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Noakes F, Smitten KL, Maple LEC, Bernardino de la Serna J, Robertson CC, Pritchard D, Fairbanks SD, Weinstein JA, Smythe CGW, Thomas JA. Phenazine Cations as Anticancer Theranostics †. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12836-12849. [PMID: 38683943 PMCID: PMC11082890 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The biological properties of two water-soluble organic cations based on polypyridyl structures commonly used as ligands for photoactive transition metal complexes designed to interact with biomolecules are investigated. A cytotoxicity screen employing a small panel of cell lines reveals that both cations show cytotoxicity toward cancer cells but show reduced cytotoxicity to noncancerous HEK293 cells with the more extended system being notably more active. Although it is not a singlet oxygen sensitizer, the more active cation also displayed enhanced potency on irradiation with visible light, making it active at nanomolar concentrations. Using the intrinsic luminescence of the cations, their cellular uptake was investigated in more detail, revealing that the active compound is more readily internalized than its less lipophilic analogue. Colocalization studies with established cell probes reveal that the active cation predominantly localizes within lysosomes and that irradiation leads to the disruption of mitochondrial structure and function. Stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging reveal that treatment results in distinct lysosomal swelling and extensive cellular vacuolization. Further imaging-based studies confirm that treatment with the active cation induces lysosomal membrane permeabilization, which triggers lysosome-dependent cell-death due to both necrosis and caspase-dependent apoptosis. A preliminary toxicity screen in the Galleria melonella animal model was carried out on both cations and revealed no detectable toxicity up to concentrations of 80 mg/kg. Taken together, these studies indicate that this class of synthetically easy-to-access photoactive compounds offers potential as novel therapeutic leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity
F. Noakes
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
- Department
of Biomedical Science, The University of
Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K.
| | - Kirsty L. Smitten
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K.
| | - Laura E. C. Maple
- Department
of Biomedical Science, The University of
Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K.
| | - Jorge Bernardino de la Serna
- National
Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College
London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- Central
Laser
Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Research Complex at Harwell, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Harwell-Oxford, Didcot OX11 0QX, U.K.
| | - Craig C. Robertson
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Dylan Pritchard
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Simon D. Fairbanks
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Julia A. Weinstein
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Carl G. W. Smythe
- Department
of Biomedical Science, The University of
Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K.
| | - Jim A. Thomas
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
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Hafeez M, Mc Donnell R, Colton A, Howe D, Denver D, Martin RC, Choi MY. Immune-Related Gene Profiles and Differential Expression in the Grey Garden Slug Deroceras reticulatum Infected with the Parasitic Nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita. INSECTS 2024; 15:311. [PMID: 38786867 PMCID: PMC11122010 DOI: 10.3390/insects15050311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The grey garden slug (Deroceras reticulatum), a common terrestrial slug native to Europe with a global distribution including North America, is commonly considered the most severe slug pest in agriculture. The nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, which has been used in the U.K. and Europe as a commercial biocontrol agent since 1994, has also recently been collected in Oregon and California and has long been considered a candidate biocontrol agent for slug management in the U.S. In this study, we report differential gene expressions in nematode-infected slugs using RNA-seq to identify slug immune-related genes against nematodes. Comparison of gene expression levels between the whole bodies of a nematode-infected slug (N-S) and an uninfected control slug (C-S) revealed that there were a total of 39,380 regulated unigenes, of which 3084 (3%) were upregulated and 6761 (6%) were downregulated at greater than 2-fold change (FC > 2) in the nematode-infected slug. To further investigate the biological functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), gene ontology (GO) and functional enrichment analysis were performed to map the DEGs to terms in the GO, eukaryotic ortholog groups of proteins (KOG) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome Pathway (KEGG) databases. Among these DEGs, approximately 228 genes associated with immunity or immune-related pathways were upregulated 2-fold or more in the N-S compared to C-S. These genes include toll, Imd, JNK, scavenger receptors (SCRs), C-type lectins (CTLs), immunoglobulin-like domains, and JAK/STAT63 signaling pathways. From the RNA-seq results, we selected 18 genes and confirmed their expression levels by qRT-PCR. Our findings provide insights into the immune response of slugs during nematode infection. These studies provide fundamental information that will be valuable for the development of new methods of pest slug control using pathogenic nematodes in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Hafeez
- USDA-ARS, Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA;
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Rory Mc Donnell
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (R.M.D.); (A.C.)
| | - Andrew Colton
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (R.M.D.); (A.C.)
| | - Dana Howe
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (D.H.); (D.D.)
| | - Dee Denver
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (D.H.); (D.D.)
| | - Ruth C. Martin
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Man-Yeon Choi
- USDA-ARS, Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA;
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3
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de Andrade VM, de Oliveira VDM, Barcick U, Ramu VG, Heras M, Bardají ER, Castanho MARB, Zelanis A, Capella A, Junqueira JC, Conceição K. Mechanistic insights on the antibacterial action of the kyotorphin peptide derivatives revealed by in vitro studies and Galleria mellonella proteomic analysis. Microb Pathog 2024; 189:106607. [PMID: 38437995 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The selected kyotorphin derivatives were tested to improve their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. The antimicrobial screening of the KTP derivatives were ascertained in the representative strains of bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS Kyotorphin derivatives, KTP-NH2, KTP-NH2-DL, IbKTP, IbKTP-NH2, MetKTP-DL, MetKTP-LD, were designed and synthesized to improve lipophilicity and resistance to enzymatic degradation. Peptides were synthesized by standard solution or solid-phase peptide synthesis and purified using RP-HPLC, which resulted in >95 % purity, and were fully characterized by mass spectrometry and 1H NMR. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined for bacterial strains were between 20 and 419 μM. The direct effect of IbKTP-NH2 on bacterial cells was imaged using scanning electron microscopy. The absence of toxicity, high survival after infection and an increase in the hemocytes count was evaluated by injections of derivatives in Galleria mellonella larvae. Proteomics analyses of G. mellonella hemolymph were performed to investigate the underlying mechanism of antibacterial activity of IbKTP-NH2 at MIC. RESULTS IbKTP-NH2 induces morphological changes in bacterial cell, many differentially expressed proteins involved in DNA replication, synthesis of cell wall, and virulence were up-regulated after the treatment of G. mellonella with IbKTP-NH2. CONCLUSION We suggest that this derivative, in addition to its physical activity on the bacterial membranes, can elicit a cellular and humoral immune response, therefore, it could be considered for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor M de Andrade
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Peptídeos, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia - Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, Rua Talim, 330, São José dos Campos, SP, 12231-280, Brazil
| | - Vitor D M de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Peptídeos, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia - Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, Rua Talim, 330, São José dos Campos, SP, 12231-280, Brazil
| | - Uilla Barcick
- Laboratório de Proteômica Funcional, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, Rua Talim, 330, São José dos Campos, SP, 12231-280, Brazil
| | - Vasanthakumar G Ramu
- Laboratori d'Innovació en Processos i Productes de Síntesi Orgànica (LIPPSO), Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071, Girona, Spain; Peptides and Complex Generics, #2700, Neovantage, Genome Valley, Shameerpet, Hyderabad, 500078, Telengana, India
| | - Montserrat Heras
- Laboratori d'Innovació en Processos i Productes de Síntesi Orgànica (LIPPSO), Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071, Girona, Spain
| | - Eduard R Bardají
- Laboratori d'Innovació en Processos i Productes de Síntesi Orgànica (LIPPSO), Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071, Girona, Spain
| | - Miguel A R B Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - André Zelanis
- Laboratório de Proteômica Funcional, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, Rua Talim, 330, São José dos Campos, SP, 12231-280, Brazil
| | - Aline Capella
- Laboratório ProLaser, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, Rua Talim, 330, São José dos Campos, SP, 12231-280, Brazil
| | - Juliana C Junqueira
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José dos Campos, 12245-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Katia Conceição
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Peptídeos, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia - Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, Rua Talim, 330, São José dos Campos, SP, 12231-280, Brazil.
