1
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Yoda T, Matsuhashi A, Matsushita A, Shibagaki S, Sasakura Y, Aoki K, Hosokawa M, Tsuda S. Uncovering Endolysins against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Using a Microbial Single-Cell Genome Database. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2679-2689. [PMID: 38906534 PMCID: PMC11320564 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Endolysins, peptidoglycan hydrolases derived from bacteriophages (phages), are being developed as a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. To obtain highly active endolysins, a diverse library of these endolysins is vital. We propose here microbial single-cell genome sequencing as an efficient tool to discover dozens of previously unknown endolysins, owing to its culture-independent sequencing method. As a proof of concept, we analyzed and recovered endolysin genes within prophage regions of Staphylococcus single-amplified genomes in human skin microbiome samples. We constructed a library of chimeric endolysins by shuffling domains of the natural endolysins and performed high-throughput screening against Staphylococcus aureus. One of the lead endolysins, bbst1027, exhibited desirable antimicrobial properties, such as rapid bactericidal activity, no detectable resistance development, and in vivo efficacy. We foresee that this endolysin discovery pipeline is in principle applicable to any bacterial target and boost the development of novel antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Yoda
- bitBiome,
Inc., 513 Wasedatsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan
| | - Ayumi Matsuhashi
- bitBiome,
Inc., 513 Wasedatsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan
| | - Ai Matsushita
- bitBiome,
Inc., 513 Wasedatsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan
| | - Shohei Shibagaki
- bitBiome,
Inc., 513 Wasedatsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan
| | - Yukie Sasakura
- bitBiome,
Inc., 513 Wasedatsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan
| | - Kazuteru Aoki
- bitBiome,
Inc., 513 Wasedatsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan
| | - Masahito Hosokawa
- bitBiome,
Inc., 513 Wasedatsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan
- Department
of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University, 2-2
Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
- Research
Organization for Nano and Life Innovation, Waseda University, 513
Wasedatsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan
- Institute
for Advanced Research of Biosystem Dynamics, Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Soichiro Tsuda
- bitBiome,
Inc., 513 Wasedatsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan
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2
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Skrzyniarz K, Takvor-Mena S, Lach K, Łysek-Gładysińska M, Barrios-Gumiel Ó, Cano J, Ciepluch K. Molecular mechanism of action of imidazolium carbosilane dendrimers on the outer bacterial membrane - From membrane damage to permeability to antimicrobial endolysin. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 665:814-824. [PMID: 38555749 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.03.130] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The outer bacterial membrane of drug-resistant bacteria is a significant barrier to many antimicrobials. Therefore, the development of new antibacterials primarily focuses on damaging the outer bacterial membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Among many membrane-disrupting substances, the most promising are cationic dendritic systems. However, the mode of action may vary among different strains due to variations in the lipid compositions of the membrane. Here, we investigated the interaction of two types of cationic imidazolium carbosilane dendrimers: one with a single cationic group (methyl imidazolium) and the other with the same cationic group but attached to a functional group (a pendant pyridyl moiety), capable of establishing interactions with membranes through H-bonding or ion-dipole electrostatic interactions. We used different models of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria - Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Additionally, we assessed the combined effect of the dendrimers and the antibacterial endolysin on P. aeruginosa. Our results show that the mechanism of action depends on the type of dendrimer and the lipid composition of the membrane. We also demonstrate that the alteration of membrane fluidity and permeability to endolysin by the methyl imidazolium and pyridyl imidazolium dendrimers may play a more significant role in antimicrobial activity compared to membrane damage caused by positively charged dendrimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Skrzyniarz
- Division of Medical Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Uniwersytecka Street 7, 25-640 Kielce, Poland
| | - Samuel Takvor-Mena
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry "Andrés M. del Río" (IQAR), University of Alcalá, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; Networking Research Center for Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research, IRYCIS, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Karolina Lach
- Division of Medical Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Uniwersytecka Street 7, 25-640 Kielce, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Łysek-Gładysińska
- Division of Medical Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Uniwersytecka Street 7, 25-640 Kielce, Poland
| | - Óscar Barrios-Gumiel
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry "Andrés M. del Río" (IQAR), University of Alcalá, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; Networking Research Center for Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research, IRYCIS, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Cano
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry "Andrés M. del Río" (IQAR), University of Alcalá, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; Networking Research Center for Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Ramón y Cajal Institute of Health Research, IRYCIS, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Karol Ciepluch
- Division of Medical Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Uniwersytecka Street 7, 25-640 Kielce, Poland.
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3
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Belete MA, Tadesse S, Tilahun M, Alemayehu E, Saravanan M. Phage endolysins as new therapeutic options for multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus: an emerging antibiotic-free way to combat drug resistant infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1397935. [PMID: 38953006 PMCID: PMC11215010 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1397935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Melaku Ashagrie Belete
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Selamyhun Tadesse
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
| | - Mihret Tilahun
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Ermiyas Alemayehu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Muthupandian Saravanan
- Department of Pharmacology, AMR and Nanotherapeutics Laboratory, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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4
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Carratalá JV, Ferrer-Miralles N, Garcia-Fruitós E, Arís A. LysJEP8: A promising novel endolysin for combating multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14483. [PMID: 38864495 PMCID: PMC11167605 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health crisis, driven by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, are particularly concerning due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. In this context, endolysins, derived from bacteriophages, offer a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. This study introduces LysJEP8, a novel endolysin derived from Escherichia phage JEP8, which exhibits remarkable antimicrobial activity against key Gram-negative members of the ESKAPE group. Comparative assessments highlight LysJEP8's superior performance in reducing bacterial survival rates compared to previously described endolysins, with the most significant impact observed against P. aeruginosa, and notable effects on A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae. The study found that LysJEP8, as predicted by in silico analysis, worked best at lower pH values but lost its effectiveness at salt concentrations close to physiological levels. Importantly, LysJEP8 exhibited remarkable efficacy in the disruption of P. aeruginosa biofilms. This research underscores the potential of LysJEP8 as a valuable candidate for the development of innovative antibacterial agents, particularly against Gram-negative pathogens, and highlights opportunities for further engineering and optimization to address AMR effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Vicente Carratalá
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Barcelona, Spain
- Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Garcia-Fruitós
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Arís
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Barcelona, Spain
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5
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Khan FM, Rasheed F, Yang Y, Liu B, Zhang R. Endolysins: a new antimicrobial agent against antimicrobial resistance. Strategies and opportunities in overcoming the challenges of endolysins against Gram-negative bacteria. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1385261. [PMID: 38831886 PMCID: PMC11144922 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1385261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are rapidly emerging, and the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii poses a severe threat to humans and healthcare organizations, due to the lack of innovative antibacterial drugs. Endolysins, which are peptidoglycan hydrolases encoded by a bacteriophage, are a promising new family of antimicrobials. Endolysins have been demonstrated as an effective therapeutic agent against bacterial infections of A. baumannii and many other Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Endolysin research has progressed from basic in vitro characterization to sophisticated protein engineering methodologies, including advanced preclinical and clinical testing. Endolysin are therapeutic agent that shows antimicrobial properties against bacterial infections caused by drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, there are still barriers to their implementation in clinical settings, such as safety concerns with outer membrane permeabilizers (OMP) use, low efficiency against stationary phase bacteria, and stability issues. The application of protein engineering and formulation techniques to improve enzyme stability, as well as combination therapy with other types of antibacterial drugs to optimize their medicinal value, have been reviewed as well. In this review, we summarize the clinical development of endolysin and its challenges and approaches for bringing endolysin therapies to the clinic. This review also discusses the different applications of endolysins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazal Mehmood Khan
- College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fazal Rasheed
- Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yunlan Yang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, China
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6
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Li Z, Saravanakumar K, Yao L, Kim Y, Choi SY, Yoo G, Keon K, Lee CM, Youn B, Lee D, Cho N. Acer tegmentosum extract-mediated silver nanoparticles loaded chitosan/alginic acid scaffolds enhance healing of E. coli-infected wounds. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 267:131389. [PMID: 38582461 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131389] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
This work developed Acer tegmentosum extract-mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) loaded chitosan (CS)/alginic acid (AL) scaffolds (CS/AL-AgNPs) to enhance the healing of E. coli-infected wounds. The SEM-EDS and XRD results revealed the successful formation of the CS/AL-AgNPs. FTIR analysis evidenced that the anionic group of AL (-COO-) and cationic amine groups of CS (-NH3+) were ionically crosslinked to form scaffold (CS/AL). The CS/AL-AgNPs exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive (G+) and Gram-negative (G-) bacterial pathogens, while being non-toxic to red blood cells (RBCs), the hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM), and a non-cancerous cell line (NIH3T3). Treatment with CS/AL-AgNPs significantly accelerated the healing of E. coli-infected wounds by regulating the collagen deposition and blood parameters as evidenced by in vivo experiments. Overall, these findings suggest that CS/AL-AgNPs are promising for the treatment of infected wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Li
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kandasamy Saravanakumar
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.
| | - Lulu Yao
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yebon Kim
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang Yoon Choi
- Korea Food Research Institute, 245, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Iseo-myeon, Wanju-Gun, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea.
| | - Guijae Yoo
- Korea Food Research Institute, 245, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Iseo-myeon, Wanju-Gun, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kim Keon
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 FOUR Program, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
| | - Chang-Min Lee
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 FOUR Program, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea.
| | - Byungwook Youn
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea.
| | - Doojin Lee
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea.
