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Pastuszak K, Kowalczyk B, Tarasiuk J, Luchowski R, Gruszecki WI, Jurak M, Palusinska-Szysz M. Insight into the Mechanism of Interactions between the LL-37 Peptide and Model Membranes of Legionella gormanii Bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12039. [PMID: 37569419 PMCID: PMC10418352 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512039] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Legionella gormanii is a fastidious, Gram-negative bacterium known to be the etiological agent of atypical community-acquired pneumonia. The human cathelicidin LL-37 exhibits a dose-dependent bactericidal effect on L. gormanii. The LL-37 peptide at the concentration of 10 µM causes the bacteria to become viable but not cultured. The antibacterial activity of the peptide is attributed to its effective binding to the bacterial membrane, as demonstrated by the fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. In this study, to mimic the L. gormanii membranes and their response to the antimicrobial peptide, Langmuir monolayers were used with the addition of the LL-37 peptide to the subphase of the Langmuir trough to represent the extracellular fluid. The properties of the model membranes (Langmuir monolayers) formed by phospholipids (PL) isolated from the L. gormanii bacteria cultured on the non-supplemented (PL-choline) and choline-supplemented (PL+choline) medium were determined, along with the effect of the LL-37 peptide on the intermolecular interactions, packing, and ordering under the monolayer compression. Penetration tests at the constant surface pressure were carried out to investigate the mechanism of the LL-37 peptide action on the model membranes. The peptide binds to the anionic bacterial membranes preferentially, due to its positive charge. Upon binding, the LL-37 peptide can penetrate into the hydrophobic tails of phospholipids, destabilizing membrane integrity. The above process can entail membrane disruption and ultimately cell death. The ability to evoke such a great membrane destabilization is dependent on the share of electrostatic, hydrogen bonding and Lifshitz-van der Waals LL-37-PL interactions. Thus, the LL-37 peptide action depends on the changes in the lipid membrane composition caused by the utilization of exogenous choline by the L. gormanii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Pastuszak
- Department of Interfacial Phenomena, Institute of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Maria Curie-Skłodowska Sq. 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Bozena Kowalczyk
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland; (B.K.); (J.T.); (M.P.-S.)
| | - Jacek Tarasiuk
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland; (B.K.); (J.T.); (M.P.-S.)
| | - Rafal Luchowski
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Radziszewskiego 10, 20-031 Lublin, Poland; (R.L.); (W.I.G.)
| | - Wieslaw I. Gruszecki
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Radziszewskiego 10, 20-031 Lublin, Poland; (R.L.); (W.I.G.)
| | - Małgorzata Jurak
- Department of Interfacial Phenomena, Institute of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Maria Curie-Skłodowska Sq. 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Marta Palusinska-Szysz
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland; (B.K.); (J.T.); (M.P.-S.)