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4
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Zhou L, Meng G, Zhu L, Ma L, Chen K. Insect Antimicrobial Peptides as Guardians of Immunity and Beyond: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3835. [PMID: 38612644 PMCID: PMC11011964 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as immune effectors synthesized by a variety of organisms, not only constitute a robust defense mechanism against a broad spectrum of pathogens in the host but also show promising applications as effective antimicrobial agents. Notably, insects are significant reservoirs of natural AMPs. However, the complex array of variations in types, quantities, antimicrobial activities, and production pathways of AMPs, as well as evolution of AMPs across insect species, presents a significant challenge for immunity system understanding and AMP applications. This review covers insect AMP discoveries, classification, common properties, and mechanisms of action. Additionally, the types, quantities, and activities of immune-related AMPs in each model insect are also summarized. We conducted the first comprehensive investigation into the diversity, distribution, and evolution of 20 types of AMPs in model insects, employing phylogenetic analysis to describe their evolutionary relationships and shed light on conserved and distinctive AMP families. Furthermore, we summarize the regulatory pathways of AMP production through classical signaling pathways and additional pathways associated with Nitric Oxide, insulin-like signaling, and hormones. This review advances our understanding of AMPs as guardians in insect immunity systems and unlocks a gateway to insect AMP resources, facilitating the use of AMPs to address food safety concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhen Zhou
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China;
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Guanliang Meng
- Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, 53113 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Ling Zhu
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China;
| | - Li Ma
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030810, China
| | - Kangkang Chen
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China;
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5
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Contreras-Garduño J, Torres-Enciso P, Ramirez-Romero R. The immune response of the whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) when parasitized by Eretmocerus eremicus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0296157. [PMID: 38128052 PMCID: PMC10734938 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In insects, the innate immune system is subdivided into cellular and humoral defenses. When parasitoids attack insects, both reactions can be activated and notably, the phenoloxidase (PO) cascade and lytic activity are part of both cellular and humoral defenses. However, to our knowledge, no study has characterized any immune response of the whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) to the attack of Eretmocerus eremicus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Therefore, the first objective of the present study was to determine whether whitefly nymphs recently parasitized by E. eremicus exhibit any immune response. For this, we estimate the level of prophenoloxidase (proPO), phenoloxidase (PO), and lytic activity by colorimetric assays. A second objective was to assess whether the observed whitefly immune response could be related to a previously reported preference of the predator Geocoris punctipes (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) for non-parasitized nymphs. We therefore offered non-parasitized and recently parasitized nymphs to the predator. Our results show that parasitism of whitefly nymphs by E. eremicus induced a highly estimated level of proPO and PO, and a lower level of lytic activity. In addition, we found that G. punctipes did not show a preference for non-parasitized over recently parasitized nymphs. The nymphs of T. vaporariorum activated the PO pathway against E. eremicus; however, the increase in proPO and PO levels was traded-off with decreased lytic activity. In addition, the previously reported preference for non-parasitized nymphs was not seen in our experiments, indicating that the induced immune response did not affect predator behavior by G. punctipes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pedro Torres-Enciso
- Laboratorio de Control Biológico (Lab CB-AIFEN), Departamento de Producción Agrícola, CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jalisco, México
| | - Ricardo Ramirez-Romero
- Laboratorio de Control Biológico (Lab CB-AIFEN), Departamento de Producción Agrícola, CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jalisco, México
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6
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Ramage G, Borghi E, Rodrigues CF, Kean R, Williams C, Lopez-Ribot J. Our current clinical understanding of Candida biofilms: where are we two decades on? APMIS 2023; 131:636-653. [PMID: 36932821 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13310] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Clinically we have been aware of the concept of Candida biofilms for many decades, though perhaps without the formal designation. Just over 20 years ago the subject emerged on the back of progress made from the bacterial biofilms, and academic progress pace has continued to mirror the bacterial biofilm community, albeit at a decreased volume. It is apparent that Candida species have a considerable capacity to colonize surfaces and interfaces and form tenacious biofilm structures, either alone or in mixed species communities. From the oral cavity, to the respiratory and genitourinary tracts, wounds, or in and around a plethora of biomedical devices, the scope of these infections is vast. These are highly tolerant to antifungal therapies that has a measurable impact on clinical management. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overight of our current clinical understanding of where these biofilms cause infections, and we discuss existing and emerging antifungal therapies and strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Ramage
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Study Group for Biofilms (ESGB), European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elisa Borghi
- Study Group for Biofilms (ESGB), European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences, San Paolo Medical School, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Célia Fortuna Rodrigues
- Study Group for Biofilms (ESGB), European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Basel, Switzerland
- LEPABE-Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário-CESPU, Gandra, Portugal
- ALiCE-Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário-CESPU, Gandra, Portugal
- TOXRUN-Toxicology Research Unit, Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário-CESPU, Gandra, Portugal
| | - Ryan Kean
- Study Group for Biofilms (ESGB), European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Craig Williams
- Study Group for Biofilms (ESGB), European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Basel, Switzerland
- Microbiology Department, Morecambe Bay NHS Trust, Lancaster, UK
| | - Jose Lopez-Ribot
- Department of Biology and the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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7
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Reis NF, de Jesus MCS, de Souza LCDSV, Alcântara LM, Rodrigues JADC, Brito SCP, Penna PDA, Vieira CS, Silva JRS, Penna BDA, Machado RLD, Mora-Montes HM, Baptista ARDS. Sporothrix brasiliensis Infection Modulates Antimicrobial Peptides and Stress Management Gene Expression in the Invertebrate Biomodel Galleria mellonella. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1053. [PMID: 37998858 PMCID: PMC10672515 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporothrix brasiliensis is the most pathogenic species, responsible for the Brazilian cat-transmitted sporotrichosis hyperendemic. In this scenario, an investigation of the pathogen-host interaction can provide relevant information for future treatment strategies. To this end, the invertebrate Galleria mellonella has proven to be a suitable alternative for evaluating the virulence of pathogenic fungi, since the insect immune system is similar to the mammalian innate immune response. The aim of this work was to investigate phenotypic and molecular aspects of the immune response of G. mellonella throughout the S. brasiliensis infection. Hemocyte density and the evolution of the fungal load were evaluated. In parallel, RT-qPCR expression analysis of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides (Gallerimycin and Galiomycin) and stress management genes (C7 Contig 15362 and C8 Contig 19101) was conducted. The fungal load and hemocyte densities increased simultaneously and proportionally to the deleterious morphological events and larvae mortality. Gallerimycin, C7 Contig 15362 and C8 Contig 19101 genes were positively regulated (p < 0.05) at distinct moments of S. brasiliensis infection, characterizing a time-dependent and alternately modulated profile. Galiomycin gene expression remained unchanged. Our results contribute to the future proposal of potential alternative pathways for treating and consequently controlling S. brasiliensis zoonosis, a major public health issue in Latin America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathália Faria Reis
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Myrela Conceição Santos de Jesus
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Lais Cavalcanti dos Santos Velasco de Souza
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Lucas Martins Alcântara
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Julia Andrade de Castro Rodrigues
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Simone Cristina Pereira Brito
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Patrícia de Azambuja Penna
- Laboratory of Insect Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24220-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.d.A.P.); (C.S.V.)
| | - Cecília Stahl Vieira
- Laboratory of Insect Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24220-900, RJ, Brazil; (P.d.A.P.); (C.S.V.)
| | - José Rodrigo Santos Silva
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49107-230, SE, Brazil;
| | - Bruno de Araújo Penna
- Laboratory of Gram-Positive Cocci, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Ricardo Luiz Dantas Machado
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
| | - Hector M. Mora-Montes
- Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, Campus Guanajuato, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico;
| | - Andréa Regina de Souza Baptista
- Center for Microorganisms’ Investigation, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil; (N.F.R.); (M.C.S.d.J.); (L.C.d.S.V.d.S.); (L.M.A.); (J.A.d.C.R.); (S.C.P.B.); (R.L.D.M.)
- Rede Micologia RJ—Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-630, RJ, Brazil
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8
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Fusco-Almeida AM, de Matos Silva S, dos Santos KS, de Lima Gualque MW, Vaso CO, Carvalho AR, Medina-Alarcón KP, Pires ACMDS, Belizario JA, de Souza Fernandes L, Moroz A, Martinez LR, Ruiz OH, González Á, Mendes-Giannini MJS. Alternative Non-Mammalian Animal and Cellular Methods for the Study of Host-Fungal Interactions. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:943. [PMID: 37755051 PMCID: PMC10533014 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In the study of fungal pathogenesis, alternative methods have gained prominence due to recent global legislation restricting the use of mammalian animals in research. The principle of the 3 Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement) is integrated into regulations and guidelines governing animal experimentation in nearly all countries. This principle advocates substituting vertebrate animals with other invertebrate organisms, embryos, microorganisms, or cell cultures. This review addresses host-fungus interactions by employing three-dimensional (3D) cultures, which offer more faithful replication of the in vivo environment, and by utilizing alternative animal models to replace traditional mammals. Among these alternative models, species like Caenorhabditis elegans and Danio rerio share approximately 75% of their genes with humans. Furthermore, models such as Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor demonstrate similarities in their innate immune systems as well as anatomical and physiological barriers, resembling those found in mammalian organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Samanta de Matos Silva
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (O.H.R.); (Á.G.)
| | - Kelvin Sousa dos Santos
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Marcos William de Lima Gualque
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Carolina Orlando Vaso
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Angélica Romão Carvalho
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Kaila Petrolina Medina-Alarcón
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Ana Carolina Moreira da Silva Pires
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Jenyffie Araújo Belizario
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Lígia de Souza Fernandes
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrei Moroz
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Luis R. Martinez
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Immunology and Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Orville Hernandez Ruiz
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (O.H.R.); (Á.G.)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Group University of Antioquia, Corporation for Biological Research, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Ángel González
- Basic and Applied Microbiology Group (MICROBA), School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (O.H.R.); (Á.G.)
| | - Maria José Soares Mendes-Giannini
- Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil; (A.M.F.-A.); (S.d.M.S.); (K.S.d.S.); (M.W.d.L.G.); (C.O.V.); (A.R.C.); (K.P.M.-A.); (A.C.M.d.S.P.); (J.A.B.); (L.d.S.F.); (A.M.)
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9
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Bugyna L, Kendra S, Bujdáková H. Galleria mellonella-A Model for the Study of aPDT-Prospects and Drawbacks. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1455. [PMID: 37374956 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Galleria mellonella is a promising in vivo model insect used for microbiological, medical, and pharmacological research. It provides a platform for testing the biocompatibility of various compounds and the kinetics of survival after an infection followed by subsequent treatment, and for the evaluation of various parameters during treatment, including the host-pathogen interaction. There are some similarities in the development of pathologies with mammals. However, a limitation is the lack of adaptive immune response. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an alternative approach for combating microbial infections, including biofilm-associated ones. aPDT is effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, regardless of whether they are resistant to conventional treatment. The main idea of this comprehensive review was to collect information on the use of G. mellonella in aPDT. It provides a collection of references published in the last 10 years from this area of research, complemented by some practical experiences of the authors of this review. Additionally, the review summarizes in brief information on the G. mellonella model, its advantages and methods used in the processing of material from these larvae, as well as basic knowledge of the principles of aPDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larysa Bugyna
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Virology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovicova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Samuel Kendra
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Virology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovicova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Helena Bujdáková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Virology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovicova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
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10
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Admella J, Torrents E. A Straightforward Method for the Isolation and Cultivation of Galleria mellonella Hemocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13483. [PMID: 36362269 PMCID: PMC9657452 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Galleria mellonella is an alternative animal model of infection. The use of this species presents a wide range of advantages, as its maintenance and rearing are both easy and inexpensive. Moreover, its use is considered to be more ethically acceptable than other models, it is conveniently sized for manipulation, and its immune system has multiple similarities with mammalian immune systems. Hemocytes are immune cells that help encapsulate and eliminate pathogens and foreign particles. All of these reasons make this insect a promising animal model. However, cultivating G. mellonella hemocytes in vitro is not straightforward and it has many difficult challenges. Here, we present a methodologically optimized protocol to establish and maintain a G. mellonella hemocyte primary culture. These improvements open the door to easily and quickly study the toxicity of nanoparticles and the interactions of particles and materials in an in vitro environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Admella
- Bacterial Infections and Antimicrobial Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Torrents
- Bacterial Infections and Antimicrobial Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Microbiology Section, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 643 Diagonal Ave., 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Dutta TK, Veeresh A, Phani V, Kundu A, Santhoshkumar K, Mathur C, Sagar D, Sreevathsa R. Molecular characterization and functional analysis of Cry toxin receptor-like genes from the model insect Galleria mellonella. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 31:434-446. [PMID: 35266587 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Crystal (Cry) toxins produced from the soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), have gained worldwide attention for long due to their insecticidal potential. A number of receptor proteins located on the epithelial cells of the larval midgut were shown to be crucial for Cry intoxication in different insect pests belonging to order Lepidoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera. A beehive pest, Galleria mellonella, serves as an excellent insect model for biochemical research. However, information on the Cry receptor-like genes in G. mellonella is limited. In the present study, the full-length sequences of four putative Cry receptor genes (ABC transporter, alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase N and cadherin) were cloned from G. mellonella. All these receptor genes were substantially upregulated in the midgut tissue of fourth-instar G. mellonella larvae upon early exposure (6 h) to a sub-lethal dose of Cry1AcF toxin. Oral and independent delivery of bacterially-expressed dsRNAs corresponding to four receptor genes in G. mellonella suppressed the transcription of target receptors which in turn significantly reduced the larval sensitivity to Cry1AcF toxin. As the laboratory populations of G. mellonella develop Bt resistance in a relatively short time, molecular characterization of Cry receptor genes in G. mellonella performed in the present study may provide some useful information for future research related to the genetic basis of Bt resistance in the model insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tushar K Dutta
- Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Arudhimath Veeresh
- Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Victor Phani
- Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Artha Kundu
- Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Chetna Mathur
- Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Doddachowdappa Sagar
- Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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12
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Cationic protein 8 plays multiple roles in Galleria mellonella immunity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11737. [PMID: 35817811 PMCID: PMC9273619 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15929-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Galleria mellonella cationic protein 8 (GmCP8) is a hemolymph protein previously identified as an opsonin and an inhibitor of fungal proteases. In this work, we showed its bactericidal activity toward Pseudomonas entomophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus thuringiensis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli and against yeast-like fungi Candida albicans. The activity against E. coli was correlated with bacterial membrane permeabilization. In turn, in the case of P. entomophila, B. thuringiensis, and C. albicans, the atomic force microscopy analysis of the microbial surface showed changes in the topography of cells and changes in their nanomechanical properties. GmCP8 also showed the inhibitory activity toward the serine protease trypsin and the metalloproteinase thermolysin. The expression of the gene encoding the GmCP8 protein did not increase either in the gut or in the fat body of G. mellonella after oral infection with P. entomophila. Similarly, the amount of GmCP8 in the hemolymph of G. mellonella did not change in immune-challenged insects. However, when GmCP8 was injected into the G. mellonella hemocel, a change in the survival curve was observed in the infected larvae. Our results shed new light on the function of GmCP8 protein in insect immunity, indicating its role in humoral defence mechanisms.
