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Mulukutla A, Shreshtha R, Kumar Deb V, Chatterjee P, Jain U, Chauhan N. Recent advances in antimicrobial peptide-based therapy. Bioorg Chem 2024; 145:107151. [PMID: 38359706 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107151] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a group of polypeptide chains that have the property to target and kill a myriad of microbial organisms including viruses, bacteria, protists, etc. The first discovered AMP was named gramicidin, an extract of aerobic soil bacteria. Further studies discovered that these peptides are present not only in prokaryotes but in eukaryotes as well. They play a vital role in human innate immunity and wound repair. Consequently, they have maintained a high level of intrigue among scientists in the field of immunology, especially so with the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens decreasing the reliability of antibiotics in healthcare. While AMPs have promising potential to substitute for common antibiotics, their use as effective replacements is barred by certain limitations. First, they have the potential to be cytotoxic to human cells. Second, they are unstable in the blood due to action by various proteolytic agents and ions that cause their degradation. This review provides an overview of the mechanism of AMPs, their limitations, and developments in recent years that provide techniques to overcome those limitations. We also discuss the advantages and drawbacks of AMPs as a replacement for antibiotics as compared to other alternatives such as synthetically modified bacteriophages, traditional medicine, and probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Mulukutla
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Romi Shreshtha
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Vishal Kumar Deb
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Pallabi Chatterjee
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Utkarsh Jain
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Nidhi Chauhan
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India.
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Kifelew LG, Warner MS, Morales S, Gordon DL, Thomas N, Mitchell JG, Speck PG. Lytic activity of phages against bacterial pathogens infecting diabetic foot ulcers. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3515. [PMID: 38347019 PMCID: PMC10861545 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53317-4] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Complications of diabetes, such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), are common, multifactorial in origin, and costly to treat. DFUs are the cause of nearly 90% of limb amputations among persons with diabetes. In most chronic infections such as DFU, biofilms are involved. Bacteria in biofilms are 100-1000 times more resistant to antibiotics than their planktonic counterparts. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in DFUs may require alternative therapeutic agents such as bacteriophages ("phages"). This study describes the lytic activity of phage cocktails AB-SA01 (3-phage cocktail) and AB-PA01 (4-phage cocktail), which target S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively. The host range and lytic effect of AB-SA01 and AB-PA01 on a planktonic culture, single-species biofilm, and mixed-species biofilm were evaluated. In vitro testing showed that 88.7% of S. aureus and 92.7% of P. aeruginosa isolates were susceptible to AB-SA01 and AB-PA01, respectively, in the planktonic state. The component phages of AB-SA01 and AB-PA01 infected 66% to 94.3% of the bacterial isolates tested. Furthermore, AB-SA01 and AB-PA01 treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the biofilm biomass of their hosts, regardless of the antibiotic-resistant characteristics of the isolates and the presence of a non-susceptible host. In conclusion, the strong lytic activity, broad host range, and significant biofilm biomass reduction of AB-SA01 and AB-PA01 suggest the considerable potential of phages in treating antibiotic-resistant S. aureus and P. aeruginosa infections alone or as coinfections in DFUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Legesse Garedew Kifelew
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia.
- St Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, 1271, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Morgyn S Warner
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, SA, 5011, Australia
- Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Sandra Morales
- AmpliPhi Australia Pty Ltd., Brookvale, NSW, 2100, Australia
- Phage Consulting, Sydney, NSW, 2100, Australia
| | - David L Gordon
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Nicky Thomas
- Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, Woodville South, SA, 5011, Australia
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - James G Mitchell
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Peter G Speck
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia.
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de Sousa T, Silva C, Alves O, Costa E, Igrejas G, Poeta P, Hébraud M. Determination of Antimicrobial Resistance and the Impact of Imipenem + Cilastatin Synergy with Tetracycline in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Sepsis. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2687. [PMID: 38004699 PMCID: PMC10673103 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is among the most ubiquitous bacteria in the natural world, exhibiting metabolic and physiological versatility, which makes it highly adaptable. Imipenem + cilastatin and tetracycline are antibiotic combinations commonly used to treat infections caused by P. aeruginosa, including serious infections such as sepsis. In the context of bacterial infections, biofilm, formed by bacterial cells surrounded by extracellular substances forming a matrix, plays a pivotal role in the resistance of P. aeruginosa to antibiotics. This study aimed to characterize a representative panel of P. aeruginosa isolates from septicemias, assessing their susceptibility to various antibiotics, specifically, imipenem + cilastatin and tetracycline, and the impact of these treatments on biofilm formation. Results from antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed sensitivity in most isolates to six antibiotics, with four showing near or equal to 100% sensitivity. However, resistance was observed in some antibiotics, albeit at minimal levels. Notably, tetracycline showed a 100% resistance phenotype, while imipenem + cilastatin predominantly displayed an intermediate phenotype (85.72%), with some resistance (38.1%). Microdilution susceptibility testing identified effective combinations against different isolates. Regarding biofilm formation, P. aeruginosa demonstrated the ability to produce biofilms. The staining of microtiter plates confirmed that specific concentrations of imipenem + cilastatin and tetracycline could inhibit biofilm production. A significant proportion of isolates exhibited resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics because of the presence of modifying genes (aac(3)-II and aac(3)-III), reducing their effectiveness. This study also explored various resistance genes, unveiling diverse resistance mechanisms among P. aeruginosa isolates. Several virulence genes were detected, including the las quorum-sensing system genes (lasI and lasR) in a significant proportion of isolates, contributing to virulence factor activation. However, genes related to the type IV pili (T4P) system (pilB and pilA) were found in limited isolates. In conclusion, this comprehensive study sheds light on the intricate dynamics of P. aeruginosa, a remarkably adaptable bacterium with a widespread presence in the natural world. Our findings provide valuable insights into the ongoing battle against P. aeruginosa infections, highlighting the need for tailored antibiotic therapies and innovative approaches to combat biofilm-related resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telma de Sousa
- MicroART-Antibiotic Resistance Team, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (T.d.S.); (C.S.); (P.P.)
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Unit, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University NOVA of Lisbon, 1099-085 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Catarina Silva
- MicroART-Antibiotic Resistance Team, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (T.d.S.); (C.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Olimpia Alves
- Hospital Centre of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Clinical Pathology Department, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (O.A.); (E.C.)
| | - Eliana Costa
- Hospital Centre of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Clinical Pathology Department, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (O.A.); (E.C.)
| | - Gilberto Igrejas
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Unit, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University NOVA of Lisbon, 1099-085 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Patricia Poeta
- MicroART-Antibiotic Resistance Team, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (T.d.S.); (C.S.); (P.P.)
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University NOVA of Lisbon, 1099-085 Caparica, Portugal
- CECAV—Veterinary and Animal Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre, Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Michel Hébraud
- INRAE, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR Microbiologie Environnement Digestif Santé (MEDiS), 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
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Lennard PR, Hiemstra PS, Nibbering PH. Complementary Activities of Host Defence Peptides and Antibiotics in Combating Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1518. [PMID: 37887219 PMCID: PMC10604037 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12101518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their ability to eliminate antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria and to modulate the immune response, host defence peptides (HDPs) hold great promise for the clinical treatment of bacterial infections. Whereas monotherapy with HDPs is not likely to become an effective first-line treatment, combinations of such peptides with antibiotics can potentially provide a path to future therapies for AMR infections. Therefore, we critically reviewed the recent literature regarding the antibacterial activity of combinations of HDPs and antibiotics against AMR bacteria and the approaches taken in these studies. Of the 86 studies compiled, 56 featured a formal assessment of synergy between agents. Of the combinations assessed, synergistic and additive interactions between HDPs and antibiotics amounted to 84.9% of the records, while indifferent and antagonistic interactions accounted for 15.1%. Penicillin, aminoglycoside, fluoro/quinolone, and glycopeptide antibiotic classes were the most frequently documented as interacting with HDPs, and Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecium were the most reported bacterial species. Few studies formally evaluated the effects of combinations of HDPs and antibiotics on bacteria, and even fewer assessed such combinations against bacteria within biofilms, in animal models, or in advanced tissue infection models. Despite the biases of the current literature, the studies suggest that effective combinations of HDPs and antibiotics hold promise for the future treatment of infections caused by AMR bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick R. Lennard
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
- Institute of Immunology and Infection, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FE, UK
- PulmoScience Lab, Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands;
| | - Pieter S. Hiemstra
- PulmoScience Lab, Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands
| | - Peter H. Nibbering
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands;
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Grandy S, Scur M, Dolan K, Nickerson R, Cheng Z. Using model systems to unravel host-Pseudomonas aeruginosa interactions. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:1765-1784. [PMID: 37290773 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Using model systems in infection biology has led to the discoveries of many pathogen-encoded virulence factors and critical host immune factors to fight pathogenic infections. Studies of the remarkable Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium that infects and causes disease in hosts as divergent as humans and plants afford unique opportunities to shed new light on virulence strategies and host defence mechanisms. One of the rationales for using model systems as a discovery tool to characterise bacterial factors driving human infection outcomes is that many P. aeruginosa virulence factors are required for pathogenesis in diverse different hosts. On the other side, many host signalling components, such as the evolutionarily conserved mitogen-activated protein kinases, are involved in immune signalling in a diverse range of hosts. Some model organisms that have less complex immune systems also allow dissection of the direct impacts of innate immunity on host defence without the interference of adaptive immunity. In this review, we start with discussing the occurrence of P. aeruginosa in the environment and the ability of this bacterium to cause disease in various hosts as a natural opportunistic pathogen. We then summarise the use of some model systems to study host defence and P. aeruginosa virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannen Grandy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Michal Scur
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Kathleen Dolan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Rhea Nickerson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Zhenyu Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Chen X, Su S, Yan Y, Yin L, Liu L. Anti- Pseudomonas aeruginosa activity of natural antimicrobial peptides when used alone or in combination with antibiotics. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1239540. [PMID: 37731929 PMCID: PMC10508351 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1239540] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization has recently published a list of 12 drug-resistant bacteria that posed a significant threat to human health, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) was among them. In China, P. aeruginosa is a common pathogen in hospital acquired pneumonia, accounting for 16.9-22.0%. It is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that can infect individuals with weakened immune systems, leading to hospital-acquired acute and systemic infections. The excessive use of antibiotics has led to the development of various mechanisms in P. aeruginosa to resist conventional drugs. Thus, there is an emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, posing a major challenge to conventional antibiotics and therapeutic approaches. Antimicrobial peptides are an integral component of host defense and have been found in many living organisms. Most antimicrobial peptides are characterized by negligible host toxicity and low resistance rates, making them become promising for use as antimicrobial products. This review particularly focuses on summarizing the inhibitory activity of natural antimicrobial peptides against P. aeruginosa planktonic cells and biofilms, as well as the drug interactions when these peptides used in combination with conventional antibiotics. Moreover, the underlying mechanism of these antimicrobial peptides against P. aeruginosa strains was mainly related to destroy the membrane structure through interacting with LPS or increasing ROS levels, or targeting cellular components, leaded to cell lysis. Hopefully, this analysis will provide valuable experimental data on developing novel compounds to combat P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqi Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Su