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Baindara P, Ganguli S, Chakraborty R, Mandal SM. Preventing Respiratory Viral Diseases with Antimicrobial Peptide Master Regulators in the Lung Airway Habitat. Clin Pract 2023; 13:125-147. [PMID: 36648852 PMCID: PMC9844411 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract13010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The vast surface area of the respiratory system acts as an initial site of contact for microbes and foreign particles. The whole respiratory epithelium is covered with a thin layer of the airway and alveolar secretions. Respiratory secretions contain host defense peptides (HDPs), such as defensins and cathelicidins, which are the best-studied antimicrobial components expressed in the respiratory tract. HDPs have an important role in the human body's initial line of defense against pathogenic microbes. Epithelial and immunological cells produce HDPs in the surface fluids of the lungs, which act as endogenous antibiotics in the respiratory tract. The production and action of these antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are critical in the host's defense against respiratory infections. In this study, we have described all the HDPs secreted in the respiratory tract as well as how their expression is regulated during respiratory disorders. We focused on the transcriptional expression and regulation mechanisms of respiratory tract HDPs. Understanding how HDPs are controlled throughout infections might provide an alternative to relying on the host's innate immunity to combat respiratory viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyush Baindara
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Sriradha Ganguli
- OMICS Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of North Bengal, P.O. NBU, Siliguri 734013, West Bengal, India
| | - Ranadhir Chakraborty
- OMICS Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of North Bengal, P.O. NBU, Siliguri 734013, West Bengal, India
| | - Santi M. Mandal
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India
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Human macrophages utilize a wide range of pathogen recognition receptors to recognize Legionella pneumophila, including Toll-Like Receptor 4 engaging Legionella lipopolysaccharide and the Toll-like Receptor 3 nucleic-acid sensor. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009781. [PMID: 34280250 PMCID: PMC8321404 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines made by macrophages play a critical role in determining the course of Legionella pneumophila infection. Prior murine-based modeling indicated that this cytokine response is initiated upon recognition of L. pneumophila by a subset of Toll-like receptors, namely TLR2, TLR5, and TLR9. Through the use of shRNA/siRNA knockdowns and subsequently CRISPR/Cas9 knockouts (KO), we determined that TRIF, an adaptor downstream of endosomal TLR3 and TLR4, is required for full cytokine secretion by human primary and cell-line macrophages. By characterizing a further set of TLR KO's in human U937 cells, we discerned that, contrary to the viewpoint garnered from murine-based studies, TLR3 and TLR4 (along with TLR2 and TLR5) are in fact vital to the macrophage response in the early stages of L. pneumophila infection. This conclusion was bolstered by showing that i) chemical inhibitors of TLR3 and TLR4 dampen the cytokine output of primary human macrophages and ii) transfection of TLR3 and TLR4 into HEK cells conferred an ability to sense L. pneumophila. TLR3- and TLR4-dependent cytokines promoted migration of human HL-60 neutrophils across an epithelial layer, pointing to the biological importance for the newfound signaling pathway. The response of U937 cells to L. pneumophila LPS was dependent upon TLR4, a further contradiction to murine-based studies, which had concluded that TLR2 is the receptor for Legionella LPS. Given the role of TLR3 in sensing nucleic acid (i.e., dsRNA), we utilized newly-made KO U937 cells to document that DNA-sensing by cGAS-STING and DNA-PK are also needed for the response of human macrophages to L. pneumophila. Given the lack of attention given them in the bacterial field, C-type lectin receptors were similarly examined; but, they were not required. Overall, this study arguably represents the most extensive, single-characterization of Legionella-recognition receptors within human macrophages.
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Jia Y, Si W, Hong Z, Qu M, Zhu N, Liu S, Li G. Toll-like receptor 2-mediated induction of avian β-defensin 9 by Lactobacillus rhamnosus and its cellular components in chicken intestinal epithelial cells. FOOD AGR IMMUNOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09540105.2019.1593325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Jia
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Si
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Hong
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingren Qu
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nianhua Zhu
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Siguo Liu
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanhong Li
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
