1
|
Li X, Wang X, Du J, Bu X, Peng C, Duan X, Fu C. Applications of β-defensins against infectious pathogenic microorganisms. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38970163 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2024.2377677] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are polypeptides with potent antimicrobial activity against a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms. Unlike conventional antibiotics, AMPs have rapid bactericidal activity, a low capacity for inducing resistance, and compatibility with the host immune system. A large body of data supports the antimicrobial activities of a large body of data supports the antimicrobial activities of the class of AMPs known as β-defensins. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of β-defensins against various pathogenic microorganism: bacteria, fungi, viruses, Mycoplasmas and Chlamydiae. The primary mechanisms of β-defensins against pathogenic microorganisms include inhibition of biofilms formations, dissolution of membranes, disruption of cell walls, and inhibition of adhesion and receptor binding. Although further study and structural modifications are needed, β-defensins are promising candidates for antimicrobial therapy. AREAS COVERED This review describes the inhibitory effects of β-defensins on various pathogenic microorganisms. Additionally, we focus on elucidating the mechanisms underlying their actions to provide, providing valuable references for the further study of β-defensins. EXPERT OPINION The biological activities and modes of action of β-defensins provide powerful resources for clinical microbial infection management. Addressing the salt sensitivity and toxicity of β-defensins may further enhance their potential applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuyun Li
- Infection and Microbiology Research Laboratory for Women and Children, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Dermatology, Dongying District Central Hospital of Dongying City, Dongying, PR China
| | - Jiajing Du
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xiangzhen Bu
- Radiology Department, Dongying District People's Hospital of Dongying City, Dongying, PR China
| | - Chao Peng
- Dermatology, Dongying District Central Hospital of Dongying City, Dongying, PR China
| | - Ximeng Duan
- Infection and Microbiology Research Laboratory for Women and Children, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Chen Fu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gao X, Feng J, Wei L, Dong P, Chen J, Zhang L, Yang Y, Xu L, Wang H, Luo J, Qin M. Defensins: A novel weapon against Mycobacterium tuberculosis? Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 127:111383. [PMID: 38118315 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious airborne communicable disease caused by organisms of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) complex. Although the standard treatment antimicrobials, including isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, have made great progress in the treatment of TB, problems including the rising incidence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), the severe toxicity and side effects of antimicrobials, and the low immunity of TB patients have become the bottlenecks of the current TB treatments. Therefore, both safe and effective new strategies to prevent and treat TB have become a top priority. As a subfamily of cationic antimicrobial peptides, defensins are rich in cysteine and play a vital role in resisting the invasion of microorganisms and regulating the immune response. Inspired by studies on the roles of defensins in host defence, we describe their research history and then review their structural features and antimicrobial mechanisms, specifically for fighting Mtb in detail. Finally, we discuss the clinical relevance, therapeutic potential, and potential challenges of defensins in anti-TB therapy. We further debate the possible solutions of the current application of defensins to provide new insights for eliminating Mtb.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuehan Gao
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Jihong Feng
- Department of Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Linna Wei
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Pinzhi Dong
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Jin Chen
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Langlang Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Yuhan Yang
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Junmin Luo
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China.
| | - Ming Qin
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Flores-Villalva S, Remot A, Carreras F, Winter N, Gordon SV, Meade KG. Vitamin D induced microbicidal activity against Mycobacterium bovis BCG is dependent on the synergistic activity of bovine peripheral blood cell populations. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2023; 256:110536. [PMID: 36586390 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2022.110536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A growing appreciation is emerging of the beneficial role of vitamin D for health and resistance against infectious diseases, including tuberculosis. However, research has predominantly focused on murine and human species and functional data in bovines is limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the microbicidal activity and immunoregulatory effect of the vitamin D metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3 on bovine peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) in response to Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG) infection using a combination of functional assays and gene expression profiling. Blood from Holstein-Friesian bull calves with low circulating levels of 25(OH)D was stimulated with 1,25(OH)2D3 for 2 h, and then infected with M. bovis BCG. Results showed that 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation significantly increased BCG killing by on average 16 %, although responses varied between 1 % and 38 % killing. Serial cell subset depletion was then performed on PBL prior to 1,25(OH)2D3 incubation and BCG infected as before to analyse the contribution of major cell types to mycobacterial growth control. Specific antibodies and either magnetic cell separation or density gradient centrifugation of monocytes, granulocytes, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes were used to capture each cell subset. Results showed that depletion of granulocytes had the greatest impact on BCG growth, leading to a significant enhancement of bacterial colonies. In contrast, depletion of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells individually, or in combination (CD3+), had no impact on mycobacterial growth control. In agreement with our previous data, 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly increased bacterial killing in PBL, in monocyte depleted samples, and a similar trend was observed in the granulocyte depleted subset. In addition, specific analysis of sorted neutrophils treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 showed an enhanced microbicidal activity against both BCG and a virulent strain of M. bovis. Lastly, data showed that 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulation increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the expression of genes encoding host defence peptides (HDP) and pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs), factors that play an important role in the microbicidal activity against mycobacteria. In conclusion, the vitamin D metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3 improves antimycobacterial killing in bovine PBLs via the synergistic activity of monocytes and granulocytes and enhanced activation of innate immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susana Flores-Villalva
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; CENID Fisiología, INIFAP, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Aude Remot
- INRAE, Université de Tours, ISP, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | | | | | - Stephen V Gordon
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Kieran G Meade
