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Tang A, Zhang J, Huang J, Deng Y, Wang D, Yu P, Zhao R, Wang Y, Chen Z, Zhang T, Li B. Decrypting the viral community in aerobic activated sludge reactors treating antibiotic production wastewater. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 265:122253. [PMID: 39167968 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122253] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Viruses are the most abundant yet understudied members that may influence microbial metabolism in activated sludge treating antibiotic production wastewater. This study comprehensively investigated virome community characteristics under the selection pressure of nine types and different concentrations of antibiotics using a metagenomics approach. Of the 15,514 total viral operational taxonomic units (tOTUs) recovered, only 37.5 % were annotated. Antibiotics altered the original viral community structure in activated sludge. The proportion of some pathogenic viral families, including Herpesviridae_like, increased significantly in reactors treating erythromycin production wastewater. In total, 16.5 % of the tOTUs were associated with two or more hosts. tOTUs rarely carried antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and the ARG types in the tOTUs did not match the ARGs carried by the bacterial hosts. This suggests that transduction contributes little to the horizontal ARG transfer. Auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) were prevalent in tOTUs, and those involved in folate biosynthesis were particularly abundant, indicating their potential to mitigate antibiotic-induced host damage. This study provides comprehensive insights into the virome community in activated sludge treating antibiotic production wastewater and sheds light on the potential role of viral AMGs in mitigating antibiotic-induced stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aixi Tang
- Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Shenzhen Environmental Science and New Energy Laboratory, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, China
| | - Yu Deng
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dou Wang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pingfeng Yu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Renxin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Yulin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Zihan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bing Li
- Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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Li W, Wang Y, Zhao K, Xu L, Shi T, Ma B, Lv X. Host-virus coevolution drives soil microbial function succession along a millennium land reclamation chronosequence. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00258-3. [PMID: 38960277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.06.022] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gene exchange between viruses and hosts plays an important role in driving virus-host coevolution, enabling adaptation of both viruses and hosts to environmental changes. However, the mechanisms and functional significance of virus-host gene exchanges over long-term scales remain largely unexplored. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to gain insights into the role of viruses in virus-host interactions and coevolution by monitoring virome dynamics along a millennium-long land reclamation chronosequence. METHODS We collected 24 soil samples from 8 stages of a millennium-long land reclamation chronosequence, including non-reclamation, and reclamation periods of 10, 50, 100, 300, 500, 700, and 1000 years. We characterized their metagenomes, and identified DNA viruses within these metagenomes. RESULTS Our findings reveal a significant shift in viral community composition after 50 years of land reclamation, but soil viral diversity reached a stable phase approximately 300 years after the initial reclamation. Analysis of the virus-host network showed a scale-free degree distribution and a reduction in complexity over time, with generalist viruses emerging as key facilitators of horizontal gene transfer. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the integral role of viruses, especially generalist types, in mediating gene exchanges between viruses and hosts, thereby influencing the coevolutionary dynamics in soil ecosystems over significant timescales. This study offers novel insights into long-term virus-host interactions, showing how the virome responds to environmental changes, driving shifts in various microbial functions in reclaimed land.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbing Li
- School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310018, China; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
| | - Yiling Wang
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kankan Zhao
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Linya Xu
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Tingfeng Shi
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bin Ma
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou 311200, China
| | - Xiaofei Lv