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Ahmadishoar S, Kariminik A. Toll-like receptor 2 and its roles in immune responses against Legionella pneumophila. Life Sci 2017; 188:158-162. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Su F, Wang Y, Liu G, Ru K, Liu X, Yu Y, Liu J, Wu Y, Quan F, Guo Z, Zhang Y. Generation of transgenic cattle expressing human β-defensin 3 as an approach to reducing susceptibility toMycobacterium bovisinfection. FEBS J 2016; 283:776-90. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.13641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 12/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Northwest A&F University; Yangling Shaanxi China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine; Shandong Agricultural University; Taian Shandong China
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Northwest A&F University; Yangling Shaanxi China
| | - Guanghui Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Northwest A&F University; Yangling Shaanxi China
| | - Kun Ru
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Northwest A&F University; Yangling Shaanxi China
| | - Xin Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Northwest A&F University; Yangling Shaanxi China
| | - Yuan Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Northwest A&F University; Yangling Shaanxi China
| | - Jun Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Northwest A&F University; Yangling Shaanxi China
| | - Yongyan Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Northwest A&F University; Yangling Shaanxi China
| | - Fusheng Quan
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Northwest A&F University; Yangling Shaanxi China
| | - Zekun Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Northwest A&F University; Yangling Shaanxi China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine; Northwest A&F University; Yangling Shaanxi China
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Haarmann H, Steiner T, Schreiber F, Heinrich A, Zweigner J, N'Guessan PD, Slevogt H. The role and regulation of Moraxella catarrhalis-induced human beta-defensin 3 expression in human pulmonary epithelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 467:46-52. [PMID: 26417692 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.09.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial colonisation with Moraxella catarrhalis may partly sustain chronic inflammation in the lower airways of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, this bacterium causes infectious exacerbations of COPD, which often necessitate treatment with antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides are the body's own antibiotic substances with bactericidal and bacteriostatic, as well as immunomodulatory function. In particular, human beta-defensin 3 (hBD-3) exerts an antimicrobial effect against an extraordinarily broad spectrum of pathogens. We therefore investigated the role of hBD-3 in infections of pulmonary epithelial cells with M. catarrhalis. METHODS The antimicrobial activity of hBD-3 vs. M. catarrhalis was evaluated in an antimicrobial susceptibility assay. We analyzed hBD-3 secretion of M. catarrhalis-infected pulmonary epithelial cells using ELISA. The role of M. catarrhalis-specific virulence factors, toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4, MAPK pathways, and transcription factors AP-1 and NF-κB in the induction and regulation of hBD-3 expression were explored with specific inhibitors, small interference RNA, Western Blot, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. RESULTS HBD-3 exhibited a strong bactericidal effect against M. catarrhalis. M. catarrhalis induced hBD-3 expression in pulmonary epithelial cells, which was dependent on M. catarrhalis membranous lipoolygosaccharide (LOS), while the surface proteins UspA1 and UspA2 were not involved. Gene silencing of TLR2, but not TLR4, led to a reduced hBD-3 secretion after stimulation with M. catarrhalis or M. catarrhalis LOS. Inhibition of MAPKs ERK1/2 and JNK, but not p38, reduced hBD-3 secretion. HBD-3 expression was mediated through the recruitment of AP-1 to the hBD-3 gene promoter and was independent of NF-κB. CONCLUSION The immune response of pulmonary epithelial cells towards M. catarrhalis involves secretion of hBD-3, which has a bactericidal effect against this pathogen. Binding of M. catarrhalis virulence factor LOS to TLR2 causes an ERK1/2- and JNK-dependent induction of AP-1-related transcription of the hBD-3 gene, resulting in the production and secretion of hBD-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helge Haarmann
- Clinic for Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tamara Steiner
- Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Neurological Rehabilitation Center for Children and Adolescents, Helios Klinikum Hohenstücken, Brandenburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Janine Zweigner
- Department of Infection Control and Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Philippe Dje N'Guessan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Red Cross Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