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jin L, Wang Y, Liu X, Peng R, Lin S, Sun D, Ji H, Wang L, Zhang Y, Ahmad N. Codon optimization of chicken β Gallinacin-3 gene results in constitutive expression and enhanced antimicrobial activity in transgenic Medicago sativa L. Gene 2022; 835:146656. [PMID: 35680025 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146656] [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: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Gallinacin-3 (Gal-3) is a newly discovered epithelial beta-defensin that acts as cationic antimicrobial peptides, and plays an important role in chicken innate immunity. However, the gallinacin-3 precursor containeda lengthy C-terminal region, which often hindered itsexpression. After codon optimization of Gal-3 and construction of an expression vector, the transgenic plants of Medicago sativa were obtained. Transgenic plants were validated and expression of proteins was detected. The antimicrobial activity of chicken β Gal-3 was analyzed and effects of chicken β Gal-3 on the body weight and intestinal microflora of mice were described. Our results demonstrated that the codon optimized chicken Gal-3 was stably expressed in transgenic Medicago sativa using the pCAMBIA3301 expression vector under the control of protein phosphatase (Ppha) promoter. Five transgenic plants with the highest expression of chicken β Gal-3 were selected, and were evaluated for the in vitro antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi. Our findings confirmed that the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the three bacterial strains were 32, 16 and 128 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, the effect of chicken Gal-3 on the body weight of mice fed with transgenic plants showed no significant deviation compared with that of the control group. Similarly, no loss of intestinal microflora was evident in the experimental group compared with the control group. Together, our findings demonstrate an alternative method for the stable expression of chicken Gal-3 withsignificant antibacterial effects and potential probiotics uses. In addition, this study may also be useful in the development of resistant M. sativa plants against pathogenic bacteria in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Libo Jin
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Yunpeng Wang
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130124, China
| | - Xiuming Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Engineering Research Center of Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
| | - Renyi Peng
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Sue Lin
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Da Sun
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Hao Ji
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Naveed Ahmad
- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources (Institute of Biotechnology), Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Ecology and Physiology, Jinan 250100, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wu S, Zhang Y, Ma J, Liu Y, Li W, Wang T, Xu X, Wang Y, Cheng K, Zhuang R. Interleukin-6 absence triggers intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and mucosal immunity in mice. Cytokine 2022; 153:155841. [PMID: 35276634 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.155841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in mucosal immune cells is involved in post-injury intestinal regeneration, inflammation responses, and gastric homeostasis. However, the interaction between IL-6 and the dynamic balance of gut microbiota (GM) remains unexplored. Intestinal pathology was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining in wild-type (WT) and IL-6 gene knockout (KO) C57BL/6J mice. GM profiles were established via high-throughput sequencing of the fecal bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Intestinal α- and β-defensins were measured by quantitative real-time PCR; further, flow cytometry was performed to analyze isolated intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs). Compared with the WT, IL-6 KO did not obviously change gut structures, but significantly reduced GM diversity, resulting in reduced metabolic pathways with decreased gram-positive but elevated gram-negative bacteria. More taxa alterations included differences at the phyla (e.g., increased Verrucomicrobia and decreased Firmicutes) and genera (e.g., increased Akkermansia and decreased Lactobacillus) levels. Absence of IL-6 also significantly increased intestinal expression of defensins α3 and α4 (Defa3 and Defa4) and the percentage of natural TCRγδ+ IELs, providing a molecular basis for triggering mucosal immune response. Therefore, IL-6 loss remodels GM composition and alters IEL maintenance, identifying IL-6 as a crucial cytokine for GM dysbiosis and mucosal immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuwen Wu
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, #127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, #127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Jingchang Ma
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, #169 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Yongming Liu
- Orthopedic Department of Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, #1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Wenpeng Li
- Orthopedic Department of Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, #1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, #169 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Xuexue Xu
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, #127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Yuling Wang
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, #169 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Kun Cheng
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, #169 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Ran Zhuang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, #127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China; Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, #169 West Changle Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Erdem Büyükkiraz M, Kesmen Z. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs): A promising class of antimicrobial compounds. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 132:1573-1596. [PMID: 34606679 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are compounds, which have inhibitory activity against microorganisms. In the last decades, AMPs have become powerful alternative agents that have met the need for novel anti-infectives to overcome increasing antibiotic resistance problems. Moreover, recent epidemics and pandemics are increasing the popularity of AMPs, due to the urgent necessity for effective antimicrobial agents in combating the new emergence of microbial diseases. AMPs inhibit a wide range of microorganisms through diverse and special mechanisms by targeting mainly cell membranes or specific intracellular components. In addition to extraction from natural sources, AMPs are produced in various hosts using recombinant methods. More recently, the synthetic analogues of AMPs, designed with some modifications, are predicted to overcome the limitations of stability, toxicity and activity associated with natural AMPs. AMPs have potential applications as antimicrobial agents in food, agriculture, environment, animal husbandry and pharmaceutical industries. In this review, we have provided an overview of the structure, classification and mechanism of action of AMPs, as well as discussed opportunities for their current and potential applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mine Erdem Büyükkiraz
- School of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Cappadocia University, Nevsehir, Turkey
| | - Zülal Kesmen