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Limei Yin
- Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lihong Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
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7
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Han Y, Zhang Y, Zeng W, Huang Z, Cheng H, Kong J, Xu C, Xu M, Zhou T, Cao J. Synergy with farnesol rejuvenates colistin activity against Colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in vitro and in vivo. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2023; 62:106899. [PMID: 37354920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106899] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Colistin (COL) is considered the last line of treatment against infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). However, the increasing number of colistin-resistant (COL-R) bacteria is a great threat to public health. In this study, a strategy of combining farnesol (FAR), which has anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties, with COL to restart COL activity was proposed. The synergistic effect of FAR combined with COL against COL-R GNB in vivo and in vitro were investigated. The excellent synergistic antibacterial activity of the COL-FAR combination was confirmed by performing the checkerboard assay, time-killing assay, and LIVE/DEAD bacterial cell viability assay. Crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy results showed that COL-FAR prevented biofilm formation and eradicated pre-existing mature biofilm. Cytotoxicity assay showed that FAR at 64 µg/mL was not cytotoxic to RAW264.7 cells. In vivo infection experiments showed that COL-FAR increased the survival rate of infected Galleria mellonella and decreased the bacterial load in a mouse thigh infection model. These results indicate that COL-FAR is a potentially effective therapeutic option for combating COL-R GNB infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Han
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province
| | - Yi Zhang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Weiliang Zeng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province
| | - Zeyu Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province
| | - Haojun Cheng
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jingchun Kong
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chunquan Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province
| | - Mengxin Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province.
| | - Jianming Cao
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
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Lappöhn CA, Maerz L, Stei R, Weber LG, Wolff MW. Optimization and validation of analytical affinity chromatography for the in-process monitoring and quantification of peptides containing a C-tag. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2023; 1229:123899. [PMID: 37783047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2023.123899] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs) are promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. The production of recombinant AMPs is facilitated by platform technologies such as the C-tag, a sequence of four C-terminal amino acids that allows immunoaffinity capture and purification. However, the detection and quantification of such products throughout the manufacturing process is a significant challenge. We therefore used a design of experiments approach to optimize a novel high-throughput analytical immunoaffinity chromatography method for the accurate quantification of AMPs containing a C-tag, resulting in minimal analyte carryover (98.8 ± 0.1 % product elution). We then validated the method in accordance with International Conference on Harmonisation guideline Q2(R2). Validation confirmed that the method achieves high specificity, linearity, accuracy, and precision. We implemented in-process control and quantification throughout the manufacturing process, from cell lysis to the final purified product. We found that the lysate and acidic samples (pH < 2) can lead to deviations. However, following sample pretreatment, C-tag quantification reduced the error to ≤ 4 %, which is potentially superior to current non-specific quantification methods such as UV absorbance and colorimetry. Implementing this method for in-process control and quantification throughout the manufacturing process achieves the reliable assessment of product quantity and quality. This method also offers improvements over the product-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay currently used for C-tagged products because it has a higher precision, accuracy and throughput, with a measurement time of 2.5 min per sample. Our analytical affinity chromatography method is therefore a valuable tool for the quantification of AMPs as part of a novel platform technology approach for C-tagged products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin A Lappöhn
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen (THM), Wiesenstr. 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany
| | - Lea Maerz
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen (THM), Wiesenstr. 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany
| | - Robin Stei
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen (THM), Wiesenstr. 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany
| | - Linus G Weber
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen (THM), Wiesenstr. 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael W Wolff
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen (THM), Wiesenstr. 14, 35390 Giessen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
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9
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Lee H, Kim B, Kim M, Yoo S, Lee J, Hwang E, Kim Y. Characterization of the Antimicrobial Activities of Trichoplusia ni Cecropin A as a High-Potency Therapeutic against Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1752. [PMID: 37376200 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of colistin-resistant bacteria is a serious threat to public health. As an alternative to traditional antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show promise against multidrug resistance. In this study, we investigated the activity of the insect AMP Tricoplusia ni cecropin A (T. ni cecropin) against colistin-resistant bacteria. T. ni cecropin exhibited significant antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against colistin-resistant Escherichia coli (ColREC) with low cytotoxicity against mammalian cells in vitro. Results of permeabilization of the ColREC outer membrane as monitored through 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine uptake, scanning electron microscopy, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) neutralization, and LPS-binding interaction revealed that T. ni cecropin manifested antibacterial activity by targeting the outer membrane of E. coli with strong interaction with LPS. T. ni cecropin specifically targeted toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and showed anti-inflammatory activities with a significant reduction of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages stimulated with either LPS or ColREC via blockade of TLR4-mediated inflammatory signaling. Moreover, T. ni cecropin exhibited anti-septic effects in an LPS-induced endotoxemia mouse model, confirming its LPS-neutralizing activity, immunosuppressive effect, and recovery of organ damage in vivo. These findings demonstrate that T. ni cecropin exerts strong antimicrobial activities against ColREC and could serve as a foundation for the development of AMP therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeju Lee
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeongkwon Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Minju Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Seoyeong Yoo
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinkyeong Lee
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunha Hwang
- Center for Research Equipment, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Yangmee Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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Cui Q, Yu HD, Xu QJ, Liu Y, Wang YT, Li PH, Kong LC, Zhang HP, Jiang XY, Giuliodori AM, Fabbretti A, He CG, Ma HX. Antibiotic synergist OM19r reverses aminoglycoside resistance in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1144946. [PMID: 37143537 PMCID: PMC10151501 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1144946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The continued emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens require a new strategy to improve the efficacy of existing antibiotics. Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) could also be used as antibacterial synergists due to their unique mechanism of action. Methods Utilizing a series of experiments on membrane permeability, In vitro protein synthesis, In vitro transcription and mRNA translation, to further elucidate the synergistic mechanism of OM19r combined with gentamicin. Results A proline-rich antimicrobial peptide OM19r was identified in this study and its efficacy against Escherichia coli B2 (E. coli B2) was evaluated on multiple aspects. OM19r increased antibacterial activity of gentamicin against multidrug-resistance E. coli B2 by 64 folds, when used in combination with aminoglycoside antibiotics. Mechanistically, OM19r induced change of inner membrane permeability and inhibited translational elongation of protein synthesis by entering to E. coli B2 via intimal transporter SbmA. OM19r also facilitated the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In animal models, OM19r significantly improved the efficacy of gentamicin against E. coli B2. Discussion Our study reveals that OM19r combined with GEN had a strong synergistic inhibitory effect against multi-drug resistant E. coli B2. OM19r and GEN inhibited translation elongation and initiation, respectively, and ultimately affected the normal protein synthesis of bacteria. These findings provide a potential therapeutic option against multidrug-resistant E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Han-Dong Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Qi-Jun Xu
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yu-Ting Wang
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Peng-Hui Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Ling-Cong Kong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Hai-Peng Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiu-Yun Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Anna Maria Giuliodori
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Attilio Fabbretti
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Cheng-Guang He
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- Cheng-Guang He,
| | - Hong-Xia Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Hong-Xia Ma,
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11
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C S, G. R R, L. F L, M.C.G DR, N.B C, S.C D, O. L F. Advances and perspectives for antimicrobial peptide and combinatory therapies. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1051456. [PMID: 36578509 PMCID: PMC9791095 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1051456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown cell membrane-directed mechanisms of action. This specificity can be effective against infectious agents that have acquired resistance to conventional drugs. The AMPs' membrane-specificity and their great potential to combat resistant microbes has brought hope to the medical/therapeutic scene. The high death rate worldwide due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has pushed forward the search for new molecules and product developments, mainly antibiotics. In the current scenario, other strategies including the association of two or more drugs have contributed to the treatment of difficult-to-treat infectious diseases, above all, those caused by bacteria. In this context, the synergistic action of AMPs associated with current antibiotic therapy can bring important results for the production of new and effective drugs to overcome AMR. This review presents the advances obtained in the last 5 years in medical/antibiotic therapy, with the use of products based on AMPs, as well as perspectives on the potentialized effects of current drugs combined with AMPs for the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santos C
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (UCDB), Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Rodrigues G. R
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímica (CAPB), Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Lima L. F
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímica (CAPB), Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - dos Reis M.C.G
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímica (CAPB), Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Cunha N.B
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímica (CAPB), Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, Brazil
- Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV), Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Dias S.C
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímica (CAPB), Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Biologia Animal, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Franco O. L
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (UCDB), Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímica (CAPB), Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
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12