| | - Namki Cho
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Roehrig C, Huemer M, Lorgé D, Arn F, Heinrich N, Selvakumar L, Gasser L, Hauswirth P, Chang CC, Schweizer TA, Eichenseher F, Lehmann S, Zinkernagel AS, Schmelcher M. MEndoB, a chimeric lysin featuring a novel domain architecture and superior activity for the treatment of staphylococcal infections. mBio 2024; 15:e0254023. [PMID: 38275913 PMCID: PMC10865858 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02540-23] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infections are a growing global healthcare concern, as an estimated annual 4.95 million deaths are associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is one of the deadliest pathogens and a high-priority pathogen according to the World Health Organization. Peptidoglycan hydrolases (PGHs) of phage origin have been postulated as a new class of antimicrobials for the treatment of bacterial infections, with a novel mechanism of action and no known resistances. The modular architecture of PGHs permits the creation of chimeric PGH libraries. In this study, the chimeric enzyme MEndoB was selected from a library of staphylococcal PGHs based on its rapid and sustained activity against staphylococci in human serum. The benefit of the presented screening approach was illustrated by the superiority of MEndoB in a head-to-head comparison with other PGHs intended for use against staphylococcal bacteremia. MEndoB displayed synergy with antibiotics and rapid killing in human whole blood with complete inhibition of re-growth over 24 h at low doses. Successful treatment of S. aureus-infected zebrafish larvae with MEndoB provided evidence for its in vivo effectiveness. This was further confirmed in a lethal systemic mouse infection model in which MEndoB significantly reduced S. aureus loads and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in blood in a dose-dependent manner, which led to increased survival of the animals. Thus, the thorough lead candidate selection of MEndoB resulted in an outstanding second-generation PGH with in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo results supporting further development.IMPORTANCEOne of the most pressing challenges of our era is the rising occurrence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Staphylococci are prominent pathogens in humans, which have developed multiple strategies to evade the effects of antibiotics. Infections caused by these bacteria have resulted in a high burden on the health care system and a significant loss of lives. In this study, we have successfully engineered lytic enzymes that exhibit an extraordinary ability to eradicate staphylococci. Our findings substantiate the importance of meticulous lead candidate selection to identify therapeutically promising peptidoglycan hydrolases with unprecedented activity. Hence, they offer a promising new avenue for treating staphylococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Roehrig
- Micreos Pharmaceuticals AG, Baar, Zug, Switzerland
- Micreos GmbH, Wädenswil, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lynn Gasser
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Hauswirth
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chun-Chi Chang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tiziano A. Schweizer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Steffi Lehmann
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annelies S. Zinkernagel
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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8
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Liu K, Wang C, Zhou X, Guo X, Yang Y, Liu W, Zhao R, Song H. Bacteriophage therapy for drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1336821. [PMID: 38357445 PMCID: PMC10864608 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1336821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus stands as a prominent pathogen in nosocomial and community-acquired infections, capable of inciting various infections at different sites in patients. This includes Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SaB), which exhibits a severe infection frequently associated with significant mortality rate of approximately 25%. In the absence of better alternative therapies, antibiotics is still the main approach for treating infections. However, excessive use of antibiotics has, in turn, led to an increase in antimicrobial resistance. Hence, it is imperative that new strategies are developed to control drug-resistant S. aureus infections. Bacteriophages are viruses with the ability to infect bacteria. Bacteriophages, were used to treat bacterial infections before the advent of antibiotics, but were subsequently replaced by antibiotics due to limited theoretical understanding and inefficient preparation processes at the time. Recently, phages have attracted the attention of many researchers again because of the serious problem of antibiotic resistance. This article provides a comprehensive overview of phage biology, animal models, diverse clinical case treatments, and clinical trials in the context of drug-resistant S. aureus phage therapy. It also assesses the strengths and limitations of phage therapy and outlines the future prospects and research directions. This review is expected to offer valuable insights for researchers engaged in phage-based treatments for drug-resistant S. aureus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixin Liu
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xudong Zhou
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- College of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xudong Guo
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wanying Liu
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Rongtao Zhao
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hongbin Song
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- College of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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9
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Szadkowska M, Kocot AM, Sowik D, Wyrzykowski D, Jankowska E, Kozlowski LP, Makowska J, Plotka M. Molecular characterization of the PhiKo endolysin from Thermus thermophilus HB27 bacteriophage phiKo and its cryptic lytic peptide RAP-29. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1303794. [PMID: 38312500 PMCID: PMC10836841 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1303794] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the era of increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, new bactericidal substances are sought, and lysins derived from extremophilic organisms have the undoubted advantage of being stable under harsh environmental conditions. The PhiKo endolysin is derived from the phiKo bacteriophage infecting Gram-negative extremophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus HB27. This enzyme shows similarity to two previously investigated thermostable type-2 amidases, the Ts2631 and Ph2119 from Thermus scotoductus bacteriophages, that revealed high lytic activity not only against thermophiles but also against Gram-negative mesophilic bacteria. Therefore, antibacterial potential of the PhiKo endolysin was investigated in the study presented here. Methods Enzyme activity was assessed using turbidity reduction assays (TRAs) and antibacterial tests. Differential scanning calorimetry was applied to evaluate protein stability. The Collection of Anti-Microbial Peptides (CAMP) and Antimicrobial Peptide Calculator and Predictor (APD3) were used to predict regions with antimicrobial potential in the PhiKo primary sequence. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the RAP-29 synthetic peptide was determined against Gram-positive and Gram-negative selected strains, and mechanism of action was investigated with use of membrane potential sensitive fluorescent dye 3,3'-Dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide (DiSC3(5)). Results and discussion The PhiKo endolysin is highly thermostable with melting temperature of 91.70°C. However, despite its lytic effect against such extremophiles as: T. thermophilus, Thermus flavus, Thermus parvatiensis, Thermus scotoductus, and Deinococcus radiodurans, PhiKo showed moderate antibacterial activity against mesophiles. Consequently, its protein sequence was searched for regions with potential antibacterial activity. A highly positively charged region was identified and synthetized (PhiKo105-133). The novel RAP-29 peptide lysed mesophilic strains of staphylococci and Gram-negative bacteria, reducing the number of cells by 3.7-7.1 log units and reaching the minimum inhibitory concentration values in the range of 2-31 μM. This peptide is unstructured in an aqueous solution but forms an α-helix in the presence of detergents. Moreover, it binds lipoteichoic acid and lipopolysaccharide, and causes depolarization of bacterial membranes. The RAP-29 peptide is a promising candidate for combating bacterial pathogens. The existence of this cryptic peptide testifies to a much wider panel of antimicrobial peptides than thought previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Szadkowska
- Laboratory of Extremophiles Biology, Department of Microbiology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Maria Kocot
- Laboratory of Extremophiles Biology, Department of Microbiology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Daria Sowik
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Dariusz Wyrzykowski
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Jankowska
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Lukasz Pawel Kozlowski
- Institute of Informatics, Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Mechanics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Makowska
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Plotka
- Laboratory of Extremophiles Biology, Department of Microbiology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
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10
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Chaudhary V, Kajla P, Lather D, Chaudhary N, Dangi P, Singh P, Pandiselvam R. Bacteriophages: a potential game changer in food processing industry. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024:1-25. [PMID: 38228500 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2023.2299768] [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: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
In the food industry, despite the widespread use of interventions such as preservatives and thermal and non-thermal processing technologies to improve food safety, incidences of foodborne disease continue to happen worldwide, prompting the search for alternative strategies. Bacteriophages, commonly known as phages, have emerged as a promising alternative for controlling pathogenic bacteria in food. This review emphasizes the potential applications of phages in biological sciences, food processing, and preservation, with a particular focus on their role as biocontrol agents for improving food quality and preservation. By shedding light on recent developments and future possibilities, this review highlights the significance of phages in the food industry. Additionally, it addresses crucial aspects such as regulatory status and safety concerns surrounding the use of bacteriophages. The inclusion of up-to-date literature further underscores the relevance of phage-based strategies in reducing foodborne pathogenic bacteria's presence in both food and the production environment. As we look ahead, new phage products are likely to be targeted against emerging foodborne pathogens. This will further advance the efficacy of approaches that are based on phages in maintaining the safety and security of food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandana Chaudhary
- Department of Dairy Technology, College of Dairy Science and Technology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Priyanka Kajla
- Department of Food Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Deepika Lather
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Nisha Chaudhary
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Priya Dangi
- Department of Food and Nutrition and Food Technology, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Punit Singh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering and Technology, GLA University Mathura, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ravi Pandiselvam
- Physiology, Biochemistry and Post-Harvest Technology Division, ICAR -Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, Kerala, India
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11
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Samson R, Dharne M, Khairnar K. Bacteriophages: Status quo and emerging trends toward one health approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168461. [PMID: 37967634 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The alarming rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among the drug-resistant pathogens has been attributed to the ESKAPEE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter sp., and Escherichia coli). Recently, these AMR microbes have become difficult to treat, as they have rendered the existing therapeutics ineffective. Thus, there is an urgent need for effective alternatives to lessen or eliminate the current infections and limit the spread of emerging diseases under the "One Health" framework. Bacteriophages (phages) are naturally occurring biological resources with extraordinary potential for biomedical, agriculture/food safety, environmental protection, and energy production. Specific unique properties of phages, such as their bactericidal activity, host specificity, potency, and biocompatibility, make them desirable candidates in therapeutics. The recent biotechnological advancement has broadened the repertoire of phage applications in nanoscience, material science, physical chemistry, and soft-matter research. Herein, we present a comprehensive review, coupling the substantial aspects of phages with their applicability status and emerging opportunities in several interdependent areas under one health concept. Consolidating the recent state-of-the-art studies that integrate human, animal, plant, and environment health, the following points have been highlighted: (i) The biomedical and pharmacological advantages of phages and their antimicrobial derivatives with particular emphasis on in-vivo and clinical studies. (ii) The remarkable potential of phages to be altered, improved, and applied for drug delivery, biosensors, biomedical imaging, tissue engineering, energy, and catalysis. (iii) Resurgence of phages in biocontrol of plant, food, and animal-borne pathogens. (iv) Commercialization of phage-based products, current challenges, and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Samson
- National Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (NCIM), Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune 411008, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Mahesh Dharne
- National Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (NCIM), Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune 411008, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India.
| | - Krishna Khairnar
- National Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (NCIM), Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune 411008, India; Environmental Virology Cell (EVC), CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440020, India.