- Department of Environmental Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
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Bozidis P, Markou E, Gouni A, Gartzonika K. Does Phage Therapy Need a Pan-Phage? Pathogens 2024; 13:522. [PMID: 38921819 PMCID: PMC11206709 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria is undoubtedly one of the most serious global health threats. One response to this threat that has been gaining momentum over the past decade is 'phage therapy'. According to this, lytic bacteriophages are used for the treatment of bacterial infections, either alone or in combination with antimicrobial agents. However, to ensure the efficacy and broad applicability of phage therapy, several challenges must be overcome. These challenges encompass the development of methods and strategies for the host range manipulation and bypass of the resistance mechanisms developed by pathogenic bacteria, as has been the case since the advent of antibiotics. As our knowledge and understanding of the interactions between phages and their hosts evolves, the key issue is to define the host range for each application. In this article, we discuss the factors that affect host range and how this determines the classification of phages into different categories of action. For each host range group, recent representative examples are provided, together with suggestions on how the different groups can be used to combat certain types of bacterial infections. The available methodologies for host range expansion, either through sequential adaptation to a new pathogen or through genetic engineering techniques, are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Bozidis
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Eleftheria Markou
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Athanasia Gouni
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Konstantina Gartzonika
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
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Flores VS, Amgarten DE, Iha BKV, Ryon KA, Danko D, Tierney BT, Mason C, da Silva AM, Setubal JC. Discovery and description of novel phage genomes from urban microbiomes sampled by the MetaSUB consortium. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7913. [PMID: 38575625 PMCID: PMC10994904 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58226-0] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are recognized as the most abundant members of microbiomes and have therefore a profound impact on microbial communities through the interactions with their bacterial hosts. The International Metagenomics and Metadesign of Subways and Urban Biomes Consortium (MetaSUB) has sampled mass-transit systems in 60 cities over 3 years using metagenomics, throwing light into these hitherto largely unexplored urban environments. MetaSUB focused primarily on the bacterial community. In this work, we explored MetaSUB metagenomic data in order to recover and analyze bacteriophage genomes. We recovered and analyzed 1714 phage genomes with size at least 40 kbp, from the class Caudoviricetes, the vast majority of which (80%) are novel. The recovered genomes were predicted to belong to temperate (69%) and lytic (31%) phages. Thirty-three of these genomes have more than 200 kbp, and one of them reaches 572 kbp, placing it among the largest phage genomes ever found. In general, the phages tended to be site-specific or nearly so, but 194 genomes could be identified in every city from which phage genomes were retrieved. We predicted hosts for 48% of the phages and observed general agreement between phage abundance and the respective bacterial host abundance, which include the most common nosocomial multidrug-resistant pathogens. A small fraction of the phage genomes are carriers of antibiotic resistance genes, and such genomes tended to be particularly abundant in the sites where they were found. We also detected CRISPR-Cas systems in five phage genomes. This study expands the previously reported MetaSUB results and is a contribution to the knowledge about phage diversity, global distribution, and phage genome content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius S Flores
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Deyvid E Amgarten
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Koshin Vázquez Iha
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | | | | | - Braden T Tierney
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Aline Maria da Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - João Carlos Setubal
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil.
