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Yang X, Zeng J, Wang D, Zhou Q, Yu X, Wang Z, Bai T, Luan G, Xu Y. NagZ modulates the virulence of E. cloacae by acting through the gene of unknown function, ECL_03795. Virulence 2024; 15:2367652. [PMID: 38912723 PMCID: PMC11197897 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2367652] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NagZ), a cytosolic glucosaminidase, plays a pivotal role in peptidoglycan recycling. Previous research demonstrated that NagZ knockout significantly eradicated AmpC-dependent β-lactam resistance in Enterobacter cloacae. However, NagZ's role in the virulence of E. cloacae remains unclear. Our study, incorporating data on mouse and Galleria mellonella larval mortality rates, inflammation markers, and histopathological examinations, revealed a substantial reduction in the virulence of E. cloacae following NagZ knockout. Transcriptome sequencing uncovered differential gene expression between NagZ knockout and wild-type strains, particularly in nucleotide metabolism pathways. Further investigation demonstrated that NagZ deletion led to a significant increase in cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) levels. Additionally, transcriptome sequencing and RT-qPCR confirmed significant differences in the expression of ECL_03795, a gene with an unknown function but speculated to be involved in c-di-GMP metabolism due to its EAL domain known for phosphodiesterase activity. Interestingly, in ECL_03795 knockout strains, a notable reduction in the virulence was observed, and virulence was rescued upon complementation with ECL_03795. Consequently, our study suggests that NagZ's function on virulence is partially mediated through the ECL_03795→c-di-GMP pathway, providing insight into the development of novel therapies and strongly supporting the interest in creating highly efficient NagZ inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianggui Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jun Zeng
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qin Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xuejing Yu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Zhenguo Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tingting Bai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guangxin Luan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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2
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Varney AM, Smitten KL, Southam HM, Fairbanks SD, Robertson CC, Thomas JA, McLean S. In Vitro and In Vivo Studies on a Mononuclear Ruthenium Complex Reveals It is a Highly Effective, Fast-Acting, Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial in Physiologically Relevant Conditions. ACS Infect Dis 2024. [PMID: 39106475 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
The crystal structure of a previously reported antimicrobial RuII complex that targets bacterial DNA is presented. Studies utilizing clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria that cause catheter-associated urinary tract infection, (CA)UTI, in media that model urine and plasma reveal that good antimicrobial activity is maintained in all conditions tested. Experiments with a series of Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates show that, unlike the majority of previously reported RuII-based antimicrobial leads, the compound retains its potent activity even in MRSA strains. Furthermore, experiments using bacteria in early exponential growth and at different pHs reveal that the compound also retains its activity across a range of conditions that are relevant to those encountered in clinical settings. Combinatorial studies involving cotreatment with conventional antibiotics or a previously reported analogous dinuclear RuII complex showed no antagonistic effects. In fact, although all combinations show distinct additive antibacterial activity, in one case, this effect approaches synergy. It was found that the Galleria Mellonella model organism infected with a multidrug resistant strain of the ESKAPE pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii could be successfully treated and totally cleared within 48 h after a single dose of the lead complex with no detectable deleterious effect to the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M Varney
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
- Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF), Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Kirsty L Smitten
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K
- School of Bioscience, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
| | - Hannah M Southam
- School of Bioscience, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
| | - Simon D Fairbanks
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K
| | - Craig C Robertson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K
| | - Jim A Thomas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K
| | - Samantha McLean
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
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3
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Reis NF, de Jesus MCS, de Souza LCDSV, Alcântara LM, Rodrigues JADC, Brito SCP, Penna PDA, Vieira CS, Silva JRS, Penna BDA, Machado RLD, Mora-Montes HM, Baptista ARDS. Sporothrix brasiliensis Infection Modulates Antimicrobial Peptides and Stress Management Gene Expression in the Invertebrate Biomodel Galleria mellonella. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1053. [PMID: 37998858 PMCID: PMC10672515 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111053] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix brasiliensis is the most pathogenic species, responsible for the Brazilian cat-transmitted sporotrichosis hyperendemic. In this scenario, an investigation of the pathogen-host interaction can provide relevant information for future treatment strategies. To this end, the invertebrate Galleria mellonella has proven to be a suitable alternative for evaluating the virulence of pathogenic fungi, since the insect immune system is similar to the mammalian innate immune response. The aim of this work was to investigate phenotypic and molecular aspects of the immune response of G. mellonella throughout the S. brasiliensis infection. Hemocyte density and the evolution of the fungal load were evaluated. In parallel, RT-qPCR expression analysis of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides (Gallerimycin and Galiomycin) and stress management genes (C7 Contig 15362 and C8 Contig 19101) was conducted. The fungal load and hemocyte densities increased simultaneously and proportionally to the deleterious morphological events and larvae mortality. Gallerimycin, C7 Contig 15362 and C8 Contig 19101 genes were positively regulated (p < 0.05) at distinct moments of S. brasiliensis infection, characterizing a time-dependent and alternately modulated profile. Galiomycin gene expression remained unchanged. Our results contribute to the future proposal of potential alternative pathways for treating and consequently controlling S. brasiliensis zoonosis, a major public health issue in Latin America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathália Faria Reis
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Myrela Conceição Santos de Jesus
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Lais Cavalcanti dos Santos Velasco de Souza
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Lucas Martins Alcântara
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Julia Andrade de Castro Rodrigues
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Simone Cristina Pereira Brito
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Patrícia de Azambuja Penna
- Laboratory of Insect Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24220-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.d.A.P.); (C.S.V.)
