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Vander Elst N, Bellemans J, Lavigne R, Briers Y, Meyer E. Endolysin NC5 improves early cloxacillin treatment in a mouse model of Streptococcus uberis mastitis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:118. [PMID: 38204128 PMCID: PMC10781846 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12820-w] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Streptococcus uberis frequently causes bovine mastitis, an infectious udder disease with significant economic implications for dairy cows. Conventional antibiotics, such as cloxacillin, sometimes have limited success in eliminating S. uberis as a stand-alone therapy. To address this challenge, the study objective was to investigate the VersaTile engineered endolysin NC5 as a supplemental therapy to cloxacillin in a mouse model of bovine S. uberis mastitis. NC5 was previously selected based on its intracellular killing and biofilm eradicating activity. To deliver preclinical proof-of-concept of this supplemental strategy, lactating mice were intramammarily infected with a bovine S. uberis field isolate and subsequently treated with cloxacillin (30.0 μg) combined with either a low (23.5 μg) or high (235.0 μg) dose of NC5. An antibiotic monotherapy group, as well as placebo treatment, was included as controls. Two types of responders were identified: fast (n = 17), showing response after 4-h treatment, and slow (n = 10), exhibiting no clear response at 4 h post-treatment across all groups. The high-dose combination therapy in comparison with placebo treatment impacted the hallmarks of mastitis in the fast responders by reducing (i) the bacterial load 13,000-fold (4.11 ± 0.78 Δlog10; p < 0.001), (ii) neutrophil infiltration 5.7-fold (p > 0.05), and (iii) the key pro-inflammatory chemokine IL-8 13-fold (p < 0.01). These mastitis hallmarks typically followed a dose response dependent on the amount of endolysin added. The current in vivo study complements our in vitro data and provides preclinical proof-of-concept of NC5 as an adjunct to intramammary cloxacillin treatment. KEY POINTS: • Engineered endolysin NC5 was preclinically evaluated as add-on to cloxacillin treatment. • Two types of mice (slow and fast responding) were observed. • The add-on treatment decreased bacterial load, neutrophil influx, and pro-inflammatory mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Vander Elst
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwyckweg 1, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Julie Bellemans
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwyckweg 1, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Yves Briers
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwyckweg 1, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelyne Meyer
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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Vander Elst N. Bacteriophage-derived endolysins as innovative antimicrobials against bovine mastitis-causing streptococci and staphylococci: a state-of-the-art review. Acta Vet Scand 2024; 66:20. [PMID: 38769566 PMCID: PMC11106882 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-024-00740-2] [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: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage-encoded endolysins, peptidoglycan hydrolases breaking down the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall, represent a groundbreaking class of novel antimicrobials to revolutionize the veterinary medicine field. Wild-type endolysins exhibit a modular structure, consisting of enzymatically active and cell wall-binding domains, that enable genetic engineering strategies for the creation of chimeric fusion proteins or so-called 'engineered endolysins'. This biotechnological approach has yielded variants with modified lytic spectrums, introducing new possibilities in antimicrobial development. However, the discovery of highly similar endolysins by different groups has occasionally resulted in the assignment of different names that complicate a straightforward comparison. The aim of this review was to perform a homology-based comparison of the wild-type and engineered endolysins that have been characterized in the context of bovine mastitis-causing streptococci and staphylococci, grouping homologous endolysins with ≥ 95.0% protein sequence similarity. Literature is explored by homologous groups for the wild-type endolysins, followed by a chronological examination of engineered endolysins according to their year of publication. This review concludes that the wild-type endolysins encountered persistent challenges in raw milk and in vivo settings, causing a notable shift in the field towards the engineering of endolysins. Lead candidates that display robust lytic activity are nowadays selected from screening assays that are performed under these challenging conditions, often utilizing advanced high-throughput protein engineering methods. Overall, these recent advancements suggest that endolysins will integrate into the antibiotic arsenal over the next decade, thereby innovating antimicrobial treatment against bovine mastitis-causing streptococci and staphylococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Vander Elst
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum 7D, Solnavägen 9, 17165, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Araújo D, Silva AR, Fernandes R, Serra P, Barros MM, Campos AM, Oliveira R, Silva S, Almeida C, Castro J. Emerging Approaches for Mitigating Biofilm-Formation-Associated Infections in Farm, Wild, and Companion Animals. Pathogens 2024; 13:320. [PMID: 38668275 PMCID: PMC11054384 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040320] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The importance of addressing the problem of biofilms in farm, wild, and companion animals lies in their pervasive impact on animal health and welfare. Biofilms, as resilient communities of microorganisms, pose a persistent challenge in causing infections and complicating treatment strategies. Recognizing and understanding the importance of mitigating biofilm formation is critical to ensuring the welfare of animals in a variety of settings, from farms to the wild and companion animals. Effectively addressing this issue not only improves the overall health of individual animals, but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainable agriculture, wildlife conservation, and responsible pet ownership. This review examines the current understanding of biofilm formation in animal diseases and elucidates the complex processes involved. Recognizing the limitations of traditional antibiotic treatments, mechanisms of resistance associated with biofilms are explored. The focus is on alternative therapeutic strategies to control biofilm, with illuminating case studies providing valuable context and practical insights. In conclusion, the review highlights the importance of exploring emerging approaches to mitigate biofilm formation in animals. It consolidates existing knowledge, highlights gaps in understanding, and encourages further research to address this critical facet of animal health. The comprehensive perspective provided by this review serves as a foundation for future investigations and interventions to improve the management of biofilm-associated infections in diverse animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Araújo
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Silva
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Rúben Fernandes
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Patrícia Serra
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Maria Margarida Barros
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CECAV—Veterinary and Animal Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Maria Campos
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Ricardo Oliveira
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- AliCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sónia Silva
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Carina Almeida
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- AliCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Castro
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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