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Dicks LMT, Vermeulen W. Bacteriophage-Host Interactions and the Therapeutic Potential of Bacteriophages. Viruses 2024; 16:478. [PMID: 38543843 PMCID: PMC10975011 DOI: 10.3390/v16030478] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthcare faces a major problem with the increased emergence of antimicrobial resistance due to over-prescribing antibiotics. Bacteriophages may provide a solution to the treatment of bacterial infections given their specificity. Enzymes such as endolysins, exolysins, endopeptidases, endosialidases, and depolymerases produced by phages interact with bacterial surfaces, cell wall components, and exopolysaccharides, and may even destroy biofilms. Enzymatic cleavage of the host cell envelope components exposes specific receptors required for phage adhesion. Gram-positive bacteria are susceptible to phage infiltration through their peptidoglycan, cell wall teichoic acid (WTA), lipoteichoic acids (LTAs), and flagella. In Gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), pili, and capsules serve as targets. Defense mechanisms used by bacteria differ and include physical barriers (e.g., capsules) or endogenous mechanisms such as clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein (Cas) systems. Phage proteins stimulate immune responses against specific pathogens and improve antibiotic susceptibility. This review discusses the attachment of phages to bacterial cells, the penetration of bacterial cells, the use of phages in the treatment of bacterial infections, and the limitations of phage therapy. The therapeutic potential of phage-derived proteins and the impact that genomically engineered phages may have in the treatment of infections are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon M. T. Dicks
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa;
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Hille F, Gieschler S, Brinks E, Franz CMAP. Characterisation of the Novel Filamentous Phage PMBT54 Infecting the Milk Spoilage Bacteria Pseudomonas carnis and Pseudomonas lactis. Viruses 2023; 15:1781. [PMID: 37766190 PMCID: PMC10534721 DOI: 10.3390/v15091781] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Filamentous bacteriophages are lysogenic and pseudo-lysogenic viruses that do not lyse their host but are often continuously secreted from the infected cell. They belong to the order Tubulavirales, which encompasses three families, with the Inoviridae being the largest. While the number of identified inoviral sequences has greatly increased in recent years due to metagenomic studies, morphological and physiological characterisation is still restricted to only a few members of the filamentous phages. Here, we describe the novel filamentous phage PMBT54, which infects the spoilage-relevant Pseudomonas species P. carnis and P. lactis. Its genome is 7320 bp in size, has a mol% GC content of 48.37, and codes for 13 open-reading frames, two of which are located on the (-) strand. The virion exhibits a typical filamentous morphology and is secreted from the host cell at various lengths. The phage was shown to promote biofilm formation in both host strains and, therefore, has potential implications for milk spoilage, as biofilms are a major concern in the dairy industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Hille
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Hermann-Weigmann-Str. 1, 24103 Kiel, Germany; (S.G.); (E.B.); (C.M.A.P.F.)
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7
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Zhang Y, Miao J, Zhang N, Wang X, Li Z, Richard OA, Li B. The analysis of the function, diversity, and evolution of the Bacillus phage genome. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:170. [PMID: 37337195 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02907-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phages play a pivotal role in the evolution of microbial populations. The interactions between phages and their hosts are complex and may vary in response to host physiology and environmental conditions. Here, we have selected the genomes of some representative Bacillus prophages and lysosomes from the NCBI database for evolutionary analysis. We explored their evolutionary relationships and analyzed the protein information encoded by hundreds of Bacillus phages. RESULTS We obtained the following conclusions: First, Bacillus phages carried some known functional gene fragments and a large number of unknown functional gene fragments, which might have an important impact on Bacillus populations, such as the formation of spores and biofilms and the transmission of virulence factors. Secondly, the Bacillus phage genome showed diversity, with a clear genome boundary between Bacillus prophages and Bacillus lytic phages. Furthermore, genetic mutations, sequence losses, duplications, and host-switching have occurred during the evolution of the Bacillus phage, resulting in low genome similarity between the Bacillus phages. Finally, the lysis module played an important influence on the process of Bacillus phage cross-species infestation. CONCLUSIONS This study systematically described their protein function, diversity, and genome evolution, and the results of this study provide a basis for evolutionary diversity, horizontal gene transfer and co-evolution with the host in Bacillus phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Zhang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Jianjia Miao
- College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Zijing Li
- Food Science College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Owusu Ansah Richard
- College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Bingxue Li
- College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.