- Engineering Faculty, Department of Food Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Iakobachvili N, Leon-Icaza SA, Knoops K, Sachs N, Mazères S, Simeone R, Peixoto A, Bernard C, Murris-Espin M, Mazières J, Cam K, Chalut C, Guilhot C, López-Iglesias C, Ravelli RBG, Neyrolles O, Meunier E, Lugo-Villarino G, Clevers H, Cougoule C, Peters PJ. Mycobacteria-host interactions in human bronchiolar airway organoids. Mol Microbiol 2021; 117:682-692. [PMID: 34605588 PMCID: PMC9298242 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory infections remain a major global health concern. Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, while infections with Non‐Tuberculous Mycobacteria are rising globally. Recent advances in human tissue modeling offer a unique opportunity to grow different human “organs” in vitro, including the human airway, that faithfully recapitulates lung architecture and function. Here, we have explored the potential of human airway organoids (AOs) as a novel system in which to assess the very early steps of mycobacterial infection. We reveal that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and Mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs) mainly reside as extracellular bacteria and infect epithelial cells with very low efficiency. While the AO microenvironment was able to control, but not eliminate Mtb, Mabs thrives. We demonstrate that AOs responded to infection by modulating cytokine, antimicrobial peptide, and mucin gene expression. Given the importance of myeloid cells in mycobacterial infection, we co‐cultured infected AOs with human monocyte‐derived macrophages and found that these cells interact with the organoid epithelium. We conclude that adult stem cell (ASC)‐derived AOs can be used to decipher very early events of mycobacteria infection in human settings thus offering new avenues for fundamental and therapeutic research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nino Iakobachvili
- M4i Nanoscopy Division, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stephen Adonai Leon-Icaza
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Kèvin Knoops
- M4i Nanoscopy Division, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Norman Sachs
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Serge Mazères
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Roxane Simeone
- Institut Pasteur, Unit for Integrated Mycobacterial Pathogenomics, CNRS UMR3525, Paris, France
| | - Antonio Peixoto
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Célia Bernard
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Julien Mazières
- Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Larrey, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Kaymeuang Cam
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Christian Chalut
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Christophe Guilhot
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Olivier Neyrolles
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.,International Associated Laboratory (LIA) CNRS "IM-TB/HIV" (1167), Toulouse, France.,International Associated Laboratory (LIA) CNRS "IM-TB/HIV" (1167), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Etienne Meunier
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Geanncarlo Lugo-Villarino
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.,International Associated Laboratory (LIA) CNRS "IM-TB/HIV" (1167), Toulouse, France.,International Associated Laboratory (LIA) CNRS "IM-TB/HIV" (1167), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hans Clevers
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Céline Cougoule
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.,International Associated Laboratory (LIA) CNRS "IM-TB/HIV" (1167), Toulouse, France.,International Associated Laboratory (LIA) CNRS "IM-TB/HIV" (1167), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Peter J Peters
- M4i Nanoscopy Division, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dias AA, Silva CADME, da Silva CO, Linhares NRC, Santos JPS, Vivarini ADC, Marques MÂDM, Rosa PS, Lopes UG, Berrêdo-Pinho M, Pessolani MCV. TLR-9 Plays a Role in Mycobacterium leprae-Induced Innate Immune Activation of A549 Alveolar Epithelial Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:657449. [PMID: 34456901 PMCID: PMC8397448 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.657449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The respiratory tract is considered the main port of entry of Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy. However, the great majority of individuals exposed to the leprosy bacillus will never manifest the disease due to their capacity to develop protective immunity. Besides acting as a physical barrier, airway epithelium cells are recognized as key players by initiating a local innate immune response that orchestrates subsequent adaptive immunity to control airborne infections. However, to date, studies exploring the interaction of M. leprae with the respiratory epithelium have been scarce. In this work, the capacity of M. leprae to immune activate human alveolar epithelial cells was investigated, demonstrating that M. leprae-infected A549 cells secrete significantly increased IL-8 that is dependent on NF-κB activation. M. leprae was also able to induce IL-8 production in human primary nasal epithelial cells. M. leprae-treated A549 cells also showed higher expression levels of human β-defensin-2 (hβD-2), MCP-1, MHC-II and the co-stimulatory molecule CD80. Furthermore, the TLR-9 antagonist inhibited both the secretion of IL-8 and NF-κB activation in response to M. leprae, indicating that bacterial DNA sensing by this Toll-like receptor constitutes an important innate immune pathway activated by the pathogen. Finally, evidence is presented suggesting that extracellular DNA molecules anchored to Hlp, a histone-like protein present on the M. leprae surface, constitute major TLR-9 ligands triggering this pathway. The ability of M. leprae to immune activate respiratory epithelial cells herein demonstrated may represent a very early event during infection that could possibly be essential to the generation of a protective response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André Alves Dias
- Laboratory of Cellular Microbiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Camila Oliveira da Silva
- Laboratory of Cellular Microbiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - João Pedro Sousa Santos
- Laboratory of Cellular Microbiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aislan de Carvalho Vivarini
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Ângela de Mello Marques
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | | | - Ulisses Gazos Lopes
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Márcia Berrêdo-Pinho
- Laboratory of Cellular Microbiology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
El-Dirany R, Shahrour H, Dirany Z, Abdel-Sater F, Gonzalez-Gaitano G, Brandenburg K, Martinez de Tejada G, Nguewa PA. Activity of Anti-Microbial Peptides (AMPs) against Leishmania and Other Parasites: An Overview. Biomolecules 2021; 11:984. [PMID: 34356608 PMCID: PMC8301979 DOI: 10.3390/biom11070984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs), small biologically active molecules, produced by different organisms through their innate immune system, have become a considerable subject of interest in the request of novel therapeutics. Most of these peptides are cationic-amphipathic, exhibiting two main mechanisms of action, direct lysis and by modulating the immunity. The most commonly reported activity of AMPs is their anti-bacterial effects, although other effects, such as anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic, as well as anti-tumor mechanisms of action have also been described. Their anti-parasitic effect against leishmaniasis has been studied. Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease. Currently among parasitic diseases, it is the second most threating illness after malaria. Clinical treatments, mainly antimonial derivatives, are related to drug resistance and some undesirable effects. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic agents has become a priority, and AMPs constitute a promising alternative. In this work, we describe the principal families of AMPs (melittin, cecropin, cathelicidin, defensin, magainin, temporin, dermaseptin, eumenitin, and histatin) exhibiting a potential anti-leishmanial activity, as well as their effectiveness against other microorganisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rima El-Dirany
- ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), University of Navarra, c/Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain;
- Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadath 1003, Lebanon; (H.S.); (F.A.-S.)