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Sikarwar J, Singh J, Singh TP, Sharma P, Sharma S. The Mechanism of Action of Lactoferrin - Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase Complex in Combating Biofilm Formation. Protein Pept Lett 2022; 29:839-850. [PMID: 35975859 DOI: 10.2174/0929866529666220816160517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ESKAPE group of pathogens which comprise of multidrug resistant bacteria, namely Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species are the cause of deadly nosocomial infections all over the world. While these pathogens have developed robust strategies to resist most antibiotics, their ability to form biofilms is one of their most combative properties. Hence there is an urgent need to discover new antibacterial agents which could prevent or destroy the biofilms made by these bacteria. Though it has been established that lactoferrin (LF), a potent iron binding antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral protein displays anti-biofilm properties, its mechanisms of action, in addition to its iron chelation property, still remains unclear. OBJECTIVE The binding and inhibition studies of LF with the enzyme Nucleoside diphosphate Kinase (NDK) and its elastase cleaved truncated 12 kDa fragment (12-NDK). METHODS The characterization studies of NDK and 12-NDK using florescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, size exclusion chromatography and ADP-glo Kinase Assay. Inhibition studies of LF-NDK using ADP-glo kinase assay, Surface Plasmon Resonance and Biofilm inhibition studies. RESULTS NDK and 12-NDK were cloned, expressed and purified from Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The characterization studies revealed NDK and 12-NDK from both species are stable and functional. The inhibition studies of LF-NDK revealed stable binding and inhibition of kinase activity by LF. CONCLUSION The binding and inhibition studies have shown that while LF binds with both the NDK and their truncated forms, it tends to have a higher binding affinity with the truncated 12 kDa fragments, resulting in their decreased kinase activity. This study essentially gives a new direction to the field of inhibition of biofilm formation, as it proves that LF has a novel mechanism of action in other than iron sequestration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhi Sikarwar
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi - 110029, India
| | - Jiya Singh
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi - 110029, India
| | - Tej P Singh
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi - 110029, India
| | - Pradeep Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi - 110029, India
| | - Sujata Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi - 110029, India
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13
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da Costa de Souza G, Roque-Borda CA, Pavan FR. Beta-lactam resistance and the effectiveness of antimicrobial peptides against KPC-producing bacteria. Drug Dev Res 2022; 83:1534-1554. [PMID: 36042694 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21990] [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: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial resistance is a problem that is giving serious cause for concern because bacterial strains such as Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are difficult to treat and highly opportunistic. These bacteria easily acquire resistance genes even from other species, which confers greater persistence and tolerance towards conventional antibiotics. These bacteria have the highest death rate in hospitalized intensive care patients, so strong measures must be taken. In this review, we focus on the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as an alternative to traditional drugs, due to their rapid action and lower risk of generating resistance by microorganisms. We also present an overview of beta-lactams and explicitly explain the activity of AMPs against carbapenemase-producing bacteria as potential alternative agents for infection control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme da Costa de Souza
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tuberculosis Research Laboratory, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cesar Augusto Roque-Borda
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tuberculosis Research Laboratory, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando R Pavan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tuberculosis Research Laboratory, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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Sánchez-González R, Leyton P, Aguilar LF, Reyna-Jeldes M, Coddou C, Díaz K, Mellado M. Resveratrol-Schiff Base Hybrid Compounds with Selective Antibacterial Activity: Synthesis, Biological Activity, and Computational Study. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081483. [PMID: 35893541 PMCID: PMC9330556 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, antimicrobial resistance is a serious concern associated with the reduced efficacy of traditional antibiotics and an increased health burden worldwide. In response to this challenge, the scientific community is developing a new generation of antibacterial molecules. Contributing to this effort, and inspired by the resveratrol structure, five new resveratrol-dimers (9a−9e) and one resveratrol-monomer (10a) were synthetized using 2,5-dibromo-1,4-diaminobenzene (8) as the core compound for Schiff base bridge conformation. These compounds were evaluated in vitro against pathogenic clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp., and Listeria monocytogenes. Antibacterial activity measurements of resveratrol-Schiff base derivatives (9a−9e) and their precursors (4−8) showed high selectivity against Listeria monocytogenes, being 2.5 and 13.7 times more potent than chloramphenicol, while resveratrol showed an EC50 > 320 µg/mL on the same model. Moreover, a prospective mechanism of action for these compounds against L. monocytogenes strains was proposed using molecular docking analysis, finding a plausible inhibition of internalin C (InlC), a surface protein relevant in bacteria−host interaction. These results would allow for the future development of new molecules for listeriosis treatment based on compound 8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Sánchez-González
- Instituto de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile; (R.S.-G.); (P.L.); (L.F.A.)
| | - Patricio Leyton
- Instituto de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile; (R.S.-G.); (P.L.); (L.F.A.)
| | - Luis F. Aguilar
- Instituto de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile; (R.S.-G.); (P.L.); (L.F.A.)
| | - Mauricio Reyna-Jeldes
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo 1781421, Chile; (M.R.-J.); (C.C.)
- Millennium Nucleus for the Study of Pain (MiNuSPain), Santiago 8330025, Chile
- Núcleo para el Estudio del Cáncer a Nivel Básico, Aplicado y Clínico, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta 1270709, Chile
| | - Claudio Coddou
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo 1781421, Chile; (M.R.-J.); (C.C.)
- Millennium Nucleus for the Study of Pain (MiNuSPain), Santiago 8330025, Chile
- Núcleo para el Estudio del Cáncer a Nivel Básico, Aplicado y Clínico, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta 1270709, Chile
| | - Katy Díaz
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso 2390123, Chile
- Correspondence: (K.D.); (M.M.)
| | - Marco Mellado
- Instituto de Investigación y Postgrado, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago 8330507, Chile
- Correspondence: (K.D.); (M.M.)
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15
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Ménard G, Rouillon A, Cattoir V, Donnio PY. Galleria mellonella as a Suitable Model of Bacterial Infection: Past, Present and Future. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:782733. [PMID: 35004350 PMCID: PMC8727906 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.782733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing interest for Galleria mellonella larvae as an infection model is evidenced by the number of papers reporting its use, which increases exponentially since the early 2010s. This popularity was initially linked to limitation of conventional animal models due to financial, technical and ethical aspects. In comparison, alternative models (e.g. models using Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster or G. mellonella) were cheap, simple to use and not limited by ethical regulation. Since then, similar results have been established with G. mellonella model comparatively to vertebrates, and it is more and more often used as a robust model per se, not only as an alternative to the murine model. This review attempts to summarize the current knowledge supporting the development of this model, both on immunological and microbiological aspects. For that, we focus on investigation of virulence and new therapies for the most important pathogenic bacteria. We also discuss points out directions for standardization, as well as recent advances and new perspectives for monitoring host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Ménard
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Astrid Rouillon
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Vincent Cattoir
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Donnio
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
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16
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Zhao J, Sugihara K. Analysis of PDA Dose Curves for the Extraction of Antimicrobial Peptide Properties. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:12206-12213. [PMID: 34706534 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c07533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A mechanochromic polymer, polydiacetylene, changes color upon ligand binding, being a popular material in biosensing. However, whether it can also detect ligand functions in addition to binding is left understudied. In this work, we report that the polydiacetylene can be used to determine the net charges and the mode of actions (carpet model, toroidal pore model, etc.) of antimicrobial peptides and detergents via EC50 and Hill coefficients from the colorimetric response-dose curves. This opens a potential for high-throughput peptide screening by functions, which is difficult with the conventional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangtao Zhao
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kaori Sugihara
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
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17
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Pereira MF, Rossi CC, da Silva GC, Rosa JN, Bazzolli DMS. Galleria mellonella as an infection model: an in-depth look at why it works and practical considerations for successful application. Pathog Dis 2021; 78:5909969. [PMID: 32960263 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The larva of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is an increasingly popular model for assessing the virulence of bacterial pathogens and the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents. In this review, we discuss details of the components of the G. mellonella larval immune system that underpin its use as an alternative infection model, and provide an updated overview of the state of the art of research with G. mellonella infection models to study bacterial virulence, and in the evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy. Emphasis is given to virulence studies with relevant human and veterinary pathogens, especially Escherichia coli and bacteria of the ESKAPE group. In addition, we make practical recommendations for larval rearing and testing, and overcoming potential limitations of the use of the model, which facilitate intra- and interlaboratory reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monalessa Fábia Pereira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, 36800-000, Carangola, MG, Brazil
| | - Ciro César Rossi
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Departamento de Microbiologia Médica, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Giarlã Cunha da Silva
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Bactérias, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária-BIOAGRO, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Nogueira Rosa
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Bactérias, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária-BIOAGRO, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Denise Mara Soares Bazzolli
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Bactérias, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária-BIOAGRO, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
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18
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Park AR, Kim SW, Kim SY, Kwon KC. Expression of Antimicrobial Peptide (AMP), Cecropin B, in a Fused Form to SUMO Tag With or Without Three-Glycine Linker in Escherichia coli and Evaluation of Bacteriolytic Activity of the Purified AMP. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2021; 13:1780-1789. [PMID: 34018140 PMCID: PMC8578067 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-021-09797-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Current antibiotics have limited action mode, which makes it difficult for the antibiotics dealing with the emergence of bacteria resisting the existing antibiotics. As a need for new bacteriolytic agents alternative to the antibiotics, AMPs have long been considered substitutes for the antibiotics. Cecropin B was expressed in a fusion form to six-histidine and SUMO tags in Escherichia coli. Six-histidine tag attached to SUMO was for purification of SUMO-cecropin B fusion proteins and removal of the SUMO tag from cecropin B. Chimeric gene was constructed into pKSEC1 vector that was designed to be functional in both Escherichia coli and chloroplast. To maximize translation of the fusion protein, sequences were codon-optimized. Four different constructs were tested for the level of expression and solubility, and the construct with a linker, 6xHisSUMO3xGly-cecropin B, showed the highest expression. In addition, cleavage of the SUMO tag by SUMOase in the three fusion constructs which have no linker sequence (3xGly, three glycines) was not as efficient as the construct with the linker between SUMO and cecropin B. The cleaved cecropin B showed bacteriolytic activity against Bacillus subtilis at a concentration of 0.0625 μg/μL, while cecropin B fused to SUMO had no activity at a higher concentration, 0.125 μg/μL. As an expression system for AMPs in prokaryotic hosts, the use of tag proteins and appropriate codon-optimization strategy can be employed and further genetic modification of the fusion construct should help the complete removal of the tag proteins from the AMP in the final step of purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rom Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
| | - Seon Woong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
| | - Soon Young Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, Korea.