| | - Cecília Stahl Vieira
- Laboratory of Insect Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24220-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.d.A.P.); (C.S.V.)
| | - José Rodrigo Santos Silva
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49107-230, SE, Brazil;
| | - Bruno de Araújo Penna
- Laboratory of Gram-Positive Cocci, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Ricardo Luiz Dantas Machado
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Hector M. Mora-Montes
- Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, Campus Guanajuato, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico;
| | - Andréa Regina de Souza Baptista
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
- Rede Micologia RJ—Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-630, RJ, Brazil
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4
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Peng Q, Tang X, Dong W, Zhi Z, Zhong T, Lin S, Ye J, Qian X, Chen F, Yuan W. Carvacrol inhibits bacterial polysaccharide intracellular adhesin synthesis and biofilm formation of mucoid Staphylococcus aureus: an in vitro and in vivo study. RSC Adv 2023; 13:28743-28752. [PMID: 37807974 PMCID: PMC10552078 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra02711b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the important human pathogens and causes both superficial and systemic infections. More importantly, the formation of S. aureus biofilms, a main cause of its pathogenicity and drug resistance, has been a critical challenge in clinical treatment. Carvacrol, a plant-based natural product, has gained great interest for therapeutic purposes due to its effective biological activity with low cytotoxicity. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of carvacrol on anti-biofilm activity. Growth curve analysis showed that applying a sub-inhibitory concentration of carvacrol (4 μg mL-1) was not lethal to S. aureus SYN; however, the inhibition rate of biofilm formation was as high as 63.6%, and the clearance rate of mature biofilms was as high as 30.7%. In addition, carvacrol effectively reduced the production of biofilm-associated extracellular polysaccharides and showed no effect on eDNA release. Furthermore, qPCR analysis revealed that carvacrol significantly down-regulated the expression of icaA, icaB, icaC, agrA, and sarA (P < 0.05). The in vivo efficacy of carvacrol against biofilm infection was further verified with a biological model of G. mellonella larvae. The results showed that carvacrol was non-toxic to the larvae and can effectively increase the survival rate of the larvae infected with S. aureus strain SYN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Peng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, King Med School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510180 PR China
| | - Xiaohua Tang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, King Med School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510180 PR China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510150 PR China
| | - Wanyang Dong
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, King Med School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510180 PR China
| | - Ziling Zhi
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, King Med School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510180 PR China
| | - Tian Zhong
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, King Med School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510180 PR China
| | - Shunan Lin
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, King Med School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510180 PR China
| | - Jingyi Ye
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, King Med School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510180 PR China
| | - Xiping Qian
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, King Med School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510180 PR China
| | - Fu Chen
- Panyu District Health Management Center Guangzhou 511450 PR China
| | - Wenchang Yuan
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, King Med School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510180 PR China
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5
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Malacarne MC, Mastore M, Gariboldi MB, Brivio MF, Caruso E. Preliminary Toxicity Evaluation of a Porphyrin Photosensitizer in an Alternative Preclinical Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043131. [PMID: 36834543 PMCID: PMC9966276 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In photodynamic therapy (PDT), a photosensitizer (PS) excited with a specific wavelength, and in the presence of oxygen, gives rise to photochemical reactions that lead to cell damage. Over the past few years, larval stages of the G. mellonella moth have proven to be an excellent alternative animal model for in vivo toxicity testing of novel compounds and virulence testing. In this article, we report a series of preliminary studies on G. mellonella larvae to evaluate the photoinduced stress response by a porphyrin (PS) (TPPOH). The tests performed evaluated PS toxicity on larvae and cytotoxicity on hemocytes, both in dark conditions and following PDT. Cellular uptake was also evaluated by fluorescence and flow cytometry. The results obtained demonstrate how the administration of PS and subsequent irradiation of larvae affects not only larvae survival rate, but also immune system cells. It was also possible to verify PS's uptake and uptake kinetics in hemocytes, observing a maximum peak at 8 h. Given the results obtained in these preliminary tests, G. mellonella appears to be a promising model for preclinical PS tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miryam Chiara Malacarne
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Maristella Mastore
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences (DiSTA), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Marzia Bruna Gariboldi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Caruso
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0332421541
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6
