iran;
| | - Amir Avan
- Cancer Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91387-35499, Iran;
| | - William C. Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Saman Soleimanpour
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91387-35499, Iran;
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91387-35499, Iran
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Shafiee F, Aucoin MG, Jahanian-Najafabadi A. Targeted Diphtheria Toxin-Based Therapy: A Review Article. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2340. [PMID: 31681205 PMCID: PMC6813239 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Conventional therapeutic strategies usually offer limited specificity, resulting in severe side effects and toxicity to normal tissues. Targeted cancer therapy, on the other hand, can improve the therapeutic potential of anti-cancer agents and decrease unwanted side effects. Targeted applications of cytolethal bacterial toxins have been found to be especially useful for the specific eradication of cancer cells. Targeting is either mediated by peptides or by protein-targeting moieties, such as antibodies, antibody fragments, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), growth factors, or cytokines. Together with a toxin domain, these molecules are more commonly referred to as immunotoxins. Targeting can also be achieved through gene delivery and cell-specific expression of a toxin. Of the available cytolethal toxins, diphtheria toxin (DT) is one of the most frequently used for these strategies. Of the many DT-based therapeutic strategies investigated to date, two immunotoxins, OntakTM and TagraxofuspTM, have gained FDA approval for clinical application. Despite some success with immunotoxins, suicide-gene therapy strategies, whereby controlled tumor-specific expression of DT is used for the eradication of malignant cells, are gaining prominence. The first part of this review focuses on DT-based immunotoxins, and it then discusses recent developments in tumor-specific expression of DT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Shafiee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marc G Aucoin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Ali Jahanian-Najafabadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Muthuirulandi Sethuvel DP, Subramanian N, Pragasam AK, Inbanathan FY, Gupta P, Johnson J, Sharma NC, Hemvani N, Veeraraghavan B, Anandan S, Sangal L. Insights to the diphtheria toxin encoding prophages amongst clinical isolates of Corynebacterium diphtheriae from India. Indian J Med Microbiol 2019; 37:423-425. [PMID: 32003344 DOI: 10.4103/ijmm.ijmm_19_469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Diphtheria is a dreadful disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Lysogenised bacteriophages carrying toxin gene in C. diphtheriae can make the strain toxigenic. However, such phage disseminates the toxin genes to other strains when it undergoes lytic phase. As little is known about the phage diversity in C. diphtheriae in India, the present study was undertaken to investigate the prophages integrated into the genome of 29 clinical isolates of C. diphtheriae using whole-genome shotgun sequencing. Amongst these isolates, 27 were toxigenic, while 2 were non-toxigenic strains. Of the 27 toxigenic strains, all harbored known phages carrying toxin gene and two other phages with unknown function. However, the two non-toxin strains did not harbour any of the phages in the genome. It is imperative to devise prevention strategies that hinder the dissemination of toxin by prophages, as it may increase the complications of diphtheria post-immunisation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Prashant Gupta
- King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | | | - Nanda Hemvani
- Choithram Hospital and Research Centre, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | | | - Shalini Anandan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Lucky Sangal
- World Health Organization Country Office, New Delhi, India
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Vilela Rodrigues TC, Jaiswal AK, de Sarom A, de Castro Oliveira L, Freire Oliveira CJ, Ghosh P, Tiwari S, Miranda FM, de Jesus Benevides L, Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo V, de Castro Soares S. Reverse vaccinology and subtractive genomics reveal new therapeutic targets against Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a causative agent of pneumonia. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:190907. [PMID: 31417766 PMCID: PMC6689572 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Pneumonia is an infectious disease caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi that results in millions of deaths globally. Despite the existence of prophylactic methods against some of the major pathogens of the disease, there is no efficient prophylaxis against atypical agents such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium associated with cases of community-acquired pneumonia. Because of the morphological peculiarity of M. pneumoniae, which leads to an increased resistance to antibiotics, studies that prospectively investigate the development of vaccines and drug targets appear to be one of the best ways forward. Hence, in this paper, bioinformatics tools were used for vaccine and pharmacological prediction. We conducted comparative genomic analysis on the genomes of 88 M. pneumoniae strains, as opposed to a reverse vaccinology analysis, in relation to the capacity of M. pneumoniae proteins to bind to the major histocompatibility complex, revealing seven targets with immunogenic potential. Predictive cytoplasmic proteins were tested as potential drug targets by studying their structures in relation to other proteins, metabolic pathways and molecular anchorage, which identified five possible drug targets. These findings are a valuable addition to the development of vaccines and the selection of new in vivo drug targets that may contribute to further elucidating the molecular basis of M. pneumoniae-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arun Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alissa de Sarom