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12
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Behera M, Singh G, Vats A, Parmanand, Roshan M, Gautam D, Rana C, Kesharwani RK, De S, Ghorai SM. Expression and characterization of novel chimeric endolysin CHAPk-SH3bk against biofilm-forming methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127969. [PMID: 37944719 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127969] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The continuous evolution of antibiotic resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) due to the misuse of antibiotics lays out the need for the development of new antimicrobials with higher activity and lower resistance. In this study, we have expressed novel chimeric endolysin CHAPk-SH3bk derived from LysK to investigate its antibacterial activity against planktonic and biofilm-forming MRSA. The molecular docking and MD simulation results identified critical amino acids (ASP47, ASP56, ARG71, and Gly74) of CHAPk domain responsible for its catalytic activity. Chimeric endolysin CHAPk-SH3bk showed an effective binding to peptidoglycan fragment using 14 hydrogen bonds. The in-vitro antibacterial assays displayed higher activity of CHAPk against planktonic MRSA with 2-log10 reduction in 2 h. Both CHAPk and CHAPk-SH3bk displayed bactericidal activity against MRSA with ∼4log10 and ∼3.5log10 reduction in 24 h. Biofilm reduction activity displayed CHAPk-SH3bk reduced 33 % and 60 % of hospital-associated ATCC®BAA-44™ and bovine origin SA1 respectively. The CHAPk treatment reduced 47 % of the preformed biofilm formed by bovine-origin MRSA SA1. This study indicates an effective reduction of preformed MRSA biofilms of human and animal origin using novel chimeric construct CHAPk-SH3bk. Stating that the combination and shuffling of different domains of phage endolysin potentially increase its bacteriolytic effectiveness against MRSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Behera
- Department of Zoology, Hindu College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India; National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Animal Biotechnology Centre, Animal Genomics Lab, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- Section of Microbiology, Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India; Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India
| | - Ashutosh Vats
- National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Animal Biotechnology Centre, Animal Genomics Lab, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Parmanand
- National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Animal Biotechnology Centre, Animal Genomics Lab, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Mayank Roshan
- National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Animal Biotechnology Centre, Animal Genomics Lab, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Devika Gautam
- National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Animal Biotechnology Centre, Animal Genomics Lab, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Chanchal Rana
- National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Animal Biotechnology Centre, Animal Genomics Lab, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar Kesharwani
- Department of Computer Application, Nehru Gram Bharati (Deemed to be University), Prayagraj, India
| | - Sachinandan De
- National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Animal Biotechnology Centre, Animal Genomics Lab, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
| | - Soma M Ghorai
- Department of Zoology, Hindu College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
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13
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Samir S. Molecular Machinery of the Triad Holin, Endolysin, and Spanin: Key Players Orchestrating Bacteriophage-Induced Cell Lysis and their Therapeutic Applications. Protein Pept Lett 2024; 31:85-96. [PMID: 38258777 DOI: 10.2174/0109298665181166231212051621] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Phage therapy, a promising alternative to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, harnesses the lytic cycle of bacteriophages to target and eliminate bacteria. Key players in this process are the phage lysis proteins, including holin, endolysin, and spanin, which work synergistically to disrupt the bacterial cell wall and induce lysis. Understanding the structure and function of these proteins is crucial for the development of effective therapies. Recombinant versions of these proteins have been engineered to enhance their stability and efficacy. Recent progress in the field has led to the approval of bacteriophage-based therapeutics as drugs, paving the way for their clinical use. These proteins can be combined in phage cocktails or combined with antibiotics to enhance their activity against bacterial biofilms, a common cause of treatment failure. Animal studies and clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of phage therapy in humans. Overall, phage therapy holds great potential as a valuable tool in the fight against multidrug- resistant bacteria, offering hope for the future of infectious disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safia Samir
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
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14
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Alqahtani A. Bacteriophage treatment as an alternative therapy for multidrug-resistant bacteria. Saudi Med J 2023; 44:1222-1231. [PMID: 38016738 PMCID: PMC10712800 DOI: 10.15537/smj.2023.44.12.20230366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria constitute one of the most serious global health threats. The increasing incidence rate of bacterial infections caused by MDR strains and the decrease in the number of newly developed antibiotics have prompted the scientific community to search for alternatives. One such alternative is the use of bacteriophages. In this review, we discuss the most critical MDR organisms, including Acinetobacter baumanni, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus The efficacy of phage therapy against MDR bacteria is also discussed. We included studies from the last 10 years that examined the efficacy of phage therapy against MDR pathogens. In addition, this review highlights the effect of bacteriophages against bacterial biofilms. The existing knowledge indicates that phage therapy is a potential therapeutic strategy against MDR bacteria. However, the adverse effects of phage therapy, such as toxicity, and the emergence of phage resistance have not yet been resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz Alqahtani
- From the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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15
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Liu H, Chen R, Wang P, Fu J, Tang Z, Xie J, Ning Y, Gao J, Zhong Q, Pan X, Wang D, Lei M, Li X, Zhang Y, Wang J, Cheng H. Electrospun polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan dressing stimulates infected diabetic wound healing with combined reactive oxygen species scavenging and antibacterial abilities. Carbohydr Polym 2023; 316:121050. [PMID: 37321740 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic wounds (DW) are constantly challenged by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and susceptibility to bacterial contamination. Therefore, the elimination of ROS in the immediate vicinity and the eradication of local bacteria are critical to stimulating the efficient healing of diabetic wounds. In the current study, we encapsulated mupirocin (MP) and cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) into a polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan (PVA/CS) polymer, and then a PVA/chitosan nanofiber membrane wound dressing was fabricated using electrostatic spinning, which is a simple and efficient method for fabricating membrane materials. The PVA/chitosan nanofiber dressing provided a controlled release of MP, which produced rapid and long-lasting bactericidal activity against both methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains. Simultaneously, the CeNPs embedded in the membrane exhibited the desired ROS scavenging capacity to maintain the local ROS at a normal physiological level. Moreover, the biocompatibility of the multifunctional dressing was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, PVA-CS-CeNPs-MP integrated the desirable features of a wound dressing, including rapid and broad-spectrum antimicrobial and ROS scavenging activities, easy application, and good biocompatibility. The results validated the effectiveness of our PVA/chitosan nanofiber dressing, highlighting its promising translational potential in the treatment of diabetic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibing Liu
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Department of Orthopaedic, Affiliated Hengyang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Hengyang Central Hospital, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Pinkai Wang
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jinlang Fu
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zinan Tang
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiajun Xie
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yanhong Ning
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qiang Zhong
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xin Pan
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ding Wang
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Mingyuan Lei
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaoqi Li
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Hao Cheng
- Department of Orthopedic, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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16
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Asadi M, Taheri-Anganeh M, Ranjbar M, Khatami SH, Maleksabet A, Mostafavi-Pour Z, Ghasemi Y, Keshavarzi A, Savardashtaki A. LYZ2-SH3b as a novel and efficient enzybiotic against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:257. [PMID: 37704938 PMCID: PMC10500863 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03002-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enzybiotics are promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics for drug-resistant infections. Exolysins, as a class of enzybiotics, show antibacterial effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study evaluated a novel exolysin containing an SH3b domain for its antibacterial activity against MRSA. METHODS This study designed a chimeric exolysin by fusing the Cell-binding domain (SH3b) from Lysostaphin with the lytic domain (LYZ2) from the gp61 enzyme. Subsequently, LYZ2-SH3b was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Finally, the antibacterial effects of LYZ2-SH3b compared with LYZ2 and vancomycin against reference and clinical isolates of MRSA were measured using the disc diffusion method, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. RESULTS Analysis of bioinformatics showed that LYZ2-SH3b was stable, soluble, and non-allergenic. Protein purification was performed with a 0.8 mg/ml yield for LYZ2-SH3b. The plate lysis assay results indicated that, at the same concentrations, LYZ2-SH3b has a more inhibitory effect than LYZ2. The MICs of LYZ2 were 4 µg/mL (ATCC 43,300) and 8 µg/mL (clinical isolate ST239), whereas, for LYZ2-SH3b, they were 2 µg/mL (ATCC 43,300) and 4 µg/mL (clinical isolate ST239). This suggests a higher efficiency of LYZ2-SH3b compared to LYZ2. Furthermore, the MBCs of LYZ2 were 4 µg/mL (ATCC 43,300) and 8 µg/mL (clinical isolate ST239), whereas, for LYZ2-SH3b, they were 2 µg/mL (ATCC 43,300) and 4 µg/mL (clinical isolate ST239), thus confirming the superior lytic activity of LYZ2-SH3b over LYZ2. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that phage endolysins, such as LYZ2-SH3b, may represent a promising new approach to treating MRSA infections, particularly in cases where antibiotic resistance is a concern. But further studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Asadi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Maryam Ranjbar
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyyed Hossein Khatami
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Maleksabet
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Zohreh Mostafavi-Pour
- Recombinant Protein Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Younes Ghasemi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Amir Savardashtaki
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran.
- Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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17
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Shah S, Das R, Chavan B, Bajpai U, Hanif S, Ahmed S. Beyond antibiotics: phage-encoded lysins against Gram-negative pathogens. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1170418. [PMID: 37789862 PMCID: PMC10542408 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1170418] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics remain the frontline agents for treating deadly bacterial pathogens. However, the indiscriminate use of these valuable agents has led to an alarming rise in AMR. The antibiotic pipeline is insufficient to tackle the AMR threat, especially with respect to the WHO critical category of priority Gram-negative pathogens, which have become a serious problem as nosocomial and community infections and pose a threat globally. The AMR pandemic requires solutions that provide novel antibacterial agents that are not only effective but against which bacteria are less likely to gain resistance. In this regard, natural or engineered phage-encoded lysins (enzybiotics) armed with numerous features represent an attractive alternative to the currently available antibiotics. Several lysins have exhibited promising efficacy and safety against Gram-positive pathogens, with some in late stages of clinical development and some commercially available. However, in the case of Gram-negative bacteria, the outer membrane acts as a formidable barrier; hence, lysins are often used in combination with OMPs or engineered to overcome the outer membrane barrier. In this review, we have briefly explained AMR and the initiatives taken by different organizations globally to tackle the AMR threat at different levels. We bring forth the promising potential and challenges of lysins, focusing on the WHO critical category of priority Gram-negative bacteria and lysins under investigation for these pathogens, along with the challenges associated with developing them as therapeutics within the existing regulatory framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanket Shah
- Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Mumbai, India
| | - Ritam Das
- Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Mumbai, India
| | - Bhakti Chavan
- Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Mumbai, India
| | - Urmi Bajpai
- Department of Biomedical Science, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Sarmad Hanif
- Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Mumbai, India
| | - Syed Ahmed
- Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Mumbai, India
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18
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Krishnappa G, Mandal M, Ganesan S, Babu S, Padavattan S, Haradara Bahubali VK, Padmanabhan B. Structural and biochemical insights into the bacteriophage PlyGRCS endolysin targeting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and serendipitous discovery of its interaction with a cold shock protein C (CspC). Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4737. [PMID: 37497650 PMCID: PMC10443338 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes life-threatening human infections. Bacteriophage-encoded endolysins degrade the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria by selectively hydrolyzing the peptidoglycan layer and thus are promising candidates to combat bacterial infections. PlyGRCS, the S. aureus-specific bacteriophage endolysin, contains a catalytic CHAP domain and a cell-wall binding SH3_5 domain connected by a linker. Here, we show the crystal structure of full-length PlyGRCS refined to 2.1 Å resolution. In addition, a serendipitous finding revealed that PlyGRCS binds to cold-shock protein C (CspC) by interacting with its CHAP and SH3_5 domains. CspC is an RNA chaperone that plays regulatory roles by conferring bacterial adaptability to various stress conditions. PlyGRCS has substantial lytic activity against S. aureus and showed only minimal change in its lytic activity in the presence of CspC. Whereas the PlyGRCS-CspC complex greatly reduced CspC-nucleic acid binding, the aforesaid complex may downregulate the CspC function during bacterial infection. Overall, the crystal structure and biochemical results of PlyGRCS provide a molecular basis for the bacteriolytic activity of PlyGRCS against S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopinatha Krishnappa
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
| | - Mitali Mandal
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
| | - Saranya Ganesan
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
| | - Sudhagar Babu
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
| | - Sivaraman Padavattan
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
| | | | - Balasundaram Padmanabhan
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
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19
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Opperman CJ, Wojno J, Goosen W, Warren R. Phages for the treatment of Mycobacterium species. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 201:41-92. [PMID: 37770176 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Highly drug-resistant strains are not uncommon among the Mycobacterium genus, with patients requiring lengthy antibiotic treatment regimens with multiple drugs and harmful side effects. This alarming increase in antibiotic resistance globally has renewed the interest in mycobacteriophage therapy for both Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and non-tuberculosis mycobacteria. With the increasing number of genetically well-characterized mycobacteriophages and robust engineering tools to convert temperate phages to obligate lytic phages, the phage cache against extensive drug-resistant mycobacteria is constantly expanding. Synergistic effects between phages and TB drugs are also a promising avenue to research, with mycobacteriophages having several additional advantages compared to traditional antibiotics due to their different modes of action. These advantages include less side effects, a narrow host spectrum, biofilm penetration, self-replication at the site of infection and the potential to be manufactured on a large scale. In addition, mycobacteriophage enzymes, not yet in clinical use, warrant further studies with their additional benefits for rupturing host bacteria thereby limiting resistance development as well as showing promise in vitro to act synergistically with TB drugs. Before mycobacteriophage therapy can be envisioned as part of routine care, several obstacles must be overcome to translate in vitro work into clinical practice. Strategies to target intracellular bacteria and selecting phage cocktails to limit cross-resistance remain important avenues to explore. However, insight into pathophysiological host-phage interactions on a molecular level and innovative solutions to transcend mycobacteriophage therapy impediments, offer sufficient encouragement to explore phage therapy. Recently, the first successful clinical studies were performed using a mycobacteriophage-constructed cocktail to treat non-tuberculosis mycobacteria, providing substantial insight into lessons learned and potential pitfalls to avoid in order to ensure favorable outcomes. However, due to mycobacterium strain variation, mycobacteriophage therapy remains personalized, only being utilized in compassionate care cases until there is further regulatory approval. Therefore, identifying the determinants that influence clinical outcomes that can expand the repertoire of mycobacteriophages for therapeutic benefit, remains key for their future application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoffel Johannes Opperman
- National Health Laboratory Service, Green Point TB-Laboratory, Cape Town, South Africa; DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, SAMRC Centre for tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Justyna Wojno
- Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Lancet Laboratories, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wynand Goosen
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, SAMRC Centre for tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rob Warren
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, SAMRC Centre for tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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20
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Liu H, Hu Z, Li M, Yang Y, Lu S, Rao X. Therapeutic potential of bacteriophage endolysins for infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:29. [PMID: 37101261 PMCID: PMC10131408 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00919-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Gram-positive (G+) bacterial infection is a great burden to both healthcare and community medical resources. As a result of the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant G+ bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), novel antimicrobial agents must urgently be developed for the treatment of infections caused by G+ bacteria. Endolysins are bacteriophage (phage)-encoded enzymes that can specifically hydrolyze the bacterial cell wall and quickly kill bacteria. Bacterial resistance to endolysins is low. Therefore, endolysins are considered promising alternatives for solving the mounting resistance problem. In this review, endolysins derived from phages targeting G+ bacteria were classified based on their structural characteristics. The active mechanisms, efficacy, and advantages of endolysins as antibacterial drug candidates were summarized. Moreover, the remarkable potential of phage endolysins in the treatment of G+ bacterial infections was described. In addition, the safety of endolysins, challenges, and possible solutions were addressed. Notwithstanding the limitations of endolysins, the trends in development indicate that endolysin-based drugs will be approved in the near future. Overall, this review presents crucial information of the current progress involving endolysins as potential therapeutic agents, and it provides a guideline for biomaterial researchers who are devoting themselves to fighting against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Liu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Zhen Hu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Mengyang Li
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shuguang Lu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Xiancai Rao
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Barkova IA, Izhberdeeva MP, Sautkina AA. Endolysins of bacteriophages. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND IMMUNOBIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.36233/0372-9311-250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophage endolysins are a biologically active substances that play a specific role in the release of phage progeny by degrading the peptidoglycan of the host bacterium. In the light of antibiotic resistance, endolysins are considered as alternative therapeutic agents because of their exceptional ability to target bacterial cells.
Aim summarization of the data on the biology, structure, mechanisms of action of bacteriophage endolysins, as well as on preparations based on them, which are at different stages of research.
The results of studies of bacterial endolysins over the past 20 years were searched using the Internet resources PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus in English for the keywords: lysin, bacteriophages, holin, antibiotic resistance.
The analysis of literature data showed that the structure of phage endolysins of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria differs from each other and reflects differences in their architecture due to variation in the cell wall composition of these two major bacterial groups. Depending on the cleavable bond in peptidoglycan, endolysins can be divided into at least five different groups: glycosidases (two groups aminidases and muramidases), endopeptidases, specific amidogyrolases, and lytic transglycosylases. To date, endolysins effective against a number of pathogens have been studied, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, etc. A number of studies have shown the therapeutic potential of endolysins in combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
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Keller AP, Ly S, Daetwyler S, Eichenseher F, Loessner MJ, Schmelcher M. Chimeric Peptidoglycan Hydrolases Kill Staphylococcal Mastitis Isolates in Raw Milk and within Bovine Mammary Gland Epithelial Cells. Viruses 2022; 14:v14122801. [PMID: 36560804 PMCID: PMC9781970 DOI: 10.3390/v14122801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a major causative agent of bovine mastitis, a disease considered one of the most economically devastating in the dairy sector. Considering the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains, novel therapeutic approaches efficiently targeting extra- and intracellular bacteria and featuring high activity in the presence of raw milk components are needed. Here, we have screened a library of eighty peptidoglycan hydrolases (PGHs) for high activity against S. aureus in raw bovine milk, twelve of which were selected for further characterization and comparison in time-kill assays. The bacteriocins lysostaphin and ALE-1, and the chimeric PGH M23LST(L)_SH3b2638 reduced bacterial numbers in raw milk to the detection limit within 10 min. Three CHAP-based PGHs (CHAPGH15_SH3bAle1, CHAPK_SH3bLST_H, CHAPH5_LST_H) showed gradually improving activity with increasing dilution of the raw milk. Furthermore, we demonstrated synergistic activity of CHAPGH15_SH3bAle1 and LST when used in combination. Finally, modification of four PGHs (LST, M23LST(L)_SH3b2638, CHAPK_SH3bLST, CHAPGH15_SH3bAle1) with the cell-penetrating peptide TAT significantly enhanced the eradication of intracellular S. aureus in bovine mammary alveolar cells compared to the unmodified parentals in a concentration-dependent manner.
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Genome Analysis and Antibiofilm Activity of Phage 590B against Multidrug-Resistant and Extensively Drug-Resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates, India. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121448. [PMID: 36558782 PMCID: PMC9787291 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121448] [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: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in humans. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), which are the most frequent agents causing community as well as hospital-acquired UTIs, have become highly drug-resistant, thus making the treatment of these infections challenging. Recently, the use of bacteriophages (or 'phages') against multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) microorganisms has garnered significant global attention. Bacterial biofilms play a vital role in the pathogenesis of UTIs caused by UPEC. Phages have the potential to disrupt bacterial biofilms using lytic enzymes such as EPS depolymerases and endolysins. We isolated a lytic phage (590B) from community sewage in Chandigarh, which was active against multiple MDR and XDR biofilm-forming UPEC strains. During whole-genome sequencing, the 44.3 kb long genome of phage 590B encoded 75 ORFs, of which 40 were functionally annotated based on homology with similar phage proteins in the database. Comparative analysis of associated phage genomes indicated that phage 590B evolved independently and had a distinct taxonomic position within the genus Kagunavirus in the subfamily Guernseyvirinae of Siphoviridae. The phage disrupted biofilm mass effectively when applied to 24 h old biofilms formed on the Foley silicon catheter and coverslip biofilm models. To study the effect of intact biofilm architecture on phage predation, the biofilms were disrupted. The phage reduced the viable cells by 0.6-1.0 order of magnitude after 24 h of incubation. Regrowth and intact bacterial cells were observed in the phage-treated planktonic culture and biofilms, respectively, which indicated the emergence of phage-resistant bacterial variants. The phage genome encoded an endolysin which might have a role in the disruption and inhibition of bacterial biofilms. Moreover, the genome lacked genes encoding toxins, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, or lysogeny. Therefore, lytic phage 590B may be a good alternative to antibiotics and can be included in phage cocktails for the treatment of UTIs caused by biofilm-forming MDR and XDR UPEC strains.