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Torres M, Ramírez AMC. Standardization of Galleria mellonella as an Infection Model for Malassezia furfur and Malassezia pachydermatis. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2667:15-29. [PMID: 37145273 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3199-7_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] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Galleria mellonella larva has been widely exploited as an infection model for bacteria and fungi. Our laboratory uses this insect as a model for fungal infection caused by the genus Malassezia, in particular, systemic infections caused by Malassezia furfur and Malassezia pachydermatis, which are poorly understood. Here, we describe the G. mellonella larva inoculation process with M. furfur and M. pachydermatis and the posterior assessment of the establishment and dissemination of the infection in the larvae. This assessment was done through the evaluation of larval survival, melanization, fungal burden, hemocytes populations, and histological changes. This methodology allows for the identification of virulence patterns between Malassezia species and the impact of inoculum concentration and temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza Torres
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Marcela Celis Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
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7
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Gourkhede DP, Dani Nishanth MA, Ram VP, Abishad P, Yasur J, Pollumahanti N, Vergis J, Singh Malik SV, Barbuddhe SB, Rawool DB. Antimicrobial efficacy of chitosan encapsulated Cecropin- A (1–7)- melittin-cell-penetrating peptide against multi-drug-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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8
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Ahlawat S, Sharma KK. Lepidopteran insects: emerging model organisms to study infection by enteropathogens. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2022; 68:181-196. [PMID: 36417090 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-022-01014-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The in vivo analysis of a pathogen is a critical step in gaining greater knowledge of pathogen biology and host-pathogen interactions. In the last two decades, there has been a notable rise in the number of studies on developing insects as a model for studying pathogens, which provides various benefits, such as ethical acceptability, relatively short life cycle, and cost-effective care and maintenance relative to routinely used rodent infection models. Furthermore, lepidopteran insects provide many advantages, such as easy handling and tissue extraction due to their large size relative to other invertebrate models, like Caenorhabditis elegans. Additionally, insects have an innate immune system that is highly analogous to vertebrates. In the present review, we discuss the components of the insect's larval immune system, which strengthens its usage as an alternative host, and present an updated overview of the research findings involving lepidopteran insects (Galleria mellonella, Manduca sexta, Bombyx mori, and Helicoverpa armigera) as infection models to study the virulence by enteropathogens due to the homology between insect and vertebrate gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Ahlawat
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, SGT University, Gurgaon-Badli Road Chandu, Budhera, Gurugram, 122505, Haryana, India.
| | - Krishna Kant Sharma
- Laboratory of Enzymology and Recombinant DNA Technology, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124001, Haryana, India
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9
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Pegorin Brasil GS, de Barros PP, Miranda MCR, de Barros NR, Junqueira JC, Gomez A, Herculano RD, de Mendonça RJ. Natural latex serum: characterization and biocompatibility assessment using Galleria mellonella as an alternative in vivo model. JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE. POLYMER EDITION 2022; 33:705-726. [PMID: 34927570 DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2021.2014027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Natural latex serum (NLS) is one of the natural rubber latex fractions from Hevea brasiliensis tree, which is formed by centrifuged serum and is composed of proteins, acids, nucleotides, salts and carbohydrates. The proteins present in NLS have demonstrated several interesting biological properties, including angiogenic, healing, osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, in addition to inducing neovascularization, bone formation and osseointegration. Thus, we proposed to characterize NLS by physicochemical techniques and to investigate the biocompatibility by toxicological assays and safety test in Galleria mellonella. Infrared spectrum showed vibrational bands characteristic of amide I, II and III that are linked to the protein content, which was confirmed by the High Performance Liquid Chromatography profile and by the Electrophoresis analysis. This material did not exhibit hemolytic (rate <0.5%) and cytotoxic effects (viability >70%) and was able to enhance the proliferation of fibroblasts (>600%) after 3 days. The pronounced proliferative effect observed in fibroblast cells can be explained by the presence of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) like protein revealed by the Western blot test. Moreover, NLS did not provoke toxic effects (survival ∼ 80%) on the G. mellonella model, indicating that it is a biocompatible and safe material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovana Sant'Ana Pegorin Brasil
- Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Pimentel de Barros
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Multicampi School of Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Caico, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Juliana Campos Junqueira
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Gomez
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rondinelli Donizetti Herculano
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo José de Mendonça
- Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Physiology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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10