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Letícia de Castro Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carlo José Freire Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Preetam Ghosh
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fábio Malcher Miranda
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Leandro de Jesus Benevides
- Bioinformatics Laboratory - LABINFO, National Laboratory of Scientific Computation - LNCC/MCTI, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Siomar de Castro Soares
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Author for correspondence: Siomar de Castro Soares e-mail:
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Ashu EE, Xu J, Yuan ZC. Bacteria in Cancer Therapeutics: A Framework for Effective Therapeutic Bacterial Screening and Identification. J Cancer 2019; 10:1781-1793. [PMID: 31205534 PMCID: PMC6547982 DOI: 10.7150/jca.31699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
By 2030, the global incidence of cancer is expected to increase by approximately 50%. However, most conventional therapies still lack cancer selectivity, which can have severe unintended side effects on healthy body tissue. Despite being an unconventional and contentious therapy, the last two decades have seen a significant renaissance of bacterium-mediated cancer therapy (BMCT). Although promising, most present-day therapeutic bacterial candidates have not shown satisfactory efficacy, effectiveness, or safety. Furthermore, therapeutic bacterial candidates are available to only a few of the approximately 200 existing cancer types. Excitingly, the recent surge in BMCT has piqued the interest of non-BMCT microbiologists. To help advance these interests, in this paper we reviewed important aspects of cancer, present-day cancer treatments, and historical aspects of BMCT. Here, we provided a four-step framework that can be used in screening and identifying bacteria with cancer therapeutic potential, including those that are uncultivable. Systematic methodologies such as the ones suggested here could prove valuable to new BMCT researchers, including experienced non-BMCT researchers in possession of extensive knowledge and resources of bacterial genomics. Lastly, our analyses highlight the need to establish and standardize quantitative methods that can be used to identify and compare bacteria with important cancer therapeutic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eta E Ashu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jianping Xu
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ze-Chun Yuan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, Ontario, Canada
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Dangel A, Berger A, Konrad R, Sing A. NGS-based phylogeny of diphtheria-related pathogenicity factors in different Corynebacterium spp. implies species-specific virulence transmission. BMC Microbiol 2019; 19:28. [PMID: 30709334 PMCID: PMC6359835 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-019-1402-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diphtheria toxin (DT) is produced by toxigenic strains of the human pathogen Corynebacterium diphtheriae as well as zoonotic C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis. Toxigenic strains may cause severe respiratory diphtheria, myocarditis, neurological damage or cutaneous diphtheria. The DT encoding tox gene is located in a mobile genomic region and tox variability between C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans has been postulated based on sequences of a few isolates. In contrast, species-specific sequence analysis of the diphtheria toxin repressor gene (dtxR), occurring both in toxigenic and non-toxigenic Corynebacterium species, has not been done yet. We used whole genome sequencing data from 91 toxigenic and 46 non-toxigenic isolates of different pathogenic Corynebacterium species of animal or human origin to elucidate differences in extracted DT, DtxR and tox-surrounding genetic elements by a phylogenetic analysis in a large sample set. RESULTS Sequences of both DT and DtxR, extracted from whole genome sequencing data, could be classified in four distinct, nearly species-specific clades, corresponding to C. diphtheriae, C. pseudotuberculosis, C. ulcerans and atypical C. ulcerans from a non-toxigenic toxin gene-bearing wildlife cluster. Average amino acid similarities were above 99% for DT and DtxR within the four groups, but lower between them. For DT, subgroups below species level could be identified, correlating with different tox-comprising mobile genetic elements. In most C. diphtheriae, tox genes were located within known prophages. In contrast, in C. ulcerans diverse tox-including mobile elements could be identified: either prophages differing from C. diphtheriae prophages or an alternative pathogenicity island (PAI) described previously. One isolate showed a different, shorter tox-comprising putative PAI. Beyond the tox-overlapping elements, most isolates harbored a variety of additional prophages. CONCLUSION Our NGS data from 137 isolates indicate the existence of different genetic backgrounds of DT-mediated pathogenicity in different Corynebacterium species and evolution of once acquired pathogenicity features with the strains. Different groups of pathogenicity-related elements within C. ulcerans imply that tox transmission pathways between isolates may differ in the zoonotic species and contribute to their emerging pathogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Dangel
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany.