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A Lysozyme Murein Hydrolase with Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity from Enterobacter Phage myPSH1140. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0050622. [PMID: 35950843 PMCID: PMC9487488 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00506-22] [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] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages and bacteriophage-derived peptidoglycan hydrolases (endolysins) present promising alternatives for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. In this study, Gp105, a putative lysozyme murein hydrolase from Enterobacter phage myPSH1140 was characterized in silico, in vitro as well as in vivo using the purified protein. Gp105 contains a T4-type lysozyme-like domain (IPR001165) and belongs to Glycoside hydrolase family 24 (IPR002196). The putative endolysin indeed had strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative pathogens, including E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, S. marcescens, Citrobacter sp., and A. baumannii. Also, an in vitro peptidoglycan hydrolysis assay showed strong activity against purified peptidoglycans. This study demonstrates the potential of Gp105 to be used as an antibacterial protein to combat Gram-negative pathogens.
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Novel approaches for the treatment of infections due to multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Future Med Chem 2022; 14:1133-1148. [PMID: 35861021 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is a major challenge for global healthcare, emerging because of several reasons including overpopulation, increased global migration and selection pressure due to enhanced use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are the widely used therapeutic options to combat infectious diseases; however, unfortunately, inadequate and irregular antibiotic courses are also major contributing factors in the emergence of AMR. Additionally, persistent failure to develop and commercialize new antibiotics has created the scarcity of effective anti-infective drugs. Thus, there is an urgent need for a new class of antimicrobials and other novel approaches to curb the menace of AMR. Besides the conventional approaches, some novel approaches such as the use of antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophages, immunomodulation, host-directed therapy and antibodies have shown really promising potentials.
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Activity of Exebacase (CF-301) against Biofilms Formed by Staphylococcus epidermidis Strains Isolated from Prosthetic Joint Infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0058822. [PMID: 35861539 PMCID: PMC9380561 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00588-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis
is one of the main pathogens responsible for bone and joint infections, especially those involving prosthetic materials, due to its ability to form biofilms. In these cases, biofilm formation, combined with increased antimicrobial resistance, often results in therapeutic failures.
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Abstract
The recovery of DNA from viromes is a major obstacle in the use of long-read sequencing to study their genomes. For this reason, the use of cellular metagenomes (>0.2-μm size range) emerges as an interesting complementary tool, since they contain large amounts of naturally amplified viral genomes from prelytic replication. We have applied second-generation (Illumina NextSeq; short reads) and third-generation (PacBio Sequel II; long reads) sequencing to compare the diversity and features of the viral community in a marine sample obtained from offshore waters of the western Mediterranean. We found that a major wedge of the expected marine viral diversity was directly recovered by the raw PacBio circular consensus sequencing (CCS) reads. More than 30,000 sequences were detected only in this data set, with no homologues in the long- and short-read assembly, and ca. 26,000 had no homologues in the large data set of the Global Ocean Virome 2 (GOV2), highlighting the information gap created by the assembly bias. At the level of complete viral genomes, the performance was similar in both approaches. However, the hybrid long- and short-read assembly provided the longest average length of the sequences and improved the host assignment. Although no novel major clades of viruses were found, there was an increase in the intraclade genomic diversity recovered by long reads that produced an enriched assessment of the real diversity and allowed the discovery of novel genes with biotechnological potential (e.g., endolysin genes). IMPORTANCE We explored the vast genetic diversity of environmental viruses by using a combination of cellular metagenome (as opposed to virome) sequencing using high-fidelity long-read sequences (in this case, PacBio CCS). This approach resulted in the recovery of a representative sample of the viral population, and it performed better (more phage contigs, larger average contig size) than Illumina sequencing applied to the same sample. By this approach, the many biases of assembly are avoided, as the CCS reads recovers (typically around 5 kb) complete genes and even operons, resulting in a better discovery of the viral gene diversity based on viral marker proteins. Thus, biotechnologically promising genes, such as endolysin genes, can be very efficiently searched with this approach. In addition, hybrid assembly produces more complete and longer contigs, which is particularly important for studying little-known viral groups such as the nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDV).
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Wang M, Deng Z, Li Y, Ma Y, Wang J. Design and characterization of a novel lytic protein against Clostridium difficile. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:4511-4521. [PMID: 35699735 PMCID: PMC9194777 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12010-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, toxin-producing anaerobe that can cause nosocomial antibiotic-associated intestinal disease. Autolysin is a lytic enzyme that hydrolyzes peptidoglycans of the bacterial cell wall, with a catalytic domain and cell wall–binding domains, proven to be involved in bacterial cell wall remodeling and cell division. Although autolysins in C. difficile have been reported, the autolysins have failed to yield impressive results when used as exogenous lytic agents. In this study, we expressed and characterized the binding domains (Cwp19-BD and Acd-BD) and catalytic domains (Cwp19-CD, Acd-CD, and Cwl-CD) of C. difficile autolysins, and the domains with the best binding specificity and lytic activity were selected towards C. difficile to design a novel lytic protein Cwl-CWB2. Cwl-CWB2 showed good biosafety with significantly low hemolysis and without cytotoxicity. The results of fluorescence analysis and lytic assay demonstrated that Cwl-CWB2 has higher binding specificity and stronger lytic activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration at 13.39 ± 5.80 μg/mL against living C. difficile cells, which is significantly stronger than commercial lysozyme (3333.33 ± 1443.37 μg/mL) and other reported C. difficile autolysins. Besides, Cwl-CWB2 exhibited good stability as about 75% of the lytic activity was still retained when incubated at 37 °C for 96 h, which is considered to be a potential antimicrobial agent to combat C. difficile. Key points • Several binding domains and catalytic domains, deriving from several Clostridium difficile autolysins, were expressed, purified, and functionally characterized. • A novel C. difficile lytic protein Cwl-CWB2 was designed from C. difficile autolysins. • The binding specificity and lytic activity of Cwl-CWB2 against C. difficile showed advantages compared with other reported C. difficile autolysins. • Cwl-CWB2 exhibited significantly low hemolysis and cytotoxicity against normal-derived colon mucosa 460 cell. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00253-022-12010-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zifeng Deng
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yanmei Li
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yi Ma
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jufang Wang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Eichenseher F, Herpers BL, Badoux P, Leyva-Castillo JM, Geha RS, van der Zwart M, McKellar J, Janssen F, de Rooij B, Selvakumar L, Röhrig C, Frieling J, Offerhaus M, Loessner MJ, Schmelcher M. Linker-Improved Chimeric Endolysin Selectively Kills Staphylococcus aureus In Vitro, on Reconstituted Human Epidermis, and in a Murine Model of Skin Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0227321. [PMID: 35416713 PMCID: PMC9112974 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02273-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus causes a broad spectrum of diseases in humans and animals. It is frequently associated with inflammatory skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, where it aggravates symptoms. Treatment of S. aureus-associated skin infections with antibiotics is discouraged due to their broad-range deleterious effect on healthy skin microbiota and their ability to promote the development of resistance. Thus, novel S. aureus-specific antibacterial agents are desirable. We constructed two chimeric cell wall-lytic enzymes, Staphefekt SA.100 and XZ.700, which are composed of functional domains from the bacteriophage endolysin Ply2638 and the bacteriocin lysostaphin. Both enzymes specifically killed S. aureus and were inactive against commensal skin bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, with XZ.700 proving more active than SA.100 in multiple in vitro activity assays. When surface-attached mixed staphylococcal cultures were exposed to XZ.700 in a simplified microbiome model, the enzyme selectively removed S. aureus and retained S. epidermidis. Furthermore, XZ.700 did not induce resistance in S. aureus during repeated rounds of exposure to sublethal concentrations. Finally, we demonstrated that XZ.700 formulated as a cream is effective at killing S. aureus on reconstituted human epidermis and that an XZ.700-containing gel significantly reduces bacterial numbers compared to an untreated control in a mouse model of S. aureus-induced skin infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fritz Eichenseher
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Micreos GmbH, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Bjorn L. Herpers
- Regional Public Health Laboratory Kennemerland, Haarlem, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Badoux
- Regional Public Health Laboratory Kennemerland, Haarlem, The Netherlands
| | | | - Raif S. Geha
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Ferd Janssen
- Micreos Human Health B.V., Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bob de Rooij
- Micreos Human Health B.V., Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Martin J. Loessner
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Schmelcher
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Micreos GmbH, Wädenswil, Switzerland
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Evaluation of protein production in rice seedlings under dark conditions. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7759. [PMID: 35545638 PMCID: PMC9095683 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11672-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Although plants have several advantages for foreign protein production, cultivation of transgenic plants in artificial plant growth facilities involves the use of a great amount of electricity for lightning and air conditioning, reducing cost-effectiveness. Protein production in plants grown in darkness can overcome this problem, but the amount of protein produced in the dark is unknown. In this study, the total amount of soluble protein produced in rice seedlings germinated and grown in light or darkness were examined at several time points after germination and under different temperature, nutritional, and seedling density conditions. Our results indicate that rice seedlings grown in darkness produce a comparable amount of total soluble protein to those grown in light. Furthermore, we found that the best conditions for protein production in dark-grown rice seedlings are large seeds germinated and grown for 10-12 days at 28 °C supplemented with Murashige and Skoog medium and 30 g/l sucrose in dense planting. Therefore, our results suggest that foreign proteins can be produced in rice seedlings in the dark, with a reduced electricity use and an increase in cost-effectiveness.