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Hallstrand TS, Hackett TL, Altemeier WA, Matute-Bello G, Hansbro PM, Knight DA. Airway epithelial regulation of pulmonary immune homeostasis and inflammation. Clin Immunol 2014; 151:1-15. [PMID: 24503171 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2013.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Recent genetic, structural and functional studies have identified the airway and lung epithelium as a key orchestrator of the immune response. Further, there is now strong evidence that epithelium dysfunction is involved in the development of inflammatory disorders of the lung. Here we review the characteristic immune responses that are orchestrated by the epithelium in response to diverse triggers such as pollutants, cigarette smoke, bacterial peptides, and viruses. We focus in part on the role of epithelium-derived interleukin (IL)-25, IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), as well as CC family chemokines as critical regulators of the immune response. We cite examples of the function of the epithelium in host defense and the role of epithelium dysfunction in the development of inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teal S Hallstrand
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Tillie L Hackett
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William A Altemeier
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gustavo Matute-Bello
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Philip M Hansbro
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Darryl A Knight
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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Berrington WR, Smith KD, Skerrett SJ, Hawn TR. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing-like receptor family, caspase recruitment domain (CARD) containing 4 (NLRC4) regulates intrapulmonary replication of aerosolized Legionella pneumophila. BMC Infect Dis 2013; 13:371. [PMID: 23937571 PMCID: PMC3751498 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-13-371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Legionella pneumophila (Lp) flagellin activates signaling pathways in murine macrophages that control Lp replication. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) containing-like receptor (NLR) family, caspase recruitment domain (CARD) containing 4 (NLRC4) and Toll-like Receptor (TLR5) both recognize Lp flagellin in vitro, but whether these two receptors play redundant or separate functional roles in vivo is unknown. METHODS The immune response of Nlrc4-/-, Nlrc4-/-/Tlr5-/-, and wild type C57Bl/6 mice was analyzed after in vivo infection with aerosolized Lp. RESULTS Lp clearance from the lungs was delayed in Nlrc4-/- mice over seven days in comparison to wild type controls. Nlrc4-/-/Tlr5-/- mice had no additional defect. In contrast to TLR5, NLRC4 did not regulate recruitment of neutrophils to the lung. Although there were no differences among the mouse strains in the lung transcriptome at 4 hours, Nlrc4-/- and Nlrc4-/-Tlr5-/- mice had increased lung inflammation at 72 hours in comparison to WT. Nlrc4-/-/Tlr5-/- mice also had altered cytokine production at both 4 and 24 hours post infection when compared to wild-type (WT) and Nlrc4-/- mice. Lp replication in murine alveolar macrophages was NLRC4-dependent and TLR5-independent. CONCLUSION These studies reveal that NLRC4 and TLR5 mediate different roles in the inflammatory response to Lp flagellin in an aerosolized infection model and NLRC4 regulates replication in both lungs and alveolar macrophages.
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Pierson T, Learmonth-Pierson S, Pinto D, van Hoek ML. Cigarette smoke extract induces differential expression levels of beta-defensin peptides in human alveolar epithelial cells. Tob Induc Dis 2013; 11:10. [PMID: 23627872 PMCID: PMC3648470 DOI: 10.1186/1617-9625-11-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The damaging effects of cigarette smoke on the lungs are well known in terms of cancer risks. Additional molecular changes within the lung tissue can also occur as a result of exposure to cigarette smoke. The human β-defensin (hBD) class of antimicrobial peptides is the focus of our research. In addition to antimicrobial activity, β-defensins also have immunomodulatory functions. Over 30 previously unrecognized β-defensin genes have recently been identified in the human genome, many with yet to be determined functions. We postulated that altered β-defensin production may play a role in the pathogenesis observed in the lungs of smokers. Our hypothesis is that cigarette smoke exposure will affect the expression of β-defensins in human lung alveolar epithelial cells (A549). Methods We exposed A549 cells to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and measured the changes in mRNA levels of several antimicrobial peptides by quantitative real-time PCR, and directly observed peptide expression in cells by immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy. Results We found that hBD3, hBD5, and hBD9 gene expression was upregulated in A549 cells exposed to CSE. HBD1, hBD8, hBD18 and LL-37 gene expression did not significantly change upon exposure to CSE. Expression of hBD3 and hBD4 peptides was visualized by IF. Conclusions This differential expression suggests that hBD3, hBD5, and hBD9 may play a role in the changes to the lung tissue observed in smokers. Establishing differential β-defensin expression following CSE treatment will add to our understanding of the molecular response of the lung alveolar epithelium to cigarette smoke exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Pierson
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA.
