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Antonova NP, Vasina DV, Grigoriev IV, Usachev EV, Aleshkin AV, Vorobev AM, Laishevtsev AI, Kapustin AV, Savinov VA, Anurova MN, Zackharova AA, Remizov TA, Makarov VV, Yudin SM, Gushchin VA. Pharmacokinetics and Preclinical Safety Studies of Modified Endolysin-Based Gel for Topical Application. J Pharm Sci 2024:S0022-3549(24)00156-4. [PMID: 38692487 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2024.04.028] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Antibacterial therapy with phage-encoded endolysins or their modified derivatives with improved antibacterial, biochemical and pharmacokinetic properties is one of the most promising strategies that can supply existing antibacterial drugs array. Gram-negative bacteria-induced infections treatment is especially challenging because of rapidly spreading bacterial resistance. We have developed modified endolysin LysECD7-SMAP with a significant antibacterial activity and broad spectra of action against gram-negative bacteria. Endolysin was formulated in a bactericidal gel for topical application with pronounced effectivity in local animal infectious models. Here we present preclinical safety studies and pharmacokinetics of LysECD7-SMAP-based gel. We have detected LysECD7-SMAP in the skin and underlying muscle at therapeutic concentrations when the gel is applied topically to intact or injured skin. Moreover, the protein does not enter the bloodstream, and has no systemic bioavailability, assuming no systemic adverse effects. In studies of general toxicology, local tolerance, and immunotoxicology it was approved that LysECD7-SMAP gel local application results in the absence of toxic effects after single and multiple administration. Thus, LysECD7-SMAP-containing gel has appropriate pharmacokinetics and can be considered as safe that supports the initiation of the phase I clinical trials of novel antibacterial drug intending to treat acute wound infections caused by resistant gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliia P Antonova
- Laboratory of Pathogen Population Variability Mechanisms, N.F. Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Daria V Vasina
- Laboratory of Pathogen Population Variability Mechanisms, N.F. Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, N.F. Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Evgeny V Usachev
- Laboratory of Pathogen Population Variability Mechanisms, N.F. Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey V Aleshkin
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Biotechnology of Bacteriophages, G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksei M Vorobev
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Biotechnology of Bacteriophages, G.N. Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksei I Laishevtsev
- Federal State Budget Scientific Institution "Federal Scientific Centre VIEV" (FSC VIEV), Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey V Kapustin
- Federal State Budget Scientific Institution "Federal Scientific Centre VIEV" (FSC VIEV), Moscow, Russia
| | - Vasiliy A Savinov
- Federal State Budget Scientific Institution "Federal Scientific Centre VIEV" (FSC VIEV), Moscow, Russia
| | - Mariia N Anurova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia A Zackharova
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, N.F. Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Timofey A Remizov
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, N.F. Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Valentine V Makarov
- Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey M Yudin
- Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Gushchin
- Laboratory of Pathogen Population Variability Mechanisms, N.F. Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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2
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Zhao X, Li C, Yang H, Wei H, Li Y. Antibacterial Activity of a Lysin LysP53 against Streptococcus mutans. J Dent Res 2023; 102:1231-1240. [PMID: 37698342 DOI: 10.1177/00220345231182675] [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] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Dental caries is a common disease affecting quality of life globally. In the present study, we found that a bacteriophage lysin LysP53 against Acinetobacter baumannii possesses selective activity on Streptococcus mutans, the main etiological agent of dental caries, even in low pH caries microenvironments, whereas only minor LysP53 activity was detected against Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus oralis, and Streptococcus mitis. Testing activity against S. mutans planktonic cells showed that 4 μM LysP53 could kill more than 84% of S. mutans within 1 min in buffer with optimal pHs ranging from 4.0 to 6.5. Daily application of LysP53 on biofilms formed in BHI medium supplemented or not with sucrose could reduce exopolysaccharides, expression of genes related to acid resistance and adhesion, and the number of live bacteria in the biofilms. LysP53 treatment also showed similar effects as 0.12% chlorhexidine in preventing enamel demineralization due to S. mutans biofilms, as well as effective removal of S. mutans colonization of tooth surfaces in mice without observed toxic effects. Because of its selective activity against main cariogenic bacteria and good activity in low pH caries microenvironments, it is advantageous to use LysP53 as an active agent for preventing caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - C Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - H Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - H Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Y Li
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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3