| | - Anja Berger
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany. .,German National Consiliary Laboratory on Diphtheria, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany.
| | - Regina Konrad
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Sing
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany.,German National Consiliary Laboratory on Diphtheria, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
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37
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Ruedl C, Jung S. DTR-mediated conditional cell ablation-Progress and challenges. Eur J Immunol 2019; 48:1114-1119. [PMID: 29974950 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201847527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cell ablation is a valuable complement to mutagenesis for experimentally defining specific cell functions in physiology and pathophysiology in small animal models. One of the most popular ablation strategies involves transgenic expression of a primate diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) on murine cells that are otherwise resistant to the bacterial exotoxin. The efforts of many laboratories using the DTR approach over the years have yielded numerous valuable insights into specific cell functions. Here, we will discuss the technical aspects of the DTR approach, including the strengths, pitfalls, and future strategies to overcome the shortcomings, highlighting a recent paper published in the European Journal of Immunology [El Hachem et al. Eur. J. Immunol. 2018 https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.201747351]. A particular focus will be given to the application of DTR approach to decipher in vivo functions of the murine myeloid cell compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Ruedl
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Steffen Jung
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Kumar R, Feltrup TM, Kukreja RV, Patel KB, Cai S, Singh BR. Evolutionary Features in the Structure and Function of Bacterial Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11010015. [PMID: 30609803 PMCID: PMC6356308 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxins can function both as a harmful and therapeutic molecule, depending on their concentrations. The diversity in their function allows us to ask some very pertinent questions related to their origin and roles: (a) What makes them such effective molecules? (b) Are there evolutionary features encoded within the structures of the toxins for their function? (c) Is structural hierarchy in the toxins important for maintaining their structure and function? (d) Do protein dynamics play a role in the function of toxins? and (e) Do the evolutionary connections to these unique features and functions provide the fundamental points in driving evolution? In light of the growing evidence in structural biology, it would be appropriate to suggest that protein dynamics and flexibility play a much bigger role in the function of the toxin than the structure itself. Discovery of IDPs (intrinsically disorder proteins), multifunctionality, and the concept of native aggregation are shaking the paradigm of the requirement of a fixed three-dimensional structure for the protein’s function. Growing evidence supporting the above concepts allow us to redesign the structure-function aspects of the protein molecules. An evolutionary model is necessary and needs to be developed to study these important aspects. The criteria for a well-defined model would be: (a) diversity in structure and function, (b) unique functionality, and (c) must belong to a family to define the evolutionary relationships. All these characteristics are largely fulfilled by bacterial toxins. Bacterial toxins are diverse and widely distributed in all three forms of life (Bacteria, Archaea and Eukaryotes). Some of the unique characteristics include structural folding, sequence and functional combination of domains, targeting a cellular process to execute their function, and most importantly their flexibility and dynamics. In this work, we summarize certain unique aspects of bacterial toxins, including role of structure in defining toxin function, uniqueness in their enzymatic function, and interaction with their substrates and other proteins. Finally, we have discussed the evolutionary aspects of toxins in detail, which will help us rethink the current evolutionary theories. A careful study, and appropriate interpretations, will provide answers to several questions related to the structure-function relationship of proteins, in general. Additionally, this will also allow us to refine the current evolution theories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar
- Botulinum Research Center, Institute of Advanced Sciences, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA.