| | - Kwang-Chul Kwon
- MicroSynbiotiX Ltd, 11011 N Torrey Pines Rd Ste #135, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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19
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Puentes PR, Henao MC, Torres CE, Gómez SC, Gómez LA, Burgos JC, Arbeláez P, Osma JF, Muñoz-Camargo C, Reyes LH, Cruz JC. Design, Screening, and Testing of Non-Rational Peptide Libraries with Antimicrobial Activity: In Silico and Experimental Approaches. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E854. [PMID: 33265897 PMCID: PMC7759991 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9120854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the challenges of modern biotechnology is to find new routes to mitigate the resistance to conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an alternative type of biomolecules, naturally present in a wide variety of organisms, with the capacity to overcome the current microorganism resistance threat. Here, we reviewed our recent efforts to develop a new library of non-rationally produced AMPs that relies on bacterial genome inherent diversity and compared it with rationally designed libraries. Our approach is based on a four-stage workflow process that incorporates the interplay of recent developments in four major emerging technologies: artificial intelligence, molecular dynamics, surface-display in microorganisms, and microfluidics. Implementing this framework is challenging because to obtain reliable results, the in silico algorithms to search for candidate AMPs need to overcome issues of the state-of-the-art approaches that limit the possibilities for multi-space data distribution analyses in extremely large databases. We expect to tackle this challenge by using a recently developed classification algorithm based on deep learning models that rely on convolutional layers and gated recurrent units. This will be complemented by carefully tailored molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate specific interactions with lipid bilayers. Candidate AMPs will be recombinantly-expressed on the surface of microorganisms for further screening via different droplet-based microfluidic-based strategies to identify AMPs with the desired lytic abilities. We believe that the proposed approach opens opportunities for searching and screening bioactive peptides for other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Ruiz Puentes
- Center for Research and Formation in Artificial Intelligence, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (P.R.P.); (P.A.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - María C. Henao
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos, Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia;
| | - Carlos E. Torres
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Saúl C. Gómez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Laura A. Gómez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Juan C. Burgos
- Chemical Engineering Program, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena 130015, Colombia;
| | - Pablo Arbeláez
- Center for Research and Formation in Artificial Intelligence, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (P.R.P.); (P.A.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Johann F. Osma
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia;
| | - Carolina Muñoz-Camargo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Luis H. Reyes
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos, Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia;
| | - Juan C. Cruz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
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20
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Drab E, Sugihara K. Cooperative Function of LL-37 and HNP1 Protects Mammalian Cell Membranes from Lysis. Biophys J 2020; 119:2440-2450. [PMID: 33157121 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
LL-37, cleaved from human cathelicidin, and human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP1) from the defensin family are antimicrobial peptides that are occasionally co-released from neutrophils, which synergistically kill bacteria. We report that this couple presents another type of cooperativity against host eukaryotic cells, in which they antagonistically minimize cytotoxicity by protecting membranes from lysis. Our results describe the potential of the LL-37/HNP1 cooperativity that switches from membrane-destructive to membrane-protective functions, depending on whether the target is an enemy or a host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Drab
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kaori Sugihara
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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21
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Liu J, Chen F, Wang X, Peng H, Zhang H, Wang KJ. The Synergistic Effect of Mud Crab Antimicrobial Peptides Sphistin and Sph 12-38 With Antibiotics Azithromycin and Rifampicin Enhances Bactericidal Activity Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:572849. [PMID: 33194811 PMCID: PMC7645104 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.572849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Overuse or abuse of antibiotics has undoubtedly accelerated the increasing prevalence of global antibiotic resistance crisis, and thus, people have been trying to explore approaches to decrease dosage of antibiotics or find new antibacterial agents for many years. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are the ideal candidates that could kill pathogens and multidrug-resistant bacteria either alone or in combination with conventional antibiotics. In the study, the antimicrobial efficacy of mud crab Scylla paramamosain AMPs Sphistin and Sph12−38 in combination with eight selected antibiotics was evaluated using a clinical pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was interesting to note that the in vitro combination of rifampicin and azithromycin with Sphistin and Sph12−38 showed significant synergistic activity against P. aeruginosa. Moreover, an in vivo study was carried out using a mouse model challenged with P. aeruginosa, and the result showed that the combination of Sph12−38 with either rifampicin or azithromycin could significantly promote the healing of wounds and had the healing time shortened to 4–5 days compared with 7–8 days in control. The underlying mechanism might be due to the binding of Sphistin and Sph12−38 with P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and subsequent promotion of the intracellular uptake of rifampicin and azithromycin. Taken together, the significant synergistic antibacterial effect on P. aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo conferred by the combination of low dose of Sphistin and Sph12−38 with low dose of rifampicin and azithromycin would be beneficial for the control of antibiotic resistance and effective treatment of P. aeruginosa-infected diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Fangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hui Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ke-Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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22
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Álvarez-Martínez FJ, Barrajón-Catalán E, Micol V. Tackling Antibiotic Resistance with Compounds of Natural Origin: A Comprehensive Review. Biomedicines 2020; 8:E405. [PMID: 33050619 PMCID: PMC7601869 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8100405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant bacteria pose a serious threat to human health worldwide. Current antibiotics are losing efficacy and new antimicrobial agents are urgently needed. Living organisms are an invaluable source of antimicrobial compounds. The antimicrobial activity of the most representative natural products of animal, bacterial, fungal and plant origin are reviewed in this paper. Their activity against drug-resistant bacteria, their mechanisms of action, the possible development of resistance against them, their role in current medicine and their future perspectives are discussed. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect were used to search scientific contributions until September 2020, using relevant keywords. Natural compounds of heterogeneous origins have been shown to possess antimicrobial capabilities, including against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The most commonly found mechanisms of antimicrobial action are related to protein biosynthesis and alteration of cell walls and membranes. Various natural compounds, especially phytochemicals, have shown synergistic capacity with antibiotics. There is little literature on the development of specific resistance mechanisms against natural antimicrobial compounds. New technologies such as -omics, network pharmacology and informatics have the potential to identify and characterize new natural antimicrobial compounds in the future. This knowledge may be useful for the development of future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Javier Álvarez-Martínez
- Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Health Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), Universitas Miguel Hernández (UMH), 03202 Elche, Spain; (F.J.Á.-M.); (V.M.)
| | - Enrique Barrajón-Catalán
- Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Health Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), Universitas Miguel Hernández (UMH), 03202 Elche, Spain; (F.J.Á.-M.); (V.M.)
| | - Vicente Micol
- Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Health Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), Universitas Miguel Hernández (UMH), 03202 Elche, Spain; (F.J.Á.-M.); (V.M.)