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Wrońska AK, Kaczmarek A, Kazek M, Boguś MI. Infection of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) Larvae With the Entomopathogenic Fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (Entomophthorales) Induces Apoptosis of Hemocytes and Affects the Concentration of Eicosanoids in the Hemolymph. Front Physiol 2022; 12:774086. [PMID: 35069239 PMCID: PMC8769874 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.774086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis and autophagy, the mechanisms of programmed cell death, play critical roles in physiological and pathological processes in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Apoptosis is also known to play an important role in the immune response, particularly in the context of entomopathogenic infection. Of the factors influencing the apoptotic process during infection, two of the lesser known groups are caspases and eicosanoids. The aim of this study was to determine whether infection by the entomopathogenic soil fungus Conidiobolus coronatus is associated with apoptosis and changes in caspase activity in the hemocytes of Galleria mellonella larvae, and to confirm whether fungal infection may affect eicosanoid levels in the host. Larvae were exposed for 24 h to fully grown and sporulating fungus. Hemolymph was collected either immediately after termination of exposure (F24 group) or 24 h later (F48 group). Apoptosis/necrosis tests were performed in hemocytes using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, while ELISA tests were used to measure eicosanoid levels. Apoptosis and necrosis occurred to the same degree in F24, but necrosis predominated in F48. Fungal infection resulted in caspase activation, increased PGE1, PGE2, PGA1, PGF2α, and 8-iso-PGF2α levels and decreased TXB2 levels, but had no effect on TXA2 or 11-dehydro-TXB2 concentrations. In addition, infected larvae demonstrated significantly increased PLA2 activity, known to be involved in eicosanoid biosynthesis. Our findings indicate that fungal infection simultaneously induces apoptosis in insects and stimulates general caspase activity, and this may be correlated with changes in the concentrations of eicosanoids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agata Kaczmarek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michalina Kazek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieczysława Irena Boguś
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.,BIOMIBO, Warsaw, Poland
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11
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O’Shaughnessy M, Piatek M, McCarron P, McCann M, Devereux M, Kavanagh K, Howe O. In Vivo Activity of Metal Complexes Containing 1,10-Phenanthroline and 3,6,9-Trioxaundecanedioate Ligands against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Galleria mellonella Larvae. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020222. [PMID: 35203432 PMCID: PMC8869450 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020222] [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] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is rapidly developing resulting in a serious global threat. Immunocompromised patients are specifically at risk, especially those with cystic fibrosis (CF). Novel metal complexes incorporating 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands have previously demonstrated antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects against resistant P. aeruginosa from CF patients in vitro. Herein, we present the in vivo efficacy of {[Cu(3,6,9-tdda)(phen)2]·3H2O·EtOH}n (Cu-tdda-phen), {[Mn(3,6,9-tdda)(phen)2]·3H2O·EtOH}n (Mn-tdda-phen) and [Ag2(3,6,9-tdda)(phen)4]·EtOH (Ag-tdda-phen) (tddaH2 = 3,6,9-trioxaundecanedioic acid). Individual treatments of these metal-tdda-phen complexes and in combination with the established antibiotic gentamicin were evaluated in vivo in larvae of Galleria mellonella infected with clinical isolates and laboratory strains of P. aeruginosa. G. mellonella were able to tolerate all test complexes up to 10 µg/larva. In addition, the immune response was affected by stimulation of immune cells (hemocytes) and genes that encode for immune-related peptides, specifically transferrin and inducible metallo-proteinase inhibitor. The amalgamation of metal-tdda-phen complexes and gentamicin further intensified this response at lower concentrations, clearing a P. aeruginosa infection that were previously resistant to gentamicin alone. Therefore this work highlights the anti-pseudomonal capabilities of metal-tdda-phen complexes alone and combined with gentamicin in an in vivo model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan O’Shaughnessy
- School of Biological and Health Sciences, Technological University Dublin-City Campus, D07 ADY7 Dublin, Ireland;
- Centre for Biomimetic and Therapeutic Research, FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin-City Campus, D08 CKP1 Dublin, Ireland; (P.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Magdalena Piatek
- SSPC Pharma Research Centre, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Kildare, Ireland;
| | - Pauraic McCarron
- Centre for Biomimetic and Therapeutic Research, FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin-City Campus, D08 CKP1 Dublin, Ireland; (P.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Malachy McCann
- Chemistry Department, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Kildare, Ireland;
| | - Michael Devereux
- Centre for Biomimetic and Therapeutic Research, FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin-City Campus, D08 CKP1 Dublin, Ireland; (P.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- SSPC Pharma Research Centre, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Kildare, Ireland;
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (O.H.)
| | - Orla Howe
- School of Biological and Health Sciences, Technological University Dublin-City Campus, D07 ADY7 Dublin, Ireland;
- Centre for Biomimetic and Therapeutic Research, FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin-City Campus, D08 CKP1 Dublin, Ireland; (P.M.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (O.H.)
