1
|
Esposito TVF, Rodríguez-Rodríguez C, Blackadar C, Kłodzińska S, Mørck Nielsen H, Saatchi K, Häfeli UO. Biodistribution of the cationic host defense peptide LL-37 using SPECT/CT. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 202:114398. [PMID: 38972467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114398] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Human cathelicidin LL-37, a cationic host defense peptide (CHDP), has several important physiological roles, including antimicrobial activity, immune modulation, and wound healing, and is a being investigated as a therapeutic candidate for several indications. While the effects of endogenously produced LL-37 are well studied, the biodistribution of exogenously administered LL-37 are less known. Here we assess the biodistribution of a gallium-67 labeled variant of LL-37 using nuclear imaging techniques over a 48 h period in healthy mice. When administered as an intravenous bolus just over 20 µg, the LL-37-based radiotracer was rapidly cleared from the blood, largely by the liver, while an appreciable fraction of the dose temporarily distributed to the lungs. When administered subcutaneously at the same dose level, the radiotracer was absorbed systemically following a two-phase kinetic model and was predominately cleared renally. Uptake into sites rich in immune cells, such as the lymph nodes and the spleen, was observed for both routes of administration. Scans of free gallium-67 were also performed as controls. Important preclinical insights into the biodistribution of exogenously administered LL-37 were gained from this study, which can aid in the understanding of this and related cationic host-defense peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tullio V F Esposito
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Cristina Rodríguez-Rodríguez
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Colin Blackadar
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sylvia Kłodzińska
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Mørck Nielsen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katayoun Saatchi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Urs O Häfeli
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Esposito TVF, Blackadar C, Wu L, Rodríguez-Rodríguez C, Haney EF, Pletzer D, Saatchi K, Hancock REW, Häfeli UO. Biodistribution of Native and Nanoformulated Innate Defense Regulator Peptide 1002. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:2751-2766. [PMID: 38693707 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c01169] [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: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Innate defense regulator-1002 (IDR-1002) is a synthetic peptide with promising immunomodulatory and antibiofilm properties. An appreciable body of work exists around its mechanism of action at the cellular and molecular level, along with its efficacy across several infection and inflammation models. However, little is known about its absorption, distribution, and excretion in live organisms. Here, we performed a comprehensive biodistribution assessment with a gallium-67 radiolabeled derivative of IDR-1002 using nuclear tracing techniques. Various dose levels of the radiotracer (2-40 mg/kg) were administered into the blood, peritoneal cavity, and subcutaneous tissue, or instilled into the lungs. The peptide was well tolerated at all subcutaneous and intraperitoneal doses, although higher levels were associated with delayed absorption kinetics and precipitation of the peptide within the tissues. Low intratracheal doses were rapidly absorbed systemically, and small increases in the dose level were lethal. Intravenous doses were rapidly cleared from the blood at lower levels, and upon escalation, were toxic with a high proportion of the dose accumulating within the lung tissue. To improve biocompatibility and prolong its circulation within the blood, IDR-1002 was further formulated onto high molecular weight hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) polymers. Constructs prepared at 5:1 and 10:1 peptide-to-polymer ratios were colloidally stable, maintained the biological profile of the peptide payload and helped reduce red blood cell lysis. The 5:1 construct circulated well in the blood, but higher peptide loading was associated with rapid clearance by the reticuloendothelial system. Many peptides face pharmacokinetic and biocompatibility challenges, but formulations such as those with HPG have the potential to overcome these limitations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tullio V F Esposito
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Colin Blackadar
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lan Wu
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, British Columbia, Canada
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Wenhua Road No. 103, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Cristina Rodríguez-Rodríguez
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Evan F Haney
- Centre for Microbial Disease and Immunity Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, British Columbia, Canada
- Asep Medical Holdings, 420 - 730 View Street, Victoria V8W 3Y7, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Daniel Pletzer
- Centre for Microbial Disease and Immunity Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Katayoun Saatchi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Robert E W Hancock
- Centre for Microbial Disease and Immunity Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Urs O Häfeli
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1172, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Master NG, Markande AR. Importance of microbial amphiphiles: interaction potential of biosurfactants, amyloids, and other exo-polymeric-substances. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:320. [PMID: 37747579 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03751-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms produce a diverse group of biomolecules having amphipathic nature (amphiphiles). Microbial amphiphiles, including amyloids, bio-surfactants, and other exo-polymeric substances, play a crucial role in various biological processes and have gained significant attention recently. Although diverse in biochemical composition, these amphiphiles have been reported for common microbial traits like biofilm formation and pathogenicity due to their ability to act as surface active agents with active interfacial properties essential for microbes to grow in various niches. This enables microbes to reduce surface tension, emulsification, dispersion, and attachment at the interface. In this report, the ecological importance and biotechnological usage of important amphiphiles have been discussed. The low molecular weight amphiphiles like biosurfactants, siderophores, and peptides showing helical and antimicrobial activities have been extensively reported for their ability to work as quorum-sensing mediators. While high molecular weight amphiphiles make up amyloid fibers, exopolysaccharides, liposomes, or magnetosomes have been shown to have a significant influence in deciding microbial physiology and survival. In this report, we have discussed the functional similarities and biochemical variations of several amphipathic biomolecules produced by microbes, and the present report shows these amphiphiles showing polyphyletic and ecophysiological groups of microorganisms and hence can `be replaced in biotechnological applications depending on the compatibility of the processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nishita G Master
- Department of Biological Sciences, P.D. Patel Institute of Applied Sciences (PDPIAS), Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT), Changa, Anand, Gujarat, 388421, India
| | - Anoop R Markande
- Department of Biological Sciences, P.D. Patel Institute of Applied Sciences (PDPIAS), Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT), Changa, Anand, Gujarat, 388421, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jain M, Stitt G, Son L, Enioutina EY. Probiotics and Their Bioproducts: A Promising Approach for Targeting Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2393. [PMID: 37894051 PMCID: PMC10608974 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a serious global health problem that poses a threat to the successful treatment of various bacterial infections, especially those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Conventional treatment of MRSA and VRE infections is challenging and often requires alternative or combination therapies that may have limited efficacy, higher costs, and/or more adverse effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find new strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Probiotics and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are two promising approaches that have shown potential benefits in various diseases. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts. AMPs, usually produced with probiotic bacteria, are short amino acid sequences that have broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Both probiotics and AMPs can modulate the host immune system, inhibit the growth and adhesion of pathogens, disrupt biofilms, and enhance intestinal barrier function. In this paper, we review the current knowledge on the role of probiotics and AMPs in targeting multi-drug-resistant bacteria, with a focus on MRSA and VRE. In addition, we discuss future directions for the clinical use of probiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Elena Y. Enioutina
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA; (M.J.); (G.S.); (L.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Two Foreign Antimicrobial Peptides Expressed in the Chloroplast of Porphyridium purpureum Possessed Antibacterial Properties. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20080484. [PMID: 36005487 PMCID: PMC9409725 DOI: 10.3390/md20080484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
To solve the problem of antibiotic abuse in aquaculture and to utilize the application potential of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), a chloroplast transformation system of Porphyridium purpureum was successfully constructed for effectively expressing two exogenous AMPs. The endogenous fragments of 16S rDNA/trnA-23S rDNA were used as flanking fragments for the homologous recombination in the chloroplast genome. Two AMPs encoded by the transformation vector were controlled by the native promoter psbB in a polycistron. The plasmids were transferred into P. purpureum via particle bombardment and the transformation vectors were screened using phosphinothricin (bar), a dominant selection marker under the control of the psbA promoter. Subsequently, in the positive transformed colonies, the exogenous fragments were found to be inserted in the flanking fragments directionally as expected and two foreign AMPs were successfully obtained. Finally, two exogenous peptides with antibacterial properties were obtained from the transformed strain. The two AMPs expressed by the transformed strain were shown to have similar inhibitory effects to antibiotics by inhibition tests. This suggested that AMPs can be introduced into aquaculture using baited microalgae, providing new ideas and ways to solve a series of aquaculture diseases caused by bacteria.