- CIBER, Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición, CIBERobn, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CB12/03/30038), 28220 Madrid, Spain
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23
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Piatek M, Sheehan G, Kavanagh K. UtilisingGalleria mellonella larvae for studying in vivo activity of conventional and novel antimicrobial agents. Pathog Dis 2020; 78:5917982. [DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACTThe immune response of insects displays many structural and functional similarities to the innate immune response of mammals. As a result of these conserved features, insects may be used for evaluating microbial virulence or for testing the in vivo efficacy and toxicity of antimicrobial compounds and results show strong similarities to those from mammals. Galleria mellonella larvae are widely used in this capacity and have the advantage of being easy to use, inexpensive to purchase and house, and being free from the ethical and legal restrictions that relate to the use of mammals in these tests. Galleria mellonella larvae may be used to assess the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of novel antimicrobial compounds. A wide range of antibacterial and antifungal therapies have been evaluated in G. mellonella larvae and results have informed subsequent experiments in mammals. While insect larvae are a convenient and reproducible model to use, care must be taken in their use to ensure accuracy of results. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive account of the use of G. mellonella larvae for assessing the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of a wide range of antibacterial and antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Piatek
- SSPC Pharma Research Centre, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare W23 F2H6, Ireland
| | - Gerard Sheehan
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- SSPC Pharma Research Centre, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare W23 F2H6, Ireland
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24
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Lindhauer NS, Bertrams W, Pöppel A, Herkt CE, Wesener A, Hoffmann K, Greene B, Van Der Linden M, Vilcinskas A, Seidel K, Schmeck B. Antibacterial activity of a Tribolium castaneum defensin in an in vitro infection model of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Virulence 2020; 10:902-909. [PMID: 31657264 PMCID: PMC6844301 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1685150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is the most common bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Increasing rates of antibiotic-resistant S. pneumoniae strains impair therapy and necessitate alternative treatment options. In this study, we analysed insect-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) for antibacterial effects on S. pneumoniae in a human in vitro infection model. AMP effects on bacterial growth were examined by colony forming unit (CFU)-assays, and growth curve measurements. Furthermore, cytotoxicity to primary human macrophages was detected by measuring lactate-dehydrogenase release to the supernatant. One AMP (Defensin 1) was tested in a model of primary human monocyte-derived macrophages infected with S. pneumoniae strain D39 and a multi-resistant clinical isolate. Inflammatory reactions were characterised by qPCR and multiplex-ELISA. In total, the antibacterial effects of 23 AMPs were characterized. Only Tribolium castaneum Defensin 1 showed significant antibacterial effects against S. pneumoniae strain D39 and a multi-resistant clinical isolate. During in vitro infection of primary human macrophages with S. pneumoniae D39, Defensin 1 displayed strong antibacterial effects, and consequently reduced bacteria-induced cytokine expression and release. In summary, Tribolium castaneum Defensin 1 showed profound antibacterial effectivity against Streptococcus pneumoniae D39 and a multi-resistant clinical isolate without unwanted cytotoxic or inflammatory side effects on human blood-derived macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora S Lindhauer
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Bertrams
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Anne Pöppel
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christina E Herkt
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Andre Wesener
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Hoffmann
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Brandon Greene
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Universities of Giessen and Marburg, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Mark Van Der Linden
- German National Reference Center for Streptococci, Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany.,Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Seidel
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Schmeck
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany.,Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University Medical Center Giessen and Marburg, Philipps-University, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
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25
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Li J, Fernández-Millán P, Boix E. Synergism between Host Defence Peptides and Antibiotics Against Bacterial Infections. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:1238-1263. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200303122626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background:Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to conventional antibiotics is becoming one of the main global health threats and novel alternative strategies are urging. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), once forgotten, are coming back into the scene as promising tools to overcome bacterial resistance. Recent findings have attracted attention to the potentiality of AMPs to work as antibiotic adjuvants.Methods:In this review, we have tried to collect the currently available information on the mechanism of action of AMPs in synergy with other antimicrobial agents. In particular, we have focused on the mechanisms of action that mediate the inhibition of the emergence of bacterial resistance by AMPs.Results and Conclusion:We find in the literature many examples where AMPs can significantly reduce the antibiotic effective concentration. Mainly, the peptides work at the bacterial cell wall and thereby facilitate the drug access to its intracellular target. Complementarily, AMPs can also contribute to permeate the exopolysaccharide layer of biofilm communities, or even prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm growth. Secondly, we find other peptides that can directly block the emergence of bacterial resistance mechanisms or interfere with the community quorum-sensing systems. Interestingly, the effective peptide concentrations for adjuvant activity and inhibition of bacterial resistance are much lower than the required for direct antimicrobial action. Finally, many AMPs expressed by innate immune cells are endowed with immunomodulatory properties and can participate in the host response against infection. Recent studies in animal models confirm that AMPs work as adjuvants at non-toxic concentrations and can be safely administrated for novel combined chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
| | - Pablo Fernández-Millán
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
| | - Ester Boix
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
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26
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Efficacy of Lytic Phage Cocktails on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Mixed-Species Planktonic Cultures and Biofilms. Viruses 2020; 12:v12050559. [PMID: 32443619 PMCID: PMC7291191 DOI: 10.3390/v12050559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of phages in multispecies infections has been poorly examined. The in vitro lytic efficacies of phage cocktails AB-SA01, AB-PA01, which target Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, and their combination against their hosts were evaluated in S. aureus and P. aeruginosa mixed-species planktonic and biofilm cultures. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labelled P. aeruginosa PAO1 and mCherry-labelled S. aureus KUB7 laboratory strains and clinical isolates were used as target bacteria. During real-time monitoring using fluorescence spectrophotometry, the density of mCherry S. aureus KUB7 and GFP P. aeruginosa PAO1 significantly decreased when treated by their respective phage cocktail, a mixture of phage cocktails, and gentamicin. The decrease in bacterial density measured by relative fluorescence strongly associated with the decline in bacterial cell counts. This microplate-based mixed-species culture treatment monitoring through spectrophotometry combine reproducibility, rapidity, and ease of management. It is amenable to high-throughput screening for phage cocktail efficacy evaluation. Each phage cocktail, the combination of the two phage cocktails, and tetracycline produced significant biofilm biomass reduction in mixed-species biofilms. This study result shows that these phage cocktails lyse their hosts in the presence of non-susceptible bacteria. These data support the use of phage cocktails therapy in infections with multiple bacterial species.
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27
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The insect antimicrobial peptide cecropin A disrupts uropathogenic Escherichia coli biofilms. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2020; 6:6. [PMID: 32051417 PMCID: PMC7016129 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-020-0116-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Current antibiotics cannot eradicate uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) biofilms, leading to recurrent urinary tract infections. Here, we show that the insect antimicrobial peptide cecropin A (CecA) can destroy planktonic and sessile biofilm-forming UPEC cells, either alone or when combined with the antibiotic nalidixic acid (NAL), synergistically clearing infection in vivo without off-target cytotoxicity. The multi-target mechanism of action involves outer membrane permeabilization followed by biofilm disruption triggered by the inhibition of efflux pump activity and interactions with extracellular and intracellular nucleic acids. These diverse targets ensure that resistance to the CecA + NAL combination emerges slowly. The antimicrobial mechanisms of CecA, thus, extend beyond pore-forming activity to include an unanticipated biofilm-eradication process, offering an alternative approach to combat antibiotic-resistant UPEC infections.
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28
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Della Pelle G, Perà G, Belardinelli MC, Gerdol M, Felli M, Crognale S, Scapigliati G, Ceccacci F, Buonocore F, Porcelli F. Trematocine, a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide from the Antarctic Fish Trematomus bernacchii: Identification and Biological Activity. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E66. [PMID: 32041161 PMCID: PMC7168153 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9020066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short peptides active against a wide range of pathogens and, therefore, they are considered a useful alternative to conventional antibiotics. We have identified a new AMP in a transcriptome derived from the Antarctic fish Trematomus bernacchii. This peptide, named Trematocine, has been investigated for its expression both at the basal level and after in vivo immunization with an endemic Antarctic bacterium (Psychrobacter sp. TAD1). Results agree with the expected behavior of a fish innate immune component, therefore we decided to synthesize the putative mature sequence of Trematocine to determine the structure, the interaction with biological membranes, and the biological activity. We showed that Trematocine folds into a α-helical structure in the presence of both zwitterionic and anionic charged vesicles. We demonstrated that Trematocine has a highly specific interaction with anionic charged vesicles and that it can kill Gram-negative bacteria, possibly via a carpet like mechanism. Moreover, Trematocine showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria similar to other AMPs isolated from Antarctic fishes. The peptide is a possible candidate for a new drug as it does not show any haemolytic or cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells at the concentration needed to kill the tested bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Della Pelle
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Giulia Perà
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Maria Cristina Belardinelli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34128, Italy;
| | - Martina Felli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Silvia Crognale
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Giuseppe Scapigliati
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Francesca Ceccacci
- CNR—Institute for Biological Systems, Sede Secondaria di Roma-Meccanismi di Reazione, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Buonocore
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
| | - Fernando Porcelli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.D.P.); (G.P.); (M.C.B.); (M.F.); (S.C.); (G.S.); (F.P.)