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31
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Caldara M, Belgiovine C, Secchi E, Rusconi R. Environmental, Microbiological, and Immunological Features of Bacterial Biofilms Associated with Implanted Medical Devices. Clin Microbiol Rev 2022; 35:e0022120. [PMID: 35044203 PMCID: PMC8768833 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00221-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of biofilms on medical implants represents one of the principal triggers of persistent and chronic infections in clinical settings, and it has been the subject of many studies in the past few years, with most of them focused on prosthetic joint infections. We review here recent works on biofilm formation and microbial colonization on a large variety of indwelling devices, ranging from heart valves and pacemakers to urological and breast implants and from biliary stents and endoscopic tubes to contact lenses and neurosurgical implants. We focus on bacterial abundance and distribution across different devices and body sites and on the role of environmental features, such as the presence of fluid flow and properties of the implant surface, as well as on the interplay between bacterial colonization and the response of the human immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Caldara
- Interdepartmental Center on Safety, Technologies, and Agri-food Innovation (SITEIA.PARMA), University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Cristina Belgiovine
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano–Milan, Italy
- Scuola di Specializzazione in Microbiologia e Virologia, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Secchi
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Rusconi
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano–Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele–Milan, Italy
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Arroyo-Moreno S, Cummings M, Corcoran DB, Coffey A, McCarthy RR. Identification and characterization of novel endolysins targeting Gardnerella vaginalis biofilms to treat bacterial vaginosis. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:29. [PMID: 35440653 PMCID: PMC9018826 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00285-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a recurrent dysbiosis that is frequently associated with preterm birth, increased risk for acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The overgrowth of a key pathobiont, Gardnerella vaginalis, as a recalcitrant biofilm is central to the development of this dysbiosis. Overgrowth of vaginal biofilms, seeded by initial G. vaginalis colonization, leads to recurrent symptomatic BV which is poorly resolved by classically used antibiotics. In this light, the use of bacteriophages and/or their proteins, represents a promising alternative. Here we identify 84 diverse anti-Gardnerella endolysins across 7 protein families. A subset of 36 endolysin candidates were refactored and overexpressed in an E. coli BL21 (DE3) system and 5 biochemically and structurally diverse endolysins were fully characterized. Each candidate endolysin showed good lytic activity against planktonic G. vaginalis ATCC14018, as well as G. vaginalis clinical isolates. These endolysin candidates were assayed in biofilm prevention and disruption assays, with biofilm disruption at low microgram concentrations (5 μg/ml) observed. In addition to clonal G. vaginalis biofilms, endolysin candidates could also successfully disrupt polyspecies biofilms. Importantly, none of our candidates showed lytic activity against commensal lactobacilli present in the vaginal microbiota such as L. crispatus, L. jensenii, L. gasseri, and L. iners or against Atopobium vaginae (currently classified as Fannyhessa vaginae). The potency and selectivity of these novel endolysins constitute a promising alternative treatment to combat BV, avoiding problems associated with antibiotic resistance, while retaining beneficial commensal bacteria in the vaginal flora. The diverse library of candidates reported here represents a strong repository of endolysins for further preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Arroyo-Moreno
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | - Aidan Coffey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ronan R McCarthy
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK.
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Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes by Phage Lytic Enzymes Displayed on Tailored Bionanoparticles. Foods 2022; 11:foods11060854. [PMID: 35327276 PMCID: PMC8951524 DOI: 10.3390/foods11060854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The high mortality rate associated with Listeria monocytogenes and its ability to adapt to the harsh conditions employed in food processing has ensured that this pathogen remains a serious problem in the ready-to-eat food sector. Bacteriophage-derived enzymes can be applied as biocontrol agents to target specific foodborne pathogens. We investigated the ability of a listeriophage endolysin and derivatives thereof, fused to polyhydroxyalkanoate bionanoparticles (PHA_BNPs), to lyse and inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes. Turbidity reduction assays confirmed the lysis of L. monocytogenes cells at 37 °C upon addition of the tailored BNPs. The application of BNPs also resulted in the growth inhibition of L. monocytogenes. BNPs displaying only the amidase domain of the phage endolysin were more effective at inhibiting growth under laboratory conditions (37 °C, 3 × 107 CFU/mL) than BNPs displaying the full-length endolysin (89% vs. 83% inhibition). Under conditions that better represent those found in food processing environments (22 °C, 1 × 103 CFU/mL), BNPs displaying the full-length endolysin demonstrated a greater inhibitory effect compared to BNPs displaying only the amidase domain (61% vs. 54% inhibition). Our results demonstrate proof-of-concept that tailored BNPs displaying recombinant listeriophage enzymes are active inhibitors of L. monocytogenes.
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34
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Schuch R, Cassino C, Vila-Farres X. Direct Lytic Agents: Novel, Rapidly Acting Potential Antimicrobial Treatment Modalities for Systemic Use in the Era of Rising Antibiotic Resistance. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:841905. [PMID: 35308352 PMCID: PMC8928733 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.841905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct lytic agents (DLAs) are novel antimicrobial compounds with unique mechanisms of action based on rapid cell wall destabilization and bacteriolysis. DLAs include two classes of purified polypeptides—lysins (peptidoglycan hydrolase enzymes) and amurins (outer membrane targeting peptides). Their intended use is to kill bacteria in a manner that is complimentary to and synergistic with traditional antibiotics without selection for DLA resistance. Lysins were originally described as having activity against Gram-positive pathogens and of those, exebacase, is the first to have advanced into Phase 3 of clinical development. Recently, both engineered and native DLAs have now been described with potent bactericidal activity against a range of Gram-negative pathogens, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Importantly, novel DLAs targeting Gram-negatives, including the lysin CF-370 and the amurin peptides, are active in biological matrices (blood/serum) and, as such, offer promise for therapeutic use as systemically administered agents for the treatment of life-threatening invasive infections. In this review, DLAs are discussed as potential new classes of antimicrobial biologics that can be used to treat serious systemic infections.
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Chandran C, Tham HY, Abdul Rahim R, Lim SHE, Yusoff K, Song AAL. Lactococcus lactis secreting phage lysins as a potential antimicrobial against multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12648. [PMID: 35251775 PMCID: PMC8896023 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic Gram-positive bacterium that can form biofilm and become resistant to many types of antibiotics. The treatment of multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDRSA) infection is difficult since it possesses multiple antibiotic-resistant mechanisms. Endolysin and virion-associated peptidoglycan hydrolases (VAPGH) enzymes from bacteriophage have been identified as potential alternative antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to assess the ability of Lactococcus lactis NZ9000 secreting endolysin and VAPGH from S. aureus bacteriophage 88 to inhibit the growth of S. aureus PS 88, a MDRSA. METHOD Endolysin and VAPGH genes were cloned and expressed in L. lactis NZ9000 after fusion with the SPK1 signal peptide for secretion. The recombinant proteins were expressed and purified, then analyzed for antimicrobial activity using plate assay and turbidity reduction assay. In addition, the spent media of the recombinant lactococcal culture was analyzed for its ability to inhibit the growth of the S. aureus PS 88. RESULTS Extracellular recombinant endolysin (Endo88) and VAPGH (VAH88) was successfully expressed and secreted from L. lactis which was able to inhibit S. aureus PS 88, as shown by halozone formation on plate assays as well as inhibition of growth in the turbidity reduction assay. Moreover, it was observed that the spent media from L. lactis NZ9000 expressing Endo88 and VAH88 reduced the viability of PS 88 by up to 3.5-log reduction with Endo88 being more efficacious than VAH88. In addition, Endo88 was able to lyse all MRSA strains tested and Staphylococcus epidermidis but not the other bacteria while VAH88 could only lyse S. aureus PS 88. CONCLUSION Recombinant L. lactisNZ9000 expressing phage 88 endolysin may be potentially developed into a new antimicrobial agent for the treatment of MDRSA infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carumathy Chandran
- Department of Microbiology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hong Yun Tham
- Department of Microbiology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Raha Abdul Rahim
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia,Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Swee Hua Erin Lim
- Health Science Division, Abu Dhabi Women’s College, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khatijah Yusoff
- Department of Microbiology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia,Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Adelene Ai-Lian Song
- Department of Microbiology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia,Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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Chaudhary N, Mohan B, Mavuduru RS, Kumar Y, Taneja N. Characterization, genome analysis and in vitro activity of a novel phage vB_EcoA_RDN8.1 active against multi-drug resistant and extensively drug-resistant biofilm-forming uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates, India. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 132:3387-3404. [PMID: 34989075 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15439] [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: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AIM We aimed to study host range, stability, genome and antibiofilm activity of a novel phage vB_EcoA_RDN8.1 active against multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) biofilm-forming uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates. METHODS AND RESULTS A novel lytic phage vB_EcoA_RDN8.1 active against UPEC strains resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, imipenem, beta-lactamase inhibitor combination and polymyxins was isolated from community raw sewage water of Chandigarh. It exhibited a clear plaque morphology and a burst size of 250. In the time-kill assay, the maximum amount of killing was achieved at MOI 1.0. vB_EcoA_RDN8.1 belongs to the family Autographiviridae, has a genome size of 39.5 kb with a GC content of 51.6%. It was stable over a wide range of temperatures and pH. It was able to inhibit biofilm formation which may be related to an endolysin encoded by ORF 19. CONCLUSIONS The vB_EcoA_RDN8.1 is a novel lytic phage that has the potential for inclusion into phage cocktails being developed for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by highly drug-resistant UPEC. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY We provide a detailed characterization of a novel lytic Escherichia phage with antibiofilm activity having a potential application against MDR and XDR UPEC causing UTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Chaudhary
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Balvinder Mohan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ravimohan S Mavuduru
- Department of Urology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Yashwant Kumar
- Central Research Institute, National Salmonella and Escherichia Centre, Kasauli, India
| | - Neelam Taneja
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Hennigan JN, Lynch MD. The past, present, and future of enzyme-based therapies. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:117-133. [PMID: 34537332 PMCID: PMC8714691 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Enzyme-based therapeutics (EBTs) have the potential to tap into an almost unmeasurable amount of enzyme biodiversity and treat myriad conditions. Although EBTs were some of the first biologics used clinically, the rate of development of newer EBTs has lagged behind that of other biologics. Here, we review the history of EBTs, and discuss the state of each class of EBT, their potential clinical advantages, and the unique challenges to their development. Additionally, we discuss key remaining technical barriers that, if addressed, could increase the diversity and rate of the development of EBTs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael D Lynch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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Liu G, Zhang S, Gao T, Mao Z, Shen Y, Pan Z, Guo C, Yu Y, Yao H. Identification of a novel broad-spectrum endolysin, Ply0643, with high antibacterial activity in mouse models of streptococcal bacteriaemia and mastitis. Res Vet Sci 2021; 143:41-49. [PMID: 34973538 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcal infections are very common in humans and animals, and they are usually treated with antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant Streptococcus strains have continuously emerged in recent years, prompting the search for alternatives to antibiotics. The use of endolysins encoded by phages has presented a promising alternative approach to treatment. In this study, a novel prophage endolysin, Ply0643, was identified from the prophage S. a 04. At an optimal concentration (30 μg/mL), rPly0643 exhibited broad and strong lysosomal enzyme activity against 66 Streptococcus strains from different sources while also maintaining high lytic activity over a wide pH range (pH 6-10) and a broad range of temperatures (28 °C-45 °C). Two in vivo treatments of rPly0643 (total 0.8 mg/mouse) significantly protected mice (80%) from lethal bacteriaemia with Streptococcus suis, and single treatments of rPly0643 (0.1 mg/gland) significantly reduced Streptococcus agalactiae concentrations and inflammation in murine mammary glands. These findings collectively demonstrate that Ply0643 exhibits good bactericidal activity both in vitro and in vivo, and therefore represents a useful antibacterial agent for combatting streptococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjin Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China.