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12
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Ahmed M, Ward S, McCann M, Kavanagh K, Heaney F, Devereux M, Twamley B, Rooney D. Synthesis and characterisation of phenanthroline-oxazine ligands and their Ag(I), Mn(II) and Cu(II) complexes and their evaluation as antibacterial agents. Biometals 2022; 35:173-185. [PMID: 35037171 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-021-00358-1] [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: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
A series of phenanthroline-oxazine ligands were formed by a cyclisation reaction between L-tyrosine amino acid esters and 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione). The methyl derivative of the phenanthroline-oxazine ligand 1 was complexed with Ag(I), Mn(II) and Cu(II) to form [Ag(1)2]ClO4, [Mn(1)3](ClO4)2 and [Cu(1)3](ClO4)2. The activity of these metal complexes was tested against the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Each of the metal complexes was more active than 1 against S. aureus and the Mn(II) and Cu(II) complexes also showed greater activity than 1 towards E. coli. The effect of increasing the length of the alkyl moiety on the phenanthroline-oxazine ligands and their corresponding tris homoleptic Cu(II) complexes was investigated. In all cases both the ligands and their complexes were more active against Gram-positive S. aureus than against Gram-negative E. coli. Differences in the lipophilicity of the ligands and their corresponding Cu(II) complexes did alter the antibacterial activity, with the hexyl and octyl derivatives and their complexes showing the greatest activity and comparing well with clinically used antibiotics. The most active Cu(II) complexes and their respective ligands were also active against Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). In vivo toxicity studies, conducted using the Galleria mellonella model, showed that all of the compounds were well tolerated by the insect larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhib Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.,Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Sinead Ward
- Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.,Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Malachy McCann
- Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.,Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Frances Heaney
- Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.,Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Michael Devereux
- The Centre for Biomimetic & Therapeutic Research, Focas Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, City Campus, Camden Row, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Denise Rooney
- Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland. .,Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
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13
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Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Structure-Activity Relationships of 4-Aminopiperidines as Novel Antifungal Agents Targeting Ergosterol Biosynthesis. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26237208. [PMID: 34885791 PMCID: PMC8658910 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237208] [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: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aliphatic heterocycles piperidine and morpholine are core structures of well-known antifungals such as fenpropidin and fenpropimorph, commonly used as agrofungicides, and the related morpholine amorolfine is approved for the treatment of dermal mycoses in humans. Inspired by these lead structures, we describe here the synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-aminopiperidines as a novel chemotype of antifungals with remarkable antifungal activity. A library of more than 30 4-aminopiperidines was synthesized, starting from N-substituted 4-piperidone derivatives by reductive amination with appropriate amines using sodium triacetoxyborohydride. Antifungal activity was determined on the model strain Yarrowia lipolytica, and some compounds showed interesting growth-inhibiting activity. These compounds were tested on 20 clinically relevant fungal isolates (Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., Mucormycetes) by standardized microbroth dilution assays. Two of the six compounds, 1-benzyl-N-dodecylpiperidin-4-amine and N-dodecyl-1-phenethylpiperidin-4-amine, were identified as promising candidates for further development based on their in vitro antifungal activity against Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. Antifungal activity was determined for 18 Aspergillus spp. and 19 Candida spp., and their impact on ergosterol and cholesterol biosynthesis was determined. Toxicity was determined on HL-60, HUVEC, and MCF10A cells, and in the alternative in vivo model Galleria mellonella. Analysis of sterol patterns after incubation gave valuable insights into the putative molecular mechanism of action, indicating inhibition of the enzymes sterol C14-reductase and sterol C8-isomerase in fungal ergosterol biosynthesis.
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14
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Tao Y, Duma L, Rossez Y. Galleria mellonella as a Good Model to Study Acinetobacter baumannii Pathogenesis. Pathogens 2021; 10:1483. [PMID: 34832638 PMCID: PMC8623143 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The invertebrate model, Galleria mellonella, has been widely used to study host-pathogen interactions due to its cheapness, ease of handling, and similar mammalian innate immune system. G. mellonella larvae have been proven to be useful and a reliable model for analyzing pathogenesis mechanisms of multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, an opportunistic pathogen difficult to kill. This review describes the detailed experimental design of G. mellonella/A. baumannii models, and provides a comprehensive comparison of various virulence factors and therapy strategies using the G. mellonella host. These investigations highlight the importance of this host-pathogen model for in vivo pathogen virulence studies. On the long term, further development of the G. mellonella/A. baumannii model will offer promising insights for clinical treatments of A. baumannii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tao
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, UPJV, UMR CNRS 7025, Enzyme and Cell Engineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu–CS 60 319 , 60203 Compiègne, France; (Y.T.); (L.D.)
| | - Luminita Duma
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, UPJV, UMR CNRS 7025, Enzyme and Cell Engineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu–CS 60 319 , 60203 Compiègne, France; (Y.T.); (L.D.)