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29
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Parai D, Dey P, Mukherjee SK. Antimicrobial Peptides: An Approach to Combat Resilient Infections. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2020; 17:542-552. [PMID: 31250760 DOI: 10.2174/1570163816666190620114338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It was apparent by the end of 1980s that the success against the threats of bacterial pathogens on public health was an illusion, with the rapid development of resistant strains more than the discovery of new drugs. As a consequence, the remedial services were in the backfoot position of being on the losing side of this never-ending evolutionary war. The quest for new antibiotics to overcome resistance problems has long been a top research priority for the researchers and the pharmaceutical industry. However, the resistance problems remain unresolved due to the abrupt misuse of antibiotics by common people, which has immensely worsened the scenario by disseminating antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains around the world. OBJECTIVE Thus, immediate action is needed to measure emerging and re-emerging microbial diseases having new resistance mechanisms and to manage their rapid spread among the common public by means of novel alternative metabolites. CONCLUSION Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are short, cationic peptides evolved in a wide range of living organisms and serve as the essential part of the host innate immunity. For humans, these effector molecules either can directly kill the foreign microbes or modulate the host immune systems so that the human body could develop some resistance against the microbial infections. In this review, we discuss their history, structural classifications, modes of action, and explain their biological roles as anti-infective agents. We also scrutinize their clinical potentiality, current limitations in various developmental stages and strategies to overcome for their successful clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debaprasad Parai
- Department of Microbiology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, WB, India
| | - Pia Dey
- Department of Microbiology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, WB, India
| | - Samir K Mukherjee
- Department of Microbiology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, WB, India
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30
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Li Y, Sun N, Ser HL, Long W, Li Y, Chen C, Zheng B, Huang X, Liu Z, Lu YJ. Antibacterial activity evaluation and mode of action study of novel thiazole-quinolinium derivatives. RSC Adv 2020; 10:15000-15014. [PMID: 35497125 PMCID: PMC9052103 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra00691b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A new series of thiazole-quinolinium derivatives perturb the polymerization of FtsZ with strong antibacterial activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- PR China
| | - Ning Sun
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- PR China
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery
| | - Hooi-Leng Ser
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- PR China
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery (NBDD) Research Group
| | - Wei Long
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- PR China
| | - Yanan Li
- Department of Pharmacy
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
- Zhuhai
- P. R. China
| | - Cuicui Chen
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- PR China
| | - Boxin Zheng
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- PR China
| | - Xuanhe Huang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- PR China
| | - Zhihua Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Kowloon
- China
| | - Yu-Jing Lu
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- PR China
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31
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Cutuli MA, Petronio Petronio G, Vergalito F, Magnifico I, Pietrangelo L, Venditti N, Di Marco R. Galleria mellonella as a consolidated in vivo model hosts: New developments in antibacterial strategies and novel drug testing. Virulence 2019; 10:527-541. [PMID: 31142220 PMCID: PMC6550544 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1621649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A greater ethical conscience, new global rules and a modified perception of ethical consciousness entail a more rigorous control on utilizations of vertebrates for in vivo studies. To cope with this new scenario, numerous alternatives to rodents have been proposed. Among these, the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella had a preponderant role, especially in the microbiological field, as demonstrated by the growing number of recent scientific publications. The reasons for its success must be sought in its peculiar characteristics such as the innate immune response mechanisms and the ability to grow at a temperature of 37°C. This review aims to describe the most relevant features of G. mellonella in microbiology, highlighting the most recent and relevant research on antibacterial strategies, novel drug tests and toxicological studies. Although solutions for some limitations are required, G. mellonella has all the necessary host features to be a consolidated in vivo model host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Alfio Cutuli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise Italy - III Ed Polifunzionale, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Giulio Petronio Petronio
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise Italy - III Ed Polifunzionale, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Franca Vergalito
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise Italy - III Ed Polifunzionale, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Irene Magnifico
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise Italy - III Ed Polifunzionale, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Laura Pietrangelo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise Italy - III Ed Polifunzionale, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Noemi Venditti
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise Italy - III Ed Polifunzionale, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Roberto Di Marco
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise Italy - III Ed Polifunzionale, Campobasso, Italy
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32
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Asai M, Li Y, Khara JS, Robertson BD, Langford PR, Newton SM. Galleria mellonella: An Infection Model for Screening Compounds Against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2630. [PMID: 31824448 PMCID: PMC6882372 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug screening models have a vital role in the development of novel antimycobacterial agents which are urgently needed to tackle drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). We recently established the larvae of the insect Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth) as a novel infection model for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Here we demonstrate its use as a rapid and reproducible screen to evaluate antimycobacterial drug efficacy using larvae infected with bioluminescent Mycobacterium bovis BCG lux. Treatment improved larval survival outcome and, with the exception of pyrazinamide, was associated with a significant reduction in in vivo mycobacterial bioluminescence over a 96 h period compared to the untreated controls. Isoniazid and rifampicin displayed the greatest in vivo efficacy and survival outcome. Thus G. mellonella, infected with bioluminescent mycobacteria, can rapidly determine in vivo drug efficacy, and has the potential to significantly reduce and/or replace the number of animals used in TB research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Asai
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yanwen Li
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jasmeet Singh Khara
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Brian D Robertson
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul R Langford
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra M Newton
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Seyfi R, Kahaki FA, Ebrahimi T, Montazersaheb S, Eyvazi S, Babaeipour V, Tarhriz V. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs): Roles, Functions and Mechanism of Action. Int J Pept Res Ther 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-019-09946-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Zhu J, Huang Y, Chen M, Hu C, Chen Y. Functional Synergy Of Antimicrobial Peptides And Chlorhexidine Acetate Against Gram-Negative/Gram-Positive Bacteria And A Fungus In Vitro And In Vivo. Infect Drug Resist 2019; 12:3227-3239. [PMID: 31686873 PMCID: PMC6800562 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s218778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose To reduce the resistance and allergic reaction to chlorhexidine acetate (CHA) in the current treatment of (Bacterial vaginosis) BV and (vulvovaginal candidiasis) VVC in female vaginitis. In this study, the antimicrobial activities and mechanism of action of the synergistic effects of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) HPRP-A1 and HPRP-A2, and CHA, against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and one fungus Candida albicans (C. albicans) were investigated in vitro and in mouse and rat vaginitis infection models in vivo. Results HPRP-A1, HPRP-A2 and CHA showed significant synergistic effects on the antimicrobial activities against different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and C. albicans. The combined application of HPRP-A2 and CHA exhibited strong synergistic effects in the mouse and rat vaginitis models caused by bacteria or C. albicans. Conclusion This study may prompt the development of new drug combinations against vaginitis infections, including mixed bacterial and fungal infections and multi-drug-resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.,College of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Yibing Huang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.,College of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingxia Chen
- Jiangsu ProteLight Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Jiangyin, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuihua Hu
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.,College of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu ProteLight Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Jiangyin, People's Republic of China
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35
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Yang W, Tan P, Fu X, Hong L. Prediction of amyloid aggregation rates by machine learning and feature selection. J Chem Phys 2019; 151:084106. [PMID: 31470712 DOI: 10.1063/1.5113848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel data-based machine learning algorithm for predicting amyloid aggregation rates is reported in this paper. Based on a highly nonlinear projection from 16 intrinsic features of a protein and 4 extrinsic features of the environment to the protein aggregation rate, a feedforward fully connected neural network (FCN) with one hidden layer is trained on a dataset composed of 21 different kinds of amyloid proteins and tested on 4 rest proteins. FCN shows a much better performance than traditional algorithms, such as multivariable linear regression and support vector regression, with an average accuracy higher than 90%. Furthermore, by the correlation analysis and the principal component analysis, seven key features, folding energy, HP patterns for helix, sheet and helices cross membrane, pH, ionic strength, and protein concentration, are shown to constitute a minimum feature set for characterizing the amyloid aggregation kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuyue Yang
- Zhou Pei-Yuan Center for Applied Mathematics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Pengzhen Tan
- Zhou Pei-Yuan Center for Applied Mathematics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xianjun Fu
- Institute for Literature and Culture of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Liu Hong
- Zhou Pei-Yuan Center for Applied Mathematics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Yuan W, Yu Z, Song W, Li Y, Fang Z, Zhu B, Li X, Wang H, Hong W, Sun N. Indole-core-based novel antibacterial agent targeting FtsZ. Infect Drug Resist 2019; 12:2283-2296. [PMID: 31413605 PMCID: PMC6662167 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s208757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of drug-resistant bacterial infections urges the development of new antibacterial agents that possess a mechanism of action different from traditional antibiotics. FtsZ has been recognized as a key functional protein in bacterial cell division and it is currently believed to be a potential target for the development of novel antibacterial agents. Purpose The primary aim of the study is to screen out an inhibitor targeting at FtsZ and followed to investigate its antibacterial activity and mode of action. Methods Cell-based cell division inhibitory screening assay, antimicrobial susceptibility test, minimum bactericidal concentration assay, time-killing curve determination, FtsZ polymerization assay, GTPase activity assay, and molecular modeling were performed in the present study. Results The screening study from a small library consisting of benzimidazole and indole derivatives discovered a compound (CZ74) with an indole-core structure. The compound exhibited strong cell division inhibitory effect. In addition, CZ74 shows high antibacterial potency against a number of tested Gram-positive bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. The minimum inhibitory concentration values obtained were within the range of 2–4 µg/mL. The results of biological study revealed that CZ74 at 2 µg/mL is able to disrupt FtsZ polymerization and inhibit GTPase activity and cell division. From molecular modeling study, CZ74 is found possibly binding into the interdomain cleft of FtsZ protein and then leads to inhibitory effects. Conclusion This indole-cored molecule CZ74 could be a potential lead compound and could be further developed as a new generation of antibacterial agents targeting FtsZ to combat against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchang Yuan