| | - Hawraa Shahrour
- Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadath 1003, Lebanon; (H.S.); (F.A.-S.)
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain;
| | - Zeinab Dirany
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; (Z.D.); (G.G.-G.)
| | - Fadi Abdel-Sater
- Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadath 1003, Lebanon; (H.S.); (F.A.-S.)
| | - Gustavo Gonzalez-Gaitano
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; (Z.D.); (G.G.-G.)
| | - Klaus Brandenburg
- Brandenburg Antiinfektiva GmbH, c/o Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum, 23845 Borstel, Germany;
| | - Guillermo Martinez de Tejada
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain;
| | - Paul A. Nguewa
- ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), University of Navarra, c/Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Antimicrobial Peptides as Potential Anti-Tubercular Leads: A Concise Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14040323. [PMID: 33918182 PMCID: PMC8065624 DOI: 10.3390/ph14040323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being considered a public health emergency for the last 25 years, tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the deadliest infectious diseases, responsible for over a million deaths every year. The length and toxicity of available treatments and the increasing emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis renders standard regimens increasingly inefficient and emphasizes the urgency to develop new approaches that are not only cost- and time-effective but also less toxic. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are small cationic and amphipathic molecules that play a vital role in the host immune system by acting as a first barrier against invading pathogens. The broad spectrum of properties that peptides possess make them one of the best possible alternatives for a new “post-antibiotic” era. In this context, research into AMP as potential anti-tubercular agents has been driven by the increasing danger revolving around the emergence of extremely-resistant strains, the innate resistance that mycobacteria possess and the low compliance of patients towards the toxic anti-TB treatments. In this review, we will focus on AMP from various sources, such as animal, non-animal and synthetic, with reported inhibitory activity towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Collapse
|
11
|
Ali ZA, Mankhi AA, Ad'hiah AH. Significance of the chemokine CXCL10 and human beta-defensin-3 as biomarkers of pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2021; 128:102078. [PMID: 33773403 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2021.102078] [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: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The biomarker significance of IL-35, chemokines (CXCL9 and CXCL10) and human beta-defensins (hBD2 and hBD3) was determined in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) of 105 Iraqi patients; 37 had active disease, 41 had multi-drug resistant (MDR) PTB and 27 had a relapse of TB. A control sample of 79 healthy persons was also included. Serum levels of markers were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Kruskal-Wallis test together with Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc test revealed significance differences between patients and controls in levels of IL-35, CXCL9, CXCL10 and hBD3, while hBD2 showed no significant difference. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that CXCL10 and hBD3 were the most significant markers in predicting TB, particularly active disease. Logistic regression analysis proposed the susceptibility role of CXCL10 in TB. Gender- and age-dependent variations were also observed. Spearman's rank correlation analysis showed different correlations between markers in each group of patients and controls. In conclusion, CXCL10 was up-regulated in serum of TB patients, while hBD3 showed down-regulated level. Both serum proteins are possible candidate biomarkers for evaluation of TB progression, particularly in active disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zainab A Ali
- Biotechnology Department, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ahmed A Mankhi
- National Specialized Center for Chest and Respiratory Diseases, Ministry of Health and Environment, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ali H Ad'hiah
- Tropical-Biological Research Unit, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kirubakar G, Schäfer H, Rickerts V, Schwarz C, Lewin A. Mutation on lysX from Mycobacterium avium hominissuis impacts the host-pathogen interaction and virulence phenotype. Virulence 2020; 11:132-144. [PMID: 31996090 PMCID: PMC6999840 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1713690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The lysX gene from Mycobacterium avium hominissuis (MAH) is not only involved in cationic antimicrobial resistance but also regulates metabolic activity. An MAH lysX deficient mutant was shown to exhibit a metabolic shift at the extracellular state preadapting the bacteria to the conditions inside host-cells. It further showed stronger growth in human monocytes. In the present study, the LysX activity on host-pathogen interactions were analyzed. The lysX mutant from MAH proved to be more sensitive toward host-mediated stresses such as reactive oxygen species. Further, the lysX mutant exhibited increased inflammatory response in PBMC and multinucleated giant cell (MGC) formation in human macrophages during infection studies. Coincidentally, the lysX mutant strain revealed to be more reproductive in the Galleria mellonella infection model. Together, these data demonstrate that LysX plays a role in regulating the bacillary load in host organisms and the lack of lysX gene facilitates MAH adaptation to intracellular host-habitat, thereby suggesting an essential role of LysX in the modulation of host-pathogen interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greana Kirubakar
- Division 16, Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hubert Schäfer
- Division 16, Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker Rickerts
- Division 16, Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Schwarz
- Pediatric Pneumology, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Division of Cystic Fibrosis, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Astrid Lewin