Collapse
|
6
|
Pohl C, Effantin G, Kandiah E, Meier S, Zeng G, Streicher W, Segura DR, Mygind PH, Sandvang D, Nielsen LA, Peters GHJ, Schoehn G, Mueller-Dieckmann C, Noergaard A, Harris P. pH- and concentration-dependent supramolecular assembly of a fungal defensin plectasin variant into helical non-amyloid fibrils. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3162. [PMID: 35672293 PMCID: PMC9174238 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30462-w] [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: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-assembly and fibril formation play important roles in protein behaviour. Amyloid fibril formation is well-studied due to its role in neurodegenerative diseases and characterized by refolding of the protein into predominantly β-sheet form. However, much less is known about the assembly of proteins into other types of supramolecular structures. Using cryo-electron microscopy at a resolution of 1.97 Å, we show that a triple-mutant of the anti-microbial peptide plectasin, PPI42, assembles into helical non-amyloid fibrils. The in vitro anti-microbial activity was determined and shown to be enhanced compared to the wildtype. Plectasin contains a cysteine-stabilised α-helix-β-sheet structure, which remains intact upon fibril formation. Two protofilaments form a right-handed protein fibril. The fibril formation is reversible and follows sigmoidal kinetics with a pH- and concentration dependent equilibrium between soluble monomer and protein fibril. This high-resolution structure reveals that α/β proteins can natively assemble into fibrils. Here the authors report the cryo-EM structure of a triple-mutant of the anti-microbial peptide plectasin, PPI42, assembling in a pH- and concentration dependent manner into helical non-amyloid fibrils. The fibrils formation is reversible, and follows a sigmoidal kinetics. The fibrils adopt a right-handed helical superstructure composed by two protofilaments, stabilized by an outer hydrophobic ring and an inner hydrophobic centre. These findings reveal that α/β proteins can natively assemble into fibrils.
Collapse
|
7
|
Huang Y, Yang N, Teng D, Mao R, Hao Y, Ma X, Wei L, Wang J. Antibacterial peptide NZ2114-loaded hydrogel accelerates Staphylococcus aureus-infected wound healing. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:3639-3656. [PMID: 35524777 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-11943-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Wound infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a great challenge which has caused significant burden and economic loss to the medical system. NZ2114, a plectasin-derived peptide, is an antibacterial agent for preventing and treating S. aureus infection, especially for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection. Here, three-dimensional reticulated antimicrobial peptide (AMP) NZ2114 hydrogels were developed based on hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and sodium alginate (SA); they displayed sustained and stable release properties (97.88 ± 1.79% and 91.1 ± 10.52% release rate in 72 h, respectively) and good short-term cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility. But the HPC-NZ2114 hydrogel had a smaller pore size (diameter 0.832 ± 0.420 μm vs. 3.912 ± 2.881 μm) and better mechanical properties than that of the SA-NZ2114 hydrogel. HPC/SA-NZ2114 hydrogels possess efficient antimicrobial activity in vitro and in vivo. In a full-thickness skin defect model, the wound closure of the 1.024 mg/g HPC-NZ2114 hydrogel group was superior to those of the SA-NZ2114 hydrogel and antibiotic groups on day 7. The HPC-NZ2114 hydrogel accelerated wound healing by reducing inflammation and promoting the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial growth factor (EGF) and angiogenesis (CD31) through histological and immunohistochemistry evaluation. These data indicated that the HPC-NZ2114 hydrogel is an excellent candidate for S. aureus infection wound dressing. KEY POINTS: •NZ2114 hydrogels showed potential in vitro bactericidal activity against S. aureus •NZ2114 hydrogels could release continuously for 72 h and had good biocompatibility •NZ2114 hydrogels could effectively promote S. aureus-infected wound healing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Huang
- School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology - WIT, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, and Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haidian District, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Yang
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, and Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haidian District, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
| | - Da Teng
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, and Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haidian District, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruoyu Mao
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, and Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haidian District, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Hao
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, and Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haidian District, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuanxuan Ma
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, and Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haidian District, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingyun Wei
- School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology - WIT, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, and Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haidian District, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hao Y, Wang J, de la Fuente-Nunez C, Franco OL. Editorial: Antimicrobial Peptides: Molecular Design, Structure-Function Relationship, and Biosynthesis Optimization. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:888540. [PMID: 35495692 PMCID: PMC9040076 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.888540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ya Hao
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Octavio Luiz Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
A study on fungal defensin against multidrug-resistant Clostridium perfringens and its treatment on infected poultry. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:7265-7282. [PMID: 34491399 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11500-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity and mechanisms of plectasin-derived peptide NZ2114 in vitro and its therapeutic effects in vivo on broilers challenged with Clostridium perfringens. In vitro assay showed that NZ2114 had potent (minimal inhibitory concentration, 0.91 μM) and rapid antibacterial activity (99.9% reduction within 2 h), and the dual antibacterial mechanisms (including interfering with the cell membrane and intracellular DNA) against C. perfringens CVCC 2030. In vivo study, NZ2114 tended to increase linearly and quadratically the average daily gain as NZ2114 level increased and was the highest at 20 mg/L. NZ2114 at 10 ~ 40 mg/L dramatically reduced jejunal lesion score. Besides, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β tended to downregulate linearly and quadratically as the NZ2114 level increased and were all the lowest at the dose of 20 mg/L. NZ2114 significantly upregulated those levels of IgA, IgG, IgM, and sIgA with a linear and quadratic dose effect, with the highest IgA, IgG, IgM, and sIgA at 20 mg/L. Finally, NZ2114 tended to linearly and quadratically increase the numerical value of crypt depth, with the lowest value at 40 mg/L. Lincomycin only dramatically reduced the jejunal lesion score and increased the numerical value of crypt depth. These results indicate that NZ2114 has the potential as a new alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of C. perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis infection.Key points• NZ2114 could kill C. perfringens by dual antibacterial mechanisms• Broiler necrotic enteritis model induced by C. perfringens was established• NZ2114 treatment could ameliorate C. perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis.
