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Tanaka T, Sugiyama R, Sato Y, Kawaguchi M, Honda K, Iwaki H, Okano K. Precise microbiome engineering using natural and synthetic bacteriophages targeting an artificial bacterial consortium. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1403903. [PMID: 38756723 PMCID: PMC11096457 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1403903] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In natural microbiomes, microorganisms interact with each other and exhibit diverse functions. Microbiome engineering, which enables bacterial knockdown, is a promising method to elucidate the functions of targeted bacteria in microbiomes. However, few methods to selectively kill target microorganisms in the microbiome without affecting the growth of nontarget microorganisms are available. In this study, we focused on the host-specific lytic ability of virulent phages and validated their potency for precise microbiome engineering. In an artificial microbiome consisting of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, the addition of bacteriophages infecting their respective host strains specifically reduced the number of these bacteria more than 102 orders. Remarkably, the reduction in target bacteria did not affect the growth of nontarget bacteria, indicating that bacteriophages were effective tools for precise microbiome engineering. Moreover, a virulent derivative of the λ phage was synthesized from prophage DNA in the genome of λ lysogen by in vivo DNA assembly and phage-rebooting techniques, and E. coli-targeted microbiome engineering was achieved. These results propose a novel approach for precise microbiome engineering using bacteriophages, in which virulent phages are synthesized from prophage DNA in lysogenic strains without isolating phages from environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Tanaka
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kansai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryoga Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kansai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yu Sato
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Manami Kawaguchi
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Honda
- International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Industrial Biotechnology Initiative Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Iwaki
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenji Okano
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, Osaka, Japan
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Hitchcock NM, Devequi Gomes Nunes D, Shiach J, Valeria Saraiva Hodel K, Dantas Viana Barbosa J, Alencar Pereira Rodrigues L, Coler BS, Botelho Pereira Soares M, Badaró R. Current Clinical Landscape and Global Potential of Bacteriophage Therapy. Viruses 2023; 15:v15041020. [PMID: 37113000 PMCID: PMC10146840 DOI: 10.3390/v15041020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In response to the global spread of antimicrobial resistance, there is an increased demand for novel and innovative antimicrobials. Bacteriophages have been known for their potential clinical utility in lysing bacteria for almost a century. Social pressures and the concomitant introduction of antibiotics in the mid-1900s hindered the widespread adoption of these naturally occurring bactericides. Recently, however, phage therapy has re-emerged as a promising strategy for combatting antimicrobial resistance. A unique mechanism of action and cost-effective production promotes phages as an ideal solution for addressing antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries. As the number of phage-related research labs worldwide continues to grow, it will be increasingly important to encourage the expansion of well-developed clinical trials, the standardization of the production and storage of phage cocktails, and the advancement of international collaboration. In this review, we discuss the history, benefits, and limitations of bacteriophage research and its current role in the setting of addressing antimicrobial resistance with a specific focus on active clinical trials and case reports of phage therapy administration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danielle Devequi Gomes Nunes
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems, University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, BA, Brazil
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Salvador 40291-710, BA, Brazil
| | - Job Shiach
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Katharine Valeria Saraiva Hodel
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems, University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, BA, Brazil
| | - Josiane Dantas Viana Barbosa
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems, University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, BA, Brazil
| | | | - Brahm Seymour Coler
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA
| | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems, University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, BA, Brazil
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Salvador 40291-710, BA, Brazil
| | - Roberto Badaró
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems, University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, BA, Brazil
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Vuong I, Mageeney CM, Williams KP. BigDNA: Primer Design Software for Overlap-Based Assembly of Phage Genomes and Larger DNAs. PHAGE (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2022; 3:213-220. [PMID: 36793884 PMCID: PMC9917320 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2022.0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Gibson assembly and assembly-in-yeast are strategies to create long synthetic DNAs from diverse fragments, for example, when engineering bacteriophage genomes. Design for these methods requires terminal sequence overlaps in the fragments, determining the order of assembly. Design to rebuild a genomic fragment that is too long for a single PCR presents a puzzle since some candidate joint regions cannot yield satisfactory primers for the overlap. No existing overlap assembly design software is open-source, and none explicitly supports rebuilding. Methods We describe here bigDNA software that solves the rebuilding puzzle by recursive backtracking, with options to remove or introduce genes; it also tests for mispriming on the template DNA. BigDNA was tested with 3082 prophages and other genomic islands (GIs), from 20 to 100 kb, and the synthetic Mycoplasma genitalium genome. Results Rebuilding assembly design succeeded for all but ∼1% of GIs. Conclusion BigDNA will speed and standardize assembly design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Vuong