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Alreja AB, Linden SB, Lee HR, Chao KL, Herzberg O, Nelson DC. Understanding the Molecular Basis for Homodimer Formation of the Pneumococcal Endolysin Cpl-1. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1092-1104. [PMID: 37126660 PMCID: PMC10577085 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00627] [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] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The rise of multi-drug-resistant bacteria that cannot be treated with traditional antibiotics has prompted the search for alternatives to combat bacterial infections. Endolysins, which are bacteriophage-derived peptidoglycan hydrolases, are attractive tools in this fight. Several studies have already demonstrated the efficacy of endolysins in targeting bacterial infections. Endolysins encoded by bacteriophages that infect Gram-positive bacteria typically possess an N-terminal catalytic domain and a C-terminal cell-wall binding domain (CWBD). In this study, we have uncovered the molecular mechanisms that underlie formation of a homodimer of Cpl-1, an endolysin that targets Streptococcus pneumoniae. Here, we use site-directed mutagenesis, analytical size exclusion chromatography, and analytical ultracentrifugation to disprove a previous suggestion that three residues at the N-terminus of the CWBD are involved in the formation of a Cpl-1 dimer in the presence of choline in solution. We conclusively show that the C-terminal tail region of Cpl-1 is involved in formation of the dimer. Alanine scanning mutagenesis generated various tail mutant constructs that allowed identification of key residues that mediate Cpl-1 dimer formation. Finally, our results allowed identification of a consensus sequence (FxxEPDGLIT) required for choline-dependent dimer formation─a sequence that occurs frequently in pneumococcal autolysins and endolysins. These findings shed light on the mechanisms of Cpl-1 and related enzymes and can be used to inform future engineering efforts for their therapeutic development against S. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adit B Alreja
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
- Biological Sciences Graduate Program - Molecular and Cellular Biology Concentration, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Sara B Linden
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
| | - Harrison R Lee
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
| | - Kinlin L Chao
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
| | - Osnat Herzberg
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Daniel C Nelson
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
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4
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Liu H, Hu Z, Li M, Yang Y, Lu S, Rao X. Therapeutic potential of bacteriophage endolysins for infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:29. [PMID: 37101261 PMCID: PMC10131408 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00919-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Gram-positive (G+) bacterial infection is a great burden to both healthcare and community medical resources. As a result of the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant G+ bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), novel antimicrobial agents must urgently be developed for the treatment of infections caused by G+ bacteria. Endolysins are bacteriophage (phage)-encoded enzymes that can specifically hydrolyze the bacterial cell wall and quickly kill bacteria. Bacterial resistance to endolysins is low. Therefore, endolysins are considered promising alternatives for solving the mounting resistance problem. In this review, endolysins derived from phages targeting G+ bacteria were classified based on their structural characteristics. The active mechanisms, efficacy, and advantages of endolysins as antibacterial drug candidates were summarized. Moreover, the remarkable potential of phage endolysins in the treatment of G+ bacterial infections was described. In addition, the safety of endolysins, challenges, and possible solutions were addressed. Notwithstanding the limitations of endolysins, the trends in development indicate that endolysin-based drugs will be approved in the near future. Overall, this review presents crucial information of the current progress involving endolysins as potential therapeutic agents, and it provides a guideline for biomaterial researchers who are devoting themselves to fighting against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Liu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Zhen Hu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Mengyang Li
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shuguang Lu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Xiancai Rao
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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5
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Interrogation of the contribution of (endo)lysin domains to tune their bacteriolytic efficiency provides a novel clue to design superior antibacterials. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 223:1042-1053. [PMID: 36370862 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.043] [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: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophage-derived endolysins and bacterial autolysins (hereinafter lysins) represent a completely new class of efficient antibacterials. They prevent the development of bacterial resistance and help protect commensal microbiota, producing cell wall lysis. Here we have investigated whether the acquisition of enzymatic active domains (EADs) and cell wall binding domains (CWBDs) of balancing efficiencies could be a way of tuning natural lysin activity. The concept was applied to produce a chimeric lysin of superior antibacterial capacity using the endolysin Skl and the major pneumococcal autolysin LytA. Combination of the Skl EAD and the cell wall choline-binding domain (CBD) of LytA in the chimera QSLA increased the bacterial killing by 2 logs or more compared to parental enzymes at an equal concentration and extended the substrate range to resistant and emergent pneumococci and other pathogens of the mitis group. Contrarily, QLAS, containing LytA EAD and Skl CBD, was inactive against all tested strains, although domain structures were preserved and hydrolysis of purified cell walls maintained in both chimeras. As a whole, our study provides a novel clue to design superior lysins to fight multidrug-resistant pathogens based on domain selection, and a powerful in-vivo active lysin (QSLA) with promising therapeutic perspectives.