- Division 16, Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abreu R, Giri P, Quinn F. Host-Pathogen Interaction as a Novel Target for Host-Directed Therapies in Tuberculosis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1553. [PMID: 32849525 PMCID: PMC7396704 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) has been a transmittable human disease for many thousands of years, and M. tuberculosis is again the number one cause of death worldwide due to a single infectious agent. The intense 6- to 10-month process of multi-drug treatment, combined with the adverse side effects that can run the spectrum from gastrointestinal disturbances to liver toxicity or peripheral neuropathy are major obstacles to patient compliance and therapy completion. The consequent increase in multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) cases requires that we increase our arsenal of effective drugs, particularly novel therapeutic approaches. Over the millennia, host and pathogen have evolved mechanisms and relationships that greatly influence the outcome of infection. Understanding these evolutionary interactions and their impact on bacterial clearance or host pathology will lead the way toward rational development of new therapeutics that favor enhancing a host protective response. These host-directed therapies have recently demonstrated promising results against M. tuberculosis, adding to the effectiveness of currently available anti-mycobacterial drugs that directly kill the organism or slow mycobacterial replication. Here we review the host-pathogen interactions during M. tuberculosis infection, describe how M. tuberculosis bacilli modulate and evade the host immune system, and discuss the currently available host-directed therapies that target these bacterial factors. Rather than provide an exhaustive description of M. tuberculosis virulence factors, which falls outside the scope of this review, we will instead focus on the host-pathogen interactions that lead to increased bacterial growth or host immune evasion, and that can be modulated by existing host-directed therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fred Quinn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Rajamanickam A, Munisankar S, Dolla CK, Babu S. Diminished Systemic and Mycobacterial Antigen Specific Anti-microbial Peptide Responses in Low Body Mass Index-Latent Tuberculosis Co-morbidity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:165. [PMID: 32411614 PMCID: PMC7198713 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Low body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for progression from latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection to active tuberculosis (TB) disease. Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) are multifunctional molecules that play a crucial role in the mammalian host innate defense mechanism. AMPs have been shown to have an important role in host immunity to TB infection. The association of antimicrobial peptides with low BMI–latent tuberculosis (LTBI) co-morbidity has not been explored. To study the association of AMPs with LTBI-BMI, we examined the systemic, baseline, and mycobacterial antigen stimulated levels of human neutrophil peptides 1–3, (HNP1-3), granulysin, human beta defensin–2 (HBD-2), and cathelicidin (LL-37) in individuals with LTBI and low BMI (LBMI) and compared them with individuals with LTBI and normal BMI (NBMI). LBMI was characterized by diminished systemic levels of HNP1-3, granulysin, HBD-2 and cathelicidin in comparison with NBMI. Similarly, LBMI was also characterized by diminished unstimulated levels of HNP1-3 and granulysin and diminished mycobacterial antigen stimulated levels of HNP1-3, granulysin, and HBD-2. In addition, certain AMPs exhibited a positive correlation with BMI. Our data, therefore, demonstrates that coexistent LBMI in LTBI is characterized by the diminished levels of HNP1-3, granulysin, HBD-2, and cathelicidin, thereby potentially increasing the risk of progression to active TB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Rajamanickam
- National Institute of Health-NIRT-International Center for Excellence in Research, Chennai, India
| | - Saravanan Munisankar
- National Institute of Health-NIRT-International Center for Excellence in Research, Chennai, India
| | - Chandra Kumar Dolla
- Department of Epidemiology, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Subash Babu
- National Institute of Health-NIRT-International Center for Excellence in Research, Chennai, India.,Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Polymorphisms in the P2X7 receptor, and differential expression of Toll-like receptor-mediated cytokines and defensins, in a Canadian Indigenous group. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14204. [PMID: 31578370 PMCID: PMC6775093 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50596-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Canadian Indigenous peoples (First Nations and Inuit) exhibit a high burden of infectious diseases including tuberculosis influenced by societal factors, and biological determinants. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated innate immune responses are the first line of defence against infections. We examined the production of a panel of 30 cytokines in peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants, following stimulation with five different TLR ligands. The levels of TLR-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12/23p40, IL-16, and IFN-γ, and chemokines (MCP-4, MDC and eotaxin) were different between Indigenous compared to non-Indigenous participants. Antimicrobial cationic host defence peptides (CHDP) induced by TLR activation are critical for resolution of infections and modulate the TLR-to-NFκB pathway to alter downstream cytokine responses. Therefore, we examined the expression of human CHDP defensins and cathelicidin in PBMC. mRNA expression of genes encoding for def-A1 and def-B1 were significantly higher following stimulation with TLR ligands in Indigenous compared to non-Indigenous participants. The purinergic receptor P2X7 known to be activated by ATP released following TLR stimulation, is a receptor for CHDP. Therefore, we further examined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in P2X7. Indigenous participants had a significantly higher percentage of a P2X7 SNP which is associated with reduced function and lower ability to clear infections. These results suggest that a higher frequency of non-functional P2X7 receptors may influence the activity of downstream immune mediators required for resolution of infections such as pro-inflammatory cytokines and CHDP defensins, thus contributing to higher burden of infections in Indigenous population.