Collapse
|
10
|
Liu H, Yang N, Teng D, Mao R, Hao Y, Ma X, Wang J. Design and Pharmacodynamics of Recombinant Fungus Defensin NZL with Improved Activity against Staphylococcus hyicus In Vitro and In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115435. [PMID: 34063982 PMCID: PMC8196787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus hyicus is recognized as a leading pathogen of exudative epidermitis in modern swine industry. Antimicrobial peptides are attractive candidates for development as potential therapeutics to combat the serious threats of the resistance of S. hyicus. In this study, a series of derivatives were designed based on the NZ2114 template with the aim of obtaining peptides with more potent antimicrobial activity through changing net positive charge or hydrophobicity. Among them, a variant designated as NZL was highly expressed in Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris) with total secreted protein of 1505 mg/L in a 5-L fermenter and exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity relative to parent peptide NZ2114. Additionally, NZL could kill over 99% of S. hyicus NCTC10350 in vitro within 8 h and in Hacat cells. The results of membrane permeabilization assay, morphological observations, peptide localization assay showed that NZL had potent activity against S. hyicus, which maybe kill S. hyicus through action on the cell wall. NZL also showed an effective therapy in a mouse peritonitis model caused by S. hyicus, superior to NZ2114 or ceftriaxone. Overall, these findings can contribute to explore a novel potential candidate against S. hyicus infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- He Liu
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.L.); (N.Y.); (D.T.); (R.M.); (Y.H.); (X.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Na Yang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.L.); (N.Y.); (D.T.); (R.M.); (Y.H.); (X.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Da Teng
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.L.); (N.Y.); (D.T.); (R.M.); (Y.H.); (X.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ruoyu Mao
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.L.); (N.Y.); (D.T.); (R.M.); (Y.H.); (X.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ya Hao
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.L.); (N.Y.); (D.T.); (R.M.); (Y.H.); (X.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xuanxuan Ma
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.L.); (N.Y.); (D.T.); (R.M.); (Y.H.); (X.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (H.L.); (N.Y.); (D.T.); (R.M.); (Y.H.); (X.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-10-82106081 or +86-10-82106079; Fax: +86-10-82106079
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Buccini DF, Cardoso MH, Franco OL. Antimicrobial Peptides and Cell-Penetrating Peptides for Treating Intracellular Bacterial Infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:612931. [PMID: 33614528 PMCID: PMC7892433 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.612931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infections caused by intracellular pathogens are difficult to control. Conventional antibiotic therapies are often ineffective, as high doses are needed to increase the number of antibiotics that will cross the host cell membrane to act on the intracellular bacterium. Moreover, higher doses of antibiotics may lead to elevated severe toxic effects against host cells. In this context, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have shown great potential to treat such infections by acting directly on the intracellular pathogenic bacterium or performing the delivery of cargos with antibacterial activities. Therefore, in this mini-review, we cover the main AMPs and CPPs described to date, aiming at intracellular bacterial infection treatment. Moreover, we discuss some of the proposed mechanisms of action for these peptide classes and their conjugation with other antimicrobials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danieli F Buccini
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Marlon H Cardoso
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Octavio L Franco
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wu J, Qu C, Zhang S, Chen W, Wang S. The second N-terminal aromatic residue of the fungal defensin, blapersin, of Blastomyces percursus is essential for its antibacterial activity. Peptides 2020; 133:170400. [PMID: 32871207 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2020.170400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Studies have shown that the second N-terminal residue of fungal defensins is closely involved in the binding of defensins to lipid II, a bacterial cell wall precursor, and plays an important role in antibacterial activity. We found that the N-terminal residue is always aromatic in nature. In this study, 29 fungal defensin-like peptides were found via the genomic search strategy. Based on the type of aromatic residue at the second N-terminal site, we mainly divided these peptides into Phe, Trp, and Tyr types. We selected and characterized a defensin, blapersin, derived from Blastomyces percursus as a molecular model to investigate the functional significance of the N-terminal site. The native blapersin killed a wide spectrum of gram-positive bacteria at low molecular concentrations. Its aromatic mutants, W2F and W2Y, displayed enhanced antimicrobial activity, especially against the vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. The aromatic side chains containing Phe2 and Tyr2 seem to be more favorable for the antibacterial activity of blapersin those containing Trp2. However, the nonaromatic mutant W2A had almost no antibacterial activity. This indicates that the second N-terminal aromatic residue is essential for the antimicrobial action of blapersin. All these defensins have high stability and low toxicity. This is the first report on the enhancement of antibacterial activity by calibration of the N-terminal aromatic residue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wu
- Food Biological Manufacturing Laboratory, China Meat Research Center, Beijing 100068, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Meat Processing Technology, Beijing 100068, China
| | - Chao Qu
- Food Biological Manufacturing Laboratory, China Meat Research Center, Beijing 100068, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Meat Processing Technology, Beijing 100068, China
| | - Shunliang Zhang
- Food Biological Manufacturing Laboratory, China Meat Research Center, Beijing 100068, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Meat Processing Technology, Beijing 100068, China
| | - Wenhua Chen
- Food Biological Manufacturing Laboratory, China Meat Research Center, Beijing 100068, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Meat Processing Technology, Beijing 100068, China
| | - Shouwei Wang
- Food Biological Manufacturing Laboratory, China Meat Research Center, Beijing 100068, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Meat Processing Technology, Beijing 100068, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
A new high-yielding antimicrobial peptide NZX and its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus hyicus in vitro/vivo. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:1555-1568. [PMID: 31900561 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10313-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus hyicus, considered as a leading pathogen of exudative epidermitis, is a serious threat to humans and animals. The emergency of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, especially in human and animal health fields, leads to an urgent need of exploration of new antimicrobial agents. In this study, NZX, a plectasin-derived peptide, was firstly expressed in Pichia pastoris X-33 and was purified by cation exchange chromatography, followed by detection of its antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that the total secreted protein concentration in fermentation supernatant was up to 2820 mg/L (29 °C) after 120-h induction in a 5-L fermentor. The yield of NZX reached up to 965 mg/L with a purity of 92.6%. The recombinant expressed NZX had a strong antimicrobial activity, high stability, and low toxicity. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of NZX and ceftriaxone (CRO) against Gram-positive bacteria were 0.46 to 0.91 μM and 6.04 to 12.09 μM, respectively. The time-killing curves showed that S. hyicus NCTC10350 was killed completely by 2× and 4 × MIC of NZX within 24 h. NZX also exhibited the intracellular activity against S. hyicus in Hacat cells. After treatment with NZX (10 mg/kg) and CRO (60 mg/kg), the survival rates of mice were 100% and 83.3%, respectively. NZX inhibited the bacterial translocation, downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-6), upregulated the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), and ameliorated multiple-organ injuries (the liver, spleen, lung, and kidney). This study provides evidence that the expressed NZX has the potential to become a powerful candidate as novel antimicrobial agents against S. hyicus infections.
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhao F, Yang N, Wang X, Mao R, Hao Y, Li Z, Wang X, Teng D, Fan H, Wang J. In vitro/ vivo Mechanism of Action of MP1102 With Low/Nonresistance Against Streptococcus suis Type 2 Strain CVCC 3928. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:48. [PMID: 30863725 PMCID: PMC6399382 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcosis is recognized as a leading infectious disease in the swine industry. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is regarded as the most virulent species, which threatens human and pig health and causes serious economic losses. In this study, multiple in vitro and in vivo effects of MP1102 on multidrug resistant S. suis was studied for the first time. MP1102 exhibited significant antibacterial activity against S. suis (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC = 0.028–0.228 μM), rapid bacteriocidal action, a longer postantibiotic effect than ceftriaxone, and a synergistic or additive effect with lincomycin, penicillin, and ceftriaxone (FICI = 0.29–0.96). No resistant mutants appeared after 30 serial passages of S. suis in the presence of MP1102. Flow cytometric analysis and electron microscopy observations showed that MP1102 destroyed S. suis cell membrane integrity and affected S. suis cell ultrastructure and membrane morphology. Specifically, a significantly wrinkled surface, intracellular content leakage, and cell lysis were noted, establishing a cyto-basis of nonresistance to this pathogen. DNA gel retardation and circular dichroism analysis indicated that MP1102 interacted with DNA by binding to DNA and changing the DNA conformation, even leading to the disappearance of the helical structure. This result further supported the mechanistic basis of nonresistance via interaction with an intracellular target, which could serve as a means of secondary injury after MP1102 is transported across the membrane. Upon treatment with 2.5–5.0 mg/kg MP1102, the survival of mice challenged with S. suis was 83.3–100%. MP1102 decreased bacterial translocation in liver, lung, spleen, and blood; inhibited the release of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α; and relieved the lung, liver, and spleen from acute injury induced by S. suis. These results suggest that MP1102 is a potent novel antibacterial agent for the treatment of porcine streptococcal disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhao
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China.,Tianjin Animal Science and Veterinary Research Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Na Yang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Ruoyu Mao
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Ya Hao
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanzhan Li
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Da Teng
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Fan
- Tianjin Animal Science and Veterinary Research Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Luo X, Zhu W, Ding L, Ye X, Gao H, Tai X, Wu Z, Qian Y, Ruan X, Li J, Li S, Chen Z. Bldesin, the first functionally characterized pathogenic fungus defensin with Kv1.3 channel and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2018; 33:e22244. [PMID: 30381903 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Fungus defensin is a kind of important natural peptide resource, such as plectasin from the soil fungus Pseudoplectania nigrella with potential application in the antimicrobial peptide lead drug discovery. Here, a fungus defensin named Bldesin with Kv1.3 channel and serine protease inhibitory activities was first explored. By GST-Bldesin fusion expression and enterokinase cleaving strategy, recombinant Bldesin was obtained successfully. Antimicrobial assays showed that Bldesin had potent activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, but had no effect on Gram-negative Escherichia coli. Electrophysiological experiments showed that Bldesin had Kv1.3 channel inhibitory activity. Serine protease inhibitory associated experiments showed that Bldesin had unique chymotrypsin protease inhibitory, elastase protease inhibitory, and serine protease-associated coagulation inhibitory activities. To the best of our knowledge, Bldesin is the first functionally characterized pathogenic fungus defensin with Kv1.3 channel and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities and highlighted novel pharmacological effects of fungus-derived defensin peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Wen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Dongfeng hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Xiangdong Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Huanhuan Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Xuejiao Tai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Zheng Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Yi Qian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Xuzhi Ruan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Zongyun Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tenland E, Krishnan N, Rönnholm A, Kalsum S, Puthia M, Mörgelin M, Davoudi M, Otrocka M, Alaridah N, Glegola-Madejska I, Sturegård E, Schmidtchen A, Lerm M, Robertson BD, Godaly G. A novel derivative of the fungal antimicrobial peptide plectasin is active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2018; 113:231-238. [PMID: 30514507 PMCID: PMC6289163 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis has been reaffirmed as the infectious disease causing most deaths in the world. Co-infection with HIV and the increase in multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains complicate treatment and increases mortality rates, making the development of new drugs an urgent priority. In this study we have identified a promising candidate by screening antimicrobial peptides for their capacity to inhibit mycobacterial growth. This non-toxic peptide, NZX, is capable of inhibiting both clinical strains of M. tuberculosis and an MDR strain at therapeutic concentrations. The therapeutic potential of NZX is further supported in vivo where NZX significantly lowered the bacterial load with only five days of treatment, comparable to rifampicin treatment over the same period. NZX possesses intracellular inhibitory capacity and co-localizes with intracellular bacteria in infected murine lungs. In conclusion, the data presented strongly supports the therapeutic potential of NZX in future anti-TB treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik Tenland
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology, Institution of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Nitya Krishnan
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Anna Rönnholm
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology, Institution of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sadaf Kalsum
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Manoj Puthia
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Institution of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Mina Davoudi
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Institution of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Magdalena Otrocka
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nader Alaridah
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology, Institution of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Izabela Glegola-Madejska
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Erik Sturegård
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Institution of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Artur Schmidtchen
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Institution of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Lerm
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Brian D Robertson
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Gabriela Godaly
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology, Institution of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chen Q, Cheng P, Ma C, Xi X, Wang L, Zhou M, Bian H, Chen T. Evaluating the Bioactivity of a Novel Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Peptide Brevinin-1GHa from the Frog Skin Secretion of Hylarana guentheri and Its Analogues. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10100413. [PMID: 30322120 PMCID: PMC6215227 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10100413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Many antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been identified from the skin secretion of the frog Hylarana guentheri (H.guentheri), including Temporin, Brevinin-1, and Brevinin-2. In this study, an antimicrobial peptide named Brevinin-1GHa was identified for the first time by using ‘shotgun’ cloning. The primary structure was also confirmed through mass spectral analysis of the skin secretion purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). There was a Rana-box (CKISKKC) in the C-terminal of Brevinin-1GHa, which formed an intra-disulfide bridge. To detect the significance of Rana-box and reduce the hemolytic activity, we chemically synthesized Brevinin-1GHb (without Rana-box) and Brevinin-1GHc (Rana-box in central position). Brevinin-1GHa exhibited a strong and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against seven microorganisms, while Brevinin-1GHb only inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which indicates Rana-box was necessary for the antimicrobial activity of Brevinin-1GHa. The results of Brevinin-1GHc suggested transferring Rana-box to the central position could reduce the hemolytic activity, but the antimicrobial activity also declined. Additionally, Brevinin-1GHa demonstrated the capability of permeating cell membrane and eliminating biofilm of S. aureus, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Candida albicans (C. albicans). The discovery of this research may provide some novel insights into natural antimicrobial drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Peng Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
| | - Chengbang Ma
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Xinping Xi
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Huimin Bian
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, China.
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Jiao J, Mao R, Teng D, Wang X, Hao Y, Yang N, Wang X, Feng X, Wang J. In vitro and in vivo antibacterial effect of NZ2114 against Streptococcus suis type 2 infection in mice peritonitis models. AMB Express 2017; 7:44. [PMID: 28220445 PMCID: PMC5318318 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-017-0347-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
NZ2114 is a promising candidate for therapeutic application owing to potent activity to gram-positive bacterium such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. This work is the first report to describe the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial characteristics of NZ2114 against Streptococcus suis. It exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against S. suis type 2 strains CVCC 606, CVCC 3309, and CVCC 3928 at a low minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.03–0.06 μM. The NZ2114 killed over 99.9% of tested S. suis CVCC 606 in Mueller–Hinton medium within 4 h when treated with 4 × MIC. It caused only less than 0.25% hemolytic activity in the concentration of 256 μg/ml. Additionally, NZ2114 exhibited potent in vivo activity to S. suis. All mice were survival when the dosage was low to 0.2 mg/kg. Over 99% of S. suis cells were killed within 4 h in blood, lung, liver and spleen with dosage of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg in mice peritonitis models and no pathogen were detected after 24 h of treatment. Further, no pathological phenomenon in lung and low level of inflammatory cytokines in blood were detected. These results indicate that NZ2114 has the potential to be a new antimicrobial agent candidate for the clinical treatment of infection caused by S. suis type 2.
Collapse
|
19
|
Chen H, Mao R, Teng D, Wang X, Hao Y, Feng X, Wang J. Design and pharmacodynamics of recombinant NZ2114 histidine mutants with improved activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. AMB Express 2017; 7:46. [PMID: 28229435 PMCID: PMC5321639 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-017-0345-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
NZ2114 is a promising candidate for therapeutic application owing to its potent activity to Staphylococcus aureus. Our objective was to identify NZ2114 derivatives with improved activity through substitution of His16 and His18 with residues Arginine and Lysine. Eight mutants were designed and expressed in Pichia pastoris X-33 via pPICZαA. Five of them exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against S. aureus at low minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.057-0.454 μM. Among them, H1, H2, and H3 showed ideal pharmacodynamic effects on methicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC43300. The total protein level of H1, H2, and H3 reached 1.70, 1.77 and 1.54 g/l at 120 h of induction in the 5-l fermenter, respectively. They killed over 99.9% of pathogens within 1.5 h at 2× and 4× MIC. The post antibiotic effect of H1, H2 and H3 to S. aureus ATCC43300 was 2.94, 1.75 and 1.55 h at 2× MIC, which was similar with their original peptide NZ2114 (1.43 h) and vancomycin (1.72 h). The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) indicated indifferent effects between H1, H2, H3 and vancomycin, ampicillin, rifampicin. Additionally, they had low hemolysis and high stability in different environments (temperature, pH, proteases, and saline ions). All results indicate that H1, H2, and H3 can be produced in large-scale and have potential as therapeutic drugs against MRSA.