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8
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Ling KM, Stick SM, Kicic A. Pulmonary bacteriophage and cystic fibrosis airway mucus: friends or foes? Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1088494. [PMID: 37265479 PMCID: PMC10230084 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1088494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
For those born with cystic fibrosis (CF), hyper-concentrated mucus with a dysfunctional structure significantly impacts CF airways, providing a perfect environment for bacterial colonization and subsequent chronic infection. Early treatment with antibiotics limits the prevalence of bacterial pathogens but permanently alters the CF airway microenvironment, resulting in antibiotic resistance and other long-term consequences. With little investment into new traditional antibiotics, safe and effective alternative therapeutic options are urgently needed. One gathering significant traction is bacteriophage (phage) therapy. However, little is known about which phages are effective for respiratory infections, the dynamics involved between phage(s) and the host airway, and associated by-products, including mucus. Work utilizing gut cell models suggest that phages adhere to mucus components, reducing microbial colonization and providing non-host-derived immune protection. Thus, phages retained in the CF mucus layer result from the positive selection that enables them to remain in the mucus layer. Phages bind weakly to mucus components, slowing down the diffusion motion and increasing their chance of encountering bacterial species for subsequent infection. Adherence of phage to mucus could also facilitate phage enrichment and persistence within the microenvironment, resulting in a potent phage phenotype or vice versa. However, how the CF microenvironment responds to phage and impacts phage functionality remains unknown. This review discusses CF associated lung diseases, the impact of CF mucus, and chronic bacterial infection. It then discusses the therapeutic potential of phages, their dynamic relationship with mucus and whether this may enhance or hinder airway bacterial infections in CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kak-Ming Ling
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Occupation, Environment and Safety, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Stephen Michael Stick
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Division of Paediatrics, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Occupation, Environment and Safety, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia
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McKerral JC, Papudeshi B, Inglis LK, Roach MJ, Decewicz P, McNair K, Luque A, Dinsdale EA, Edwards RA. The Promise and Pitfalls of Prophages. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.20.537752. [PMID: 37131798 PMCID: PMC10153245 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.20.537752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Phages dominate every ecosystem on the planet. While virulent phages sculpt the microbiome by killing their bacterial hosts, temperate phages provide unique growth advantages to their hosts through lysogenic conversion. Many prophages benefit their host, and prophages are responsible for genotypic and phenotypic differences that separate individual microbial strains. However, the microbes also endure a cost to maintain those phages: additional DNA to replicate and proteins to transcribe and translate. We have never quantified those benefits and costs. Here, we analysed over two and a half million prophages from over half a million bacterial genome assemblies. Analysis of the whole dataset and a representative subset of taxonomically diverse bacterial genomes demonstrated that the normalised prophage density was uniform across all bacterial genomes above 2 Mbp. We identified a constant carrying capacity of phage DNA per bacterial DNA. We estimated that each prophage provides cellular services equivalent to approximately 2.4 % of the cell's energy or 0.9 ATP per bp per hour. We demonstrate analytical, taxonomic, geographic, and temporal disparities in identifying prophages in bacterial genomes that provide novel targets for identifying new phages. We anticipate that the benefits bacteria accrue from the presence of prophages balance the energetics involved in supporting prophages. Furthermore, our data will provide a new framework for identifying phages in environmental datasets, diverse bacterial phyla, and from different locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody C. McKerral
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Bhavya Papudeshi
- Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Laura K. Inglis
- Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Michael J. Roach
- Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Przemyslaw Decewicz
- Department of Bacterial Genetics, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, Warsaw, 02-096, Poland
| | - Katelyn McNair
- Computational Sciences Research Center, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
- The Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Antoni Luque
- The Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Dinsdale
- Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Robert A. Edwards
- Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
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10
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Carroll-Portillo A, Rumsey KN, Braun CA, Lin DM, Coffman CN, Alcock JA, Singh SB, Lin HC. Mucin and Agitation Shape Predation of Escherichia coli by Lytic Coliphage. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020508. [PMID: 36838472 PMCID: PMC9966288 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020508] [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: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of bacteriophage (phage), abundant within the gastrointestinal microbiome, to regulate bacterial populations within the same micro-environment offers prophylactic and therapeutic opportunities. Bacteria and phage have both been shown to interact intimately with mucin, and these interactions invariably effect the outcomes of phage predation within the intestine. To better understand the influence of the gastrointestinal micro-environment on phage predation, we employed enclosed, in vitro systems to investigate the roles of mucin concentration and agitation as a function of phage type and number on bacterial killing. Using two lytic coliphage, T4 and PhiX174, bacterial viability was quantified following exposure to phages at different multiplicities of infection (MOI) within increasing, physiological levels of mucin (0-4%) with and without agitation. Comparison of bacterial viability outcomes demonstrated that at low MOI, agitation in combination with higher mucin concentration (>2%) inhibited phage predation by both phages. However, when MOI was increased, PhiX predation was recovered regardless of mucin concentration or agitation. In contrast, only constant agitation of samples containing a high MOI of T4 demonstrated phage predation; briefly agitated samples remained hindered. Our results demonstrate that each phage-bacteria pairing is uniquely influenced by environmental factors, and these should be considered when determining the potential efficacy of phage predation under homeostatic or therapeutic circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Carroll-Portillo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Kellin N. Rumsey