Collapse
|
16
|
|
17
|
Potentials of Host-Directed Therapies in Tuberculosis Management. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8081166. [PMID: 31382631 PMCID: PMC6723166 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8081166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains as a leading cause of mortality in developing countries, persisting as a major threat to the global public health. Current treatment involving a long antibiotic regimen brings concern to the topic of patient compliance, contributing to the emergence of drug resistant TB. The current review will provide an updated outlook on novel anti-TB therapies that can be given as adjunctive agents to current anti-TB treatments, with a particular focus on modulating the host immune response to effectively target all forms of TB. Additional potential therapeutic pathway targets, including lipid metabolism alteration and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-directed therapies, are discussed.
Collapse
|
18
|
Huang C, Yang X, Huang J, Liu X, Yang X, Jin H, Huang Q, Li L, Zhou R. Porcine Beta-Defensin 2 Provides Protection Against Bacterial Infection by a Direct Bactericidal Activity and Alleviates Inflammation via Interference With the TLR4/NF-κB Pathway. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1673. [PMID: 31379864 PMCID: PMC6657668 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine beta-defensin 2 (PBD-2) which is a member of the family of antimicrobial peptides, is widely expressed in pig organs with a broad spectrum of bactericidal activities confirmed in vitro. We previously demonstrated that transgenic (TG) pigs overexpressing PBD-2 could resist the infection by the porcine pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. In this study, the roles of PBD-2 in protecting against bacterial infection were further investigated. The biochemical indexes of the blood sample, body weights, histological morphologies, and weights of the organs of TG mice expressing PBD-2 were measured. Results confirmed that these mice showed normal physiological features. An assay of Salmonella Typhimurium infection was conducted on wild-type (WT) and TG mice. The TG mice possessed higher survival rate, less body weight loss, and pathological changes and smaller recovery rates of bacteria after infection with S. Typhimurium. The in vitro synthetic PBD-2 and the serum and tissue homogenates from the TG mice displayed a direct bactericidal activity. Moreover, PBD-2 could inhibit the release of the proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-12, in the TG mice infected with S. Typhimurium or treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The WT mice treated with PBD-2 and S. Typhimurium or LPS showed reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines. The mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 which expressed PBD-2 was constructed to detect the signal pathways affected by PBD-2. The suppressing effect of PBD-2 on the release of the proinflammatory cytokines was confirmed using RAW 264.7 either expressing PBD-2 or supplemented with PBD-2. The promoter activity and mRNA level of NF-κB were detected, and PBD-2 was shown to significantly inhibit the activation of the NF-κB pathway induced by LPS. The direct interaction of PBD-2 with TLR4 was revealed by isothermal titration calorimetry and far-Western blot in vitro and the coimmunoprecipitation of PBD-2 with TLR4 on RAW 264.7 cells. This interaction indicates one reason for the interference of NF-κB activation. Overall, this study showed that PBD-2 protected against bacterial infection through a direct bactericidal activity and alleviated inflammation by interfering with the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Pig Industry Sciences, Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wuhan, China.,International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wuhan, China.,International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wuhan, China.,International Research Center for Animal Disease, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Biological Potential and Medical Use of Secondary Metabolites. MEDICINES 2019; 6:medicines6020066. [PMID: 31212776 PMCID: PMC6632032 DOI: 10.3390/medicines6020066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This Medicines special issue focuses on the great potential of secondary metabolites for therapeutic applications. The special issue contains 16 articles reporting relevant experimental results and overviews of bioactive secondary metabolites. Their biological effects and new methodologies that improve the lead compounds’ synthesis were also discussed. We would like to thank all 83 authors, from all over the world, for their valuable contributions to this special issue.