Collapse
|
20
|
Franzoi M, van Heuvel Y, Thomann S, Schürch N, Kallio PT, Venier P, Essig A. Structural Insights into the Mode of Action of the Peptide Antibiotic Copsin. Biochemistry 2017; 56:4992-5001. [PMID: 28825809 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Defensins make up a class of cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides, expressed by virtually all eukaryotes as part of their innate immune response. Because of their unique mode of action and rapid killing of pathogenic microbes, defensins are considered promising alternatives to clinically applied antibiotics. Copsin is a defensin-like peptide, previously identified in the mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea. It exerts its activity against a range of Gram-positive bacteria by binding to the peptidoglycan precursor lipid II and prevention of proper cell wall formation. In this study, we present a new workflow for the generation, production, and activity-driven selection of copsin derivatives, based on their expression in Pichia pastoris. One hundred fifty-two single-amino acid mutants and combinations thereof allowed the identification of k-copsin, a peptide variant exhibiting significantly enhanced activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, we performed in silico characterizations of membrane interactions of copsin and k-copsin, in the presence and absence of lipid II. The molecular dynamics data highlighted a high variability in lipid II binding, with a preference for the MurNAc moiety with 47 and 35% of the total contacts for copsin and k-copsin, respectively. Mutated amino acids were located in loop regions of k-copsin and shown to be crucial in the perturbation of the bacterial membrane. These structural studies provide a better understanding of how defensins can be developed toward antibacterial therapies less prone to resistance issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Franzoi
- Department of Biology, University of Padova , Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Yasemin van Heuvel
- Institute of Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich , CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Thomann
- Biology Division, Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection , CH-3700 Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Schürch
- Biology Division, Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection , CH-3700 Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Pauli T Kallio
- Institute of Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich , CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paola Venier
- Department of Biology, University of Padova , Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Andreas Essig
- Institute of Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich , CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Umerska A, Cassisa V, Bastiat G, Matougui N, Nehme H, Manero F, Eveillard M, Saulnier P. Synergistic interactions between antimicrobial peptides derived from plectasin and lipid nanocapsules containing monolaurin as a cosurfactant against Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Nanomedicine 2017; 12:5687-5699. [PMID: 28848347 PMCID: PMC5557623 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s139625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of effective antibacterial agents for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria resistant to existing antibiotics, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is an area of intensive research. In this work, the antibacterial efficacy of two antimicrobial peptides derived from plectasin, AP114 and AP138, used alone and in combination with monolaurin-lipid nanocapsules (ML-LNCs) was evaluated. Several interesting findings emerged from the present study. First, ML-LNCs and both plectasin derivatives showed potent activity against all 14 tested strains of S. aureus, independent of their resistance phenotype. Both peptides displayed a considerable adsorption (33%-62%) onto ML-LNCs without having an important impact on the particle properties such as size. The combinations of peptide with ML-LNC displayed synergistic effect against S. aureus, as confirmed by two methods: checkerboard and time-kill assays. This synergistic interaction enables a dose reduction and consequently decreases the risk of toxicity and has the potential of minimizing the development of resistance. Together, these results suggest that ML-LNCs loaded with a plectasin derivative may be a very promising drug delivery system for further development as a novel antibacterial agent against S. aureus, including MRSA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Umerska
- MINT, UNIV Angers, INSERM 1066, CNRS 6021, Université Bretagne Loire, Angers, Cedex, France
| | | | - Guillaume Bastiat
- MINT, UNIV Angers, INSERM 1066, CNRS 6021, Université Bretagne Loire, Angers, Cedex, France
| | - Nada Matougui
- MINT, UNIV Angers, INSERM 1066, CNRS 6021, Université Bretagne Loire, Angers, Cedex, France
| | - Hassan Nehme
- MINT, UNIV Angers, INSERM 1066, CNRS 6021, Université Bretagne Loire, Angers, Cedex, France
| | - Florence Manero
- SCIAM (Service Commun d'Imagerie et d'Analyses Microscopiques), Angers, France
| | - Matthieu Eveillard
- Equipe ATIP AVENIR, CRCINA, Inserm, Université de Nantes, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Patrick Saulnier
- MINT, UNIV Angers, INSERM 1066, CNRS 6021, Université Bretagne Loire, Angers, Cedex, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Controlled Release of Plectasin NZ2114 from a Hybrid Silicone-Hydrogel Material for Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.00604-17. [PMID: 28507110 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00604-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen in catheter-related infections. Modifying catheter material with interpenetrating polymer networks is a novel material technology that allows for impregnation with drugs and subsequent controlled release. Here, we evaluated the potential for combining this system with plectasin derivate NZ2114 in an attempt to design an S. aureus biofilm-resistant catheter. The material demonstrated promising antibiofilm properties, including properties against methicillin-resistant S. aureus, thus suggesting a novel application of this antimicrobial peptide.
Collapse
|
23
|
Lima LA, de Vries R, Biswaro LS, Vasconcelos IM, Franco OL, Dias SC. Fusion of plectasin derivative NZ2114 with hydrophilic random coil polypeptide: Recombinant production in Pichia pastoris and antimicrobial activity against clinical strain MRSA. Biopolymers 2017; 110. [PMID: 28608428 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23034] [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: 12/03/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
One of the roadblocks towards the practical use of antimicrobial peptides for medical use is their relatively high cost when synthesized chemically. Effective recombinant production has only been successful in some cases, such as the previously reported production in Pichia pastoris of the antimicrobial plectasin derivative peptide NZ2114. The same production host has also been used extensively to produce so-called protein-polymers: sequences that consist of repetitions of simple amino acid motifs found in structural proteins such as collagen and elastin, and that can be designed to self-assemble in micelles, fibers and hydrogels. With the eventual goal of producing recombinant biomaterials such as antimicrobial protein polymer, we here explore the secreted production in Pichia pastoris of a fusion of NZ2114 with a hydrophilic random coil protein polymer CP4 . The intact NZ2114-CP4 fusion copolymer was produced with a yield of purified protein on the order of 1 g.L-1 supernatant. We find that purified NZ2114-CP4 has an activity against clinical strain MRSA, but very much lower than activity of chemically synthesized NZ2114. We conclude that possibly, the activity of NZ2114 is impaired by the C-terminal attachment to the protein polymer chain, but other reasons for the low activity cannot yet be excluded either. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L A Lima
- Centro de Análises, Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - R de Vries
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - L S Biswaro
- Centro de Análises, Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - I M Vasconcelos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - O L Franco
- Centro de Análises, Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- S-Inova, Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - S C Dias
- Centro de Análises, Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
|
25
|
Starr CG, He J, Wimley WC. Host Cell Interactions Are a Significant Barrier to the Clinical Utility of Peptide Antibiotics. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:3391-3399. [PMID: 27797468 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b00843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite longstanding promise and many known examples, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have failed, thus far, to impact human medicine. On the basis of the physical chemistry and mechanism of action of AMPs, we hypothesized that host cell interactions could contribute to a loss of activity in vivo where host cells are highly concentrated. To test this idea, we characterized AMP activity in the presence of human red blood cells (RBC). Indeed, we show that most of a representative set of natural and synthetic AMPs tested are significantly inhibited by preincubation with host cells and would be effectively inactive at physiological cell density. We studied an example broad-spectrum AMP, ARVA (RRGWALRLVLAY), in a direct, label-free binding assay. We show that weak binding to host cells, coupled with their high concentration, is sufficient to account for a loss of useful activity, for at least some AMPs, because >1 × 108 peptides must be bound to each bacterial cell to achieve sterilization. The effect of host cell preincubation on AMP activity is comparable to that of serum protein binding. Feasible changes in host cell binding could lead to AMPs that do not lose activity through interaction with host cells. We suggest that the intentional identification of AMPs that are active in the presence of concentrated host cells can be achieved with a paradigm shift in the way AMPs are discovered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles G. Starr
- Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Jing He
- Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - William C. Wimley
- Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Comparative Efficacies of Tedizolid Phosphate, Linezolid, and Vancomycin in a Murine Model of Subcutaneous Catheter-Related Biofilm Infection Due to Methicillin-Susceptible and -Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:5092-6. [PMID: 27297485 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00880-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tedizolid, a novel oxazolidinone, exhibits bacteriostatic activity through inhibition of protein synthesis. The efficacies of tedizolid, linezolid, and vancomycin were compared in a murine catheter-related biofilm infection caused by methicillin-susceptible and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA, respectively) strains engineered for bioluminescence. We observed significantly improved efficacy in terms of decreased S. aureus densities and bioluminescent signals in the tedizolid-treated group versus the linezolid- and vancomycin-treated groups in the model of infection caused by the MSSA and MRSA strains.