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13
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Wu G, Liu J, Li M, Xiao Y, Yi Y. Prior infection of Galleria mellonella with sublethal dose of Bt elicits immune priming responses but incurs metabolic changes. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 139:104401. [PMID: 35636486 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Invertebrate immune priming has attracted wide attention of biologists in recent years because it challenges core notions about the disparate nature of acquired and innate immunity. However, the metabolic switch and energetic cost during eliciting immune priming are poorly investigated issues, which could widen and deepen our understanding of the physiological mechanism of immune priming. In this study, using sublethal dose of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as an elicitor, we detected typical immune priming responses in Galleria mellonella. We found that the intensity of immune priming is positively correlated with the levels of antimicrobial peptides and phagocytosis ability of hemocytes. Subsequently, we employed LC-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomics techniques to analyze the metabolic changes in the fat body of G. mellonella larvae during immune priming. The results showed that there were 74 and 56 significantly altered metabolites in positive and negative ion mode, respectively, after Bt priming. Most of the differential metabolites were enriched in the following metabolic pathways: amino acid biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and ABC transporters. The energetic cost of immune priming was depicted mainly in the slow growth of body mass and decreased levels of sucrose, lactose, D-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate, Glycerate-3P and isocitric acid, which are enriched in carbon metabolism and involved in energy production. Meanwhile, correlation and interaction network analysis showed negative correlations between carbohydrates and metabolites involved in amino acid biosynthesis, suggesting that amino acids acted as the main energy source and helped the organisms synthesize immune effectors to participate in the immune priming response. Our results pave the way for uncovering the physiological mechanism of insect immune priming and discovering novel targets for Bt insecticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongqing Wu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Zhongshan 528458, PR China; Guangdong Cosmetics Engineering & Technology Research Center, Zhongshan 528458, PR China
| | - Jiajie Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Zhongshan 528458, PR China
| | - Mei Li
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Zhongshan Institute, Zhongshan 528402, PR China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Sericultural & Agri-Food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Science, Guangzhou 510610, PR China
| | - Yunhong Yi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Zhongshan 528458, PR China.
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14
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Curtis A, Binder U, Kavanagh K. Galleria mellonella Larvae as a Model for Investigating Fungal-Host Interactions. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:893494. [PMID: 37746216 PMCID: PMC10512315 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.893494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Galleria mellonella larvae have become a widely accepted and utilised infection model due to the functional homology displayed between their immune response to infection and that observed in the mammalian innate immune response. Due to these similarities, comparable results to murine studies can be obtained using G. mellonella larvae in assessing the virulence of fungal pathogens and the in vivo toxicity or efficacy of anti-fungal agents. This coupled with their low cost, rapid generation of results, and lack of ethical/legal considerations make this model very attractive for analysis of host-pathogen interactions. The larvae of G. mellonella have successfully been utilised to analyse various fungal virulence factors including toxin and enzyme production in vivo providing in depth analysis of the processes involved in the establishment and progression of fungal pathogens (e.g., Candida spps, Aspergillus spp., Madurella mycetomatis, Mucormycetes, and Cryptococcus neoformans). A variety of experimental endpoints can be employed including analysis of fungal burdens, alterations in haemocyte density or sub-populations, melanisation, and characterisation of infection progression using proteomic, histological or imaging techniques. Proteomic analysis can provide insights into both sides of the host-pathogen interaction with each respective proteome being analysed independently following infection and extraction of haemolymph from the larvae. G. mellonella can also be employed for assessing the efficacy and toxicity of antifungal strategies at concentrations comparable to those used in mammals allowing for early stage investigation of novel compounds and combinations of established therapeutic agents. These numerous applications validate the model for examination of fungal infection and development of therapeutic approaches in vivo in compliance with the need to reduce animal models in biological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Curtis
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Ulrike Binder
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
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15
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Pegorin Brasil GS, de Barros PP, Miranda MCR, de Barros NR, Junqueira JC, Gomez A, Herculano RD, de Mendonça RJ. Natural latex serum: characterization and biocompatibility assessment using Galleria mellonella as an alternative in vivo model. JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE. POLYMER EDITION 2022; 33:705-726. [PMID: 34927570 DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2021.2014027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Natural latex serum (NLS) is one of the natural rubber latex fractions from Hevea brasiliensis tree, which is formed by centrifuged serum and is composed of proteins, acids, nucleotides, salts and carbohydrates. The proteins present in NLS have demonstrated several interesting biological properties, including angiogenic, healing, osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, in addition to inducing neovascularization, bone formation and osseointegration. Thus, we proposed to characterize NLS by physicochemical techniques and to investigate the biocompatibility by toxicological assays and safety test in Galleria mellonella. Infrared spectrum showed vibrational bands characteristic of amide I, II and III that are linked to the protein content, which was confirmed by the High Performance Liquid Chromatography profile and by the Electrophoresis analysis. This material did not exhibit hemolytic (rate <0.5%) and cytotoxic effects (viability >70%) and was able to enhance the proliferation of fibroblasts (>600%) after 3 days. The pronounced proliferative effect observed in fibroblast cells can be explained by the presence of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) like protein revealed by the Western blot test. Moreover, NLS did not provoke toxic effects (survival ∼ 80%) on the G. mellonella model, indicating that it is a biocompatible and safe material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovana Sant'Ana Pegorin Brasil
- Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Pimentel de Barros
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Multicampi School of Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Caico, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Juliana Campos Junqueira
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Gomez
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rondinelli Donizetti Herculano
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo José de Mendonça
- Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Physiology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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16
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Barceló IM, Torrens G, Escobar-Salom M, Jordana-Lluch E, Capó-Bauzá MM, Ramón-Pallín C, García-Cuaresma D, Fraile-Ribot PA, Mulet X, Oliver A, Juan C. Impact of Peptidoglycan Recycling Blockade and Expression of Horizontally Acquired β-Lactamases on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0201921. [PMID: 35171032 PMCID: PMC8849096 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02019-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In the current scenario of antibiotic resistance magnification, new weapons against top nosocomial pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa are urgently needed. The interplay between β-lactam resistance and virulence is considered a promising source of targets to be attacked by antivirulence therapies, and in this regard, we previously showed that a peptidoglycan recycling blockade dramatically attenuated the pathogenic power of P. aeruginosa strains hyperproducing the chromosomal β-lactamase AmpC. Here, we sought to ascertain whether this observation could be applicable to other β-lactamases. To do so, P. aeruginosa wild-type or peptidoglycan recycling-defective strains (ΔampG and ΔnagZ) harboring different cloned β-lactamases (transferable GES, VIM, and OXA types) were used to assess their virulence in Galleria mellonella larvae by determining 50% lethal doses (LD50s). A mild yet significant LD50 increase was observed after peptidoglycan recycling disruption per se, whereas the expression of class A and B enzymes did not impact virulence. While the production of the narrow-spectrum class D OXA-2 entailed a slight attenuation, its extended-spectrum derivatives OXA-226 (W159R [bearing a change of W to R at position 159]), OXA-161 (N148D), and principally, OXA-539 (D149 duplication) were associated with outstanding virulence impairments, especially in recycling-defective backgrounds (with some LD50s being >1,000-fold that of the wild type). Although their exact molecular bases remain to be deciphered, these results suggest that mutations affecting the catalytic center and, therefore, the hydrolytic spectrum of OXA-2-derived enzymes also drastically impact the pathogenic power of P. aeruginosa. This work provides new and relevant knowledge to the complex topic of the interplay between the production of β-lactamases and virulence that could be useful to build future therapeutic strategies against P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading nosocomial pathogens whose growing resistance makes the development of therapeutic options extremely urgent. The resistance-virulence interplay has classically aroused researchers' interest as a source of therapeutic targets. In this regard, we describe a wide array of virulence attenuations associated with different transferable β-lactamases, among which the production of OXA-2-derived extended-spectrum β-lactamases stood out as a dramatic handicap for pathogenesis, likely as a side effect of mutations causing the expansion of their hydrolytic spectrums. Moreover, our results confirm the validity of disturbing peptidoglycan recycling as a weapon to attenuate P. aeruginosa virulence in class C and D β-lactamase production backgrounds. In the current scenario of dissemination of horizontally acquired β-lactamases, this work brings out new data on the complex interplay between the production of specific enzymes and virulence attenuation that, if complemented with the characterization of the underlying mechanisms, will likely be exploitable to develop future virulence-targeting antipseudomonal strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel M. Barceló
- Microbiology Department and Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabriel Torrens
- Microbiology Department and Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Escobar-Salom
- Microbiology Department and Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Jordana-Lluch
- Microbiology Department and Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - María Magdalena Capó-Bauzá
- Microbiology Department and Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - Carlos Ramón-Pallín
- Microbiology Department and Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - Daniel García-Cuaresma
- Microbiology Department and Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - Pablo A. Fraile-Ribot
- Microbiology Department and Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavier Mulet
- Microbiology Department and Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Oliver
- Microbiology Department and Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Juan
- Microbiology Department and Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
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17
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Ménard G, Rouillon A, Cattoir V, Donnio PY. Galleria mellonella as a Suitable Model of Bacterial Infection: Past, Present and Future. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:782733. [PMID: 35004350 PMCID: PMC8727906 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.782733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing interest for Galleria mellonella larvae as an infection model is evidenced by the number of papers reporting its use, which increases exponentially since the early 2010s. This popularity was initially linked to limitation of conventional animal models due to financial, technical and ethical aspects. In comparison, alternative models (e.g. models using Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster or G. mellonella) were cheap, simple to use and not limited by ethical regulation. Since then, similar results have been established with G. mellonella model comparatively to vertebrates, and it is more and more often used as a robust model per se, not only as an alternative to the murine model. This review attempts to summarize the current knowledge supporting the development of this model, both on immunological and microbiological aspects. For that, we focus on investigation of virulence and new therapies for the most important pathogenic bacteria. We also discuss points out directions for standardization, as well as recent advances and new perspectives for monitoring host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Ménard
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Astrid Rouillon
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Vincent Cattoir
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Donnio
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
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18
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Vilcinskas A. Mechanisms of transgenerational immune priming in insects. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 124:104205. [PMID: 34260954 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Parents invest in their offspring by preparing them for defense against pathogens and parasites that only the parents have encountered, a phenomenon known as transgenerational immune priming (TGIP). The priming effect can be passed maternally or paternally to the next generation, thus increasing the survival of offspring exposed to the same pathogen. The scope of the resulting immune response can be narrow (primarily targeting the triggering pathogen) or much more general, depending on the underlying mechanism. Maternal TGIP is often narrowly focused because the major mechanism is the transfer of microbes or fragments thereof, encountered by mothers at the larval stage, to the developing eggs along with the uptake of lipophorins and vitellogenins. This induces the expression of zygotic defense genes, including those encoding antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), comparable to the defenses observed in the larvae and adults. Maternal TGIP does not appear to involve the direct vertical transmission of immunity-related effectors such as AMPs (or the corresponding mRNAs) to the eggs. Parental investment in offspring is also mediated by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation and microRNA expression, which can be imprinted on the gametes by either parent without changes in the DNA sequence. Epigenetic inheritance is the only known mechanism of paternal TGIP, and results in a more general fortification of the immune response. This review considers the mechanistic basis of TGIP, its role in evolutionary processes such as the establishment of resistance against pathogens, and the impact of pathogens and parasites on the epigenetic machinery of host insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany; Branch Bioresources of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
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19
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Fungal α-1,3-Glucan as a New Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern in the Insect Model Host Galleria mellonella. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26165097. [PMID: 34443685 PMCID: PMC8399224 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26165097] [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: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by appropriate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) is a key step in activating the host immune response. The role of a fungal PAMP is attributed to β-1,3-glucan. The role of α-1,3-glucan, another fungal cell wall polysaccharide, in modulating the host immune response is not clear. This work investigates the potential of α-1,3-glucan as a fungal PAMP by analyzing the humoral immune response of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella to Aspergillus niger α-1,3-glucan. We demonstrated that 57-kDa and 61-kDa hemolymph proteins, identified as β-1,3-glucan recognition proteins, bound to A. niger α-1,3-glucan. Other hemolymph proteins, i.e., apolipophorin I, apolipophorin II, prophenoloxidase, phenoloxidase activating factor, arylphorin, and serine protease, were also identified among α-1,3-glucan-interacting proteins. In response to α-1,3-glucan, a 4.5-fold and 3-fold increase in the gene expression of antifungal peptides galiomicin and gallerimycin was demonstrated, respectively. The significant increase in the level of five defense peptides, including galiomicin, corresponded well with the highest antifungal activity in hemolymph. Our results indicate that A. niger α-1,3-glucan is recognized by the insect immune system, and immune response is triggered by this cell wall component. Thus, the role of a fungal PAMP for α-1,3-glucan can be postulated.