Collapse
|
20
|
Khatun A, Sakurai M, Sakai Y, Tachibana M, Ohara N, Morimoto M. Mycobacterial infection induces eosinophilia and production of α-defensin by eosinophils in mice. J Vet Med Sci 2019; 81:138-142. [PMID: 30473572 PMCID: PMC6361637 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.18-0619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been well known in humans that eosinophil infiltration into the site of inflammation and eosinophilia occur in mycobacterial infections. However, the role of eosinophils against the
mycobacterium is unclear. We showed in previous study that in situ mouse eosinophils infiltrated into tissues produce α-defensin, an anti-bacterial peptide. We investigated
in this study whether eosinophils reacting to mycobacteria produce α-defensin in mice and whether it can be used as a model. We showed that mycobacterial infection induced blood eosinophilia
and infiltration of α-defensin producing eosinophils that to surround mycobacteria at the site of infection. These findings were usually seen during human mycobacterial infection. We
established a good model to study host defense mechanism against mycobacteria through α-defensin via eosinophils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afia Khatun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Masashi Sakurai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sakai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Masato Tachibana
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Naoya Ohara
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Masahiro Morimoto
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Meade KG, O'Farrelly C. β-Defensins: Farming the Microbiome for Homeostasis and Health. Front Immunol 2019; 9:3072. [PMID: 30761155 PMCID: PMC6362941 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse commensal populations are now regarded as key to physiological homeostasis and protection against disease. Although bacteria are the most abundant component of microbiomes, and the most intensively studied, the microbiome also consists of viral, fungal, archael, and protozoan communities, about which comparatively little is known. Host-defense peptides (HDPs), originally described as antimicrobial, now have renewed significance as curators of the pervasive microbial loads required to maintain homeostasis and manage microbiome diversity. Harnessing HDP biology to transition away from non-selective, antibiotic-mediated treatments for clearance of microbes is a new paradigm, particularly in veterinary medicine. One family of evolutionarily conserved HDPs, β-defensins which are produced in diverse combinations by epithelial and immune cell populations, are multifunctional cationic peptides which manage the cross-talk between host and microbes and maintain a healthy yet dynamic equilibrium across mucosal systems. They are therefore key gatekeepers to the oral, respiratory, reproductive and enteric tissues, preventing pathogen-associated inflammation and disease and maintaining physiological normality. Expansions in the number of genes encoding these natural antibiotics have been described in the genomes of some species, the functional significance of which has only recently being appreciated. β-defensin expression has been documented pre-birth and disruptions in their regulation may play a role in maladaptive neonatal immune programming, thereby contributing to subsequent disease susceptibility. Here we review recent evidence supporting a critical role for β-defensins as farmers of the pervasive and complex prokaryotic ecosystems that occupy all body surfaces and cavities. We also share some new perspectives on the role of β-defensins as sensors of homeostasis and the immune vanguard particularly at sites of immunological privilege where inflammation is attenuated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kieran G. Meade
- Animal and Bioscience Research Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Ireland
| | - Cliona O'Farrelly
- School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Khatun A, Sakurai M, Okada K, Sakai Y, Morimoto M. Detection of α-defensin in eosinophils in helminth-infected mouse model. J Vet Med Sci 2018; 80:1887-1894. [PMID: 30393268 PMCID: PMC6305521 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.18-0601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
α-defensin is a potent antimicrobial peptide secreted from intestinal mucosal epithelial
cells, such as Paneth cells, and affects not only bacteria but also parasites and fungi.
Recently, human eosinophils have also been shown to produce α-defensin, but no studies
have been done on other animals. In this study, we attempted to detect α-defensin protein
in mouse eosinophils infiltrating the intestinal mucosa during a helminth infection using
Zamboni fixation and immunohistochemistry. Most of the eosinophils infiltrating the
intestinal mucosa during helminth infection were positive for α-defensin. The expression
level of α-defensin mRNA was 50 fold that in the control. Meanwhile, the number of Paneth
cells was doubled, and their α-defensin fluorescence intensity was increased. These
results suggested that eosinophils are also important producers of α-defensin, such as
Paneth cells in mice, and that α-defensin produced from eosinophils might be involved in
defensive mechanisms against helminths. Moreover, the experimental system used in this
study is a good model to study the generation of α-defensin by eosinophils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afia Khatun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Masashi Sakurai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Kazuki Okada
- North Lab, 8-35 Hondori, 2-chome kita, Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 003-0027, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sakai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Masahiro Morimoto
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Localized expression of antimicrobial proteins mitigates huanglongbing symptoms in Mexican lime. J Biotechnol 2018; 285:74-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2018.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
24
|
Liu X, Chen Q, Luo Y, Hu Y, Lai D, Zhang X, Zhang X, Yu J, Fang X, Shu Q. Plasma levels of alarmin HNPs 1-3 associate with lung dysfunction after cardiac surgery in children. BMC Pulm Med 2017; 17:218. [PMID: 29282039 PMCID: PMC5745992 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-017-0558-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early onset of lung injury is considerable common after cardiac surgery and is associated with increasing in morbidity and mortality, but current clinical predictors for the occurrence of this complication always have limited positive warning value. This study aimed to evaluate whether elevated plasma levels of human neutrophil peptides (HNPs) 1–3 herald impaired lung function in infants and young children after cardiac surgery necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods Consecutive children younger than 3 years old who underwent cardiac surgery were prospectively enrolled. Plasma concentrations of HNPs 1–3 and inflammatory cytokines were measured before, and immediately after CPB, as well as at 1 h, 12 h, and 24 h after CPB. Results Thirty patients were enrolled, 18 (60%) of whom were infants. Plasma levels of HNPs 1–3 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) significantly increased immediately after CPB (P < 0.001), while IL-8 increased 1 h after the CPB operation (P = 0.002). The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels were also significantly elevated immediately after CPB compared with the baseline (P < 0.001). The stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that the plasma HNPs 1–3 levels immediately after CPB was independent correlated with the declined lung function, as reflected by the PaO2/FiO2 ratio on the first 2 days after operation (for the first day: OR, −1.067, 95% CI, −0.548 to −1.574; P < 0.001; for the second day: OR, −0.667, 95% CI, −0.183 to −1.148; P = 0.009) and prolonged mechanical ventilation time (OR, 0.039, 95% CI, 0.005 to 0.056; P = 0.011). Plasma levels of HNPs 1–3 and IL-10 returned to the baseline values, while IL-6 and IL-8 levels remained significantly higher than baseline 24 h after CPB (P ≤ 0.01). Conclusions Elevated HNPs 1–3 levels immediately after CPB correlate with impaired lung function, and HNPs 1–3 could serve as a quantifiable early alarmin biomarker for onset of lung injury in infants and young children undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12890-017-0558-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- XiWang Liu