| | - Shiyu Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Tingting Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhao Mao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanling Shen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Zihao Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Changming Guo
- Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry and Veterinary College, Taizhou, China
| | - Yong Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
| | - Huochun Yao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; OIE Reference Laboratory for Swine Streptococcosis, Nanjing, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
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Wang T, Zheng Y, Dai J, Zhou J, Yu R, Zhang C. Design SMAP29-LysPA26 as a Highly Efficient Artilysin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Bactericidal and Antibiofilm Activity. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0054621. [PMID: 34878337 PMCID: PMC8653812 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00546-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major issue to global health. The multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative infections, particularly infected by carbapenem-resistant pathogens, urgently need efficient antibiotics and novel therapy. However, the scientific challenges of aiming for innovative approaches against Gram-negative bacteria have hindered the research and development of antibiotic drugs. Phage-derived endolysins are bacteriolytic and specific for a bacterial species or genus, providing a promising antibiotic strategy. However, the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria could prevent the peptidoglycan layer from the hydrolysis of endolysins. Antimicrobial peptides usually destabilize the outer membrane and could enhance the antibiotic activity of endolysins. In this study, we designed new artilysins with antimicrobial-peptide SMAP29 fusion at the N-terminal of LysPA26 (named as AL-3AA, AL-9AA, and AL-15AA), and evaluated them. The results showed artilysin AL-3AA to be highly bactericidal; even 0.05 mg/mL AL-3AA could reduce 5.81 log units P. aeruginosa without EDTA in 60 min. It killed P. aeruginosa rapidly and dose-dependently through cell lysis. AL-3AA inhibited P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm formation and significantly decreased mature P. aeruginosa biofilms. It also had potential broad-spectrum activity against susceptible Gram-negative bacteria in the hospital, including K. pneumoniae and E. coli. The antibacterial mechanism investigation has provided valuable information about the antibacterial action of AL-3AA, which can lyse and disintegrate the bacterial quickly. These results suggested AL-3AA could be a new and promising antimicrobial agent for the combat of P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major issue to global health, particularly the multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative infections, which pose great challenges. Even new antibiotics research is ongoing, antibiotics used to treat Gram-negative bacteria in the clinical are limited in a small set of molecular scaffolds, and biomolecular categories of antibiotics are urgently needed. In this study, we designed new proteins by combining antimicrobial peptides and endolysins for synergistic bactericidal effects. One of designed proteins, named AL-3AA, showed highly bactericidal, and killed P. aeruginosa rapidly and dose-dependently through cell lysis. It also killed Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, showing potential broad-spectrum activity against susceptible Gram-negative bacteria in the hospital. All results suggest AL-3AA could be a new and promising antimicrobial agent for the combat of P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wang
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongxiang Zheng
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiami Dai
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junxiu Zhou
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Yu
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chun Zhang
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Manoharadas S, Altaf M, Alrefaei AF, Ahmad N, Althaf Hussain S, Al-Rayes BF. An Engineered Multimodular Enzybiotic against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:1384. [PMID: 34947915 PMCID: PMC8705753 DOI: 10.3390/life11121384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of multidrug antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a predicament encountered worldwide. Researchers are in a constant hunt to develop effective antimicrobial agents to counter these dreadful pathogenic bacteria. Here we describe a chimerically engineered multimodular enzybiotic to treat a clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The cell wall binding domain of phage ϕ11 endolysin was replaced with a truncated and more potent cell wall binding domain from a completely unrelated protein from a different phage. The engineered enzybiotic showed strong activity against clinically relevant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In spite of a multimodular peptidoglycan cleaving catalytic domain, the engineered enzybiotic could not exhibit its activity against a veterinary isolate of S. aureus. Our studies point out that novel antimicrobial proteins can be genetically engineered. Moreover, the cell wall binding domain of the engineered protein is indispensable for a strong binding and stability of the proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim Manoharadas
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2454, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Central Laboratory RM 63AA, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2454, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (N.A.); (S.A.H.); (B.F.A.-R.)
| | - Mohammad Altaf
- Central Laboratory RM 63AA, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2454, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (N.A.); (S.A.H.); (B.F.A.-R.)
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2454, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2454, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Naushad Ahmad
- Central Laboratory RM 63AA, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2454, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (N.A.); (S.A.H.); (B.F.A.-R.)
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2454, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shaik Althaf Hussain
- Central Laboratory RM 63AA, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2454, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (N.A.); (S.A.H.); (B.F.A.-R.)
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2454, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Basel F. Al-Rayes
- Central Laboratory RM 63AA, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2454, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (N.A.); (S.A.H.); (B.F.A.-R.)
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Danis-Wlodarczyk KM, Wozniak DJ, Abedon ST. Treating Bacterial Infections with Bacteriophage-Based Enzybiotics: In Vitro, In Vivo and Clinical Application. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:1497. [PMID: 34943709 PMCID: PMC8698926 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10121497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, we have witnessed a surge around the world in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This global health threat arose mainly due to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics as well as a relative lack of new drug classes in development pipelines. Innovative antibacterial therapeutics and strategies are, therefore, in grave need. For the last twenty years, antimicrobial enzymes encoded by bacteriophages, viruses that can lyse and kill bacteria, have gained tremendous interest. There are two classes of these phage-derived enzymes, referred to also as enzybiotics: peptidoglycan hydrolases (lysins), which degrade the bacterial peptidoglycan layer, and polysaccharide depolymerases, which target extracellular or surface polysaccharides, i.e., bacterial capsules, slime layers, biofilm matrix, or lipopolysaccharides. Their features include distinctive modes of action, high efficiency, pathogen specificity, diversity in structure and activity, low possibility of bacterial resistance development, and no observed cross-resistance with currently used antibiotics. Additionally, and unlike antibiotics, enzybiotics can target metabolically inactive persister cells. These phage-derived enzymes have been tested in various animal models to combat both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and in recent years peptidoglycan hydrolases have entered clinical trials. Here, we review the testing and clinical use of these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel J. Wozniak
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Stephen T. Abedon
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
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Pham TC, Nguyen VN, Choi Y, Lee S, Yoon J. Recent Strategies to Develop Innovative Photosensitizers for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy. Chem Rev 2021; 121:13454-13619. [PMID: 34582186 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 572] [Impact Index Per Article: 190.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This review presents a robust strategy to design photosensitizers (PSs) for various species. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a photochemical-based treatment approach that involves the use of light combined with a light-activated chemical, referred to as a PS. Attractively, PDT is one of the alternatives to conventional cancer treatment due to its noninvasive nature, high cure rates, and low side effects. PSs play an important factor in photoinduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Although the concept of photosensitizer-based photodynamic therapy has been widely adopted for clinical trials and bioimaging, until now, to our surprise, there has been no relevant review article on rational designs of organic PSs for PDT. Furthermore, most of published review articles in PDT focused on nanomaterials and nanotechnology based on traditional PSs. Therefore, this review aimed at reporting recent strategies to develop innovative organic photosensitizers for enhanced photodynamic therapy, with each example described in detail instead of providing only a general overview, as is typically done in previous reviews of PDT, to provide intuitive, vivid, and specific insights to the readers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Chung Pham
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Korea
| | - Van-Nghia Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - Yeonghwan Choi
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Korea
| | - Songyi Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Korea.,Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Korea
| | - Juyoung Yoon
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
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Rahman MU, Wang W, Sun Q, Shah JA, Li C, Sun Y, Li Y, Zhang B, Chen W, Wang S. Endolysin, a Promising Solution against Antimicrobial Resistance. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:1277. [PMID: 34827215 PMCID: PMC8614784 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10111277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global crisis for human public health which threatens the effective prevention and control of ever-increasing infectious diseases. The advent of pandrug-resistant bacteria makes most, if not all, available antibiotics invalid. Meanwhile, the pipeline of novel antibiotics development stagnates, which prompts scientists and pharmacists to develop unconventional antimicrobials. Bacteriophage-derived endolysins are cell wall hydrolases which could hydrolyze the peptidoglycan layer from within and outside of bacterial pathogens. With high specificity, rapid action, high efficiency, and low risk of resistance development, endolysins are believed to be among the best alternative therapeutic agents to treat multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria. As of now, endolysins have been applied to diverse aspects. In this review, we comprehensively introduce the structures and activities of endolysins and summarize the latest application progress of recombinant endolysins in the fields of medical treatment, pathogen diagnosis, food safety, and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujeeb ur Rahman
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Weixiao Wang
- Clinical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China;
| | - Qingqing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Junaid Ali Shah
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China;
| | - Chao Li
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yanmei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yuanrui Li
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Bailing Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China;
| | - Wei Chen
- Clinical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China;
| | - Shiwei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
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An Enzybiotic Regimen for the Treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Orthopaedic Device-Related Infection. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10101186. [PMID: 34680767 PMCID: PMC8533017 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10101186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Orthopaedic device-related infection (ODRI) presents a significant challenge to the field of orthopaedic and trauma surgery. Despite extensive treatment involving surgical debridement and prolonged antibiotic therapy, outcomes remain poor. This is largely due to the unique abilities of Staphylococcus aureus, the most common causative agent of ODRI, to establish and protect itself within the host by forming biofilms on implanted devices and staphylococcal abscess communities (SACs). There is a need for novel antimicrobials that can readily target such features. Enzybiotics are a class of antimicrobial enzymes derived from bacteria and bacteriophages, which function by enzymatically degrading bacterial polymers essential to bacterial survival or biofilm formation. Here, we apply an enzybiotic-based combination regimen to a set of in vitro models as well as in a murine ODRI model to evaluate their usefulness in eradicating established S. aureus infection, compared to classical antibiotics. We show that two chimeric endolysins previously selected for their functional efficacy in human serum in combination with a polysaccharide depolymerase reduce bacterial CFU numbers 10,000-fold in a peg model and in an implant model of biofilm. The enzyme combination also completely eradicates S. aureus in a SAC in vitro model where classical antibiotics are ineffective. In an in vivo ODRI model in mice, the antibiofilm effects of this enzyme regimen are further enhanced when combined with a classical gentamicin/vancomycin treatment. In a mouse model of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) ODRI following a fracture repair, a combined local enzybiotic/antibiotic treatment regimen showed a significant CFU reduction in the device and the surrounding soft tissue, as well as significant prevention of weight loss. These outcomes were superior to treatment with antibiotics alone. Overall, this study demonstrates that the addition of enzybiotics, which are distinguished by their extremely rapid killing efficacy and antibiofilm activities, can enhance the treatment of severe MRSA ODRI.