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20
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Ding JL, Hou J, Feng MG, Ying SH. Transcriptomic analyses reveal comprehensive responses of insect hemocytes to mycopathogen Beauveria bassiana, and fungal virulence-related cell wall protein assists pathogen to evade host cellular defense. Virulence 2021; 11:1352-1365. [PMID: 33017218 PMCID: PMC7549920 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1827886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi naturally infect insect hosts in environment. Fungal invasion and host immune defense are still in the progress of co-evolution. In this study, entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana and lepidopteran insect Galleria mellonella were used to investigate host cellular immunity and fungal strategy to evade host defense. First of all, genome-wide expression revealed the transcriptomic responses of hemocytes to insect mycopathogen, which dynamically varied during infection process. Enrichment analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes were primarily involved in metabolism, cellular process and immune system. Notably, cellular response involved a series of hydrolytic enzyme and antimicrobial peptide genes which were sorted together in clustering analysis. In B. bassiana, a cell-wall protein gene (BbCwp) contributes to fungal development in host hemocoel and virulence. RT-qPCR analyses indicated that infection by ΔBbCwp mutant strain caused the up-regulated expression of a series of immunity-related genes, including β-1, 3-glucan recognition protein, hydrolytic enzyme and antimicrobial peptide genes. Disruption of BbCwp resulted in a significant change in conidial lectin-binding feature and the enhanced encapsulation by the host hemocytes. After being treated with hydrolytic enzymes, ΔBbCwp mutant displayed a significantly enhanced sensitivity to osmotic and oxidative stresses. In conclusion, fungal invasion initiates comprehensive physiological responses in the host hemocytes. For mycopathogen, cell-wall protein plays an important role in fungal evasion of immunity defense and colonization in host. Our studies provide an initial framework for exploring more mechanistic details about the fungus–host interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Li Ding
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia Hou
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Guang Feng
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, China
| | - Sheng-Hua Ying
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, China
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21
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Lyons N, Softley I, Balfour A, Williamson C, O'Brien HE, Shetty AC, Bruno VM, Diezmann S. Tobacco Hornworm ( Manduca sexta) caterpillars as a novel host model for the study of fungal virulence and drug efficacy. Virulence 2021; 11:1075-1089. [PMID: 32842847 PMCID: PMC7549948 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1806665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The two leading yeast pathogens of humans, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, cause systemic infections in >1.4 million patients worldwide with mortality rates approaching 75%. It is thus imperative to study fungal virulence mechanisms, efficacy of antifungal drugs, and host response pathways. While this is commonly done in mammalian models, which are afflicted by ethical and practical concerns, invertebrate models, such as wax moth larvae and nematodes have been introduced over the last two decades. To complement existing invertebrate host models, we developed fifth instar caterpillars of the Tobacco Hornworm moth Manduca sexta as a novel host model. These caterpillars can be maintained at 37°C, are suitable for injections with defined amounts of yeast cells, and are susceptible to the most threatening yeast pathogens, including C. albicans, C. neoformans, C. auris, and C. glabrata. Importantly, fungal burden can be assessed daily throughout the course of infection in a single caterpillar’s feces and hemolymph. Infected caterpillars can be rescued by treatment with antifungal drugs. Notably, these animals are large enough for weight to provide a reliable and reproducible measure of fungal disease and to facilitate host tissue-specific expression analyses. M. sexta caterpillars combine a suite of parameters that make them suitable for the study of fungal virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Lyons
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath , Bath, UK
| | - Isabel Softley
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath , Bath, UK
| | - Andrew Balfour
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath , Bath, UK
| | | | - Heath E O'Brien
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics & Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University , Cardiff, UK
| | - Amol C Shetty
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vincent M Bruno
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie Diezmann
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath , Bath, UK.,School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol , Bristol, UK
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22
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Sheehan G, Margalit A, Sheehan D, Kavanagh K. Proteomic profiling of bacterial and fungal induced immune priming in Galleria mellonella larvae. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 131:104213. [PMID: 33662378 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2021.104213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Some insects display immunological priming as a result of elevated humoral and cellular responses which give enhanced survival against subsequent infection. The humoral immune response of Galleria mellonella larvae following pre-exposure to heat killed Staphylococcus aureus or Candida albicans cells was determined by quantitative mass spectrometry in order to assess the relationship between the humoral immune response and resistance to subsequent bacterial or fungal infection. Larvae pre-exposed to heat killed S. aureus showed increased resistance to subsequent bacterial and fungal infection. Larvae displayed an increased hemocyte density (14.08 ± 2.14 × 106 larva-1 (p < 0.05) compared to the PBS injected control [10.41 ± 1.67 × 106 larva-1]) and increased abundance of antimicrobial proteins (cecropin-D-like peptide (+22.23 fold), hdd11 (+12.61 fold) and prophenol oxidase activating enzyme 3 (+5.96 fold) in response to heat killed S. aureus. Larvae pre-exposed to heat killed C. albicans cells were resistant to subsequent fungal infection but not bacterial infection and showed a reduced hemocyte density (6.01 ± 1.63 × 106 larva-1 (p < 0.01) and increased abundance of hdd11 (+32.73 fold) and moricin-like peptide C1 (+16.76 fold). While immune priming is well recognised in G. mellonella larvae the results presented here indicate distinct differences in the response of larvae following exposure to heat killed bacterial and fungal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Sheehan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Anatte Margalit
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - David Sheehan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
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23
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Asai M, Li Y, Spiropoulos J, Cooley W, Everest D, Robertson BD, Langford PR, Newton SM. A novel biosafety level 2 compliant tuberculosis infection model using a Δ leuDΔ panCD double auxotroph of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and Galleria mellonella. Virulence 2021; 11:811-824. [PMID: 32530737 PMCID: PMC7550006 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1781486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian infection models have contributed significantly to our understanding of the host-mycobacterial interaction, revealing potential mechanisms and targets for novel antimycobacterial therapeutics. However, the use of conventional mammalian models such as mice, are typically expensive, high maintenance, require specialized animal housing, and are ethically regulated. Furthermore, research using Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), is inherently difficult as work needs to be carried out at biosafety level 3 (BSL3). The insect larvae of Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth), have become increasingly popular as an infection model, and we previously demonstrated its potential as a mycobacterial infection model using Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Here we present a novel BSL2 complaint MTB infection model using G. mellonella in combination with a bioluminescent ΔleuDΔpanCD double auxotrophic mutant of MTB H37Rv (SAMTB lux) which offers safety and practical advantages over working with wild type MTB. Our results show a SAMTB lux dose dependent survival of G. mellonella larvae and demonstrate proliferation and persistence of SAMTB lux bioluminescence over a 1 week infection time course. Histopathological analysis of G. mellonella, highlight the formation of early granuloma-like structures which matured over time. We additionally demonstrate the drug efficacy of first (isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol) and second line (moxifloxacin) antimycobacterial drugs. Our findings demonstrate the broad potential of this insect model to study MTB infection under BSL2 conditions. We anticipate that the successful adaptation and implementation of this model will remove the inherent limitations of MTB research at BSL3 and increase tuberculosis research output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Asai
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London , London, UK
| | - Yanwen Li
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London , London, UK
| | - John Spiropoulos
- Department of Pathology, Animal and Plant Health Agency , Addlestone, UK
| | - William Cooley
- Department of Pathology, Animal and Plant Health Agency , Addlestone, UK
| | - David Everest
- Department of Pathology, Animal and Plant Health Agency , Addlestone, UK
| | - Brian D Robertson
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London , London, UK
| | - Paul R Langford
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London , London, UK
| | - Sandra M Newton
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London , London, UK
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24
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F. Q. Smith D, Casadevall A. Fungal immunity and pathogenesis in mammals versus the invertebrate model organism Galleria mellonella. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:ftab013. [PMID: 33544836 PMCID: PMC7981337 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) have emerged as a model system to explore experimental aspects of fungal pathogenesis. The benefits of the G. mellonella model include being faster, cheaper, higher throughput and easier compared with vertebrate models. Additionally, as invertebrates, their use is subject to fewer ethical and regulatory issues. However, for G. mellonella models to provide meaningful insight into fungal pathogenesis, the G. mellonella-fungal interactions must be comparable to mammalian-fungal interactions. Indeed, as discussed in the review, studies suggest that G. mellonella and mammalian immune systems share many similarities, and fungal virulence factors show conserved functions in both hosts. While the moth model has opened novel research areas, many comparisons are superficial and leave large gaps of knowledge that need to be addressed concerning specific mechanisms underlying G. mellonella-fungal interactions. Closing these gaps in understanding will strengthen G. mellonella as a model for fungal virulence in the upcoming years. In this review, we provide comprehensive comparisons between fungal pathogenesis in mammals and G. mellonella from immunological and virulence perspectives. When information on an antifungal immune component is unknown in G. mellonella, we include findings from other well-studied Lepidoptera. We hope that by outlining this information available in related species, we highlight areas of needed research and provide a framework for understanding G. mellonella immunity and fungal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F. Q. Smith
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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25
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Zhu S, Feng X, Keyhani NO, Liu Y, Jin D, Tong S, Pei Y, Fan Y. Manipulation of host ecdysteroid hormone levels facilitates infection by the fungal insect pathogen, Metarhizium rileyi. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:5087-5101. [PMID: 33734541 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi such as Metarhizium rileyi and Beauveria bassiana are widely used insect biological control agents. Little, however, is known concerning genetic or enzymatic factors that differentiate the mechanisms employed by these two fungal pathogens to infect target hosts. Infection by either of these organisms is known to increase levels of the growth and molting hormone, ecdysone, which also regulates the expression of a number of innate immune pathways. M. rileyi, but not B. bassiana, has apparently evolved an ecdysteroid-22-oxidase (MrE22O) that inactivate ecdysone. We show that deletion of MrE22O impaired virulence compared with the wild-type strain, with an increase in ecdysone titer seen in hosts that was coupled to an increase in the expression of antimicrobial genes. An M. rileyi strain engineered to overexpress MrE22O (MrE22OOE ), as well as trans-expression in B. bassiana (Bb::MrE220OE ) resulted, in strains displaying enhanced virulence and dampening of host immune responses compared with their respective wild-type parental strains. These results indicate that ecdysone plays an important role in mediating responses to fungal infection and that some insect pathogenic fungi have evolved mechanisms for targeting this hormone as a means for facilitating infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Xueyao Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Sheng Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanhua Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
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26
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Asai M, Sheehan G, Li Y, Robertson BD, Kavanagh K, Langford PR, Newton SM. Innate Immune Responses of Galleria mellonella to Mycobacterium bovis BCG Challenge Identified Using Proteomic and Molecular Approaches. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:619981. [PMID: 33634038 PMCID: PMC7900627 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.619981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The larvae of the insect Galleria mellonella, have recently been established as a non-mammalian infection model for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). To gain further insight into the potential of this model, we applied proteomic (label-free quantification) and transcriptomic (gene expression) approaches to characterise the innate immune response of G. mellonella to infection with Mycobacterium bovis BCG lux over a 168 h time course. Proteomic analysis of the haemolymph from infected larvae revealed distinct changes in the proteome at all time points (4, 48, 168 h). Reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR confirmed induction of five genes (gloverin, cecropin, IMPI, hemolin, and Hdd11), which encoded proteins found to be differentially abundant from the proteomic analysis. However, the trend between gene expression and protein abundance were largely inconsistent (20%). Overall, the data are in agreement with previous phenotypic observations such as haemocyte internalization of mycobacterial bacilli (hemolin/β-actin), formation of granuloma-like structures (Hdd11), and melanization (phenoloxidase activating enzyme 3 and serpins). Furthermore, similarities in immune expression in G. mellonella, mouse, zebrafish and in vitro cell-line models of tuberculosis infection were also identified for the mechanism of phagocytosis (β-actin). Cecropins (antimicrobial peptides), which share the same α-helical motif as a highly potent peptide expressed in humans (h-CAP-18), were induced in G. mellonella in response to infection, giving insight into a potential starting point for novel antimycobacterial agents. We believe that these novel insights into the innate immune response further contribute to the validation of this cost-effective and ethically acceptable insect model to study members of the MTBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Asai