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - QiXing Chen
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - YuJia Luo
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - YaoQin Hu
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - DengMing Lai
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - XiaoLe Zhang
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - XiangHong Zhang
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - JianGen Yu
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - XiangMing Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| | - Qiang Shu
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abdossamadi Z, Seyed N, Zahedifard F, Taheri T, Taslimi Y, Montakhab-Yeganeh H, Badirzadeh A, Vasei M, Gharibzadeh S, Rafati S. Human Neutrophil Peptide 1 as immunotherapeutic agent against Leishmania infected BALB/c mice. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006123. [PMID: 29253854 PMCID: PMC5749894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Neutrophil Peptide 1 (HNP1) produced by neutrophils, is a well-known antimicrobial peptide which plays a role both in innate as well as in adaptive immunity and is under intensive investigation as a potential therapeutic agent. Previous in vitro experiments have indicated the leishmaniacidal effect of recombinant HNP1 on Leishmania major (L. major) promastigotes and amastigotes. In the current study, we further extended the idea to explore the remedial effect of HNP1 in the two modalities of peptide therapy (folded HNP1) and gene therapy in L. major infected BALB/c mice. To this end, mice in five different groups received synthetic folded HNP1 (G1), pcDNA-HNP1-EGFP (G2), pcDNA-EGFP (G3), Amphotericin B (G4) and PBS (G5), which was started three weeks after infection for three consecutive weeks. Footpad swelling was monitored weekly and a day after the therapy ended, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-6 and nitric oxide produced by splenocytes were analyzed together with the parasite load in draining lymph nodes. Arginase activity and dermal histopathological changes were also analyzed in the infected footpads. We demonstrated that both therapeutic approaches effectively induced Th1 polarization and restricted parasite burden. It can control disease progression in contrast to non-treated groups. However, pcDNA-HNP1-EGFP is more promising in respect to parasite control than folded HNP1, but less effective than AmB treatment. We concluded with the call for a future approach, that is, a DNA-based expression of HNP1 combined with AmB as it can improve the leishmaniacidal efficacy. The outbreak level of cutaneous leishmaniasis is approximated between one and 1.5 million individuals per year. Owning to several disadvantages of current therapies, special attention to expand novel and efficient therapies has been demanded. Among Anti-Microbial Peptides (AMPs), Human Neutrophil Peptide 1 (HNP1) is one of the most potential defensins. Our promising in vitro experiments have shown the leishmaniacidal effect of recombinant HNP1. Here, we displayed the remedial effect of HNP1 in two approaches including peptide therapy and gene therapy in susceptible mice infected with L. major. Our investigation showed that although both approaches could decrease the parasite load and induce Th1 immune response compared to the control group, pcDNA-HNP1-EGFP has a better effect compared to the folded HNP1. Hence, immunotherapy by HNP1 can help elicit proper immunity despite the direct effect on promastigotes and amastigotes forms of parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Abdossamadi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Seyed
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farnaz Zahedifard
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Taheri
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasaman Taslimi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Montakhab-Yeganeh
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Badirzadeh
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Vasei
- Cell-Based Therapies Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute and Department of Pathology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Safoora Gharibzadeh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- * E-mail: ,
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Arranz-Trullén J, Lu L, Pulido D, Bhakta S, Boix E. Host Antimicrobial Peptides: The Promise of New Treatment Strategies against Tuberculosis. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1499. [PMID: 29163551 PMCID: PMC5681943 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a devastating infectious disease and remerges as a global health emergency due to an alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance to its treatment. Despite of the serious effort that has been applied to develop effective antitubercular chemotherapies, the potential of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) remains underexploited. A large amount of literature is now accessible on the AMP mechanisms of action against a diversity of pathogens; nevertheless, research on their activity on mycobacteria is still scarce. In particular, there is an urgent need to integrate all available interdisciplinary strategies to eradicate extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. In this context, we should not underestimate our endogenous antimicrobial proteins and peptides as ancient players of the human host defense system. We are confident that novel antibiotics based on human AMPs displaying a rapid and multifaceted mechanism, with reduced toxicity, should significantly contribute to reverse the tide of antimycobacterial drug resistance. In this review, we have provided an up to date perspective of the current research on AMPs to be applied in the fight against TB. A better understanding on the mechanisms of action of human endogenous peptides should ensure the basis for the best guided design of novel antitubercular chemotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Arranz-Trullén
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Mycobacteria Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lu Lu
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - David Pulido
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Sanjib Bhakta
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ester Boix
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| |
Collapse
|