Collapse
|
27
|
Ng TB, Cheung RCF, Wong JH, Chan YS, Dan X, Pan W, Wang H, Guan S, Chan K, Ye X, Liu F, Xia L, Chan WY. Fungal proteinaceous compounds with multiple biological activities. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:6601-6617. [PMID: 27338574 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7671-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fungi comprise organisms like molds, yeasts and mushrooms. They have been used as food or medicine for a long time. A large number of fungal proteins or peptides with diverse biological activities are considered as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticancer agents. They encompass proteases, ribosome inactivating proteins, defensins, hemolysins, lectins, laccases, ribonucleases, immunomodulatory proteins, and polysaccharopeptides. The target of the present review is to update the status of the various bioactivities of these fungal proteins and peptides and discuss their therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tzi Bun Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Randy Chi Fai Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jack Ho Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Yau Sang Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease for Allergy at Shenzhen University, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuli Dan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenliang Pan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hexiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology and Department of Microbiology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Suzhen Guan
- Department of Social Medicine, College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, China
| | - Ki Chan
- Biomedical and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, 34 Hospital Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiuyun Ye
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lixin Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease for Allergy at Shenzhen University, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wai Yee Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Silva JP, Appelberg R, Gama FM. Antimicrobial peptides as novel anti-tuberculosis therapeutics. Biotechnol Adv 2016; 34:924-940. [PMID: 27235189 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), a disease caused by the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has recently joined HIV/AIDS as the world's deadliest infectious disease, affecting around 9.6 million people worldwide in 2014. Of those, about 1.2 million died from the disease. Resistance acquisition to existing antibiotics, with the subsequent emergence of Multi-Drug Resistant mycobacteria strains, together with an increasing economic burden, has urged the development of new anti-TB drugs. In this scope, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are small, cationic and amphipathic peptides that make part of the innate immune system, now arise as promising candidates for TB treatment. In this review, we analyze the potential of AMPs for this application. We address the mechanisms of action, advantages and disadvantages over conventional antibiotics and how problems associated with its use may be overcome to boost their therapeutic potential. Additionally, we address the challenges of translational development from benchside to bedside, evaluate the current development pipeline and analyze the expected global impact from a socio-economic standpoint. The quest for more efficient and more compliant anti-TB drugs, associated with the great therapeutic potential of emerging AMPs and the rising peptide market, provide an optimal environment for the emergence of AMPs as promising therapies. Still, their pharmacological properties need to be enhanced and manufacturing-associated issues need to be addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João P Silva
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal.
| | - Rui Appelberg
- Department of Immunophysiology, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Miguel Gama
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wu J, Gao B, Zhu S. Single‐point mutation‐mediated local amphipathic adjustment dramatically enhances antibacterial activity of a fungal defensin. FASEB J 2016; 30:2602-14. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201500157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Peptide Biology and Evolution, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
D-Amino acids incorporation in the frog skin-derived peptide esculentin-1a(1-21)NH2 is beneficial for its multiple functions. Amino Acids 2015; 47:2505-19. [PMID: 26162435 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-2041-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent promising future antibiotics. We have previously isolated esculentin-1a(1-21)NH2, a short peptide derived from the frog skin AMP esculentin-1a, with a potent anti-Pseudomonal activity. Here, we investigated additional functions of the peptide and properties responsible for these activities. For that purpose, we synthesized the peptide, as well as its structurally altered analog containing two D-amino acids. The peptides were then biophysically and biologically investigated for their cytotoxicity and immunomodulating activities. The data revealed that compared to the wild-type, the diastereomer: (1) is significantly less toxic towards mammalian cells, in agreement with its lower α-helical structure, as determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy; (2) is more effective against the biofilm form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (responsible for lung infections in cystic fibrosis sufferers), while maintaining a high activity against the free-living form of this important pathogen; (3) is more stable in serum; (4) has a higher activity in promoting migration of lung epithelial cells, and presumably in healing damaged lung tissue, and (5) disaggregates and detoxifies the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), albeit less than the wild-type. Light scattering studies revealed a correlation between anti-LPS activity and the ability to disaggregate the LPS. Besides shedding light on the multifunction properties of esculentin-1a(1-21)NH2, the D-amino acid containing isomer may serve as an attractive template for the development of new anti-Pseudomonal compounds with additional beneficial properties. Furthermore, together with other studies, incorporation of D-amino acids may serve as a general approach to optimize the future design of new AMPs.
Collapse
|
31
|
Breidenstein EBM, Courvalin P, Meziane-Cherif D. Antimicrobial Activity of Plectasin NZ2114 in Combination with Cell Wall Targeting Antibiotics Against VanA-Type Enterococcus faecalis. Microb Drug Resist 2015; 21:373-9. [PMID: 25785733 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2014.0221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptide plectasin targeting bacterial cell wall precursor Lipid II has been reported to be active against benzylpenicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae but less potent against vancomycin-resistant enterococci than their susceptible counterparts. The aim of this work was to test plectasin NZ2114 in combination with cell wall targeting antibiotics on vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis. The activity of antibiotic combinations was evaluated against VanA-type vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis strain BM4110/pIP816-1 by disk agar-induction, double-disk assay, determination of fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index, and time-kill curve. The results indicated that plectasin NZ2114 was synergistic in combination with teicoplanin, moenomycin, and dalbavancin but not with vancomycin, telavancin, penicillin G, bacitracin, ramoplanin, daptomycin, and fosfomycin. To gain an insight into the synergism, we tested other cell wall antibiotic combinations. Interestingly, synergy was observed between teicoplanin or moenomycin and the majority of the antibiotics tested; however, vancomycin was only synergistic with penicillin G. Other cell wall active antibiotics such as ramoplanin, bacitracin, and fosfomycin did not synergize. It appeared that most of the synergies observed involved inhibition of the transglycosylation step in peptidoglycan synthesis. These results suggest that teicoplanin, dalbavancin, vancomycin, and telavancin, although they all bind to the C-terminal D-Ala-D-Ala of Lipid II, might act on different stages of cell wall synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena B M Breidenstein
- Department of Microbiology, Unité des Agents Antibactériens, Institut Pasteur , Paris, France
| | - Patrice Courvalin
- Department of Microbiology, Unité des Agents Antibactériens, Institut Pasteur , Paris, France
| | - Djalal Meziane-Cherif
- Department of Microbiology, Unité des Agents Antibactériens, Institut Pasteur , Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Mao R, Teng D, Wang X, Zhang Y, Jiao J, Cao X, Wang J. Optimization of expression conditions for a novel NZ2114-derived antimicrobial peptide-MP1102 under the control of the GAP promoter in Pichia pastoris X-33. BMC Microbiol 2015; 15:57. [PMID: 25887810 PMCID: PMC4373065 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-015-0389-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The infections caused by antibiotic multidrug-resistant bacteria seriously threaten human health. To prevent and cure the infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, new antimicrobial agents are required. Antimicrobial peptides are ideal therapy candidates for antibiotic-resistant pathogens. However, due to high production costs, novel methods of large-scale production are urgently needed. Results The novel plectasin-derived antimicrobial peptide-MP1102 gene was constitutively expressed under the control of the GAP promoter. The optimum carbon source and concentration were determined, and 4% glucose (w/v) was initially selected as the best carbon source. Six media were assayed for the improved yield of recombinant MP1102 (rMP1102). The total protein and rMP1102 yield was 100.06 mg/l and 42.83 mg/l, which was accomplished via the use of medium number 1. The peptone and yeast extract from Hongrun Baoshun (HRBS, crude industrial grade, Beijing, China) more effectively improved the total protein and the yield of rMP1102 to 280.41 mg/l and 120.57 mg/l compared to 190.26 mg/l and 78.01 mg/l that resulted from Oxoid (used in the research). Furthermore, we observed that the total protein, antimicrobial activity and rMP1102 yield from the fermentation supernatant increased from 807.42 mg/l, 384,000 AU/ml, and 367.59 mg/l, respectively, in pH5.0 to 1213.64 mg/l, 153,600 AU/ml and 538.17 mg/ml, respectively in pH 6.5 in a 5-l fermenter. Accordingly, the productivity increased from 104464 AU/mg rMP1102 in pH 5.0 to a maximum of 285412 AU/mg rMP1102 in pH 6.5. Finally, the recombinant MP1102 was purified with a cation-exchange column with a yield of 376.89 mg/l, 96.8% purity, and a molecular weight of 4382.9 Da, which was consistent with its theoretical value of 4383 Da. Conclusions It’s the highest level of antimicrobial peptides expressed in Pichia pastoris using GAP promoter so far. These results provide an economical method for the high-level production of rMP1102 under the control of the GAP promoter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyu Mao
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China. .,Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China.
| | - Da Teng
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China. .,Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China.