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, CNRS, ICMR UMR 7312, 51097 Reims, France
| | - Yannick Rossez
- Université Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, F-59000 Lille, France
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15
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Arsene MMJ, Viktorovna PI, Davares AKL. Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth) as an eco-friendly in vivo approach for the assessment of the acute toxicity of medicinal plants: Application to some plants from Cameroon. Open Vet J 2021; 11:651-661. [PMID: 35070860 PMCID: PMC8770176 DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2021.v11.i4.15] [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: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The evaluation of medicinal plants’ toxicity is a prerequisite prior to their usage. The vertebrate models used for this purpose are often the object of ethical consideration. Though invertebrate models including Galleria mellonella (GM) have demonstrated the ability to be used to assess the toxicity of various products. To the authors’ knowledge, GM has never been exploited to determine the toxicity of medicinal plants. Aim: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential of GM larvae as a simple, inexpensive, and rapid model for the evaluation of the toxicity of herbal medicines. Method: In this study, the toxicity of aqueous and ethanolic (80%, v/v) extracts of seven well known plants from Cameroon namely leaves of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Moringa oleifera Lam and Vernonia amygdalina Delile; barks of Cinchona officinalis and Enantia chlorantha Oliv; barks and seeds of Garcinia lucida Vesque and leaves and seeds of Azadirachta indica (Neem) was evaluated using the larval form of GM. The median lethal doses (LD50), 90% (LD90), and 100% (LD100) were determined using the spline cubic survival curves and equations from the data obtained on the survival rate of GM 24 hours after the injection with the extracts. Results: We found that distilled water extracted a more important mass of phytochemical compounds (7.4%–21.2%) compared to ethanolic solution (5.8%–12.4%). LD varied depending on the plant materials and ethanolic extracts (hydroalcoholic extract, (HAE)) were more toxic to GM than aqueous ones. The LD50 (mg/ml) of the tested extracts varied from 4.87 [3.90 g/kg body weight (bw)] to >200 (> 166.67 g/kg bw), the LD90 (mg/ml) from 25.00 (18.52 g/kg bw) to >200 (> 181.82 g/kg bw) and LD100 (mg/ml) from 45.00 (40.91 g/kg bw) to > 200 (>181.82 g/kg bw). The HAE of A. indica seed and C. officinalis bark exhibited the highest toxicity with LD50 (g/kg bw) of 3.90 and 4.81, respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study suggest that GM can be used as a sensitive, reliable, and robust eco-friendly model to gauge the toxicity of medicinal plants. Thus, avoid the sacrifice of vertebrate models often used for this purpose to limit ethical concerns.
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16
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Grizanova EV, Coates CJ, Butt TM, Dubovskiy IM. RNAi-mediated suppression of insect metalloprotease inhibitor (IMPI) enhances Galleria mellonella susceptibility to fungal infection. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 122:104126. [PMID: 33965446 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The co-evolutionary arms race between disease-causing agents and their insect victims is ancient and complex - leading to the development of specialised attack and defence strategies. Among such strategies is the capacity of fungal and oomycete pathogens to deploy degradative enzymes, notably proteases, to facilitate infection directly across the integument. To counter these proteases, insects such as the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella release metalloprotease inhibitors and other immune factors to thwart the invading fungus. To date, molecular-based confirmation of insect metalloprotease inhibitor's incontrovertible role in antifungal defence has been lacking. We targeted the IMPI gene for suppression using RNAi and exposed those insects to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum ARSEF4556. Levels of IMPI were reduced significantly in the integument (10-fold) and fat body (5-fold) of RNAi-treated insects when compared to control larvae, and displayed a significantly higher mortality rate. We also surveyed candidate immune/detoxification gene expression levels (e.g., DOPA decarboxylase, galiomycin) in three tissues (integument, midgut, fat body) in order to gauge any potential non-target effects of RNAi. The loss of IMPI via RNAi compromises antifungal defences and leaves G. mellonella vulnerable to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina V Grizanova
- Novosibirsk State Agrarian University, Laboratory of Biological Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Dobrolubova Str. 160, 630039, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Christopher J Coates
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, UK.
| | - Tariq M Butt
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Ivan M Dubovskiy
- Novosibirsk State Agrarian University, Laboratory of Biological Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Dobrolubova Str. 160, 630039, Novosibirsk, Russia; Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia.