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Ho MKY, Zhang P, Chen X, Xia J, Leung SSY. Bacteriophage endolysins against gram-positive bacteria, an overview on the clinical development and recent advances on the delivery and formulation strategies. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 48:303-326. [PMID: 34478359 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.1962803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Facing the increasing threat of multi-drug antimicrobial resistance (AMR), humans strive to search for antibiotic drug candidates and antibacterial alternatives from all possible places, from soils in remote areas to deep in the sea. In this "gold rush for antibacterials," researchers turn to the natural enemy of bacterial cells, bacteriophage (phages), and find them a rich source of weapons for AMR bacteria. Endolysins (lysins), the enzymes phages use to break the bacterial cells from within, have been shown to be highly selective and efficient in killing their target bacteria from outside while maintaining a low occurrence of bacterial resistance. In this review, we start with the structures and mechanisms of action of lysins against Gram-positive (GM+) bacteria. The developmental history of lysins is also outlined. Then, we detail the latest preclinical and clinical research on their safety and efficacy against GM+ bacteria, focusing on the formulation strategies of these enzymes. Finally, the challenges and potential hurdles are discussed. Notwithstanding these limitations, the trends in development indicate that the first, approved lysin drugs will be available soon in the near future. Overall, this review presents a timely summary of the current progress on lysins as antibacterial enzymes for AMR GM+ bacteria, and provides a guidebook for biomaterial researchers who are dedicating themselves to the battle against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Kai Yuen Ho
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiang Xia
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Chen X, Liu M, Zhang P, Leung SSY, Xia J. Membrane-Permeable Antibacterial Enzyme against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:2192-2204. [PMID: 34232613 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophage endolysins (lysins, or murein hydrolases) are enzymes that bacteriophages utilize to degrade the cell wall peptidoglycans (PG) and subsequently disintegrate bacterial cells from within. Due to their muralytic activity, lysins are considered as potential candidates to battle against antibiotic resistance. However, most lysins in their native form lack the capability of trespassing the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative (G-ve) bacteria. To turn the bacteriophage enzymes into antibacterial weapons against G-ve bacteria, endowing these enzymes the capability of accessing the PG substrate underneath the OM is critical. Here we show that fusing a membrane-permeabilizing peptide CeA at the C-terminus of a muralytic enzyme LysAB2 renders a two-step mechanism of bacterial killing and increases the activity of LysAB2 against the multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii by up to 100 000-folds. The engineered LysAB2, termed LysAB2-KWK here, also shows remarkable activity against A. baumannii at the stationary phase and a prominent capability to disrupt biofilm formation. In addition, the enzyme shows a broad antibacterial spectrum against G-ve bacteria, a decent tolerance to serum, and a prolonged storage life. LysAB2-KWK rescues the larva of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella from A. baumannii infection through systemic administration. Altogether, our work equips a globular lysin with OM permeabilization activity to enable effective killing of G-ve bacteria, reveals the critical role of the C-terminus of a globular lysin in the antibacterial activity, and points toward a viable route to engineer globular lysins as antibacterial enzymes for potential clinical use against multidrug resistant G-ve bacteria.
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Lee C, Kim J, Son B, Ryu S. Development of Advanced Chimeric Endolysin to Control Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus through Domain Shuffling. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:2081-2092. [PMID: 34047546 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The increase in the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus with strong biofilm-forming capacity poses a serious public health concern. Endolysins derived from bacteriophages are a promising solution for antibiotic resistance problems. However, some natural staphylococcal endolysins have several shortcomings, such as low solubility and high sequence homology among domains. To overcome these limitations, we constructed a hybrid endolysin library by swapping an enzymatically active domain (EAD) and a cell wall binding domain (CBD) of 12 natural staphylococcal endolysins. We found a novel chimeric endolysin, ClyC, which showed enhanced lytic activity against S. aureus compared to its parental endolysin forms. ClyC also exhibited strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus in various biomatrices, such as milk and blood. Moreover, the treatment of chimeric endolysin effectively eradicated biofilms of multidrug-resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), S. epidermidis (MRSE), and S. aureus clinical isolates. In an in vivo mouse infection model, ClyC showed effective protection capability against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) without any toxic effects. Taken together, our data suggest that the chimeric endolysin ClyC can be considered a potential antibacterial agent against multidrug-resistant S. aureus and may have clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanyoung Lee
- Department of Food and Animal Biotechnology, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinwoo Kim
- Department of Food and Animal Biotechnology, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Bokyung Son
- Department of Food and Animal Biotechnology, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangryeol Ryu
- Department of Food and Animal Biotechnology, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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48
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Crespo-Piazuelo D, Lawlor PG. Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) prevalence in humans in close contact with animals and measures to reduce on-farm colonisation. Ir Vet J 2021; 74:21. [PMID: 34362463 PMCID: PMC8348836 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-021-00200-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the 1940s, Staphylococcus aureus has adapted to the use of different antimicrobials to treat infections. Although S. aureus can act as a commensal bacterium, some strains are facultative pathogens and acquiring them can be fatal. In particular, treating infections caused by S. aureus with acquired antimicrobial resistance is problematic, as their treatment is more difficult. Some of these S. aureus variants are methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with prevalence across the globe in health-care facilities, community settings and on livestock farms. Apart from humans, MRSA can colonise other animal species, and because of this, resistance to new antimicrobials can appear and jump between species. Livestock and companion animals are particularly important in this regard considering the relatively high usage of antimicrobials in these species. There is a risk to humans who come into direct contact with animals acquiring MRSA but there is also the risk of animals acquiring MRSA from colonised humans. In this review, we summarise studies conducted worldwide to characterise the prevalence of MRSA in veterinarians, farmers and other personnel who come into close contact with animals. Finally, alternative treatment, preventive measures and on-farm strategies to reduce MRSA introduction to a farm and carriage within a herd are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Crespo-Piazuelo
- Teagasc, Pig Development Department, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - Peadar G Lawlor
- Teagasc, Pig Development Department, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland.
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Rai A, Khairnar K. Overview of the risks of Staphylococcus aureus infections and their control by bacteriophages and bacteriophage-encoded products. Braz J Microbiol 2021; 52:2031-2042. [PMID: 34251609 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-021-00566-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of secondary infections in hospitals and a challenging pathogen in food industries. Decades after it was first reported, β-lactam-resistant S. aureus remains a subject of intense research owing to the ever-increasing issue of drug resistance. S. aureus bacteriophages (phages) or their encoded products are considered an alternative to antibiotics as they have been shown to be effective in treating some S. aureus-associated infections. In this review, we present a concise collection of the literature on the pathogenic potential of S. aureus and examine the prospects of using S. aureus phages and their encoded products as antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Rai
- Environmental Virology Cell, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Krishna Khairnar
- Environmental Virology Cell, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India. .,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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50
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Furlon JM, Mitchell SJ, Bailey-Kellogg C, Griswold KE. Bioinformatics-driven discovery of novel Clostridioides difficile lysins and experimental comparison with highly active benchmarks. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:2482-2492. [PMID: 33748952 PMCID: PMC10049856 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is the single most deadly bacterial pathogen in the United States, and its global prevalence and outsized health impacts underscore the need for more effective therapeutic options. Towards this goal, a novel group of modified peptidoglycan hydrolases with significant in vitro bactericidal activity have emerged as potential candidates for treating C. difficile infections (CDI). To date, discovery and development efforts directed at these CDI-specific lysins have been limited, and in particular there has been no systematic comparison of known or newly discovered lysin candidates. Here, we detail bioinformatics-driven discovery of six new anti-C. difficile lysins belonging to the amidase-3 family of enzymes, and we describe experimental comparison of their respective catalytic domains (CATs) with highly active CATs from the literature. Our quantitative analyses include metrics for expression level, inherent antibacterial activity, breadth of strain selectivity, killing of germinating spores, and structural and functional measures of thermal stability. Importantly, prior studies have not examined stability as a performance metric, and our results show that the panel of eight enzymes possess widely variable thermal denaturation temperatures and resistance to heat inactivation, including some enzymes that exhibit marginal stability at body temperature. Ultimately, no single enzyme dominated with respect to all performance measures, suggesting the need for a balanced assessment of lysin properties during efforts to find, engineer, and develop candidates with true clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M Furlon
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | | | - Chris Bailey-Kellogg
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.,Lyticon LLC, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Karl E Griswold
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.,Lyticon LLC, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
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