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Liang T, Chen J, Rui Y, Hexi L. The designation, synthesis, and affinity determination of affinity peptide for anthrax protective antigen. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 102:669-675. [PMID: 37286890 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Detection of anthrax protective antigen is an effective way to diagnose anthracnose, and it plays an important part in the treatment of anthracnose. Affinity peptides, as a miniature biological recognition element, can quickly and effectively detect anthrax protective antigens. Based on computer-aided design technology (CAD), we have herein developed an affinity peptide design strategy for the detection of anthrax protective antigens. Firstly, six high-value mutation sites were determined based on the molecular docking between the template peptide and the receptor, and then the multi-site mutation of amino acids was carried out in order to establish a virtual peptide library. The library was selected by using molecular dynamics simulation and the best designed affinity peptide (code: P24) was found. The theoretical affinity with P24 peptide has increased by 19.8% compared with template peptide. Finally, the affinity with P24 peptide was measured by SPR technology to reach the nanomole level, which verified the effectiveness of the design strategy. The newly designed affinity peptide is expected to be used in the diagnosis of anthracnose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liang
- The Institute of NBC Defense PLA Army, Beijing, China
| | - Jingfei Chen
- The Institute of NBC Defense PLA Army, Beijing, China
- Unit No. 32169 of PLA, Tibet, China
| | - Yan Rui
- The Institute of NBC Defense PLA Army, Beijing, China
| | - Li Hexi
- Unit No. 31666 of PLA, Wuwei, Gansu, China
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Liang T, Chen J, Yan R, Jiang H, Li H. Research on Detection of Ultra-Low Concentration Anthrax Protective Antigen Using Graphene Field-Effect Transistor Biosensor. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:5820. [PMID: 37447669 DOI: 10.3390/s23135820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protective antigen (PA) is an important biomarker for the early diagnosis of anthrax, and the accurate detection of protective antigen under extremely low concentration conditions has always been a hot topic in the biomedical field. To complete the diagnosis of anthrax in a timely manner, it is necessary to detect PA at extremely low concentrations, as the amount of PA produced in the early stage of anthrax invasion is relatively small. Graphene field-effect transistor (Gr-FET) biosensors are a new type of material for preparing biosensors, with the advantages of a short detection time and ultra-low detection limit. METHODS The effect of different concentrations of diluents on the affinity of PA monoclonal antibodies was determined via an ELISA experiment. Combined with the Debye equation, 0.01 × PBS solution was finally selected as the diluent for the experiment. Then, a PA monoclonal antibody was selected as the bio-recognition element to construct a Gr-FET device based on CVD-grown graphene, which was used to detect the concentration of PA while recording the response time, linear range, detection limit, and other parameters. RESULTS The experimental results showed that the biosensor could quickly detect PA, with a linear range of 10 fg/mL to 100 pg/mL and a detection limit of 10 fg/mL. In addition, the biosensor showed excellent specificity and repeatability. CONCLUSIONS By constructing a Gr-FET device based on CVD-grown graphene and selecting a PA monoclonal antibody as the bio-recognition element, a highly sensitive, specific, and repeatable Gr-FET biosensor was successfully prepared for detecting extremely low concentrations of anthrax protective antigen (PA). This biosensor is expected to have a wide range of applications in clinical medicine and biological safety monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liang
- The Institute of NBC Defense PLA Army, Beijing 102205, China
| | | | - Rui Yan
- The Institute of NBC Defense PLA Army, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Huaning Jiang
- The Institute of NBC Defense PLA Army, Beijing 102205, China
- Unit No. 32281 of PLA, Chengdu 610200, China
| | - Hexi Li
- The Institute of NBC Defense PLA Army, Beijing 102205, China
- Unit No. 31666 of PLA, Zhangye 610200, China
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Ansari I, Grier G, Byers M. Deliberate release: Plague - A review. JOURNAL OF BIOSAFETY AND BIOSECURITY 2020; 2:10-22. [PMID: 32835180 PMCID: PMC7270574 DOI: 10.1016/j.jobb.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of plague and is considered one of the most likely pathogens to be used as a bioweapon. In humans, plague is a severe clinical infection that can rapidly progress with a high mortality despite antibiotic therapy. Therefore, early treatment of Y. pestis infection is crucial. This review provides an overview of its clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prophylaxis, and protection requirements for the use of clinicians. We discuss the likelihood of a deliberate release of plague and the feasibility of obtaining, isolating, culturing, transporting and dispersing plague in the context of an attack aimed at a westernized country. The current threat status and the medical and public health responses are reviewed. We also provide a brief review of the potential prehospital treatment strategy and vaccination against Y. pestis. Further, we discuss the plausibility of antibiotic resistant plague bacterium, F1-negative Y. pestis, and also the possibility of a plague mimic along with potential strategies of defense against these. An extensive literature search on the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases was conducted to collate papers relevant to plague and its deliberate release. Our review concluded that the deliberate release of plague is feasible but unlikely to occur, and that a robust public health response and early treatment would rapidly halt the transmission of plague in the population. Front-line clinicians should be aware of the potential of a deliberate release of plague and prepared to instigate early isolation of patients. Moreover, front-line clinicians should be weary of the possibility of suicide attackers and mindful of the early escalation to public health organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issmaeel Ansari
- Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, Bethnal Green, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom.,Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 Newark St, Whitechapel, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom.,The Institute of Pre-hospital Care, London's Air Ambulance, The Helipad, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Grier
- Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, Bethnal Green, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom.,Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 Newark St, Whitechapel, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom.,The Institute of Pre-hospital Care, London's Air Ambulance, The Helipad, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Byers
- Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, Bethnal Green, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom.,Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 Newark St, Whitechapel, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom.,The Institute of Pre-hospital Care, London's Air Ambulance, The Helipad, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, United Kingdom
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Pohanka M. Botulinum Toxin as a Biological Warfare Agent: Poisoning, Diagnosis and Countermeasures. Mini Rev Med Chem 2020; 20:865-874. [PMID: 32108007 DOI: 10.2174/1389557520666200228105312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum and some other relative species. It causes a lethal disease called botulism. It can enter the body via infections by Clostridium (e.g. wound and children botulism) or by direct contact with the toxin or eating contaminated food (food-borne botulism). Botulinum toxin is also considered as a relevant biological warfare agent with an expected high number of causalities when misused for bioterrorist or military purposes. The current paper surveys the actual knowledge about botulinum toxin pathogenesis, the manifestation of poisoning, and current trends in diagnostics and therapeutics. Relevant and recent literature is summarized in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Pohanka
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, Hradec Kralove CZ-50001, Czech Republic
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Funnell SGP, Tree JA, Hatch GJ, Bate SR, Hall G, Pearson G, Rayner EL, Roberts ADG, Vipond J. Dose-dependant acute or subacute disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei strain NCTC 13392 in a BALB/c aerosol model of infection. J Appl Microbiol 2019; 127:1224-1235. [PMID: 31330088 PMCID: PMC6747009 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The goal of this study was to examine, for the first time, the virulence and pathogenicity of aerosolized Burkholderia pseudomallei, strain NCTC 13392, in BALB/c mice in order to develop an animal model for testing novel medical countermeasures (MCMs) for the treatment of human acute and subacute (a disease state between acute and chronic) melioidosis. METHODS AND RESULTS BALB/c mice were exposed to varying doses of aerosolized bacteria. Acute disease was seen in animals exposed to a very-high dose (≥103 CFU per animal) and death occurred 3-4 days postchallenge (pc). Bacteria were detected in the lungs, liver, kidney and spleen. In contrast, animals exposed to a low dose (<10 CFU per animal) survived to the end of the study (day 30 pc) but developed weight loss, a bacterial tissue burden and increasing clinical signs of infection from day 20 pc onwards, mimicking a subacute form of the disease. Pathological changes in the tissues mirrored these findings. CONCLUSIONS This proof of concept study has shown that B. pseudomallei strain NCTC 13392 is virulent and pathogenic in BALB/c mice, when delivered by aerosol. By varying the doses of aerosolized bacteria it was possible to mimic characteristics of both human acute and subacute melioidosis, at the same time, within the same study. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Burkholderia pseudomallei, the aetiological agent of melioidosis, causes a serious and often fatal disease in humans and animals. Novel MCMs are urgently needed for both public health and biodefense purposes. The present model provides a useful tool for the assessment and evaluation of new MCMs (e.g. therapeutics and vaccines) and offers the potential for testing new treatments for both subacute to chronic and acute melioidosis prior to human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G P Funnell
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - J A Tree
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - G J Hatch
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - S R Bate
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - G Hall
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - G Pearson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - E L Rayner
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - A D G Roberts
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - J Vipond
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
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