- Statistical Sciences, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Cody A. Braun
- Biomedical Research Institute of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA
| | - Derek M. Lin
- Biomedical Research Institute of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA
| | | | - Joe A. Alcock
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Sudha B. Singh
- Biomedical Research Institute of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA
| | - Henry C. Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Medicine Service, New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA
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11
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Michaelis C, Grohmann E. Horizontal Gene Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Biofilms. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020328. [PMID: 36830238 PMCID: PMC9952180 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Most bacteria attach to biotic or abiotic surfaces and are embedded in a complex matrix which is known as biofilm. Biofilm formation is especially worrisome in clinical settings as it hinders the treatment of infections with antibiotics due to the facilitated acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Environmental settings are now considered as pivotal for driving biofilm formation, biofilm-mediated antibiotic resistance development and dissemination. Several studies have demonstrated that environmental biofilms can be hotspots for the dissemination of ARGs. These genes can be encoded on mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as conjugative and mobilizable plasmids or integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). ARGs can be rapidly transferred through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) which has been shown to occur more frequently in biofilms than in planktonic cultures. Biofilm models are promising tools to mimic natural biofilms to study the dissemination of ARGs via HGT. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art of biofilm studies and the techniques that visualize the three main HGT mechanisms in biofilms: transformation, transduction, and conjugation.
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Bull JJ, Wichman HA, Krone SM. Modeling the Directed Evolution of Broad Host Range Phages. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:1709. [PMID: 36551366 PMCID: PMC9774779 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121709] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The host ranges of individual phages tend to be narrow, yet many applications of phages would benefit from expanded host ranges. Empirical methods have been developed to direct the evolution of phages to attack new strains, but the methods have not been evaluated or compared for their consequences. In particular, how do different methods favor generalist (broad host range) phages over specialist phages? All methods involve exposing phages to two or more novel bacterial strains, but the methods differ in the order in which those hosts are presented through time: Parallel presentation, Sequential presentation, and Mixed presentation. Methods: We use a combination of simple analytical methods and numerical analyses to study the effect of these different protocols on the selection of generalist versus specialist phages. Results: The three presentation protocols have profoundly different consequences for the evolution of generalist versus specialist phages. Sequential presentation favors generalists almost to the exclusion of specialists, whereas Parallel presentation does the least so. However, other protocol attributes (the nature of dilution between transfers of phages to new cultures) also have effects on selection and phage maintenance. It is also noted that protocols can be designed to enhance recombination to augment evolution and to reduce stochastic loss of newly arisen mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J. Bull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Holly A. Wichman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Stephen M. Krone
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
- Department of Mathematics and Statistical Science, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
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13
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Inglis LK, Edwards RA. How Metagenomics Has Transformed Our Understanding of Bacteriophages in Microbiome Research. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081671. [PMID: 36014086 PMCID: PMC9415785 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The microbiome is an essential part of most ecosystems. It was originally studied mostly through culturing but relatively few microbes can be cultured, so much of the microbiome was left unexplored. The emergence of metagenomic sequencing techniques changed that and allowed the study of microbiomes from all sorts of habitats. Metagenomic sequencing also allowed for a more thorough exploration of prophages, viruses that integrate into bacterial genomes, and how they benefit their hosts. One issue with using open-access metagenomic data is that sequences added to databases often have little to no metadata to work with, so finding enough sequences can be difficult. Many metagenomes have been manually curated but this is a time-consuming process and relies heavily on the uploader to be accurate and thorough when filling in metadata fields and the curators to be working with the same ontologies. Using algorithms to automatically sort metagenomes based on either the taxonomic profile or the functional profile may be a viable solution to the issues with manually curated metagenomes, but it requires that the algorithm is trained on carefully curated datasets and using the most informative profile possible in order to minimize errors.