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gerard Sheehan
- SSPC Pharma Research Centre, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland.,Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Yanwen Li
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Brian D Robertson
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- SSPC Pharma Research Centre, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Paul R Langford
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra M Newton
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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27
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Bruchmann S, Feltwell T, Parkhill J, Short FL. Identifying virulence determinants of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Galleria mellonella. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:6123718. [PMID: 33512418 PMCID: PMC7981267 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab009] [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: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae are a major public health threat. Extensively drug-resistant and even pan-resistant strains have been reported. Understanding K. pneumoniae pathogenesis is hampered by the fact that murine models of infection offer limited resolution for non-hypervirulent strains which cause the majority of infections. The insect Galleria mellonella larva is a widely used alternative model organism for bacterial pathogens. We have performed genome-scale fitness profiling of a multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae ST258 strain during infection of G. mellonella, to determine if this model is suitable for large-scale virulence factor discovery in this pathogen. Our results demonstrated a dominant role for surface polysaccharides in infection, with contributions from siderophores, cell envelope proteins, purine biosynthesis genes and additional genes of unknown function. Comparison with a hypervirulent strain, ATCC 43816, revealed substantial overlap in important infection-related genes, as well as additional putative virulence factors specific to ST258, reflecting strain-dependent fitness effects. Our analysis also identified a role for the metalloregulatory protein NfeR (YqjI) in virulence. Overall, this study offers new insight into the infection fitness landscape of K. pneumoniae, and provides a framework for using the highly flexible and easily scalable G. mellonella infection model to dissect molecular virulence mechanisms of bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Bruchmann
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK.,Pathogen Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Theresa Feltwell
- Pathogen Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK.,Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, The Old Schools, Cambridge, CB2 3PU, UK
| | - Julian Parkhill
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Francesca L Short
- Pathogen Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK.,Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, The Old Schools, Cambridge, CB2 3PU, UK.,Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
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28
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Hesketh-Best PJ, Mouritzen MV, Shandley-Edwards K, Billington RA, Upton M. Galleria mellonella larvae exhibit a weight-dependent lethal median dose when infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:6121426. [PMID: 33503238 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab003] [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: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Galleria mellonella is a recognised model to study antimicrobial efficacy; however, standardisation across the scientific field and investigations of methodological components are needed. Here, we investigate the impact of weight on mortality following infection with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Larvae were separated into six weight groups (180-300 mg at 20 mg intervals) and infected with a range of doses of MRSA to determine the 50% lethal dose (LD50), and the 'lipid weight' of larvae post-infection was quantified. A model of LD50 values correlated with weight was developed. The LD50 values, as estimated by our model, were further tested in vivo to prove our model. We establish a weight-dependent LD50 in larvae against MRSA and demonstrate that G. mellonella is a stable model within 180-260 mg. We present multiple linear models correlating weight with: LD50, lipid weight, and larval length. We demonstrate that the lipid weight is reduced as a result of MRSA infection, identifying a potentially new measure in which to understand the immune response. Finally, we demonstrate that larval length can be a reasonable proxy for weight. Refining the methodologies in which to handle and design experiments involving G. mellonella, we can improve the reliability of this powerful model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poppy J Hesketh-Best
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Michelle V Mouritzen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Derriford Research Facility, Plymouth Science Park, Plymouth, PL6 8BT, UK
| | - Kayleigh Shandley-Edwards
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Richard A Billington
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Mathew Upton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Derriford Research Facility, Plymouth Science Park, Plymouth, PL6 8BT, UK
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Paulson AR, O’Callaghan M, Zhang XX, Rainey PB, Hurst MRH. In vivo transcriptome analysis provides insights into host-dependent expression of virulence factors by Yersinia entomophaga MH96, during infection of Galleria mellonella. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 11:jkaa024. [PMID: 33561230 PMCID: PMC7849909 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkaa024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The function of microbes can be inferred from knowledge of genes specifically expressed in natural environments. Here, we report the in vivo transcriptome of the entomopathogenic bacterium Yersinia entomophaga MH96, captured during initial, septicemic, and pre-cadaveric stages of intrahemocoelic infection in Galleria mellonella. A total of 1285 genes were significantly upregulated by MH96 during infection; 829 genes responded to in vivo conditions during at least one stage of infection, 289 responded during two stages of infection, and 167 transcripts responded throughout all three stages of infection compared to in vitro conditions at equivalent cell densities. Genes upregulated during the earliest infection stage included components of the insecticidal toxin complex Yen-TC (chi1, chi2, and yenC1), genes for rearrangement hotspot element containing protein yenC3, cytolethal distending toxin cdtAB, and vegetative insecticidal toxin vip2. Genes more highly expressed throughout the infection cycle included the putative heat-stable enterotoxin yenT and three adhesins (usher-chaperone fimbria, filamentous hemagglutinin, and an AidA-like secreted adhesin). Clustering and functional enrichment of gene expression data also revealed expression of genes encoding type III and VI secretion system-associated effectors. Together these data provide insight into the pathobiology of MH96 and serve as an important resource supporting efforts to identify novel insecticidal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber R Paulson
- Forage Science, AgResearch Ltd., Lincoln 8140, New Zealand
- New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study, Massey University, Auckland 0745, New Zealand
- Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | | | - Xue-Xian Zhang
- School of Natural and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0745, New Zealand
| | - Paul B Rainey
- New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study, Massey University, Auckland 0745, New Zealand
- Laboratoire de Génétique de l’Evolution CBI, ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Paris 75005, France
- Department of Microbial Population Biology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön 24306, Germany
| | - Mark R H Hurst
- Forage Science, AgResearch Ltd., Lincoln 8140, New Zealand
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Wojda I, Staniec B, Sułek M, Kordaczuk J. The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella: biology and use in immune studies. Pathog Dis 2020; 78:ftaa057. [PMID: 32970818 PMCID: PMC7683414 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is an invertebrate that is increasingly being used in scientific research. Its ease of reproduction, numerous offspring, short development cycle, and finally, its known genome and immune-related transcriptome provide a convenient research model for investigation of insect immunity at biochemical and molecular levels. Galleria immunity, consisting of only innate mechanisms, shows adaptive plasticity, which has recently become the subject of intensive scientific research. This insect serves as a mini host in studies of the pathogenicity of microorganisms and in vivo tests of the effectiveness of single virulence factors as well as new antimicrobial compounds. Certainly, the Galleria mellonella species deserves our attention and appreciation for its contribution to the development of research on innate immune mechanisms. In this review article, we describe the biology of the greater wax moth, summarise the main advantages of using it as a model organism and present some of the main techniques facilitating work with this insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Wojda
- Maria Curie Sklodowska University, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Immunobiology, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Bernard Staniec
- Maria Curie Sklodowska University, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Zoology and Nature Protection, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Sułek
- Maria Curie Sklodowska University, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Immunobiology, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jakub Kordaczuk
- Maria Curie Sklodowska University, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Immunobiology, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
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Abstract
Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathogen of periodontitis, a polymicrobial disease characterized by a chronic inflammation that destroys the tissues supporting the teeth. Thus, understanding the virulence potential of P. gingivalis is essential to maintaining a healthy oral microbiome. In nonoral organisms, CRISPR-Cas systems have been shown to modulate a variety of microbial processes, including protection from exogenous nucleic acids, and, more recently, have been implicated in bacterial virulence. Previously, our clinical findings identified activation of the CRISPR-Cas system in patient samples at the transition to disease; however, the mechanism of contribution to disease remained unknown. The importance of the present study resides in that it is becoming increasingly clear that CRISPR-associated proteins have broader functions than initially thought and that those functions now include their role in the virulence of periodontal pathogens. Studying a P. gingivaliscas3 mutant, we demonstrate that at least one of the CRISPR-Cas systems is involved in the regulation of virulence during infection. The CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas system is a unique genomic entity that provides prokaryotic cells with adaptive and heritable immunity. Initial studies identified CRISPRs as central elements used by bacteria to protect against foreign nucleic acids; however, emerging evidence points to CRISPR involvement in bacterial virulence. The present study aimed to identify the participation of one CRISPR-Cas protein, Cas3, in the virulence of the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, an organism highly associated with periodontitis. Our results show that compared to the wild type, a mutant with a deletion of the Cas3 gene, an essential nuclease part of the class 1 type I CRISPR-Cas system, increased the virulence of P. gingivalis. In vitro infection modeling revealed only mildly enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines by THP-1 cells when infected with the mutant strain. Dual transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of infected THP-1 cells showed an increase in expression of genes associated with pathogenesis in response to Δcas3 mutant infection, with the target of Cas3 activities in neutrophil chemotaxis and gene silencing. The importance of cas3 in controlling virulence was corroborated in a Galleria mellonella infection model, where the presence of the Δcas3 mutant resulted in a statistically significant increase in mortality of G. mellonella. A time-series analysis of transcription patterning during infection showed that G. mellonella elicited very different immune responses to the wild-type and the Δcas3 mutant strains and revealed a rearrangement of association in coexpression networks. Together, these observations show for the first time that Cas3 plays a significant role in regulating the virulence of P. gingivalis. IMPORTANCEPorphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathogen of periodontitis, a polymicrobial disease characterized by a chronic inflammation that destroys the tissues supporting the teeth. Thus, understanding the virulence potential of P. gingivalis is essential to maintaining a healthy oral microbiome. In nonoral organisms, CRISPR-Cas systems have been shown to modulate a variety of microbial processes, including protection from exogenous nucleic acids, and, more recently, have been implicated in bacterial virulence. Previously, our clinical findings identified activation of the CRISPR-Cas system in patient samples at the transition to disease; however, the mechanism of contribution to disease remained unknown. The importance of the present study resides in that it is becoming increasingly clear that CRISPR-associated proteins have broader functions than initially thought and that those functions now include their role in the virulence of periodontal pathogens. Studying a P. gingivaliscas3 mutant, we demonstrate that at least one of the CRISPR-Cas systems is involved in the regulation of virulence during infection.