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China. .,Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China. .,Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China.
| | - Jian Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China. .,Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China.
| | - Xintao Cao
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China. .,Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China.
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China. .,Gene Engineering Laboratory, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie St., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Hu Y, Liu A, Vaudrey J, Vaiciunaite B, Moigboi C, McTavish SM, Kearns A, Coates A. Combinations of β-lactam or aminoglycoside antibiotics with plectasin are synergistic against methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117664. [PMID: 25692771 PMCID: PMC4333121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infections remain the leading killer worldwide which is worsened by the continuous emergence of antibiotic resistance. In particular, methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are prevalent and the latter can be difficult to treat. The traditional strategy of novel therapeutic drug development inevitably leads to emergence of resistant strains, rendering the new drugs ineffective. Therefore, rejuvenating the therapeutic potentials of existing antibiotics offers an attractive novel strategy. Plectasin, a defensin antimicrobial peptide, potentiates the activities of other antibiotics such as β-lactams, aminoglycosides and glycopeptides against MSSA and MRSA. We performed in vitro and in vivo investigations to test against genetically diverse clinical isolates of MSSA (n = 101) and MRSA (n = 115). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined by the broth microdilution method. The effects of combining plectasin with β-lactams, aminoglycosides and glycopeptides were examined using the chequerboard method and time kill curves. A murine neutropenic thigh model and a murine peritoneal infection model were used to test the effect of combination in vivo. Determined by factional inhibitory concentration index (FICI), plectasin in combination with aminoglycosides (gentamicin, neomycin or amikacin) displayed synergistic effects in 76-78% of MSSA and MRSA. A similar synergistic response was observed when plectasin was combined with β-lactams (penicillin, amoxicillin or flucloxacillin) in 87-89% of MSSA and MRSA. Interestingly, no such interaction was observed when plectasin was paired with vancomycin. Time kill analysis also demonstrated significant synergistic activities when plectasin was combined with amoxicillin, gentamicin or neomycin. In the murine models, plectasin at doses as low as 8 mg/kg augmented the activities of amoxicillin and gentamicin in successful treatment of MSSA and MRSA infections. We demonstrated that plectasin strongly rejuvenates the therapeutic potencies of existing antibiotics in vitro and in vivo. This is a novel strategy that can have major clinical implications in our fight against bacterial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanmin Hu
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Alexander Liu
- University of Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - James Vaudrey
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Brigita Vaiciunaite
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christiana Moigboi
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit, Public Health England, Colindale, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sharla M. McTavish
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit, Public Health England, Colindale, London, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Kearns
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit, Public Health England, Colindale, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Coates
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
GAP-initiated constitutive expression of a novel plectasin-derived peptide MP1106 by Pichia pastoris and its activity against Streptococcus suis. Process Biochem 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2014.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
35
|
In vitro and in vivo characterization of a new recombinant antimicrobial peptide, MP1102, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:6255-66. [PMID: 25620367 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6394-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 01/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Currently, more antimicrobial drug candidates are urgently needed to combat the rise in drug-resistance among pathogenic microbes. A new antimicrobial peptide, MP1102, a variant of NZ2114, was designed, evaluated, and overexpressed in Pichia pastoris. The total secreted protein in cultures reached 695 mg/l, and the concentration of the recombinant MP1102 (rMP1102) was 292 mg/l. rMP1102 was purified from the fermentation supernatant by one-step cation exchange chromatography to obtain a yield of 197.1 mg/l with 96.4 % purity. rMP1102 exhibited potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria, and its minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for four Staphyloccocus aureus (S. aureus) strains ranged from 0.028 to 0.11 μM, and it had stronger activity (MIC = 0.04 to 0.23 μM) to 20 clinical isolates of MRSA (cMRSA) than rNZ2114 (MIC = 0.11 to 0.90 μM). rMP1102 was shown to kill over 99.9 % of tested S. aureus cells within 6 h when treated at one, two, and four times its MIC and over 90 % of S. aureus cells within 12 h at concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg in a mouse thigh infection model. The higher sensitivity of MRSA to MP1102 than to its parental peptide, NZ2114, indicated by this initial pharmacodynamic analysis suggests a possible difference in the killing mechanism of these two molecules. rMP1102 caused less than 0.05 % hemolytic activity at 128 μg/ml and exhibited good thermostability from 20 to 80 °C, with its highest activity being observed at pH 8.0. These results suggest that this yeast expression system is feasible for large-scale production, and rMP1102 exerted stronger activity against S. aureus than NZ2114 via a different mechanism and exhibited potential as a new antimicrobial agent for S. aureus, especially MRSA infections.
Collapse
|
36
|
Han F, Zhang H, Xia X, Xiong H, Song D, Zong X, Wang Y. Porcine β-defensin 2 attenuates inflammation and mucosal lesions in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:1882-93. [PMID: 25601921 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1402300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal permeability plays a critical role in the etiopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Defensins, including porcine β-defensin (pBD)2, are crucial antimicrobial peptides for gut protection owing to their antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of pBD2 on mucosal injury and the disruption of the epithelial barrier during the pathological process of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. The effects and mechanism of pBD2 were evaluated both using a DSS-induced C57BL/6 mouse model and, in vitro, using Caco-2 and RAW264.7 cells. DSS-induced colitis was characterized by higher disease activity index, shortened colon length, elevated activities of myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase, histologic evidence of inflammation, and increased expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8. pBD2 increased the expression of zonula occludens-1, zonula occludens-2, claudin-1, mucin-1, and mucin-2 mRNA and proteins, and it decreased permeability to FITC-D, as well as apoptosis, in DSS-treated mice. pBD2 also decreased inflammatory infiltrates of the colon epithelium. In Caco-2 cells, pBD2 increased transepithelial electrical resistance and mucin mRNA expression, and it decreased the permeability of FITC-D while preserving the structural integrity of the tight junctions. The effects of pBD2 appeared to be through upregulation of the expression of genes associated with tight junctions and mucins, and by suppressing DSS-induced increases in inflammation, inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and apoptosis. These results show that pBD2 improves DSS-induced changes in mucosal lesions and paracellular permeability, possibly by affecting the activation of NF-κB signaling. The present study demonstrates that intrarectal administration of pBD2 may be a novel preventive option for ulcerative colitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Haiwen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; and
| | - Xi Xia
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; and
| | - Haitao Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; and
| | - Deguang Song
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; and
| | - Xin Zong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; and
| | - Yizhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; and
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Wu J, Gao B, Zhu S. The fungal defensin family enlarged. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2014; 7:866-80. [PMID: 25230677 PMCID: PMC4165938 DOI: 10.3390/ph7080866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi are an emerging source of peptide antibiotics. With the availability of a large number of model fungal genome sequences, we can expect that more and more fungal defensin-like peptides (fDLPs) will be discovered by sequence similarity search. Here, we report a total of 69 new fDLPs encoded by 63 genes, in which a group of fDLPs derived from dermatophytes are defined as a new family (fDEF8) according to sequence and phylogenetic analyses. In the oleaginous fungus Mortierella alpine, fDLPs have undergone extensive gene expansion. Our work further enlarges the fungal defensin family and will help characterize new peptide antibiotics with therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wu
- Group of Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Group of Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shunyi Zhu
- Group of Animal Innate Immunity, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abdelhady W, Bayer AS, Seidl K, Moormeier DE, Bayles KW, Cheung A, Yeaman MR, Xiong YQ. Impact of vancomycin on sarA-mediated biofilm formation: role in persistent endovascular infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J Infect Dis 2014; 209:1231-40. [PMID: 24403556 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of endovascular infections. The staphylococcal accessory regulator A locus (sarA) is a major virulence determinant that may potentially impact methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) persistence in such infections via its influence on biofilm formation. METHODS Two healthcare-associated MRSA isolates from patients with persistent bacteremia and 2 prototypical community-acquired MRSA strains, as well as their respective isogenic sarA mutants, were studied for in vitro biofilm formation, fibronectin-binding capacity, autolysis, and protease and nuclease activities. These assays were done in the presence or absence of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of vancomycin. In addition, these strain pairs were compared for intrinsic virulence and responses to vancomycin therapy in experimental infective endocarditis, a prototypical biofilm model. RESULTS All sarA mutants displayed significantly reduced biofilm formation and binding to fibronectin but increased protease production in vitro, compared with their respective parental strains. Interestingly, exposure to sub-MICs of vancomycin significantly promoted biofilm formation and fibronectin-binding in parental strains but not in sarA mutants. In addition, all sarA mutants became exquisitely susceptible to vancomycin therapy, compared with their respective parental strains, in the infective endocarditis model. CONCLUSIONS These observations suggest that sarA activation is important in persistent MRSA endovascular infection, potentially in the setting of biofilm formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wessam Abdelhady
- Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
|
40
|
Abstract
Cationic and amphiphilic peptides are widely distributed in eukaryotic organisms and constitute a first line of host defense against invading pathogens. Some of these host defense peptides (HDPs) combine specific antibiotic activities with modulation of immune responses. Moreover, they are active against bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics and show only modest resistance development under in vitro selection pressure. Based on these features, HDPs and particularly defensins are considered a promising source of novel anti-infective agents. This review summarizes the current knowledge about defensins from different kingdoms and discusses their potential for therapeutic application.