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14
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Lu Z, Marchant J, Thompson S, Melgarejo H, Ignatova D, Kopić S, Damaj R, Trejo H, Paramo R, Reed A, Breidt F, Kathariou S. Bacteriophages Isolated From Turkeys Infecting Diverse Salmonella Serovars. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:933751. [PMID: 35865922 PMCID: PMC9294604 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.933751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide. The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains has increased global concern for salmonellosis. Recent studies have shown that bacteriophages (phages) are novel and the most promising antibacterial agents for biocontrol in foods because phages specifically kill target bacteria without affecting other bacteria, do not alter organoleptic properties or nutritional quality of foods, and are safe and environmentally friendly. Due to the vast variation in Salmonella serotypes, large numbers of different and highly virulent Salmonella phages with broad host ranges are needed. This study isolated 14 Salmonella phages from turkey fecal and cecal samples. Six phages (Φ205, Φ206, Φ207, ΦEnt, ΦMont, and Φ13314) were selected for characterization. These phages were from all three families in the Caudovirales order. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed that each phage had a unique structural protein profile. Each phage had a distinct host range. Φ207 and ΦEnt are both siphophages. They shared eight hosts, including seven different Salmonella serovars and one Shigella sonnei strain. These two phages showed different restriction banding patterns generated through EcoRI or HindIII digestion, but shared three bands from EcoRI digestion. ΦEnt displayed the broadest and very unusual host range infecting 11 Salmonella strains from nine serovars and three Shigella strains from two species, and thus was further characterized. The one-step growth curve revealed that ΦEnt had a short latent period (10 min) and relatively large burst size (100 PFU/infected cell). ΦEnt and its host showed better thermal stabilities in tryptic soy broth than in saline at 63 or 72°C. In the model food system (cucumber juice or beef broth), ΦEnt infection [regardless of the multiplicity of infections (MOIs) of 1, 10, and 100] resulted in more than 5-log10 reduction in Salmonella concentration within 4 or 5 h. Such high lytic activity combined with its remarkably broad and unusual host range and good thermal stability suggested that ΦEnt is a novel Salmonella phage with great potential to be used as an effective biocontrol agent against diverse Salmonella serovars in foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjing Lu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - John Marchant
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Samantha Thompson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Henry Melgarejo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Dzhuliya Ignatova
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Sandra Kopić
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Rana Damaj
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Hedy Trejo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Rodrigo Paramo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Ashley Reed
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
| | - Fred Breidt
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Sophia Kathariou
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
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15
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Bujak K, Decewicz P, Kitowicz M, Radlinska M. Characterization of Three Novel Virulent Aeromonas Phages Provides Insights into the Diversity of the Autographiviridae Family. Viruses 2022; 14:1016. [PMID: 35632757 PMCID: PMC9145550 DOI: 10.3390/v14051016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we isolated and characterized three novel virulent Autographiviridae bacteriophages, vB_AspA_Bolek, vB_AspA_Lolek, and vB_AspA_Tola, which infect different Aeromonas strains. These three host-pathogen pairs were derived from the same sampling location-the arsenic-containing microbial mats of the Zloty Stok gold mine. Functional analysis showed they are psychrotolerant (4-25 °C), albeit with a much wider temperature range of propagation for the hosts (≤37 °C). Comparative genomic analyses revealed a high nucleotide and amino acid sequence similarity of vB_AspA_Bolek and vB_AspA_Lolek, with significant differences exclusively in the C-terminal region of their tail fibers, which might explain their host range discrimination. The protein-based phage network, together with a phylogenetic analysis of the marker proteins, allowed us to assign vB_AspA_Bolek and vB_AspA_Lolek to the Beijerinckvirinae and vB_AspA_Tola to the Colwellvirinae subfamilies, but as three novel species, due to their low nucleotide sequence coverage and identity with other known phage genomes. Global comparative analysis showed that the studied phages are also markedly different from most of the 24 Aeromonas autographiviruses known so far. Finally, this study provides in-depth insight into the diversity of the Autographiviridae phages and reveals genomic similarities between selected groups of this family as well as between autographiviruses and their relatives of other Caudoviricetes families.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Monika Radlinska
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (K.B.); (P.D.); (M.K.)