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17
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Emery H, Traves W, Rowley AF, Coates CJ. The diarrhetic shellfish-poisoning toxin, okadaic acid, provokes gastropathy, dysbiosis and susceptibility to bacterial infection in a non-rodent bioassay, Galleria mellonella. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:3361-3376. [PMID: 34374792 PMCID: PMC8448676 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03132-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Diarrhetic shellfish-poisoning (DSP) toxins such as okadaic acid and dinophysistoxins harm the human gastrointestinal tract, and therefore, their levels are regulated to an upper limit of 160 μg per kg tissue to protect consumers. Rodents are used routinely for risk assessment and studies concerning mechanisms of toxicity, but there is a general move toward reducing and replacing vertebrates for these bioassays. We have adopted insect larvae of the wax moth Galleria mellonella as a surrogate toxicology model. We treated larvae with environmentally relevant doses of okadaic acid (80–400 μg/kg) via intrahaemocoelic injection or gavage to determine marine toxin-related health decline: (1) whether pre-exposure to a sub-lethal dose of toxin (80 μg/kg) enhances susceptibility to bacterial infection, or (2) alters tissue pathology and bacterial community (microbiome) composition of the midgut. A sub-lethal dose of okadaic acid (80 μg/kg) followed 24 h later by bacterial inoculation (2 × 105Escherichia coli) reduced larval survival levels to 47%, when compared to toxin (90%) or microbial challenge (73%) alone. Histological analysis of the midgut depicted varying levels of tissue disruption, including nuclear aberrations associated with cell death (karyorrhexis, pyknosis), loss of organ architecture, and gross epithelial displacement into the lumen. Moreover, okadaic acid presence in the midgut coincided with a shift in the resident bacterial population over time in that substantial reductions in diversity (Shannon) and richness (Chao-1) indices were observed at 240 μg toxin per kg. Okadaic acid-induced deterioration of the insect alimentary canal resembles those changes reported for rodent bioassays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Emery
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - William Traves
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Andrew F Rowley
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Christopher J Coates
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK.
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18
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New Quinone Antibiotics against Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10060614. [PMID: 34063846 PMCID: PMC8224091 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10060614] [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: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for the development of new antibiotics. Here, we describe the inhibitory activity of new quinone compounds against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC® 43300), methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (ATCC® 29213), and two clinical isolates from Chile (ISP-213 and ISP-214). We observed 99.9% reduction in viability within 2 h of exposure without the cultures exhibiting any post-antibiotic effect, which was twice the kinetics to that observed with vancomycin. These clinical isolates did not acquire resistance to these quinone derivatives during the course of our study. We found that these compounds protected larvae of the greater wax moth, sp. Galleria mellonella, from infection by these MRSA clinical strains as effectively as vancomycin. These quinone derivatives are potential drug candidates worth further development.
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19
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Junqueira JC, Mylonakis E, Borghi E. Galleria mellonella experimental model: advances and future directions. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:6246772. [PMID: 33889960 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Campos Junqueira
- São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Science and Technology, Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Av. Francisco José Longo 777, SP 12245-000, Brazil
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, 593 Eddy Street, RI 02903, USA
| | - Elisa Borghi
- Università degli Studi di Milano, San Paolo Medical School, Department of Health Sciences, Via di Rudinì 8, MI 20142, Italy
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20
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Durieux MF, Melloul É, Jemel S, Roisin L, Dardé ML, Guillot J, Dannaoui É, Botterel F. Galleria mellonella as a screening tool to study virulence factors of Aspergillus fumigatus. Virulence 2021; 12:818-834. [PMID: 33682618 PMCID: PMC7946008 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1893945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The invertebrate Galleria mellonella has increasingly and widely been used in the last few years to study complex host–microbe interactions. Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most pathogenic fungi causing life-threatening diseases in humans and animals. Galleria mellonella larvae has been proven as a reliable model for the analysis of pathogenesis and virulence factors, enable to screen a large number of A. fumigatus strains. This review describes the different uses of G. mellonella to study A. fumigatus and provides a comparison of the different protocols to trace fungal pathogenicity. The review also includes a summary of the diverse mutants tested in G. mellonella, and their respective contribution to A. fumigatus virulence. Previous investigations indicated that G. mellonella should be considered as an interesting tool even though a mammalian model may be required to complete and verify initial data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Fleur Durieux
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, CHU de Limoges, Limoges, France.,EA 7380 Dynamic, Université Paris Est Créteil, EnvA, USC ANSES, Créteil, France
| | - Élise Melloul
- EA 7380 Dynamic, Université Paris Est Créteil, EnvA, USC ANSES, Créteil, France
| | - Sana Jemel
- EA 7380 Dynamic, Université Paris Est Créteil, EnvA, USC ANSES, Créteil, France
| | - Lolita Roisin
- EA 7380 Dynamic, Université Paris Est Créteil, EnvA, USC ANSES, Créteil, France
| | - Marie-Laure Dardé
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, CHU de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Jacques Guillot
- EA 7380 Dynamic, Université Paris Est Créteil, EnvA, USC ANSES, Créteil, France.,École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Éric Dannaoui