| | - Thomas M Feltrup
- Botulinum Research Center, Institute of Advanced Sciences, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA.
| | - Roshan V Kukreja
- Botulinum Research Center, Institute of Advanced Sciences, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA.
| | - Kruti B Patel
- Botulinum Research Center, Institute of Advanced Sciences, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA.
| | - Shuowei Cai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA.
| | - Bal Ram Singh
- Botulinum Research Center, Institute of Advanced Sciences, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA.
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Mohd Khalid MKN, Ahmad N, Hii SYF, Abd Wahab MA, Hashim R, Liow YL. Molecular characterization of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates in Malaysia between 1981 and 2016. J Med Microbiol 2019; 68:105-110. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Khairul Nizam Mohd Khalid
- 1Molecular Diagnostics and Protein Unit, Specialised Diagnostics Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Norazah Ahmad
- 2Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shirley Yi Fen Hii
- 2Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Adib Abd Wahab
- 2Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rohaidah Hashim
- 2Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yii Ling Liow
- 2Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Patočka J, Středa L. Protein Biotoxins of Military Significance. ACTA MEDICA (HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ) 2018. [DOI: 10.14712/18059694.2017.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
There is a spectrum of several threat agents, ranging from nerve agents and mustard agents to natural substances, such as biotoxins and new, synthetic, bioactive molecules produced by the chemical industry, to the classical biological warfare agents. The new, emerging threat agents are biotoxins produced by animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Many types of organisms produce substances that are toxic to humans. Examples of such biotoxins are botulinum toxin, tetanus toxin, and ricin. Several bioactive molecules produced by the pharmaceutical industry can be even more toxic than are the classical chemical warfare agents. Such new agents, like the biotoxins and bioregulators, often are called mid-spectrum agents. The threat to humans from agents developed by modern chemical synthesis and by genetic engineering also must be considered, since such agents may be more toxic or more effective in causing death or incapacitation than classical warfare agents. By developing effective medical protection and treatment against the most likely chemical and mid-spectrum threat agents, the effects of such agents in a war scenario or following a terrorist attack can be reduced. Toxin-mediated diseases have made humans ill for millennia. Unfortunately, the use of biological agents as weapons of terror has now been realized, and separating naturally occurring disease from bioterroristic events has become an important public health goal. The key to timely identification of such attacks relies on education of primary care physicians, first responders, and public health officials.
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Anticancer Activity of Bacterial Proteins and Peptides. Pharmaceutics 2018; 10:pharmaceutics10020054. [PMID: 29710857 PMCID: PMC6027124 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics10020054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite much progress in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, tumour diseases constitute one of the main reasons of deaths worldwide. The side effects of chemotherapy and drug resistance of some cancer types belong to the significant current therapeutic problems. Hence, searching for new anticancer substances and medicines are very important. Among them, bacterial proteins and peptides are a promising group of bioactive compounds and potential anticancer drugs. Some of them, including anticancer antibiotics (actinomycin D, bleomycin, doxorubicin, mitomycin C) and diphtheria toxin, are already used in the cancer treatment, while other substances are in clinical trials (e.g., p28, arginine deiminase ADI) or tested in in vitro research. This review shows the current literature data regarding the anticancer activity of proteins and peptides originated from bacteria: antibiotics, bacteriocins, enzymes, nonribosomal peptides (NRPs), toxins and others such as azurin, p28, Entap and Pep27anal2. The special attention was paid to the still poorly understood active substances obtained from the marine sediment bacteria. In total, 37 chemical compounds or groups of compounds with antitumor properties have been described in the present article.