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Palusińska-Szysz M, Zdybicka-Barabas A, Pawlikowska-Pawlęga B, Mak P, Cytryńska M. Anti-Legionella dumoffii activity of Galleria mellonella defensin and apolipophorin III. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:17048-64. [PMID: 23235329 PMCID: PMC3546738 DOI: 10.3390/ijms131217048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Revised: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The gram-negative bacterium Legionella dumoffii is, beside Legionella pneumophila, an etiological agent of Legionnaires’ disease, an atypical form of pneumonia. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of Galleria mellonella defense polypeptides against L. dumoffii. The extract of immune hemolymph, containing a mixture of defense peptides and proteins, exhibited a dose-dependent bactericidal effect on L. dumoffii. The bacterium appeared sensitive to a main component of the hemolymph extract, apolipophorin III, as well as to a defense peptide, Galleria defensin, used at the concentrations 0.4 mg/mL and 40 μg/mL, respectively. L. dumoffii cells cultured in the presence of choline were more susceptible to both defense factors analyzed. A transmission electron microscopy study of bacterial cells demonstrated that Galleria defensin and apolipophorin III induced irreversible cell wall damage and strong intracellular alterations, i.e., increased vacuolization, cytoplasm condensation and the appearance of electron-white spaces in electron micrographs. Our findings suggest that insects, such as G. mellonella, with their great diversity of antimicrobial factors, can serve as a rich source of compounds for the testing of Legionella susceptibility to defense-related peptides and proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Palusińska-Szysz
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka 19 St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +48-81-537-50-58; Fax: +48-81-537-59-59
| | - Agnieszka Zdybicka-Barabas
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka 19 St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland; E-Mails: (A.Z.-B.); (M.C.)
| | - Bożena Pawlikowska-Pawlęga
- Department of Comparative Anatomy and Anthropology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka 19 St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland; E-Mail:
| | - Pawel Mak
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7 St., 30-387 Krakow, Poland; E-Mail:
| | - Małgorzata Cytryńska
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka 19 St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland; E-Mails: (A.Z.-B.); (M.C.)
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Sato J, Nishimura M, Yamazaki M, Yoshida K, Kurashige Y, Saitoh M, Abiko Y. Expression profile of drosomycin-like defensin in oral epithelium and oral carcinoma cell lines. Arch Oral Biol 2012; 58:279-85. [PMID: 23084467 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2012.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2012] [Revised: 09/09/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Drosomycin-like defensin (DLD) is a recently discovered antimicrobial peptide mainly active against filamentous fungi. The present study investigated the expression profile of DLD in oral epithelium and oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines. METHODS Tissue sections of human oral mucosa, keratinocytes derived from oral mucosa (NOK) and eight kinds of SCC cell lines were used. In situ hybridization was performed on tissue sections of oral mucosa. Expression levels of DLD in the cells were observed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR assays. The cells were treated with IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α, and agonists for TLR2, TLR4 and β-glucan. DLD expression in cells was increased and decreased by the DLD gene and its siRNA transfection, respectively. The proliferation rates were assessed by cell counting. RESULTS By means of in situ hybridization, DLD mRNA positive staining was detected in the epithelial layer of the oral mucosa. An RT-PCR assay confirmed the expression of DLD mRNA in keratinocytes derived from oral epithelium. Expression of DLD in two out of eight cell lines was significantly lower than in NOK cells. The expression levels of DLD mRNA were not significantly changed in the cells stimulated with any cytokines or agonists. The cell proliferation rate where there was decreased expression of DLD was significantly lower than in the control. CONCLUSION DLD may be partially involved in the defence against filamentous fungal infection in the oral mucosa, and may also serve other functions, such as contribution to cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Sato
- Division of Oral Medicine and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido 061-0293, Japan