- Systems Biology, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, California, USA
| | | | - Kelly P. Williams
- Systems Biology, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, California, USA
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Morais D, Tanoeiro L, Marques AT, Gonçalves T, Duarte A, Matos APA, Vital JS, Cruz MEM, Carvalheiro MC, Anes E, Vítor JMB, Gaspar MM, Vale FF. Liposomal Delivery of Newly Identified Prophage Lysins in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710143. [PMID: 36077542 PMCID: PMC9456237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterium that presents resistance to several antibiotics, thus, representing a major threat to human and animal health. Phage-derived products, namely lysins, or peptidoglycan-hydrolyzing enzymes, can be an effective weapon against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Whereas in Gram-positive bacteria, lysis from without is facilitated by the exposed peptidoglycan layer, this is not possible in the outer membrane-protected peptidoglycan of Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we suggest the encapsulation of lysins in liposomes as a delivery system against Gram-negative bacteria, using the model of P. aeruginosa. Bioinformatic analysis allowed for the identification of 38 distinct complete prophages within 66 P. aeruginosa genomes (16 of which newly sequenced) and led to the identification of 19 lysins of diverse sequence and function, 5 of which proceeded to wet lab analysis. The four purifiable lysins showed hydrolytic activity against Gram-positive bacterial lawns and, on zymogram assays, constituted of autoclaved P. aeruginosa cells. Additionally, lysins Pa7 and Pa119 combined with an outer membrane permeabilizer showed activity against P. aeruginosa cells. These two lysins were successfully encapsulated in DPPC:DOPE:CHEMS (molar ratio 4:4:2) liposomes with an average encapsulation efficiency of 33.33% and 32.30%, respectively. The application of the encapsulated lysins to the model P. aeruginosa led to a reduction in cell viability and resulted in cell lysis as observed in MTT cell viability assays and electron microscopy. In sum, we report here that prophages may be important sources of new enzybiotics, with prophage lysins showing high diversity and activity. In addition, these enzybiotics following their incorporation in liposomes were able to potentiate their antibacterial effect against the Gram-negative bacteria P. aeruginosa, used as the model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Morais
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luís Tanoeiro
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Andreia T. Marques
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago Gonçalves
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Advanced Technologies for Drug Delivery, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed-ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Aida Duarte
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Superior Egas Moniz, Quinta da Granja, 2829-511 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - António Pedro Alves Matos
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Superior Egas Moniz, Quinta da Granja, 2829-511 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - Joana S. Vital
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Eugénia Meirinhos Cruz
- Advanced Technologies for Drug Delivery, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed-ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Manuela Colla Carvalheiro
- Advanced Technologies for Drug Delivery, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed-ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Elsa Anes
- Host-Pathogen Interactions Unit, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed-ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge M. B. Vítor
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Manuela Gaspar
- Advanced Technologies for Drug Delivery, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed-ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: or (M.M.G.); or (F.F.V.)
| | - Filipa F. Vale
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: or (M.M.G.); or (F.F.V.)
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A Phage Foundry Framework to Systematically Develop Viral Countermeasures to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens. iScience 2022; 25:104121. [PMID: 35402883 PMCID: PMC8983348 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
At its current rate, the rise of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections is predicted to paralyze our industries and healthcare facilities while becoming the leading global cause of loss of human life. With limited new antibiotics on the horizon, we need to invest in alternative solutions. Bacteriophages (phages)—viruses targeting bacteria—offer a powerful alternative approach to tackle bacterial infections. Despite recent advances in using phages to treat recalcitrant AMR infections, the field lacks systematic development of phage therapies scalable to different applications. We propose a Phage Foundry framework to establish metrics for phage characterization and to fill the knowledge and technological gaps in phage therapeutics. Coordinated investment in AMR surveillance, sampling, characterization, and data sharing procedures will enable rational exploitation of phages for treatments. A fully realized Phage Foundry will enhance the sharing of knowledge, technology, and viral reagents in an equitable manner and will accelerate the biobased economy.