Collapse
|
41
|
Zhang Y, Teng D, Mao R, Wang X, Xi D, Hu X, Wang J. High expression of a plectasin-derived peptide NZ2114 in Pichia pastoris and its pharmacodynamics, postantibiotic and synergy against Staphylococcus aureus. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2013; 98:681-94. [PMID: 23624708 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-013-4881-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Revised: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
NZ2114, a new variant of plectasin, was overexpressed in Pichia pastoris X-33 via pPICZαA for the first time. The total secreted protein of fermentation supernatant reached 2,390 mg/l (29 °C) and 2,310 mg/l (25 °C), and the recombinant NZ2114 (rNZ2114) reached 860 mg/l (29 °C) and 1,309 mg/l (25 °C) at 96 h induction in a 5-l fermentor, respectively.The rNZ2114 was purified by cation exchange chromatography, and its yield was 583 mg/l with 94.8 % purity. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of rNZ2114 to four ATCC strains of Staphyloccocus aureus was evaluated from 0.028 to 0.90 μM. Meanwhile, it showed potent activity (0.11-0.90 μM) to 20 clinical isolates of MRSA. The rNZ2114 killed over 99.9 % of tested S. aureus (ATCC 25923 and ATCC 43300) in Mueller-Hinton medium within 6 h when treated with 4 × MIC. The postantibiotic effect of rNZ2114 to S. aureus ATCC 25923 and ATCC 43300 was 18.6-45.6 and 1.7-3.5 h under 1×, 2×, and 4× MIC, respectively. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) indicated a synergistic effect between rNZ2114 and kanamycin, streptomycin, and vancomycin against S. aureus ATCC 25923 (FICI = 0.125), and additivity between rNZ2114 and ampicillin, spectinomycin (FICI = 0.625), respectively. To S. aureus ATCC 43300 [methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)], rNZ2114 showed a synergistic effect (FICI = 0.125-0.3125) with kanamycin, ampicillin, streptomycin, and vancomycin, and antagonism with spectinomycin (FICI = 8.0625). The rNZ2114 caused only less than 0.1 % hemolytic activity in the concentration of 128 μg/ml, and showed a good thermostability from 20 to 80 °C. In addition, it exhibited the highest activity at pH 8.0. These results suggested that large-scale production of NZ2114 is feasible using the P. pastoris expression system, and it could be a new potential antimicrobial agent for the prevention and treatment of S. aureus especially for MRSA infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, 100081, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
Synthesis and large-scale manufacturing technologies are now available for the commercial production of even the most complex peptide anti-infectives. Married with the potential of this class of molecule as the next generation of effective, resistance-free and safe antimicrobials, and a much better understanding of their biology, pharmacology and pharmacodynamics, the first regulatory approvals and introduction into clinical practice of these promising drug candidates will likely be soon. This is a key juncture in the history/life cycle of peptide anti-infectives and, perhaps, their commercial and therapeutic potential is about to be realized. This review highlights the promise of these agents as the next generation of therapeutics and summarizes the challenges faced in, and lessons learned from, the past.
Collapse
|
43
|
Yount NY, Yeaman MR. Peptide antimicrobials: cell wall as a bacterial target. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2013; 1277:127-38. [PMID: 23302022 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous host defense peptides (HDPs) are among the most ancient immune mediators, constituting a first line of defense against invading pathogens across the evolutionary continuum. Generally, HDPs are small (<10 kDa), cationic, and amphipathic polypeptides, often broadly classified based on structure. In eukaryotes, major HDP classes include disulfide-stabilized (e.g., defensins), and α-helical or extended (e.g., cathelicidins) peptides. Prokaryote HDPs are generally referred to as bacteriocins, colicins, or lantibiotics, many of which undergo extensive posttranslational modifications. One target for prokaryotic and eukaryotic HDPs is the bacterial cell wall, an essential structural feature conserved among broad classes of bacteria. A primary building block of the cell wall is peptidoglycan, a macromolecular complex that arises through a series of reactions including membrane translocation, extracellular anchoring, and side chain cross-linking. Each of these steps represents a potential target for HDP inhibition, leading to bacteriostatic or bactericidal outcomes. Thus, understanding the relationships between HDPs and cell wall targets may shed light on new peptide antimicrobial agents and strategies to meet the daunting challenge of antibiotic resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nannette Y Yount
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles County, California, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Dawson MJ, Scott RW. New horizons for host defense peptides and lantibiotics. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2012; 12:545-50. [PMID: 22776251 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2012.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides from either microbial sources, or based on host defense peptides (HDPs) from higher organisms, show promising activity against human pathogens. Lantibiotics have been extensively engineered by either molecular biology approaches or chemistry and both natural and modified entities have been shown to have good efficacy in animal models of infection. Amongst HDPs either truncated peptides or non-peptide mimetic molecules show substantial promise both for their direct antibiotic action and also modulation of host functions. Members of both classes have reached clinical development for therapy of systemic infections and Clostridium difficile infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael John Dawson
- Novacta Biosystems Limited, BioPark Hertfordshire, Herftordshire AL7 3AX, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Roosens B, Bala G, Droogmans S, Van Camp G, Breyne J, Cosyns B. Animal models of organic heart valve disease. Int J Cardiol 2012; 165:398-409. [PMID: 22475840 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2012.03.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2011] [Revised: 02/18/2012] [Accepted: 03/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Heart valve disease is a frequently encountered pathology, related to high morbidity and mortality rates in industrialized and developing countries. Animal models are interesting to investigate the causality, but also underlying mechanisms and potential treatments of human valvular diseases. Recently, animal models of heart valve disease have been developed, which allow to investigate the pathophysiology, and to follow the progression and the potential regression of disease with therapeutics over time. The present review provides an overview of animal models of primary, organic heart valve disease: myxoid age-related, infectious, drug-induced, degenerative calcified, and mechanically induced valvular heart disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bram Roosens
- Centrum Voor Hart- en Vaatziekten (CHVZ), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
|