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Corynebacterium diphtheriae Iron-Regulated Surface Protein HbpA Is Involved in the Utilization of the Hemoglobin-Haptoglobin Complex as an Iron Source. J Bacteriol 2018; 200:JB.00676-17. [PMID: 29311283 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00676-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium diphtheriae utilizes various heme-containing proteins, including hemoglobin (Hb) and the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex (Hb-Hp), as iron sources during growth in iron-depleted environments. The ability to utilize Hb-Hp as an iron source requires the surface-anchored proteins HtaA and either ChtA or ChtC. The ability to bind hemin, Hb, and Hb-Hp by each of these C. diphtheriae proteins requires the previously characterized conserved region (CR) domain. In this study, we identified an Hb-Hp binding protein, HbpA (38.5 kDa), which is involved in the acquisition of hemin iron from Hb-Hp. HbpA was initially identified from total cell lysates as an iron-regulated protein that binds to both Hb and Hb-Hp in situ HbpA does not contain a CR domain and has sequence similarity only to homologous proteins present in a limited number of C. diphtheriae strains. Transcription of hbpA is regulated in an iron-dependent manner that is mediated by DtxR, a global iron-dependent regulator. Deletion of hbpA from C. diphtheriae results in a reduced ability to utilize Hb-Hp as an iron source but has little or no effect on the ability to use Hb or hemin as an iron source. Cell fractionation studies showed that HbpA is both secreted into the culture supernatant and associated with the membrane, where its exposure on the bacterial surface allows HbpA to bind Hb and Hb-Hp. The identification and analysis of HbpA enhance our understanding of iron uptake in C. diphtheriae and indicate that the acquisition of hemin iron from Hb-Hp may involve a complex mechanism that requires multiple surface proteins.IMPORTANCE The ability to utilize host iron sources, such as heme and heme-containing proteins, is essential for many bacterial pathogens to cause disease. In this study, we have identified a novel factor (HbpA) that is crucial for the use of hemin iron from the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex (Hb-Hp). Hb-Hp is considered one of the primary sources of iron for certain bacterial pathogens. HbpA has no similarity to the previously identified Hb-Hp binding proteins, HtaA and ChtA/C, and is found only in a limited group of C. diphtheriae strains. Understanding the function of HbpA may significantly increase our knowledge of how this important human pathogen can acquire host iron that allows it to survive and cause disease in the human respiratory tract.
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Sánchez-García L, Serna N, Álamo P, Sala R, Céspedes MV, Roldan M, Sánchez-Chardi A, Unzueta U, Casanova I, Mangues R, Vázquez E, Villaverde A. Self-assembling toxin-based nanoparticles as self-delivered antitumoral drugs. J Control Release 2018; 274:81-92. [PMID: 29408658 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2017] [Revised: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Loading capacity and drug leakage from vehicles during circulation in blood is a major concern when developing nanoparticle-based cell-targeted cytotoxics. To circumvent this potential issue it would be convenient the engineering of drugs as self-delivered nanoscale entities, devoid of any heterologous carriers. In this context, we have here engineered potent protein toxins, namely segments of the diphtheria toxin and the Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin as self-assembling, self-delivered therapeutic materials targeted to CXCR4+ cancer stem cells. The systemic administration of both nanostructured drugs in a colorectal cancer xenograft mouse model promotes efficient and specific local destruction of target tumor tissues and a significant reduction of the tumor volume. This observation strongly supports the concept of intrinsically functional protein nanoparticles, which having a dual role as drug and carrier, are designed to be administered without the assistance of heterologous vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sánchez-García
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain
| | - Naroa Serna
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain
| | - Patricia Álamo
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Research Institute, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rita Sala
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Virtudes Céspedes
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica Roldan
- Unitat de Microscòpia Confocal, Servei d'Anatomia Patològica, Institut Pediàtric de Malalties Rares (IPER), Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Edifici Consultes Externes, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2, Planta 0, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ugutz Unzueta
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isolda Casanova
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Research Institute, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramón Mangues
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Research Institute, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Esther Vázquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain.