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Sarvari M, Mikani A, Mehrabadi M. The innate immune gene Relish and Caudal jointly contribute to the gut immune homeostasis by regulating antimicrobial peptides in Galleria mellonella. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 110:103732. [PMID: 32423863 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Gut microbiota modulates various physiologic processes in insects, such as nutrition, metabolic homeostasis, and pathogen exclusion. Maintaining a normal microbiome is an essential element of the gut homeostasis, requiring an extensive network of regulatory immune responses. The molecular mechanisms driving these various effects and the events leading to the establishment of a normal microbiota in insects are still largely unknown. In this study, the NF-kB (IMD and Toll) signaling pathways in the gut of Galleria mellonella and their roles in the regulation of its gut microbes were assessed. For this, the transcript levels of the IMD pathway (Imd and Relish) and the Toll pathway (Spätzle and Dif/Dorsal) genes were analyzed and the results showed that all the genes were expressed in the gut of G. mellonella. Silencing of Relish resulted in reduced expression levels of the IMD pathway genes and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) followed by overpopulation of gut bacteria. Antibiotics-treated larvae showed lower expression levels of the IMD and Toll pathway genes followed by lower AMPs expression levels. The expression level of caudal decreased in the antibiotics-treated larvae compared with the controls. Together, these data suggest that the IMD and Toll pathways are active in the gut of G. mellonella. The IMD pathway gene, relish functions in the regulation of gut microbes in this insect model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Sarvari
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Mikani
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehrabadi
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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Torres M, de Cock H, Celis Ramírez AM. In Vitro or In Vivo Models, the Next Frontier for Unraveling Interactions between Malassezia spp. and Hosts. How Much Do We Know? J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6030155. [PMID: 32872112 PMCID: PMC7558575 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malassezia is a lipid-dependent genus of yeasts known for being an important part of the skin mycobiota. These yeasts have been associated with the development of skin disorders and cataloged as a causal agent of systemic infections under specific conditions, making them opportunistic pathogens. Little is known about the host-microbe interactions of Malassezia spp., and unraveling this implies the implementation of infection models. In this mini review, we present different models that have been implemented in fungal infections studies with greater attention to Malassezia spp. infections. These models range from in vitro (cell cultures and ex vivo tissue), to in vivo (murine models, rabbits, guinea pigs, insects, nematodes, and amoebas). We additionally highlight the alternative models that reduce the use of mammals as model organisms, which have been gaining importance in the study of fungal host-microbe interactions. This is due to the fact that these systems have been shown to have reliable results, which correlate with those obtained from mammalian models. Examples of alternative models are Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Tenebrio molitor, and Galleria mellonella. These are invertebrates that have been implemented in the study of Malassezia spp. infections in order to identify differences in virulence between Malassezia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza Torres
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 N° 18A—12, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C. 11711, Colombia;
| | - Hans de Cock
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Adriana Marcela Celis Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 N° 18A—12, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C. 11711, Colombia;
- Correspondence:
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Refining the Galleria mellonella Model by Using Stress Marker Genes to Assess Clostridioides difficile Infection and Recuperation during Phage Therapy. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091306. [PMID: 32867060 PMCID: PMC7564439 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Galleria mellonella is an effective model for probing Clostridioides difficile interactions with phages. Despite valuable insights from this model, the larvae are not easily amenable to assessing detailed clinical responses to either bacteria or phages. Here, larval survival, colonisation and toxin levels were compared to expression profiles of 17 G. mellonella stress genes to monitor Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI), and recuperation during phage therapy. The larvae were infected with a ribotype 014/020 isolate and treated with an optimised phage cocktail. Larvae treated prophylactically with phages and the phage-control larval group were protected, showing the highest survival, and low C. difficile colonisation and toxin rates, compared to co-infection, remedial and bacterial-control larval groups. Expression of growth (9) and reproduction (2) genes were enhanced within prophylaxis and phage-control larval groups compared to the co-infection, remedial and bacterial control groups. In contrast, expression of infection (2), humoral (1) and cellular (3) immunity genes declined in the prophylactic and phage-control groups but increased in the co-infection, remedial and bacterial control larvae. The molecular markers augment the survival, colonisation and toxin data and allow detailed monitoring of CDI and recovery. This data support the use of stress marker genes as tools to analyse clinical symptoms in this model.
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35
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Lin Z, Wang JL, Cheng Y, Wang JX, Zou Z. Pattern recognition receptors from lepidopteran insects and their biological functions. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 108:103688. [PMID: 32222357 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Lepidopteran insects have potent innate immunity to fight against the invading pathogens. As the initiation step, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize and bind microbial surface configurations known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Aftermath, they initiate both cellular and humoral immune responses, including phagocytosis, agglutination, nodulation, encapsulation, prophenoloxidase activation, and synthesis of antimicrobial peptides. In this review, we summarize the recent findings concerning PRRs in lepidoptaeran insects, mostly agriculture pests including Helicoverpa armigera, Plutella xylostella, and Spodoptera exigua. We mainly focus on the function and phylogeny of C-type lectins (CTLs), peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs), β-1,3-glucan recognition proteins (βGRPs), and galectins (GALEs). It enriches our understanding of the immune system of lepidopteran insects and provides directions in the future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jia-Lin Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, College of Life Science, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Yang Cheng
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Jin-Xing Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, Huzhou University, Huzhou, 311300, China.