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Deploying Viruses against Phytobacteria: Potential Use of Phage Cocktails as a Multifaceted Approach to Combat Resistant Bacterial Plant Pathogens. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020171. [PMID: 35215763 PMCID: PMC8879233 DOI: 10.3390/v14020171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants in nature are under the persistent intimidation of severe microbial diseases, threatening a sustainable food production system. Plant-bacterial pathogens are a major concern in the contemporary era, resulting in reduced plant growth and productivity. Plant antibiotics and chemical-based bactericides have been extensively used to evade plant bacterial diseases. To counteract this pressure, bacteria have evolved an array of resistance mechanisms, including innate and adaptive immune systems. The emergence of resistant bacteria and detrimental consequences of antimicrobial compounds on the environment and human health, accentuates the development of an alternative disease evacuation strategy. The phage cocktail therapy is a multidimensional approach effectively employed for the biocontrol of diverse resistant bacterial infections without affecting the fauna and flora. Phages engage a diverse set of counter defense strategies to undermine wide-ranging anti-phage defense mechanisms of bacterial pathogens. Microbial ecology, evolution, and dynamics of the interactions between phage and plant-bacterial pathogens lead to the engineering of robust phage cocktail therapeutics for the mitigation of devastating phytobacterial diseases. In this review, we highlight the concrete and fundamental determinants in the development and application of phage cocktails and their underlying mechanism, combating resistant plant-bacterial pathogens. Additionally, we provide recent advances in the use of phage cocktail therapy against phytobacteria for the biocontrol of devastating plant diseases.
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Yim SS, Wang HH. Exploiting interbacterial antagonism for microbiome engineering. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2021; 19:100307. [PMID: 37982076 PMCID: PMC10655851 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2021.100307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Interbacterial antagonism can significantly impact microbiome assembly and stability and can potentially be exploited to modulate microbes and microbial communities in diverse environments, ranging from natural habitats to industrial bioreactors. Here we highlight key mechanisms of interspecies antagonism that rely on direct cell-to-cell contact or diffusion of secreted biomolecules, and discuss recent advances to provide altered function and specificities for microbiome engineering. We further outline the use of ecological design principles based on antagonistic interactions for bottom-up assembly of synthetic microbial communities. Manipulating microbial communities through these negative interactions will be critical for understanding complex microbiome processes and properties and developing new applications of microbiome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Sun Yim
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Harris H. Wang
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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The Potential of Phage Therapy against the Emerging Opportunistic Pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061057. [PMID: 34204897 PMCID: PMC8228603 DOI: 10.3390/v13061057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The isolation and characterization of bacteriophages for the treatment of infections caused by the multidrug resistant pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is imperative as nosocomial and community-acquired infections are rapidly increasing in prevalence. This increase is largely due to the numerous virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes encoded by this bacterium. Research on S. maltophilia phages to date has focused on the isolation and in vitro characterization of novel phages, often including genomic characterization, from the environment or by induction from bacterial strains. This review summarizes the clinical significance, virulence factors, and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of S. maltophilia, as well as all phages isolated and characterized to date and strategies for their use. We further address the limited in vivo phage therapy studies conducted against this bacterium and discuss the future research needed to spearhead phages as an alternative treatment option against multidrug resistant S. maltophilia.
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Phages to shape the gut microbiota? Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 68:89-95. [PMID: 33176253 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The concept of (bacterio)phage therapy is simple; target the phage to the bacterial pathogen causing disease. As phages are natural killers of bacteria, one could expect this to be an easy task. However, when it comes to phage therapy within the gut, it might not be quite that simple. Already without exogenous intervention, a multitude of phage-bacterial interactions occur within the human gut, some of which might play a direct role in disease progression. In this perspective, we aim to summarise the current understanding of phages within our gut, moving from infancy, adulthood, and then into disease progression. We then highlight recent advances in phage-based interventions, both conventional phage therapy and the progressing field of whole virome transplant.
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