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44
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Williamson KE, Fuhrmann JJ, Wommack KE, Radosevich M. Viruses in Soil Ecosystems: An Unknown Quantity Within an Unexplored Territory. Annu Rev Virol 2017; 4:201-219. [PMID: 28961409 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-101416-041639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Viral abundance in soils can range from below detection limits in hot deserts to over 1 billion per gram in wetlands. Abundance appears to be strongly influenced by water availability and temperature, but a lack of informational standards creates difficulties for cross-study analysis. Soil viral diversity is severely underestimated and undersampled, although current measures of viral richness are higher for soils than for aquatic ecosystems. Both morphometric and metagenomic analyses have raised questions about the prevalence of nontailed, ssDNA viruses in soils. Soil is complex and critically important to terrestrial biodiversity and human civilization, but impacts of viral activities on soil ecosystem services are poorly understood. While information from aquatic systems and medical microbiology suggests the potential for viral influences on nutrient cycles, food web interactions, gene transfer, and other key processes in soils, very few empirical data are available. To understand the soil virome, much work remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt E Williamson
- Biology Department, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185;
| | - Jeffry J Fuhrmann
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716
| | - K Eric Wommack
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716.,Department Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716.,College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716
| | - Mark Radosevich
- Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science Department, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
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Oliveira A, Oliveira LC, Aburjaile F, Benevides L, Tiwari S, Jamal SB, Silva A, Figueiredo HCP, Ghosh P, Portela RW, De Carvalho Azevedo VA, Wattam AR. Insight of Genus Corynebacterium: Ascertaining the Role of Pathogenic and Non-pathogenic Species. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1937. [PMID: 29075239 PMCID: PMC5643470 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This review gathers recent information about genomic and transcriptomic studies in the Corynebacterium genus, exploring, for example, prediction of pathogenicity islands and stress response in different pathogenic and non-pathogenic species. In addition, is described several phylogeny studies to Corynebacterium, exploring since the identification of species until biological speciation in one species belonging to the genus Corynebacterium. Important concepts associated with virulence highlighting the role of Pld protein and Tox gene. The adhesion, characteristic of virulence factor, was described using the sortase mechanism that is associated to anchorage to the cell wall. In addition, survival inside the host cell and some diseases, were too addressed for pathogenic corynebacteria, while important biochemical pathways and biotechnological applications retain the focus of this review for non-pathogenic corynebacteria. Concluding, this review broadly explores characteristics in genus Corynebacterium showing to have strong relevance inside the medical, veterinary, and biotechnology field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Oliveira
- Molecular and Cellular Laboratory, General Biology Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Leticia C Oliveira
- Molecular and Cellular Laboratory, General Biology Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Flavia Aburjaile
- Center of Genomics and System Biology, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Leandro Benevides
- Molecular and Cellular Laboratory, General Biology Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Molecular and Cellular Laboratory, General Biology Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Syed B Jamal
- Molecular and Cellular Laboratory, General Biology Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Arthur Silva
- Center of Genomics and System Biology, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Henrique C P Figueiredo
- Aquacen, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Preetam Ghosh
- Department of Computational Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Ricardo W Portela
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Bióloga, Health Sciences Institute, Federal University of Bahiaa, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Vasco A De Carvalho Azevedo
- Molecular and Cellular Laboratory, General Biology Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alice R Wattam
- Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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Hong KW, Asmah Hani A, Nurul Aina Murni C, Pusparani R, Chong CK, Verasahib K, Yusoff WNW, Noordin NM, Tee KK, Yin WF, Yu CY, Ang GY, Chan KG. Comparative genomic and phylogenetic analysis of a toxigenic clinical isolate of Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain B-D-16-78 from Malaysia. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 54:263-270. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Rajamani Sekar S, Veeraraghavan B, Anandan S, Devanga Ragupathi N, Sangal L, Joshi S. Strengthening the laboratory diagnosis of pathogenicCorynebacteriumspecies in the Vaccine era. Lett Appl Microbiol 2017; 65:354-365. [DOI: 10.1111/lam.12781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S.K. Rajamani Sekar
- Department of Clinical Microbiology; Christian Medical College; Vellore India
| | - B. Veeraraghavan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology; Christian Medical College; Vellore India