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36
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Özbek R, Mukherjee K, Uçkan F, Vilcinskas A. Reprograming of epigenetic mechanisms controlling host insect immunity and development in response to egg-laying by a parasitoid wasp. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200704. [PMID: 32519598 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitoids are insects that use other insects as hosts. They sabotage host cellular and humoral defences to promote the survival of their offspring by injecting viruses and venoms along with their eggs. Many pathogens and parasites disrupt host epigenetic mechanisms to overcome immune system defences, and we hypothesized that parasitoids may use the same strategy. We used the ichneumon wasp Pimpla turionellae as a model idiobiont parasitoid to test this hypothesis, with pupae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella as the host. We found that parasitoid infestation involves the suppression of host immunity-related effector genes and the modulation of host genes involved in developmental hormone signalling. The transcriptional reprogramming of host genes following the injection of parasitoid eggs was associated with changes in host epigenetic mechanisms. The introduction of parasitoids resulted in a transient decrease in host global DNA methylation and the modulation of acetylation ratios for specific histones. Genes encoding regulators of histone acetylation and deacetylation were mostly downregulated in the parasitized pupae, suggesting that parasitoids can suppress host transcription. We also detected a strong parasitoid-specific effect on host microRNAs regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Our data therefore support the hypothesis that parasitoids may favour the survival of their offspring by interfering with host epigenetic mechanisms to suppress the immune system and disrupt development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Özbek
- Branch of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Krishnendu Mukherjee
- Branch of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Fevzi Uçkan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Literature, Kocaeli University, 41380 Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Branch of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany.,Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich Buff Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany.,LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
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37
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Six A, Krajangwong S, Crumlish M, Zadoks RN, Walker D. Galleria mellonella as an infection model for the multi-host pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae reflects hypervirulence of strains associated with human invasive disease. Virulence 2020; 10:600-609. [PMID: 31230520 PMCID: PMC6592362 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1631660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae, or group B Streptococcus (GBS), infects diverse hosts including humans and economically important species such as cattle and fishes. In the context of human health, GBS is a major cause of neonatal infections and an emerging cause of invasive disease in adults and of foodborne disease in Southeast Asia. Here we show that GBS is able to establish a systemic infection in Galleria mellonella larvae that is associated with extensive bacterial replication and dose-dependent larval survival. This infection model is suitable for use with GBS isolates from both homeothermic and poikilothermic hosts. Hypervirulent sequence types (ST) associated with invasive human disease in neonates (ST17) or adults (ST283) show increased virulence in this model, indicating it may be useful in studying GBS virulence determinants, albeit with limitations for some host-specific virulence factors. In addition, we demonstrate that larval survival can be afforded by antibiotic treatment and so the model may also be useful in the development of novel anti-GBS strategies. The use of G. mellonella in GBS research has the potential to provide a low-cost infection model that could reduce the number of vertebrates used in the study of GBS infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Six
- a Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences , University of Glasgow , Glasgow , UK
| | - Sakranmanee Krajangwong
- a Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences , University of Glasgow , Glasgow , UK
| | | | - Ruth N Zadoks
- c Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences , University of Glasgow , Glasgow , UK
| | - Daniel Walker
- a Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences , University of Glasgow , Glasgow , UK
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Lackner M, Obermair J, Naschberger V, Raschbichler LM, Kandelbauer C, Pallua J, Metzlaff J, Furxer S, Lass-Flörl C, Binder U. Cryptic species of Aspergillus section Terrei display essential physiological features to cause infection and are similar in their virulence potential in Galleria mellonella. Virulence 2020; 10:542-554. [PMID: 31169442 PMCID: PMC6592363 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1614382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species account for the majority of invasive mold infections in immunocompromised patients. Most commonly, members of the Aspergillus section Fumigati are isolated from clinical material, followed by isolates belonging to section Terrei. The section Terrei contains 16 accepted species. Six species were found to be of clinical relevance and studied for differences in growth adaptability and virulence potential. Therefore, a set of 73 isolates (22 A. terreus s.s., 8 A. alabamensis, 27 A. citrinoterreus, 2 A. floccosus, 13 A. hortai, and 1 A. neoafricanus) was studied to determine differences in (a) germination kinetics, (b) temperature tolerance, (c) oxygen stress tolerance (1% O2), and (d) a combination of the latter two. Virulence potential of phialidic (PC) and accessory conidia (AC) was studied in G. mellonella larvae, using survival as read out. Further, the formation of AC was evaluated in larval tissue. All isolates were able to grow at elevated temperature and hypoxia, with highest growth and germination rates at 37°C. A. terreus s.s., A. citrinoterreus, and A. hortai exhibited highest growth rates. Virulence potential in larvae was inoculum and temperature dependent. All species except A. floccosus formed AC and germination kinetics of AC was variable. Significantly higher virulence potential of AC was found for one A. hortai isolate. AC could be detected in larval tissue 96 h post infection. Based on these findings, cryptic species of section Terrei are well adapted to the host environment and have similar potential to cause infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Lackner
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Judith Obermair
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Verena Naschberger
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | | | - Carmen Kandelbauer
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Johannes Pallua
- b Department of Pathology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Julia Metzlaff
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Sibylle Furxer
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Ulrike Binder
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
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Sheehan G, Tully L, Kavanagh KA. Candida albicans increases the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus during polymicrobial infection of Galleria mellonella larvae. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2020; 166:375-385. [PMID: 32068530 PMCID: PMC7377259 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This study detailed the responses of Galleria mellonella larvae to disseminated infection caused by co-infection with Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Doses of C. albicans (1×105 larva-1) and S. aureus (1×104 larva-1) were non-lethal in mono-infection but when combined significantly (P<0.05) reduced larval survival at 24, 48 and 72 h relative to larvae receiving S. aureus (2×104 larva-1) alone. Co-infected larvae displayed a significantly higher density of S. aureus larva-1 compared to larvae infected solely with S. aureus. Co-infection resulted in dissemination throughout the host and the appearance of large nodules. Co-infection of larvae with C. albicans and S. aureus (2×104 larva-1) resulted in an increase in the density of circulating haemocytes compared to that in larvae infected with only S. aureus. Proteomic analysis of co-infected larval haemolymph revealed increased abundance of proteins associated with immune responses to bacterial and fungal infection such as cecropin-A (+45.4-fold), recognition proteins [e.g. peptidoglycan-recognition protein LB (+14-fold)] and proteins associated with nodule formation [e.g. Hdd11 (+33.3-fold)]. A range of proteins were also decreased in abundance following co-infection, including apolipophorin (-62.4-fold), alpha-esterase 45 (-7.7-fold) and serine proteinase (-6.2-fold). Co-infection of larvae resulted in enhanced proliferation of S. aureus compared to mono-infection and an immune response showing many similarities to the innate immune response of mammals to infection. The utility of G. mellonella larvae for studying polymicrobial infection is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Sheehan
- SSPC Pharma Research Centre, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.,Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Laura Tully
- SSPC Pharma Research Centre, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Kevin A Kavanagh
- SSPC Pharma Research Centre, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Vertyporokh L, Wojda I. Immune response of Galleria mellonella after injection with non-lethal and lethal dosages of Candida albicans. J Invertebr Pathol 2020; 170:107327. [PMID: 31945326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2020.107327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The immune response of Galleria mellonella to injection with non-lethal and lethal dosages of Candida albicans was compared. Larvae infected with the non-lethal dosage (2 × 104 cells/larva) did not show significant morphological changes, while those infected with the lethal dosage (2 × 105 cells/larva) showed inhibition of motility and cocoon formation and became darker around the area of injection after 24 h. While the administration of the lower dosage caused approx. 5- and 20-fold induction of genes for gallerimycin and galiomycin, respectively, the injection with the higher dosage induced approx. 25 and 120-fold expression of the respective genes. Similar differences were obtained for the insect metalloproteinase inhibitor (IMPI) and hemolin gene transcripts. The relatively low level of immune gene expression was confirmed by an assay of hemolymph antifungal activity, which was detected only in larvae infected with lethal dosage of C. albicans. Furthermore, greater amounts of immune-inducible peptides were detected in the hemolymph extracts in the same group of larvae. The stronger humoral immune response was not correlated with survival. Phenol oxidase (PO) activity was induced only in the hemolymph of larvae infected with the non-lethal dose; injection of the lethal dose resulted in strong inhibition of this enzyme after 24 h. We showed that PO is susceptible to regulation by immune priming with the non-lethal dose of C. albicans. The activity of this enzyme was enhanced in primed larvae at the time of re-injection. When both primed and non-primed larvae received 2 × 105 cells, the inhibition of PO was stronger in the primed group. G. mellonella infected with the lethal dose of C. albicans died despite the strong induction of humoral defence mechanisms. The priming-enhanced activity of PO was correlated with increased resistance to subsequent infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidiia Vertyporokh
- Maria Curie Skłodowska University, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Immunobiology, Lublin, Poland
| | - Iwona Wojda
- Maria Curie Skłodowska University, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Immunobiology, Lublin, Poland.
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Larva of greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is a suitable alternative host for the fish pathogen Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:8. [PMID: 31918661 PMCID: PMC6953311 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-1695-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno) is the etiological agent of francisellosis in cultured warm water fish, such as tilapia. Antibiotics are administered to treat the disease but a better understanding of Fno infection biology will inform improved treatment and prevention measures. However, studies with native hosts are costly and considerable benefits would derive from access to a practical alternative host. Here, larvae of Galleria mellonella were assessed for suitability to study Fno virulence. Results Larvae were killed by Fno in a dose-dependent manner but the insects could be rescued from lethal doses of bacteria by antibiotic therapy. Infection progression was assessed by histopathology (haematoxylin and eosin staining, Gram Twort and immunohistochemistry) and enumeration of bacteria recovered from the larval haemolymph on selective agar. Fno was phagocytosed and could survive intracellularly, which is consistent with observations in fish. Virulence of five Fno isolates showed strong agreement between G. mellonella and red Nile tilapia hosts. Conclusions This study shows that an alternative host, G. mellonella, can be applied to understand Fno infections, which will assist efforts to identify solutions to piscine francisellosis thus securing the livelihoods of tilapia farmers worldwide and ensuring the production of this important food source.
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Li L, Gao X, Lan M, Yuan Y, Guo Z, Tang P, Li M, Liao X, Zhu J, Li Z, Ye M, Wu G. De novo transcriptome analysis and identification of genes associated with immunity, detoxification and energy metabolism from the fat body of the tephritid gall fly, Procecidochares utilis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226039. [PMID: 31846465 PMCID: PMC6917277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The fat body, a multifunctional organ analogous to the liver and fat tissue of vertebrates, plays an important role in insect life cycles. The fat body is involved in protein storage, energy metabolism, elimination of xenobiotics, and production of immunity regulator-like proteins. However, the molecular mechanism of the fat body's physiological functions in the tephritid stem gall-forming fly, Procecidochares utilis, are still unknown. In this study, we performed transcriptome analysis of the fat body of P. utilis using Illumina sequencing technology. In total, 3.71 G of clean reads were obtained and assembled into 30,559 unigenes, with an average length of 539 bp. Among those unigenes, 21,439 (70.16%) were annotated based on sequence similarity to proteins in NCBI's non-redundant protein sequence database (Nr). Sequences were also compared to NCBI's non-redundant nucleotide sequence database (Nt), a manually curated and reviewed protein sequence database (SwissProt), and KEGG and gene ontology annotations were applied to better understand the functions of these unigenes. A comparative analysis was performed to identify unigenes related to detoxification, immunity and energy metabolism. Many unigenes involved in detoxification were identified, including 50 unigenes of putative cytochrome P450s (P450s), 18 of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), 35 of carboxylesterases (CarEs) and 26 of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Many unigenes related to immunity were identified, including 17 putative serpin genes, five peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) and four lysozyme genes. In addition, unigenes potentially involved in energy metabolism, including 18 lipase genes, five fatty acid synthase (FAS) genes and six elongases of very long chain fatty acid (ELOVL) genes, were identified. This transcriptome improves our genetic understanding of P. utilis and the identification of a numerous transcripts in the fat body of P. utilis offer a series of valuable molecular resources for future studies on the functions of these genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xi Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Mingxian Lan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Zijun Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Ping Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Mengyue Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xianbin Liao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Jiaying Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhengyue Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Min Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- * E-mail: (GW); (MY)