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6
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Wong KY, Megat Mazhar Khair MH, Song AAL, Masarudin MJ, Chong CM, In LLA, Teo MYM. Endolysins against Streptococci as an antibiotic alternative. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:935145. [PMID: 35983327 PMCID: PMC9378833 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.935145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-drug resistance has called for a race to uncover alternatives to existing antibiotics. Phage therapy is one of the explored alternatives, including the use of endolysins, which are phage-encoded peptidoglycan hydrolases responsible for bacterial lysis. Endolysins have been extensively researched in different fields, including medicine, food, and agricultural applications. While the target specificity of various endolysins varies greatly between species, this current review focuses specifically on streptococcal endolysins. Streptococcus spp. causes numerous infections, from the common strep throat to much more serious life-threatening infections such as pneumonia and meningitis. It is reported as a major crisis in various industries, causing systemic infections associated with high mortality and morbidity, as well as economic losses, especially in the agricultural industry. This review highlights the types of catalytic and cell wall-binding domains found in streptococcal endolysins and gives a comprehensive account of the lytic ability of both native and engineered streptococcal endolysins studied thus far, as well as its potential application across different industries. Finally, it gives an overview of the advantages and limitations of these enzyme-based antibiotics, which has caused the term enzybiotics to be conferred to it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Yee Wong
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Megat Hamzah Megat Mazhar Khair
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Adelene Ai-Lian Song
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mas Jaffri Masarudin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chou Min Chong
- Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lionel Lian Aun In
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Lionel Lian Aun In,
| | - Michelle Yee Mun Teo
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Michelle Yee Mun Teo,
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7
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Chang RYK, Nang SC, Chan HK, Li J. Novel antimicrobial agents for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 187:114378. [PMID: 35671882 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic therapy has become increasingly ineffective against bacterial infections due to the rise of resistance. In particular, ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) have caused life-threatening infections in humans and represent a major global health threat due to a high degree of antibiotic resistance. To respond to this urgent call, novel strategies are urgently needed, such as bacteriophages (or phages), phage-encoded enzymes, immunomodulators and monoclonal antibodies. This review critically analyses these promising antimicrobial therapies for the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Recent advances in these novel therapeutic strategies are discussed, focusing on preclinical and clinical investigations, as well as combinatorial approaches. In this 'Bad Bugs, No Drugs' era, novel therapeutic strategies can play a key role in treating deadly infections and help extend the lifetime of antibiotics.