- EA 7380 Dynamic, Université Paris Est Créteil, EnvA, USC ANSES, Créteil, France.,Unité de Parasitologie-mycologie, Service de Microbiologie, Université Paris Descartes, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Françoise Botterel
- EA 7380 Dynamic, Université Paris Est Créteil, EnvA, USC ANSES, Créteil, France.,Unité de Mycologie, Département de Prévention, Diagnostic Et Traitement Des Infections, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor - Albert Chenevier, APHP, France
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21
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Vergis J, Malik SVS, Pathak R, Kumar M, Kurkure NV, Barbuddhe SB, Rawool DB. Exploring Galleria mellonella larval model to evaluate antibacterial efficacy of Cecropin A (1-7)-Melittin against multi-drug resistant enteroaggregative Escherichia coli. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:6123720. [PMID: 33512501 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab010] [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: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
High throughput in vivo laboratory models is need for screening and identification of effective therapeutic agents to overcome microbial drug-resistance. This study was undertaken to evaluate in vivo antimicrobial efficacy of short-chain antimicrobial peptide- Cecropin A (1-7)-Melittin (CAMA) against three multi-drug resistant enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (MDR-EAEC) field isolates in a Galleria mellonella larval model. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; 2.0 mg/L) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC; 4.0 mg/L) of CAMA were determined by microdilution assay. CAMA was found to be stable at high temperatures, physiological concentration of cationic salts and proteases; safe with sheep erythrocytes, secondary cell lines and commensal lactobacilli at lower MICs; and exhibited membrane permeabilization. In vitro time-kill assay revealed concentration- and time-dependent clearance of MDR-EAEC in CAMA-treated groups at 30 min. CAMA- treated G. mellonella larvae exhibited an increased survival rate, reduced MDR-EAEC counts, immunomodulatory effect and proved non-toxic which concurred with histopathological findings. CAMA exhibited either an equal or better efficacy than the tested antibiotic control, meropenem. This study highlights the possibility of G. mellonella larvae as an excellent in vivo model for investigating the host-pathogen interaction, including the efficacy of antimicrobials against MDR-EAEC strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jess Vergis
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - S V S Malik
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Richa Pathak
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Manesh Kumar
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Nitin V Kurkure
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur 440001, India
| | - S B Barbuddhe
- ICAR- National Research Centre on Meat, Hyderabad 500092, India
| | - Deepak B Rawool
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
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22
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Selvaraj A, Valliammai A, Muthuramalingam P, Priya A, Suba M, Ramesh M, Karutha Pandian S. Carvacrol Targets SarA and CrtM of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus to Mitigate Biofilm Formation and Staphyloxanthin Synthesis: An In Vitro and In Vivo Approach. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:31100-31114. [PMID: 33324819 PMCID: PMC7726784 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Carvacrol is an essential oil traditionally used in culinary processes as spice due to its aromatic nature and also known for various biological activities. In the present study, the antivirulence efficacy of carvacrol against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is explored. MRSA is an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing various superficial and systemic infections in humans. Biofilm formation and virulence factors of MRSA are responsible for its pathogenesis and resistance. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore the antibiofilm and antivirulence efficacy of carvacrol against MRSA. Carvacrol at 75 μg/mL inhibited MRSA biofilm by 93%, and it also decreased the biofilm formation on polystyrene and glass surfaces. Further, microscopic analyses revealed the reduction in microcolony formation and collapsed structure of biofilm upon carvacrol treatment. The growth curve analysis and the Alamar blue assay showed the nonfatal effect of carvacrol on MRSA. Further, carvacrol significantly reduced the production of MRSA biofilm-associated slime and extracellular polysaccharide. In addition, carvacrol strongly inhibited the antioxidant pigment staphyloxanthin and its intermediates' synthesis in MRSA. Inhibition of biofilm and staphyloxanthin by carvacrol enhanced the susceptibility of MRSA to oxidants and healthy human blood. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis unveiled the downregulation of sarA-mediated biofilm gene expression and staphyloxanthin-associated crtM gene expression. The sarA-dependent antibiofilm potential of carvacrol was validated using S. aureus Newman wild-type and isogenic ΔsarA strains. In silico molecular docking analysis showed the high binding efficacy of carvacrol with staphylococcal accessory regulator A (SarA) and 4,4'-diapophytoene synthase (CrtM) when compared to positive controls. Furthermore, the in vivo efficacy of carvacrol against MRSA infection was demonstrated using the model organism Galleria mellonella. The results revealed the nontoxic nature of carvacrol to the larvae and the rescuing potential of carvacrol against MRSA infection. Finally, the current study reveals the potential of carvacrol in inhibiting the biofilm formation and staphyloxanthin synthesis of MRSA by targeting the global regulator SarA and a novel antivirulence target CrtM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthonymuthu Selvaraj
- Department
of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Alaguvel Valliammai
- Department
of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Pandiyan Muthuramalingam
- Department
of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department
of Systems Biology, Science Research Centre, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Arumugam Priya
- Department
of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Manokaran Suba
- Department
of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Manikandan Ramesh
- Department
of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
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