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou 510700, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiwu Yu
- Division of Laboratory Science, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiqi Song
- School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyuan Fang
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou 510700, People's Republic of China
| | - Baizhen Zhu
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou 510700, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomei Li
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou 510700, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Hong
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Sun
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou 510700, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, and Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
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37
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Tharmalingam N, Khader R, Fuchs BB, Mylonakis E. The Anti-virulence Efficacy of 4-(1,3-Dimethyl-2,3-Dihydro-1H-Benzimidazol-2-yl)Phenol Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1557. [PMID: 31379761 PMCID: PMC6653400 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial drug discovery against drug-resistant bacteria is an urgent need. Beyond agents with direct antibacterial activity, anti-virulent molecules may also be viable compounds to defend against bacterial pathogenesis. Using a high throughput screen (HTS) that utilized Caenorhabditis elegans infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain of MW2, we identified 4-(1,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenol (BIP). Interestingly, BIP had no in vitro inhibition activity against MW2, at least up to 64 μg/ml. The lack of direct antimicrobial activity suggests that BIP could inhibit bacterial virulence factors. To explore the possible anti-virulence effect of the identified molecule, we first performed real-time PCR to examine changes in virulence expression. BIP was highly active against MRSA virulence factors at sub-lethal concentrations and down-regulated virulence regulator genes, such as agrA and codY. However, the benzimidazole derivatives omeprazole and pantoprazole did not down-regulate virulence genes significantly, compared to BIP. Moreover, the BIP-pretreated MW2 cells were more vulnerable to macrophage-mediated killing, as confirmed by intracellular killing and live/dead staining assays, and less efficient in establishing a lethal infection in the invertebrate host Galleria mellonella (p = 0.0131). We tested the cytotoxicity of BIP against human red blood cells (RBCs), and it did not cause hemolysis at the highest concentration tested (64 μg/ml). Taken together, our findings outline the potential anti-virulence activity of BIP that was identified through a C. elegans-based, whole animal based, screen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
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Mulani MS, Kamble EE, Kumkar SN, Tawre MS, Pardesi KR. Emerging Strategies to Combat ESKAPE Pathogens in the Era of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Review. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:539. [PMID: 30988669 PMCID: PMC6452778 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 792] [Impact Index Per Article: 158.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The acronym ESKAPE includes six nosocomial pathogens that exhibit multidrug resistance and virulence: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. Persistent use of antibiotics has provoked the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) bacteria, which render even the most effective drugs ineffective. Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase producing Gram negative bacteria have emerged as an important therapeutic challenge. Development of novel therapeutics to treat drug resistant infections, especially those caused by ESKAPE pathogens is the need of the hour. Alternative therapies such as use of antibiotics in combination or with adjuvants, bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides, nanoparticles, and photodynamic light therapy are widely reported. Many reviews published till date describe these therapies with respect to the various agents used, their dosage details and mechanism of action against MDR pathogens but very few have focused specifically on ESKAPE. The objective of this review is to describe the alternative therapies reported to treat ESKAPE infections, their advantages and limitations, potential application in vivo, and status in clinical trials. The review further highlights the importance of a combinatorial approach, wherein two or more therapies are used in combination in order to overcome their individual limitations, additional studies on which are warranted, before translating them into clinical practice. These advances could possibly give an alternate solution or extend the lifetime of current antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansura S Mulani
- Department of Microbiology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Ekta E Kamble
- Department of Microbiology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Shital N Kumkar
- Department of Microbiology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Madhumita S Tawre
- Department of Microbiology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Karishma R Pardesi
- Department of Microbiology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
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Hoffmann D, Eckhardt D, Gerlach D, Vilcinskas A, Czermak P. Downstream processing of Cry4AaCter-induced inclusion bodies containing insect-derived antimicrobial peptides produced in Escherichia coli. Protein Expr Purif 2018; 155:120-129. [PMID: 30529536 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Cry4AaCter tag is a pull-down tag which promotes the formation of inclusion bodies (IBs) that can be resolubilized in an alkaline buffer. Here, we used the Cry4AaCter tag to create a platform for the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in Escherichia coli featuring a uniform resolubilization process independent of the peptide fused to the pull-down tag. The Cry4AaCter tag conserves the bioactivity of fusion proteins and thus allows the purification of simple AMPs and more complex AMPs stabilized by disulfide bonds. We developed a downstream process (DSP) for the purification of IBs containing the mutated Galleria mellonella insect metalloprotease inhibitor IMPI(I38V), which has a globular structure stabilized by five disulfide bonds. IMPI(I38V) is a potent inhibitor of the M4 metalloproteases used as virulence factors by several human pathogens. We used a single crossflow filtration for the washing and resolubilization of the Cry4AaCter-induced IBs and obtained bioactive IMPI(I38V) after tag removal. We achieved a 68-fold higher protein yield using our IB system compared to an alternative DSP approach in which a GST-fusion strategy was used to produce soluble IMPI(I38V). The Cry4AaCter-based process was transferable to gloverin (another G. mellonella AMP) and the visible marker green fluorescent protein, which accumulated in fluorescent IBs, confirming it is a broadly applicable strategy for the recovery of functional proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hoffmann
- University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dustin Eckhardt
- University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Doreen Gerlach
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Project Group Bioresources, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Project Group Bioresources, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany; Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Peter Czermak
- University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, Wiesenstrasse 14, 35390, Giessen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Project Group Bioresources, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany; Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring, 35392, Giessen, Germany; Kansas State University, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, 1005 Durland Hall 1701A Platt Street, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
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40
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Pang Z, Raudonis R, Glick BR, Lin TJ, Cheng Z. Antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: mechanisms and alternative therapeutic strategies. Biotechnol Adv 2018; 37:177-192. [PMID: 30500353 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 957] [Impact Index Per Article: 159.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis patients and immunocompromised individuals. Eradication of P. aeruginosa has become increasingly difficult due to its remarkable capacity to resist antibiotics. Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are known to utilize their high levels of intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms to counter most antibiotics. In addition, adaptive antibiotic resistance of P. aeruginosa is a recently characterized mechanism, which includes biofilm-mediated resistance and formation of multidrug-tolerant persister cells, and is responsible for recalcitrance and relapse of infections. The discovery and development of alternative therapeutic strategies that present novel avenues against P. aeruginosa infections are increasingly demanded and gaining more and more attention. Although mostly at the preclinical stages, many recent studies have reported several innovative therapeutic technologies that have demonstrated pronounced effectiveness in fighting against drug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains. This review highlights the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa and discusses the current state of some novel therapeutic approaches for treatment of P. aeruginosa infections that can be further explored in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Pang
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Renee Raudonis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Bernard R Glick
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Tong-Jun Lin
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
| | - Zhenyu Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
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41
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Amato DN, Amato DV, Adewunmi Y, Mavrodi OV, Parsons KH, Swilley SN, Braasch DA, Walker WD, Mavrodi DV, Patton DL. Using Aldehyde Synergism To Direct the Design of Degradable Pro-Antimicrobial Networks. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2018; 1:1983-1991. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.8b00500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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42
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Wang J, Dou X, Song J, Lyu Y, Zhu X, Xu L, Li W, Shan A. Antimicrobial peptides: Promising alternatives in the post feeding antibiotic era. Med Res Rev 2018; 39:831-859. [PMID: 30353555 DOI: 10.1002/med.21542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), critical components of the innate immune system, are widely distributed throughout the animal and plant kingdoms. They can protect against a broad array of infection-causing agents, such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, and tumor cells, and also exhibit immunomodulatory activity. AMPs exert antimicrobial activities primarily through mechanisms involving membrane disruption, so they have a lower likelihood of inducing drug resistance. Extensive studies on the structure-activity relationship have revealed that net charge, hydrophobicity, and amphipathicity are the most important physicochemical and structural determinants endowing AMPs with antimicrobial potency and cell selectivity. This review summarizes the recent advances in AMPs development with respect to characteristics, structure-activity relationships, functions, antimicrobial mechanisms, expression regulation, and applications in food, medicine, and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Wang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiujing Dou
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Jing Song
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Yinfeng Lyu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Zhu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Weizhong Li
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Anshan Shan
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
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Biological Profiling of Coleoptericins and Coleoptericin-Like Antimicrobial Peptides from the Invasive Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1214:43-59. [PMID: 30269257 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2018_276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic-resistant human pathogens and the declining number of novel antibiotics in the development pipeline is a global challenge that has fueled the demand for alternative options. The search for novel drug candidates has expanded to include not only antibiotics but also adjuvants capable of restoring antibiotic susceptibility in multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Insect-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can potentially fulfil both of these functions. We tested two coleoptericins and one coleoptericin-like peptides from the invasive harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis against a panel of human pathogens. The AMPs displayed little or no activity when tested alone but were active even against clinical MDR isolates of the Gram-negative ESKAPE strains when tested in combination with polymyxin derivatives, such as the reserve antibiotic colistin, at levels below the minimal inhibitory concentration. Assuming intracellular targets of the AMPs, our data indicate that colistin potentiates the activity of the AMPs. All three AMPs achieved good in vitro therapeutic indices and high intrahepatic stability but low plasma stability, suggesting they could be developed as adjuvants for topical delivery or administration by inhalation for anti-infective therapy to reduce the necessary dose of colistin (and thus its side effects) or to prevent development of colistin resistance in MDR pathogens.