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8
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Gallego-Páramo C, Hernández-Ortiz N, Buey RM, Rico-Lastres P, García G, Díaz JF, García P, Menéndez M. Structural and Functional Insights Into Skl and Pal Endolysins, Two Cysteine-Amidases With Anti-pneumococcal Activity. Dithiothreitol (DTT) Effect on Lytic Activity. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:740914. [PMID: 34777288 PMCID: PMC8586454 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.740914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We have structurally and functionally characterized Skl and Pal endolysins, the latter being the first endolysin shown to kill effectively Streptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of deathly diseases. We have proved that Skl and Pal are cysteine-amidases whose catalytic domains, from CHAP and Amidase_5 families, respectively, share an α3β6-fold with papain-like topology. Catalytic triads are identified (for the first time in Amidase_5 family), and residues relevant for substrate binding and catalysis inferred from in silico models, including a calcium-binding site accounting for Skl dependence on this cation for activity. Both endolysins contain a choline-binding domain (CBD) with a β-solenoid fold (homology modeled) and six conserved choline-binding loci whose saturation induced dimerization. Remarkably, Pal and Skl dimers display a common overall architecture, preserved in choline-bound dimers of pneumococcal lysins with other catalytic domains and bond specificities, as disclosed using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Additionally, Skl is proved to be an efficient anti-pneumococcal agent that kills multi-resistant strains and clinical emergent-serotype isolates. Interestingly, Skl and Pal time-courses of pneumococcal lysis were sigmoidal, which might denote a limited access of both endolysins to target bonds at first stages of lysis. Furthermore, their DTT-mediated activation, of relevance for other cysteine-peptidases, cannot be solely ascribed to reversal of catalytic-cysteine oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Gallego-Páramo
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Noelia Hernández-Ortiz
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén M Buey
- Metabolic Engineering Group, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Palma Rico-Lastres
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Guadalupe García
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - J Fernando Díaz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro García
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita Menéndez
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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Fernández L, Cima-Cabal MD, Duarte AC, Rodríguez A, García-Suárez MDM, García P. Gram-Positive Pneumonia: Possibilities Offered by Phage Therapy. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10081000. [PMID: 34439050 PMCID: PMC8388979 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10081000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumonia is an acute pulmonary infection whose high hospitalization and mortality rates can, on occasion, bring healthcare systems to the brink of collapse. Both viral and bacterial pneumonia are uncovering many gaps in our understanding of host–pathogen interactions, and are testing the effectiveness of the currently available antimicrobial strategies. In the case of bacterial pneumonia, the main challenge is antibiotic resistance, which is only expected to increase during the current pandemic due to the widespread use of antibiotics to prevent secondary infections in COVID-19 patients. As a result, alternative therapeutics will be necessary to keep this disease under control. This review evaluates the advantages of phage therapy to treat lung bacterial infections, in particular those caused by the Gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, while also highlighting the regulatory impediments that hamper its clinical use and the difficulties associated with phage research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Fernández
- Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n, 33300 Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain; (L.F.); (A.C.D.); (A.R.)
- DairySafe Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - María Dolores Cima-Cabal
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería y Tecnología (ESIT), Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR), Av. de la Paz, 137, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain;
| | - Ana Catarina Duarte
- Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n, 33300 Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain; (L.F.); (A.C.D.); (A.R.)
- DairySafe Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Ana Rodríguez
- Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n, 33300 Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain; (L.F.); (A.C.D.); (A.R.)
- DairySafe Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - María del Mar García-Suárez
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería y Tecnología (ESIT), Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR), Av. de la Paz, 137, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain;
- Correspondence: (M.d.M.G.-S.); (P.G.)
| | - Pilar García
- Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n, 33300 Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain; (L.F.); (A.C.D.); (A.R.)
- DairySafe Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.d.M.G.-S.); (P.G.)
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10
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Internal cell-penetrating peptide-mediated internalization enables a chimeric lysin to target intracellular pathogens. Int J Pharm 2021; 599:120449. [PMID: 33711472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120449] [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: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens pose serious challenges to the public health worldwide. Lysin, peptidoglycan hydrolase from phage, is promising alternative to conventional antibiotics because of its high bactericidal activity and low risk of resistance. However, most proteinaceous lysins cannot penetrate the mammalian cell membrane because of size exclusion. Previously, we reported a broad-spectrum chimeric lysin, ClyR, with a cysteine, histidine-dependent amidohydrolase/peptidase catalytic domain from PlyC lysin and an SH-3b cell-wall binding domain from PlySs2 lysin. Herein, we further report that a novel internal cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) is predicted in the junction region of the two constitutive domains of ClyR, mediated by which ClyR can be internalized by epithelial cells through caveolin-dependent endocytosis to target intracellular pathogens. Residues K153, P154, R169, and R188 of the internal CPP were found to be essential for ClyR-mediated internalization and intracellular killing. RNA-seq analysis further showed that there are minor differences in transcript and metabolic profiles from epithelial cells exposed to 100 μg/ml ClyR for 24 h. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism of internalization by ClyR, providing new insights into the rational designing of the next-generation lysins to target both extracellular and intracellular pathogens.
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