| | - Guoxing Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- * E-mail: (GW); (MY)
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Husain M, Tufail M, Mehmood K, Rasool KG, Aldawood AS. Transcriptome analysis of the almond moth, Cadra cautella, female abdominal tissues and identification of reproduction control genes. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:883. [PMID: 31752675 PMCID: PMC6869320 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6130-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The almond moth, Cadra cautella is a destructive pest of stored food commodities including dates that causes severe economic losses for the farming community worldwide. To date, no genetic information related to the molecular mechanism/strategies of its reproduction is available. Thus, transcriptome analysis of C. cautella female abdominal tissues was performed via next-generation sequencing (NGS) to recognize the genes responsible for reproduction. Results The NGS was performed with an Illumina Hiseq 2000 sequencer (Beijing Genomics Institute: BGI). From the transcriptome data, 9,804,804,120 nucleotides were generated and their assemblage resulted in 62,687 unigenes. The functional annotation analyses done by different databases, annotated, 27,836 unigenes in total. The transcriptome data of C. cautella female abdominal tissue was submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (accession no: PRJNA484692). The transcriptome analysis yielded several genes responsible for C. cautella reproduction including six Vg gene transcripts. Among the six Vg gene transcripts, only one was highly expressed with 3234.95 FPKM value (fragments per kilobase per million mapped reads) that was much higher than that of the other five transcripts. Higher differences in the expression level of the six Vg transcripts were confirmed by running the RT-PCR using gene specific primers, where the expression was observed only in one transcript it was named as the CcVg. Conclusions This is the first study to explore C. cautella reproduction control genes and it might be supportive to explore the reproduction mechanism in this pest at the molecular level. The NGS based transcriptome pool is valuable to study the functional genomics and will support to design biotech-based management strategies for C. cautella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mureed Husain
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | | | - Khalid Mehmood
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Khawaja Ghulam Rasool
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman Saad Aldawood
- Economic Entomology Research Unit, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Johnston PR, Paris V, Rolff J. Immune gene regulation in the gut during metamorphosis in a holo- versus a hemimetabolous insect. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20190073. [PMID: 31438821 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During metamorphosis, holometabolous insects completely replace the larval gut and must control the microbiota to avoid septicaemia. Rapid induction of bactericidal activity in the insect gut at the onset of pupation has been described in numerous orders of the Holometabola and is best-studied in the Lepidoptera where it is under control of the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) moulting pathway. Here, using RNAseq, we compare the expression of immune effector genes in the gut during metamorphosis in a holometabolous (Galleria mellonella) and a hemimetabolous insect (Gryllus bimaculatus). We find that in G. mellonella, the expression of numerous immune effectors and the transcription factor GmEts are upregulated, with peak expression of three antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and a lysozyme coinciding with delamination of the larval gut. By contrast, no such upregulation was detectable in the hemimetabolous Gr. bimaculatus. These findings support the idea that the upregulation of immune effectors at the onset of complete metamorphosis is an adaptive response, which controls the microbiota during gut replacement. This article is part of the theme issue 'The evolution of complete metamorphosis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Johnston
- Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Véronique Paris
- Evolutionary Biology, Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Bio 21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jens Rolff
- Evolutionary Biology, Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
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Vertyporokh L, Kordaczuk J, Mak P, Hułas-Stasiak M, Wojda I. Host-pathogen interactions upon the first and subsequent infection of Galleria mellonella with Candida albicans. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 117:103903. [PMID: 31233768 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.103903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Insects are able to develop enhanced resistance in response to repeated infection. This phenomenon is called immune priming. In this work, so-called "primed" Galleria mellonella larvae were re-infected with a lethal dose of Candida albicans 48 h after injection of a non-lethal dose, while "non-primed" larvae were infected only with a lethal dose. The increased resistance of the primed larvae correlated with a slower rate of body colonisation by the fungus. Changes in the protein profiles were detected in the whole hemolymph of the primed insects. The analysis of low-molecular weight proteins and peptides obtained with the use of three different organic solvents and comparative quantitative HPLC analysis thereof showed that the primed larvae did not have higher amounts of any infection-inducible polypeptides than the non-primed larvae. Moreover, electrophoresis of low-molecular weight polypeptides revealed an even lower level of immune-induced peptides in the primed larvae than in the non-primed ones. Furthermore, the defence activity of larval hemolymph, i.e. the antifungal, antibacterial, and lysozyme-type activity, was up-regulated in the primed larvae at the time of re-infection and, consequently, at the early time points after the infection with the lethal dose. Twenty four hours after the infection, these parameters were equally high in the non-primed and primed larvae. Accordingly, at the time of the injection of the lethal dose, certain immune-inducible genes were up-regulated. However, 24 h after the infection with the lethal dose, their expression in both groups was incomparably higher than at the time of the infection and, in most cases, it was as high in the primed larvae as in the non-primed ones. We found that only anti yeast-like activity was enhanced 24 h after the re-infection. This correlated with results obtained by testing the priming effect in heterologous systems: the primed animals did not exhibit higher resistance to the other pathogens tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidiia Vertyporokh
- Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Immunobiology, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jakub Kordaczuk
- Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Immunobiology, Lublin, Poland
| | - Paweł Mak
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Kraków, Poland
| | - Monika Hułas-Stasiak
- Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Comparative Anatomy and Anthropology, Lublin, Poland
| | - Iwona Wojda
- Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Immunobiology, Lublin, Poland.
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Indomethacin-induced gut damage in a surrogate insect model, Galleria mellonella. Arch Toxicol 2019; 93:2347-2360. [PMID: 31270586 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02508-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Indomethacin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that causes gastric ulceration and increased 'leakiness' in rat models, and is used routinely as a toxicology assay to screen novel compounds for repair and restitution properties. We set out to establish conditions for indomethacin-induced gut damage in wax-moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae with a view to reducing the need for rodents in such experimentation. We administered indomethacin (0.5-7.5 µg/larva; 2-30 mg/kg) to G. mellonella via intrahaemocoelic injection and gavage (force-feeding) and monitored survival and development, blood cell (haemocyte) numbers, and changes in gut permeability. Increased levels of gut leakiness were observed within the first 4- to 24 h by tracking fluorescent microspheres in the faeces and haemolymph (blood equivalent). Additionally, we recorded varying levels of tissue damage in histological sections of the insect midgut, including epithelial sloughing and cell necrosis. Degeneration of the midgut was accompanied by significant increases in detoxification-associated activities (superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase). Herein, we present the first evidence that G. mellonella larvae force-fed indomethacin display broad symptoms of gastric damage similar to their rodent counterparts.
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El Shazely B, Urbański A, Johnston PR, Rolff J. In vivo exposure of insect AMP resistant Staphylococcus aureus to an insect immune system. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 110:60-68. [PMID: 31051236 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important immune effectors in insects. Bacteria have a limited number of ways to resist AMPs, and AMP-resistance is often costly. Recently, it has become clear that AMP activities in vitro and in vivo differ. Although some studies have followed the in vivo survival of AMP resistant pathogens, studying a pathogen resistant to the AMPs of that particular host has never been reported. Here, we infected the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor with Staphylococcus aureus strains that were evolved in vitro in the presence of one or two antimicrobial peptides from T. molitor. We found that the Tenebrio immune system could clear mutant Tenecin resistant strains at least as efficiently as sensitive controls. The bacterial load of Tenecin resistant S. aureus segregated by mutation. Strains with mutations in both the pmt and rpo operons showed the highest in vivo survival and therefore showed the lowest fitness cost amongst the evolved resistance mutations. In contrast, Tenecin resistant strains with mutations in the nsa and rpo operons showed much lower survival within the hosts. Our study shows that Tenecin resistant strains are phagocytosed at a lower rate. The nsa/rpo mutants were phagocytosed at a higher rate than other Tenecin resistant S. aureus strains. The differences in resistance against AMPs and phagocytosis did not translate into changes in virulence. AMP resistance, while a prerequisite for an infection in vertebrates, does not provide a survival advantage to S. aureus in a host environment that is dominated by AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baydaa El Shazely
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Arkadiusz Urbański
- Department of Animal Physiology and Development, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
| | - Paul R Johnston
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany; Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Rolff
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany; Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany.
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Sheehan G, Dixon A, Kavanagh K. Utilization of Galleria mellonella larvae to characterize the development of Staphylococcus aureus infection. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2019; 165:863-875. [PMID: 31107207 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a human opportunistic pathogen that causes a wide range of superficial and systemic infections in susceptible patients. Here we describe how an inoculum of S. aureus activates the cellular and humoral response of Galleria mellonella larvae while growing and disseminating throughout the host, forming nodules and ultimately killing the host. An inoculum of S. aureus (2×106 larva- 1 ) decreased larval viability at 24 (80±5.77 %), 48 (55.93±5.55 %) and 72 h (10.23±2.97 %) and was accompanied by significant proliferation and dissemination of S. aureus between 6 and 48 h and the formation of nodules in the host. The hemocyte (immune cell) densities increased between 4 and 24 h and hemocytes isolated from larvae after 24 h exposure to heat-killed S. aureus (2×106 larva- 1 ) showed altered killing kinetics as compared to those from control larvae. Alterations in the humoral immune response of larvae 6 and 24 h post-infection were also determined by quantitative shotgun proteomics. The proteome of 6 h-infected larvae was enriched for antimicrobial proteins, proteins of the prophenoloxidase cascade and a range of peptidoglycan recognition proteins. By 24 h there was a significant increase in the abundance of a range of antimicrobial peptides with anti-staphylococcal activity and proteins associated with nodule formation. The results presented here indicate how S. aureus interacts with the larval immune response, induces the expression of a variety of immune-related peptides and also forms nodules which are a hallmark of soft tissue infections during human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Sheehan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Amy Dixon
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Gorr SU, Flory CM, Schumacher RJ. In vivo activity and low toxicity of the second-generation antimicrobial peptide DGL13K. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216669. [PMID: 31071184 PMCID: PMC6508730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides have been evaluated as possible alternatives to traditional antibiotics. The translational potential of the antimicrobial peptide DGL13K was tested with focus on peptide toxicity and in vivo activity in two animal models. DGL13K was effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus with minimal bactericidal concentrations similar to the minimal inhibitory concentration. The peptide showed low toxicity to human red blood cells and HEK cells with median lethal dose around 1 mg/ml. The median lethal dose in greater wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella) was about 125mg/kg while the peptide caused no skin toxicity in a mouse model. A novel high-throughput luminescence assay was used to test peptide activity in infected G. mellonella, thus reducing vertebrate animal use. DGL13K killed P. aeruginosa in both the G. mellonella model and a mouse burn wound infection model, with bacterial viability 3-10-fold lower than in untreated controls. Future experiments will focus on optimizing peptide delivery, dose and frequency to further improve the antibacterial effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven-Ulrik Gorr
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Craig M. Flory
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Robert J. Schumacher
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
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Buisson C, Gohar M, Huillet E, Nielsen-LeRoux C. Bacillus thuringiensis Spores and Vegetative Bacteria: Infection Capacity and Role of the Virulence Regulon PlcR Following Intrahaemocoel Injection of Galleria mellonella. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10050129. [PMID: 31060274 PMCID: PMC6571593 DOI: 10.3390/insects10050129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis is an invertebrate pathogen that produces insecticidal crystal toxins acting on the intestinal barrier. In the Galleria mellonella larvae infection model, toxins from the PlcR virulence regulon contribute to pathogenicity by the oral route. While B. thuringiensis is principally an oral pathogen, bacteria may also reach the insect haemocoel following injury of the cuticle. Here, we address the question of spore virulence as compared to vegetative cells when the wild-type Bt407cry- strain and its isogenic ∆plcR mutant are inoculated directly into G. mellonella haemocoel. Mortality dose-response curves were constructed at 25 and 37 °C using spores or vegetative cell inocula, and the 50% lethal dose (LD50) in all infection conditions was determined after 48 h of infection. Our findings show that (i) the LD50 is lower for spores than for vegetative cells for both strains, while the temperature has no significant influence, and (ii) the ∆plcR mutant is four to six times less virulent than the wild-type strain in all infection conditions. Our results suggest that the environmental resistant spores are the most infecting form in haemocoel and that the PlcR virulence regulon plays an important role in toxicity when reaching the haemocoel from the cuticle and not only following ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Buisson
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
| | - Michel Gohar
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
| | - Eugénie Huillet
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
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