| | - S. Anandan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology; Christian Medical College; Vellore India
| | | | - L. Sangal
- World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office; New Delhi India
| | - S. Joshi
- World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office; New Delhi India
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Saenz-Méndez P, Eriksson M, Eriksson LA. Ligand Selectivity between the ADP-Ribosylating Toxins: An Inverse-Docking Study for Multitarget Drug Discovery. ACS OMEGA 2017; 2:1710-1719. [PMID: 30023642 PMCID: PMC6044789 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial adenosine 5'-diphosphate-ribosylating toxins are encoded by several human pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (exotoxin A (ETA)), Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria toxin (DT)), and Vibrio cholerae (cholix toxin (CT)). The toxins modify eukaryotic elongation factor 2, an essential human enzyme in protein synthesis, thereby causing cell death. Targeting external virulence factors, such as the above toxins, is a promising alternative for developing new antibiotics, while at the same time avoiding drug resistance. This study aims to establish a reliable computational methodology to find a "silver bullet" able to target all three toxins. Herein, we have undertaken a detailed analysis of the active sites of ETA, DT, and CT, followed by the determination of the most appropriate selection of the size of the docking sphere. Thereafter, we tested two different approaches for normalizing the docking scores and used these to verify the best target (toxin) for each ligand. The results indicate that the methodology is suitable for identifying selective as well as multitoxin inhibitors, further validating the robustness of inverse docking for target-fishing experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Saenz-Méndez
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
- Computational
Chemistry and Biology Group, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Martin Eriksson
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Leif A. Eriksson
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
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49
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Viana MVC, Figueiredo H, Ramos R, Guimarães LC, Pereira FL, Dorella FA, Selim SAK, Salaheldean M, Silva A, Wattam AR, Azevedo V. Comparative genomic analysis between Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis strains isolated from buffalo. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176347. [PMID: 28445543 PMCID: PMC5406005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a Gram-positive, pleomorphic, facultative intracellular pathogen that causes Oedematous Skin Disease (OSD) in buffalo. To better understand the pathogenic mechanisms of OSD, we performed a comparative genomic analysis of 11 strains of C. pseudotuberculosis isolated from different buffalo found to be infected in Egypt during an outbreak that occurred in 2008. Sixteen previously described pathogenicity islands (PiCp) were present in all of the new buffalo strains, but one of them, PiCp12, had an insertion that contained both a corynephage and a diphtheria toxin gene, both of which may play a role in the adaptation of C. pseudotuberculosis to this new host. Synteny analysis showed variations in the site of insertion of the corynephage during the same outbreak. A gene functional comparison showed the presence of a nitrate reductase operon that included genes involved in molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis, which is necessary for a positive nitrate reductase phenotype and is a possible adaptation for intracellular survival. Genomes from the buffalo strains also had fusions in minor pilin genes in the spaA and spaD gene cluster (spaCX and spaYEF), which could suggest either an adaptation to this particular host, or mutation events in the immediate ancestor before this particular epidemic. A phylogenomic analysis confirmed a clear separation between the Ovis and Equi biovars, but also showed what appears to be a clustering by host species within the Equi strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Vinicius Canário Viana
- Departament of General Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Henrique Figueiredo
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rommel Ramos
- Center of Genomic and System Biology, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Luis Carlos Guimarães
- Center of Genomic and System Biology, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Felipe Luiz Pereira
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Alves Dorella
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Mohammad Salaheldean
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Artur Silva
- Center of Genomic and System Biology, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Alice R. Wattam
- Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Departament of General Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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50
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Akbari B, Farajnia S, Ahdi Khosroshahi S, Safari F, Yousefi M, Dariushnejad H, Rahbarnia L. Immunotoxins in cancer therapy: Review and update. Int Rev Immunol 2017; 36:207-219. [DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2017.1284211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bahman Akbari
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Safar Farajnia
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Safari
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Yousefi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hassan Dariushnejad
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Leila Rahbarnia
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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