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16
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Chevallereau A, Pons BJ, van Houte S, Westra ER. Interactions between bacterial and phage communities in natural environments. Nat Rev Microbiol 2021; 20:49-62. [PMID: 34373631 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-021-00602-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We commonly acknowledge that bacterial viruses (phages) shape the composition and evolution of bacterial communities in nature and therefore have important roles in ecosystem functioning. This view stems from studies in the 1990s to the first decade of the twenty-first century that revealed high viral abundance, high viral diversity and virus-induced microbial death in aquatic ecosystems as well as an association between collapses in bacterial density and peaks in phage abundance. The recent surge in metagenomic analyses has provided deeper insight into the abundance, genomic diversity and spatio-temporal dynamics of phages in a wide variety of ecosystems, ranging from deep oceans to soil and the mammalian digestive tract. However, the causes and consequences of variations in phage community compositions remain poorly understood. In this Review, we explore current knowledge of the composition and evolution of phage communities, as well as their roles in controlling the population and evolutionary dynamics of bacterial communities. We discuss the need for greater ecological realism in laboratory studies to capture the complexity of microbial communities that thrive in natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Chevallereau
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK. .,Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
| | - Benoît J Pons
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Stineke van Houte
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Edze R Westra
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK.
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17
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Yaeger LN, Coles VE, Chan DCK, Burrows LL. How to kill Pseudomonas-emerging therapies for a challenging pathogen. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1496:59-81. [PMID: 33830543 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
As the number of effective antibiotics dwindled, antibiotic resistance (AR) became a pressing concern. Some Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates are resistant to all available antibiotics. In this review, we identify the mechanisms that P. aeruginosa uses to evade antibiotics, including intrinsic, acquired, and adaptive resistance. Our review summarizes many different approaches to overcome resistance. Antimicrobial peptides have potential as therapeutics with low levels of resistance evolution. Rationally designed bacteriophage therapy can circumvent and direct evolution of AR and virulence. Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are highlighted as immune-based treatments targeting specific P. aeruginosa antigens. This review also identifies promising drug combinations, antivirulence therapies, and considerations for new antipseudomonal discovery. Finally, we provide an update on the clinical pipeline for antipseudomonal therapies and recommend future avenues for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke N Yaeger
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Victoria E Coles
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Derek C K Chan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lori L Burrows
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Carroll-Portillo A, Lin HC. Exploring Mucin as Adjunct to Phage Therapy. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030509. [PMID: 33670927 PMCID: PMC7997181 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional phage therapy using bacteriophages (phages) for specific targeting of pathogenic bacteria is not always useful as a therapeutic for gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. Complex dysbiotic GI disorders such as small intestinal bowel overgrowth (SIBO), ulcerative colitis (UC), or Crohn’s disease (CD) are even more difficult to treat as these conditions have shifts in multiple populations of bacteria within the microbiome. Such community-level structural changes in the gut microbiota may require an alternative to conventional phage therapy such as fecal virome transfer or a phage cocktail capable of targeting multiple bacterial species. Additionally, manipulation of the GI microenvironment may enhance beneficial bacteria–phage interactions during treatment. Mucin, produced along the entire length of the GI tract to protect the underlying mucosa, is a prominent contributor to the GI microenvironment and may facilitate bacteria–phage interactions in multiple ways, potentially serving as an adjunct during phage therapy. In this review, we will describe what is known about the role of mucin within the GI tract and how its facilitation of bacteria–phage interactions should be considered in any effort directed at optimizing effectiveness of a phage therapy for gastrointestinal dysbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Carroll-Portillo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Henry C. Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
- Medicine Service, New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-505-265-1711 (ext. 4552)
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