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Kanda N, Kamata M, Tada Y, Ishikawa T, Sato S, Watanabe S. Human β-defensin-2 enhances IFN-γ and IL-10 production and suppresses IL-17 production in T cells. J Leukoc Biol 2011; 89:935-44. [PMID: 21367976 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0111004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Psoriasis is an inflammatory dermatosis with enhanced expression of hBD-2 in keratinocytes and infiltration of cytokine-producing T cells, which in turn, up- or down-regulate hBD-2 expression. We determined the serum levels of hBD-2 and cytokines in psoriasis patients and analyzed the effects of hBD-2 on cytokine production in human peripheral blood T cells. Serum hBD-2 levels in patients were higher than those in controls and correlated with PASI, serum IFN-γ, and IL-10 levels and correlated inversely with serum IL-17 levels. IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-22, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 enhanced, and IL-10, IL-4, and IL-13 suppressed hBD-2 secretion from keratinocytes. hBD-2 enhanced secretion and mRNA levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-22 and reduced those of IL-17 in CD3/28-stimulated T cells. These effects of hBD-2 were counteracted by PTX. hBD-2 induced phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, and Akt in T cells. Inhibitors of these signals attenuated hBD-2-induced production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-22. hBD-2 suppressed phosphorylation of STAT3 and enhanced expression of SOCS3 in CD3/28-stimulated T cells. siRNA against SOCS3 reversed hBD-2-induced suppression of IL-17 production and STAT3 phosphorylation. JNK and MEK inhibitors suppressed hBD-2-induced expression of SOCS3. In conclusion, hBD-2 may bind PTX-sensitive GPCR(s) on T cells and act as a stimulator by enhancing IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-22 production via JNK, MEK/ERK, and PI3K/Akt and as a regulator by suppressing IL-17 production via SOCS3 or by stimulating IL-10 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Kanda
- Department of Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1, Kaga, Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan.
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Legionella pneumophila type II secretion dampens the cytokine response of infected macrophages and epithelia. Infect Immun 2011; 79:1984-97. [PMID: 21383054 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01077-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The type II secretion (T2S) system of Legionella pneumophila is required for the ability of the bacterium to grow within the lungs of A/J mice. By utilizing mutants lacking T2S (lsp), we now document that T2S promotes the intracellular infection of both multiple types of macrophages and lung epithelia. Following infection of macrophages, lsp mutants (but not a complemented mutant) elicited significantly higher levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-10, IL-8, IL-1β, and MCP-1 within tissue culture supernatants. A similar result was obtained with infected lung epithelial cell lines and the lungs of infected A/J mice. Infection with a mutant specifically lacking the T2S-dependent ProA protease (but not a complemented proA mutant) resulted in partial elevation of cytokine levels. These data demonstrate that the T2S system of L. pneumophila dampens the cytokine/chemokine output of infected host cells. Upon quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis of infected host cells, an lspF mutant, but not the proA mutant, produced significantly higher levels of cytokine transcripts, implying that some T2S-dependent effectors dampen signal transduction and transcription but that others, such as ProA, act at a posttranscriptional step in cytokine expression. In summary, the impact of T2S on lung infection is a combination of at least three factors: the promotion of growth in macrophages, the facilitation of growth in epithelia, and the dampening of the chemokine and cytokine output from infected host cells. To our knowledge, these data are the first to identify a link between a T2S system and the modulation of immune factors following intracellular infection.
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Abstract
The airway epithelium represents the first point of contact for inhaled foreign organisms. The protective arsenal of the airway epithelium is provided in the form of physical barriers and a vast array of receptors and antimicrobial compounds that constitute the innate immune system. Many of the known innate immune receptors, including the Toll-like receptors and nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptors, are expressed by the airway epithelium, which leads to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines that affect microorganisms directly and recruit immune cells, such as neutrophils and T cells, to the site of infection. The airway epithelium also produces a number of resident antimicrobial proteins, such as lysozyme, lactoferrin, and mucins, as well as a swathe of cationic proteins. Dysregulation of the airway epithelial innate immune system is associated with a number of medical conditions that can result in compromised immunity and chronic inflammation of the lung. This review focuses on the innate immune capabilities of the airway epithelium and its role in protecting the lung from infection as well as the outcomes when its function is compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dane Parker
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
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