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Zheng YY, Du RL, Cai SY, Liu ZH, Fang ZY, Liu T, So LY, Lu YJ, Sun N, Wong KY. Study of Benzofuroquinolinium Derivatives as a New Class of Potent Antibacterial Agent and the Mode of Inhibition Targeting FtsZ. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1937. [PMID: 30174667 PMCID: PMC6107709 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
New generation of antibacterial agents are urgently needed in order to fight the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. FtsZ is currently identified as a promising target for new types of antimicrobial compounds development because of its conservative characteristics and its essential role played in bacterial cell division. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of a series of benzofuroquinolinium derivatives was investigated. The results show that the compounds possess potent antibacterial activity against drug resistant pathogens including MRSA, VREF and NDM-1 Escherichia coli. Biological studies reveal that the compound is an effective inhibitor that is able to suppress FtsZ polymerization and GTPase activity and thus stopping the cell division and causing cell death. More importantly, this series of compounds shows low cytotoxicity on mammalian cells and therefore they could be new chemotypes for the development of new antibacterial agents targeting the cell-division protein FtsZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Zheng
- Institute of Natural Medicine & Green Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Ruo-Lan Du
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Sen-Yuan Cai
- Institute of Natural Medicine & Green Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Liu
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Yuan Fang
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Liu
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lok-Yan So
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yu-Jing Lu
- Institute of Natural Medicine & Green Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Goldenpomelo Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Meizhou, China
| | - Ning Sun
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kwok-Yin Wong
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and the State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Ramchuran EJ, Somboro AM, Abdel Monaim SAH, Amoako DG, Parboosing R, Kumalo HM, Agrawal N, Albericio F, Torre BGDL, Bester LA. In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Teixobactin Derivatives on Clinically Relevant Bacterial Isolates. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1535. [PMID: 30050518 PMCID: PMC6051056 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) are included on the WHO high priority list of pathogens that require urgent intervention. Hence emphasis needs to be placed on developing novel class of molecules to tackle these pathogens. Teixobactin is a new class of antibiotic that has demonstrated antimicrobial activity against common bacteria. Here we examined the antimicrobial properties of three Teixobactin derivatives against clinically relevant bacterial isolates taken from South African patients. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC), the effect of serum on MICs and the time-kill kinetics studies of our synthesized Teixobactin derivatives (3, 4, and 5) were ascertained following the CLSI 2017 guidelines and using the broth microdilution method. Haemolysis on red blood cells (RBCs) and cytotoxicity on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were performed to determine the safety of these compounds. The MICs of 3, 4, and 5 against reference strains were 4–64 μg/ml, 2–64 μg/ml, and 0.5–64 μg/ml, respectively. The MICs observed for MRSA were (3) 32 μg/ml, (4) 2–4 μg/ml and (5) 2–4 μg/ml whilst those for VRE were (3) 8–16 μg/ml, (4) 4 μg/ml and (5) 2–16 μg/ml, respectively. In the presence of 50% human serum, there was no significant effect on the MICs. The compounds did not exhibit any effect on cell viability at their effective concentrations. Teixobactin derivatives (3, 4, and 5) inhibited bacterial growth in drug-resistant bacteria and hence emerge as potential antimicrobial agents. Molecular dynamic simulations suggested that the most dominant binding mode of Lys10-teixobactin (4) to lipid II is through the amide protons of the cycle, which is identical to data described in the literature for the natural teixobactin hence predicting the possibility of a similar mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle J Ramchuran
- Biomedical Resource Unit, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Anou M Somboro
- Biomedical Resource Unit, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Shimaa A H Abdel Monaim
- Peptide Research Group, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Daniel G Amoako
- Biomedical Resource Unit, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Raveen Parboosing
- Department of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Hezekiel M Kumalo
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nikhil Agrawal
- KRISP, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Fernando Albericio
- Peptide Research Group, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,CIBER-BBN, Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, and Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beatriz G de La Torre
- KRISP, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Linda A Bester
- Biomedical Resource Unit, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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46
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Repurposing the anthelmintic drug niclosamide to combat Helicobacter pylori. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3701. [PMID: 29487357 PMCID: PMC5829259 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22037-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to discover novel antimicrobial therapies. Drug repurposing can reduce the time and cost risk associated with drug development. We report the inhibitory effects of anthelmintic drugs (niclosamide, oxyclozanide, closantel, rafoxanide) against Helicobacter pylori strain 60190 and pursued further characterization of niclosamide against H. pylori. The MIC of niclosamide against H. pylori was 0.25 μg/mL. Niclosamide was stable in acidic pH and demonstrated partial synergy with metronidazole and proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole and pantoprazole. Niclosamide administration at 1 × MIC concentration, eliminated 3-log10 CFU of H. pylori adhesion/invasion to AGS cells. Interestingly, no resistance developed even after exposure of H. pylori bacteria to niclosamide for 30 days. The cytotoxic assay demonstrated that niclosamide is not hemolytic and has an IC50 of 4 μg/mL in hepatic and gastric cell lines. Niclosamide administration decreased transmembrane pH as determined by DiSC3(5) assay indicating that the mechanism of action of the anti-H. pylori activity of niclosamide was the disruption of H. pylori proton motive force. Niclosamide was effective in the Galleria mellonella-H. pylori infection model (p = 0.0001) and it can be develop further to combat H. pylori infection. However, results need to be confirmed with other H. pylori and clinical strains.
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47
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Tharmalingam N, Rajmuthiah R, Kim W, Fuchs BB, Jeyamani E, Kelso MJ, Mylonakis E. Antibacterial Properties of Four Novel Hit Compounds from a Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus-Caenorhabditis elegans High-Throughput Screen. Microb Drug Resist 2018; 24:666-674. [PMID: 29461939 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2017.0250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for the discovery of effective new antimicrobial agents to combat the rise of bacterial drug resistance. High-throughput screening (HTS) in whole-animal infection models is a powerful tool for identifying compounds that show antibacterial activity and low host toxicity. In this report, we characterize the activities of four novel antistaphylococcal compounds identified from an HTS campaign conducted using Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The hit compounds included an N-hydroxy indole-1, a substituted melamine derivative-2, N-substituted indolic alkyl isothiocyanate-3, and p-difluoromethylsulfide analog-4 of the well-known protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the four compounds ranged from 2 to 8 μg/ml against MRSA-MW2 and Enterococcus faecium and all were bacteriostatic. The compounds were mostly inactive against Gram-negative pathogens, with only 1 and 4 showing slight activity (MIC = 32 μg/ml) against Acinetobacter baumanii. Compounds 2 and 3 (but not 1 or 4) were found to perturb MRSA membranes. In phagocytosis assays, compounds 1, 2, and 4 inhibited the growth of internalized MRSA in macrophages, whereas compound 3 showed a remarkable ability to clear intracellular MRSA at its MIC (p < 0.001). None of the compounds showed hemolytic activity at concentrations below 64 μg/ml (p = 0.0021). Compounds 1, 2, and 4 (but not 3) showed synergistic activity against MRSA with ciprofloxacin, while compound 3 synergized with erythromycin, gentamicin, streptomycin, and vancomycin. In conclusion, we describe four new antistaphylococcal compounds that warrant further study as novel antibacterial agents against Gram-positive organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagendran Tharmalingam
- 1 Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University , Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Rajmohan Rajmuthiah
- 1 Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University , Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Wooseong Kim
- 1 Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University , Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Beth Burgwyn Fuchs
- 1 Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University , Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Elamparithi Jeyamani
- 2 Massachusetts General Hospital , Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael J Kelso
- 3 Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong , Wollongong, New South Wales
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- 1 Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University , Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
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48
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Olivieri C, Bugli F, Menchinelli G, Veglia G, Buonocore F, Scapigliati G, Stocchi V, Ceccacci F, Papi M, Sanguinetti M, Porcelli F. Design and characterization of chionodracine-derived antimicrobial peptides with enhanced activity against drug-resistant human pathogens. RSC Adv 2018; 8:41331-41346. [PMID: 35559296 PMCID: PMC9091591 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra08065h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Design of new chionodracine-derived peptides with potent activity against drug-resistant human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Olivieri
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems
- University of Tuscia
- 01100 Viterbo
- Italy
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics
| | - Francesca Bugli
- Microbiology Institute
- Catholic University of Sacred Heart
- Rome
- Italy
| | | | - Gianluigi Veglia
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Minnesota
- Minneapolis
- 55455 USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics
| | - Francesco Buonocore
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems
- University of Tuscia
- 01100 Viterbo
- Italy
| | - Giuseppe Scapigliati
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems
- University of Tuscia
- 01100 Viterbo
- Italy
| | - Valentina Stocchi
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems
- University of Tuscia
- 01100 Viterbo
- Italy
| | - Francesca Ceccacci
- CNR – Institute of Chemical Methodologies
- Sezione Meccanismi di Reazione UOS of Rome
- Rome
- Italy
| | | | | | - Fernando Porcelli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest Systems
- University of Tuscia
- 01100 Viterbo
- Italy
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49
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Angleró-Rodríguez YI, MacLeod HJ, Kang S, Carlson JS, Jupatanakul N, Dimopoulos G. Aedes aegypti Molecular Responses to Zika Virus: Modulation of Infection by the Toll and Jak/Stat Immune Pathways and Virus Host Factors. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2050. [PMID: 29109710 PMCID: PMC5660061 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) are transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes. However, the molecular interactions between the vector and ZIKV remain largely unexplored. In this work, we further investigated the tropism of ZIKV in two different Aedes aegypti strains and show that the virus infection kinetics, tissue migration, and susceptibility to infection differ between mosquito strains. We also compare the vector transcriptome changes upon ZIKV or DENV infection demonstrating that 40% of the mosquito's midgut infection-responsive transcriptome is virus-specific at 7 days after virus ingestion. Regulated genes included key factors of the mosquito's anti-viral immunity. Comparison of the ZIKV and DENV infection-responsive transcriptome data to those available for yellow fever virus and West Nile virus identified 26 genes likely to play key roles in virus infection of Aedes mosquitoes. Through reverse genetic analyses, we show that the Toll and the Jak/Stat innate immune pathways mediate increased resistance to ZIKV infection, and the conserved DENV host factors vATPase and inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase are also utilized for ZIKV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesseinia I Angleró-Rodríguez
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Hannah J MacLeod
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Seokyoung Kang
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jenny S Carlson
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Natapong Jupatanakul
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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